Dust swirled wildly through the air.

Across the vast plaza, the earth lay mottled and shattered. Solid stone slabs were cracked and broken everywhere, pitted and scarred. Blood flowed through the earth's gullies, countless bodies of CP members and Holy Land guardians lay strewn about, and the very air was thick with the pungent smell of gunpowder and blood.

Around the plaza, thousands of elite Guardians and CP operatives had already surrounded the nearby area.

Of course, the true value of this so-called "encirclement" was evident in their trembling hands and pallid faces—every action they took was utterly meaningless against that man. This was no battle for humans to participate in.

The combined might of the World Government's supreme authority—the five Knights of God—was effortlessly dismantled by that man. Even the newly appointed leader of the God's Knights, Figarland Garling Saint Garling, hailed as the "Strongest Celestial Dragon," had one of his arms shattered by him! Had they not witnessed it firsthand, not a single person present would have believed this was real.

"Fox... Fox-sama, should we intervene?"

Amidst the crowd, a CP0 agent wearing a jackal mask whispered to Stussy.

Beneath her mask, Stussy's eyes flickered with light as she stared intently at Daren's domineering, defiant figure. She seemed to want to etch this scene deeply into her memory, her breathing growing slightly heavy.

Hearing her subordinate's question, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

After a moment's pause, she glanced at the Five Elders and Kong, facing Daren across the square, then cast a subtle look toward Doflamingo, who stood nearby with his hands in his pockets, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips. Shaking her head, she declared:

"Without the Five Elders' orders, none of us may intervene."

"Trust in their strength. Centuries of accumulated power... it is unbreakable."

"If the Five Elders require our assistance, they will issue the order."

"Their silence now signifies that the situation remains firmly within their grasp."

The CP members: "..."

Their lips twitched slightly, as if they wanted to protest, but they obediently kept their mouths shut.

The situation remains within their grasp... Do you really believe that?

They exchanged glances, their words caught in their throats as they surveyed the wasteland-like landscape and the black-haired youth—wounded yet radiating a godlike, demonic power. Then, one by one, they nodded in deep agreement:

"Stussy is absolutely right."

"Truly, Stussy is unmatched."

"We were worrying needlessly."

"..."

Anyway, we all believe it now.

…

Tick.

Tick.

Blood trickled down Daren's body and right hand, finally landing on the ground, where it gradually spread into a mist. Blood stained the corners of his mouth, even faintly tinging his teeth red. It was clear that his battle against the Five Elders and Saint Figarland Garling had taken a heavy toll, leaving him wounded and under immense pressure.

Yet, as he gazed at the figure not far away, entirely enveloped in blazing lightning, the Five Elders fell into a momentary silence. Faced with Daren's "brazen" words, they found themselves unable to refute him.

The world was utterly still at that moment, broken only by the labored gasps of Saint Figarland Garling.

"But if you do that, you will die here. I can guarantee it."

Kong's deep voice suddenly shattered the silence. He lifted his head, his gaze fixed intently on Daren, his voice raspy as he said,

"The government's authority must not be violated. Don't forget that. And Daren, boy... in this state, how much longer can you hold out?"

Hearing this, Daren narrowed his eyes. In that instant, he seemed to sense something, his gaze shifting toward the deepest recesses of Pangaea Castle.

After a second of silence, he quickly withdrew his gaze, chuckling lightly as he shrugged.

"Fine. Today, I'll do Fleet Admiral Kong a favor."

His gaze swept past Steel Bone Kong and the grim-faced Five Elders, landing on the red-haired Celestial Dragon behind them, who was clutching his arm and gasping for breath. He smiled.

"Saint Garling-sama, it seems today is your lucky day."

Saint Figarland Garling took a deep breath and gritted his teeth.

"This won't end here."

Daren smiled.

"I look forward to it."

"Oh, I nearly forgot..."

He tapped his forehead, then bowed slightly toward the Five Elders and Saint Garling, performing an elegant gentleman's salute. He chuckled,

"On behalf of the dozens of nations of the North Blue, I congratulate Lord Figarland Saint Garling on his promotion to Commander of the God's Knights."

As the words fell, bloodshot veins instantly surged around Saint Figarland Garling's pupils. The Five Elders collectively held their breath.

Before they could respond, Daren immediately turned his gaze to another direction, toward Doflamingo, smiling just as warmly:

"You've improved considerably too, Doflamingo."

Doflamingo froze, then a mocking curve lifted his lips as he sneered,

"All thanks to your kindness, Rogers Daren."

Daren chuckled.

"You're welcome."

With that, he lightly stamped the ground.

Crack!

A fissure, seemingly bottomless, began spreading from the spot where his military boot landed, tearing through the earth and spewing dust.

Rumble...

A vast net-like structure emerged across the plaza. Under the horrified stares of countless onlookers, the Celestial Stairway—which had stood unshaken for centuries—suddenly collapsed downward, covered in cracks!

The fissures climbed upward, reaching the very summit of the Celestial Stairway before spreading to the towering, majestic statue on its left flank. An elegant visage, the signature crescent hairstyle, deep, piercing eyes... The statue was now covered in countless cracks.

Amidst the deafening roar of the Saint Figarland Garling statue crashing to the ground, Daren's figure shot skyward from the earth, transforming into a dazzling beam of light that instantly vanished into the horizon, disappearing into the Sea Clouds on the distant skyline.

"...The 'King of North Blue,' Rogers Daren... has come to witness the ceremony!"

A defiant roar echoed from afar, reverberating endlessly across the plaza. Statues crumbled, the earth trembled. Yet at that moment, sunlight pierced the clouds, plunging like a golden blade to illuminate the land.

Doflamingo stood rooted to the spot, his eyes fixed upward toward the summit of the Celestial Stairway. There, where two statues once stood side by side, only one remained. The blond Celestial Dragon gazed at the solitary, colossal statue identical to himself, standing amidst the ruins, beside the fallen statue...

Finally, he could not help but burst into laughter.

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