Chapter 242: Zunesha

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The Marines' actions spread rapidly across the world. 

Countless factions responded rapidly—some shocked, some terrified, some thrilled, and some outright driven to madness. War, after all, always stirs chaos.

During the Summit War, the entire world had been engulfed in turmoil. 

The Marines' live broadcast from Marineford shocked everyone, showcasing their overwhelming power. Now, facing two of the Four Emperors, what outcome would this war bring?

"If the Marines win this battle, even the World Government will begin to fear them. At that point, it won't just be pirates trembling—the World Government might too."

"But if Arashi truly wields power that can defy the Government, then we may have another option."

In a grand, brightly lit palace, a middle-aged king wearing a crown spoke solemnly into a Den Den Mushi. Reflected on its surface was another man with a square, authoritative face.

"You'd better think this through. Defying the old pact with the World Government comes with consequences."

"Of course. As kings, we must weigh such things carefully. But if Arashi truly is that powerful, investing in him may not be a mistake."

"After all, the pressure we've endured from the World Government for years hasn't eased a bit." The first man's expression darkened, his voice tinged with anger.

"There are many others like us—former royalty who share our resentment."

"Exactly. Anything could happen in the future."

Countless powers around the world were either watching closely or already contemplating their next moves as the global situation shifted by the second.

In the North Blue, atop a massive ship laden with buildings, rows of uniformed soldiers patrolled in silence. At the port, ships were slowly docking.

"The world's most fearsome man is about to lose it again, huh? What a terrifying bastard."

Inside the palace, Vinsmoke Judge stood in battle attire, holding a newspaper and frowning deeply. His eyes narrowed with contemplation.

"I heard that years ago, Vegapunk also fell into his hands. That Pacifista who appeared during the Summit War was surely Vegapunk's creation, wasn't it?"

"A remarkable combat weapon." He looked at his sons before him.

"I was originally planning to ally with one of the Four Emperors. But given recent developments, that seems unlikely now."

"Even the alliance between Big Mom and Kaido might not withstand Arashi's assault. We may need to seek a new partner."

His sons exchanged glances, visibly surprised.

"Father, do you think those two Emperors will be defeated?" Vinsmoke Yonji asked loudly.

"Not just defeated. If you observe closely, the Marines have practically mobilised their entire force."

"All their top-tier powerhouses are pouring into the New World. Even Marineford itself has been left wide open."

Judge took a deep breath, his expression heavy. "This means Arashi has burned all bridges—he's going all in to take Wano."

"This battle may be even harder than facing Whitebeard and Shanks together. But the outcome… won't change."

"Arashi is simply too strong. This era of the Marines is too strong."

His words echoed in the ears of his sons and daughters, leaving them at a loss. 

They sensed their father's admiration-no, fear—of Arashi, and that was something they struggled to comprehend.

"He's just a Marine Fleet Admiral—how could he possibly defeat two Emperors on their turf?" Judge caught their doubtful expressions and chuckled coldly.

"You're still too young. If you'd lived in Arashi's era, you'd understand."

Judge's face turned grim. "That man isn't human. He's very likely a monster blessed with extraordinary Lineage Factors."

The room fell into silence. Reiju, Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji all widened their eyes in shock. Power is abstract, but Lineage Factors—they understood.

"Impossible to kill. Possesses the power of two—maybe even three—Devil Fruits."

"That man is a monster who surpasses humanity," Judge said in a low voice, his face unreadable.

"Then, do you want to ally with him?" Reiju asked.

"Ally with him?" Judge paused. Then he laughed bitterly, shaking his head. 

"If there's a chance to ally with Arashi and the Marines, I'd never pass it up. But I doubt a man like him would even look our way."

A hint of bitterness crept onto Judge's face. Germa 66 might be a formidable mercenary force on a global scale. But in Arashi's eyes, they were nothing.

That man was a monster on his own and commanded the entire Marine force. Not to mention, he had Vegapunk, the world's top scientist, on his side.

Judge even suspected the Marines now held weapons far more advanced and deadly than anything he'd created.

Arashi had already bested him—not just in power, but in the very field Judge was most proud of: science.

"You'll never know unless you try. Yes, the Marines have grown powerful and domineering lately, but Germa 66 is far from weak."

"No one in the world would dare underestimate us. This time, the Marines have only deployed ten thousand elite soldiers to Wano."

"If we send our entire force there to assist them, Arashi might just consider working with us."

"The Marines are stretched thin in the New World right now. Our arrival would be a critical boost."

Reiju's sudden argument made Judge's expression shift. He furrowed his brows, then began to consider it seriously.

He had to admit—his daughter's idea was sound, and very possible.

After a long silence, Judge finally looked up, his face shifting constantly. He hesitated—but only for a moment.

"You're right. In any gamble, the only bets that matter are the ones placed before the cards are revealed. Once they're on the table, there's no profit left."

Judge stood up slowly. "Mobilise all forces. Effective immediately, cancel all contracted missions. Germa 66 is heading for the New World."

The four siblings exchanged glances, then shouted in unison: "Yes!"

The massive Germa fleet sprang into action, charging at full speed toward the New World.

.....

At the same time, the Marine fleet led by Arashi's flagship, the Thunder, had already been sailing for three days and nights.

With over a hundred warships, the massive force was unstoppable, even in pirate-filled seas.

Any crews that crossed their path either fled in fear or were torn apart by overwhelming firepower.

As time passed, the fleet drew closer to Wano.

"Wano's geography is unique. It has no outer coastline, only cliffs and waterfalls," someone explained.

"To enter, you either ride the enormous koi surrounding it or scale the waterfall into the inland sea."

"But the waterfall is likely guarded by Kaido and Orochi's forces. That means we only have one real option left."

The deep voice echoed on the Thunder. Everyone nearby frowned.

Buggy, Rosinante, and Smoker looked at the tall man seated before them—even cross-legged, he towered over them.

"No wonder the World Government ignored Wano for so many years. Cliffs on all sides, giant waterfalls. Practically impregnable. Attacking that country won't be easy," they said, sighing.

If just landing was this difficult, how would they even fight Kaido?

"There is only one choice left," Arashi sighed. 

"But even the koi are unreliable—you only encounter them by chance," Kozuki Oden muttered.

"Who said I'm using the koi?" Arashi chuckled.

"You're not?" Oden's face changed. Was he planning to go straight through the waterfall?

"Don't forget our mission, Oden!" Arashi patted him on the shoulder.

"This Marine operation is about war! Strategic points like ports must be taken immediately."

"Not only that—once we land, we must quickly sweep away Kaido and Orochi's forces and establish a Marine base in Wano."

Arashi's clear and confident tone left Oden stunned—but then he suddenly understood.

Of course. Marines were different from samurai. They had ten thousand elite soldiers and top-tier fighters—world-class warriors.

If Kaido and Big Mom hadn't concentrated their troops at Wano's port, then as long as an entrance was found, entering wouldn't be a problem.

"Oden." A voice with a soft chuckle reached his ears, making him pause.

"This time, you're not facing him alone." Arashi's smiling face caught his gaze. Warmth surged through Oden's heart.

"Thank you."

Arashi smiled, then turned his gaze to the horizon. It was now dusk. The blood-red sun cast its glow across the waves.

The sea breeze blew gently, rustling the robes on his body.

Arashi's gaze deepened, and within his eyes, he could already envision what was to come. This expedition to Wano Country was sure to draw global attention. 

At the very least, countless pirates across these seas would be itching to make a move. 

Meanwhile, the World Government remained strangely silent—no contact, no message. And that silence could only mean one thing: danger.

"These guys must be planning something," Arashi muttered, narrowing his eyes.

Two more days passed in the blink of an eye.

"Up ahead is Zou!" someone called. "But legend says this island only appears to those fated to see it. Many have claimed to find it, only to return and find it gone again."

"They say Zou is a living, moving elephant," Rosinante added with awe. Marine archives had recorded many strange phenomena, though few had been verified firsthand.

"That legend is true," Arashi replied with a faint smile. "And today, you're in luck." He paused, then pointed forward. "It's right there."

Rosinante, Smoker, Guina, and Buggy all froze before slowly turning to look ahead. Clear blue skies stretched above, and the sparkling sea shimmered in the sun. But there was nothing-no island, no creature—just waves and sky.

"Where?" Buggy asked blankly.

Arashi smiled. His Observation Haki stretched far beyond what others could perceive. 

What he saw was not something the average eye could catch—not even Haki masters like Shanks could match the range of Arashi's perception.

"Zou..." Kozuki Oden murmured. He didn't say more. He sat, lost in a flood of memories.

Half a quarter of an hour passed before the massive fleet abruptly stopped. Fog began to spread across the sea, quickly engulfing the ships.

"Damn this weather," one officer complained. "We've had it easy so far. Barely any storms."

"This fog's throwing off our course!"

Suddenly—

Boom!

A tremor rocked the ships. The fog stirred violently.

Boom!

The sea boiled with pressure. A terrifying aura swept across the fleet, making everyone's expression shift.

"What's out there? Such a massive shadow... it feels like we're being crushed! It looks like... an elephant?"

The Marines stared in shock at the growing silhouette in the mist. Buggy, Rosinante, and the others all looked up at the enormous form looming closer.

"What is that? It's huge!"

Kozuki Oden narrowed his eyes. "Zou," he whispered.

Even Arashi's eyes glinted with curiosity as he stared at the approaching behemoth. 

The ocean rippled, waves swelling as the colossus drew near. Its looming presence radiated an oppressive aura that made every heart feel heavy.

"What the hell is that thing? It's alive—and it moves! It's carrying a mountain on its back!"

The Marines who had never heard of Zou trembled in fear. None of them had ever seen anything like this in their lives. The fog made it even more nightmarish.

The entire Marine fleet came to a halt, paralysed by the sheer size of what stood before them.

The Ship led the vanguard and was now closest to Zou. Arashi stood calmly, arms crossed, wearing a faint smile, eyes serene. 

There was no fear in him, even in the face of the mighty Zunesha.

On the flanks of the flagship, five other warships sailed beside it. Each had a Marine Admiral standing at the bow, silently watching the giant silhouette ahead.

Boom... Boom... Boom...

Deep, thudding footsteps echoed across the sea. The waves surged, splashing against the warships.

Within moments, the titanic shadow was only a few hundred meters away. Slowly, its enormous form began to take shape.

"It's... It's massive! It's like an entire island! What kind of monster is this?" Panic swept through the ranks.

Though the fog remained thick, the closer the creature came, the clearer the details became—legs like mountain pillars, a back covered in lush trees that, up close, were dense strands of fur.

The sheer magnitude left many speechless. They could only stare in awe, their voices caught in their throats.

Suddenly—

Crack!

Black and red lightning tore through the sky. A mighty Conqueror's Haki erupted across the sea, filling the air with violent pressure.

Above, the wind roared. The thick fog was scattered in an instant.

"Don't let this beast scare the words out of your mouths, soldiers!" boomed a voice filled with laughter, immense and commanding. It echoed across the fleet.

Everyone snapped out of their daze, eyes locking onto the figure aboard the flagship.

"Fleet Admiral Arashi!"

"It's Arashi!"

"That's right—why are we afraid? The strongest man in the world is with us!"

Excitement and cheers broke out among the Marines. The wind howled as the fog vanished. At last, the shadow that loomed moments ago was now in full view.

"A giant elephant? It looks like it's made of stone! It's walking through the ocean—just how massive is it?"

Voices of awe rippled through the fleet. Some swallowed hard, unable to hide their fear. The creature before them was too enormous, its presence too overwhelming.

The Zunesha had just noticed the fleet. Though massive, the Marine warships were like ants in comparison.

"Any closer and you'll crash into us, Zunesha!" Arashi suddenly called out.

With his voice, another crack of black-red lightning split the sky, and violent Haki flooded the sea. For a moment, even the waves froze.

Then, the Zunesha halted. It stood silently in the water, just a hundred meters away, unmoving. At this distance, it looked more like a living island than a beast.

"Wooooooohhhh—"

A low, rumbling trumpet burst from its trunk. The sound created a wave of air so strong it distorted the very air, forming shockwaves that surged into the distance.

Everyone aboard gasped. Some Marines gulped repeatedly, even forgetting to breathe.

"Can a creature like that even be defeated by humans?" one whispered.

But then he looked forward at the lone figure standing tall atop the lead warship. 

The power emanating from Arashi was so immense that even the Zunesha dared not step closer.

"You… your power is like that of a demon," a voice suddenly echoed in Arashi's ears, causing him to raise an eyebrow.

"It reminds me of a time long past—eight hundred, perhaps even a thousand years ago."

"He has awakened..." the voice continued, deep and indistinct, yet unmistakably clear. It wasn't spoken aloud, but within his mind.

Arashi instantly realised where the voice came from. He stared directly at the Zunesha.

"You can speak?" he asked aloud.

"Your strength... it stirred me from my slumber," Zunesha replied. "Perhaps for the first time in a thousand years."

Its tone carried surprise, for its awareness had long been sealed away, leaving it to roam the seas like a soulless husk. And yet, this man had awakened it.

"I do not seek to fight you," Arashi said firmly. "Please move aside and let us pass, Zunesha!"

"You may be one who can change the world," Zunesha replied with a cryptic tone.

Then, it slowly shifted its massive body, moving aside of its own accord.

"It moved! It gave way to us!"

"It's alive! That giant elephant is alive!"

The Marines shouted in shock as they watched the massive beast step aside. Its pillar-like legs crossed between the ships, sending waves crashing into the vessels. 

The shadow of its enormous belly passed overhead, as dark and solid as a cliff face that had stood for centuries.

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