Chapter 128.2: Assault on the Holy Land! The Death of Imu!

"Hmm, we can't delay any longer."

"Have Mr. Tiger inform our allies to prepare for action!"

Chu Yang's tone carried the weight of a command, yet Dragon found nothing inappropriate about it. He had already silently acknowledged Chu Yang's leadership.

To everyone aboard the Pluton battleship, Chu Yang's status was even higher than that of a mere leader—he was a revered existence.

Much like how Imu mattered to the Five Elders.

Before attacking the Holy Land, they held a brief strategy meeting.

"The first step of our assault is to seize control of the elevators. Mr. Tiger is familiar with this task, so he'll lead the Sun Pirates and the samurai in executing it."

As the biggest scapegoat for the "Burning of the Holy Land" incident, Tiger was the perfect candidate for the job.

When Chu Yang spoke those words, both he and Tiger instinctively glanced at each other, amusement flickering in their eyes.

They recalled the moment they first met—both in dire straits.

Tiger sighed with emotion. That young boy from that fateful night was now about to reshape the world.

"After Mr. Tiger reunites with our allies, he will prioritize assisting Dragon in dealing with the God Knights."

"The Revolutionary Army will handle the remaining Holy Land guards."

"With no interference from the Navy, we won't necessarily be at a numerical disadvantage."

Chu Yang laid out the overarching plan, while Dragon and Tiger would determine the finer details of execution.

No one in the room asked how they would deal with the Five Elders or Imu.

They all knew—that was Chu Yang's battle alone.

"This plan isn't overly complicated, but the cost will be heavy. Sacrifices are inevitable. When the time comes, I hope you won't hesitate."

That was Chu Yang's final piece of advice to them.

After the meeting ended, Chu Yang sought out Vegapunk and Tom separately. As non-combatants, they would remain aboard Pluton.

A portion of the support personnel would stay with them as well.

"Dr. Vegapunk, Mr. Tom, I leave Pluton in your hands. The timing of the attack will be up to you."

Tom might not fully grasp the situation, but Vegapunk certainly did—because he knew of the Celestial Dragons' secret treasure.

Nightfall.

A steel behemoth soared through the clouds, silently approaching the Holy Land.

No one noticed anything unusual.

Because their eyes were always fixed on the endless sea before them.

The Sun Pirates' Fish-Men and the samurai of Wano, each carrying parachutes on their backs, leaped from the deck one after another as Tiger took the lead.

Their target—the elevator control station.

Chu Yang also left the deck, flying toward the heart of the Holy Land—Pangaea Castle.

The moment Tiger and his forces engaged in combat, Pangaea Castle received the alert, and reinforcements poured out from within.

Chu Yang simply flew over their heads.

Expanding his Observation Haki, he searched for Imu's whereabouts. Before long, he felt it—someone was watching him.

It was Imu's Observation Haki!

The two forces clashed invisibly, each catching a glimpse of the other's presence.

Inside the supposedly vacant Empty Throne, Imu sat in silence, waiting for Chu Yang's arrival.

"Quite the spectacle."

Chu Yang summoned his Susanoo, instantly entering its full-body form and charging straight toward the Empty Throne.

The Five Elders stood guard before Imu, glaring at Chu Yang with fury.

"Insolent wretch!"

Jaygarcia Saturn was the first to unleash his Devil Fruit Awakening, transforming into a demon with a bull's head and charging at Chu Yang.

Marcus Mars followed, taking the form of a monstrous, fire-cloaked bird.

The remaining Five Elders transformed as well, each activating their Awakened Zoan forms, attacking Chu Yang from all sides.

Meanwhile, Imu vanished into the shadows.

Pangaea Castle erupted into chaos.

And the same was true outside.

Tiger and his forces successfully seized control of the elevators. Before long, their gathered allies began arriving.

The first to step out—was the Pirate King's right-hand man, Dark King Rayleigh.

Beside him stood an old comrade—Scopper Gaban.

The two veterans led the charge, clearing a path for their allies as they stormed into the Holy Land.

Outside Pangaea Castle, they saw Dragon and the Revolutionary Army locked in a standoff against a formidable group.

The enemy leader had hair like a crescent moon and carried a rapier at his waist.

The Supreme Commander of the God Knights—Figarland Garling!

The God Knights numbered nine in total.

Nine top-tier warriors proficient in Conqueror's Haki infusion!

Dragon was holding them off, preventing them from entering Pangaea Castle to assist Imu.

Figarland Garling was the first to strike. His blade, clad in Conqueror's Haki, cleaved the ground in half.

Just as Dragon prepared to counter—

A figure stepped in front of him.

Dark King Rayleigh unleashed a slash of his own, his blade infused with overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, colliding with Garling's attack.

The earth split apart.

"I'll handle this one!"

Rayleigh slowly advanced toward his opponent.

"It's been a long time since God Valley, Dark King Rayleigh."

Garling regarded his old acquaintance with a calm expression, reminiscing about past encounters.

Yet, despite their composed exchange, their Conqueror's Haki clashed fiercely, sending black lightning crackling through the air.

Rayleigh's aura sharpened—like an unsheathed sword, gleaming with battle hunger.

Without further words, the two warriors engaged in a furious duel.

The sky churned with reversed clouds, the battlefield divided by the sheer force of their wills.

Elsewhere, fighters paired off against their chosen foes, or used superior numbers to wear down their opponents.

This was war—there was no honor, only victory.

Pluton hovered above the Holy Land, prepared to fire at any moment. The reason Chu Yang hadn't used it for a preemptive strike was simple—he wasn't sure where the secret treasure was.

Pluton's cannon required time to charge.

Much like the Sunny, but with an even longer preparation time.

If they failed to destroy the Celestial Dragons' secret treasure in the first strike, they would be vulnerable during the recharge period.

That was also why Imu hadn't used the secret treasure upon detecting Chu Yang.

She was waiting—for the perfect opportunity.

Using it prematurely would expose its location and risk failure against a fully-powered Pluton.

If that happened, she would be the one at a disadvantage.

But unlike Chu Yang, Imu had fewer cards to play. If the Five Elders fell and the God Knights failed to break into Pangaea Castle, she would have no choice but to use it.

In the end, raw power determined the outcome of this battle.

Ironically, that was exactly the principle Imu had always upheld—the very foundation of her rule.

Inside Pangaea Castle.

The Five Elders, all Zoan Mythical Devil Fruit Awakened users, were incredibly resilient, managing to stall Chu Yang's advance.

Seeing Imu escape, Chu Yang didn't want to waste time.

He activated his Domain Expansion.

Behind him, the Malevolent Shrine emerged.

Scarlet moonlight bathed the Empty Throne.

Chu Yang formed a single-hand seal, pointing toward the Five Elders.

A storm of furious slashes rained down.

Blood erupted.

"What is this ability?!"

"Our Armament Haki won't block it!"

"Damn it! We can't heal!"

"Aaaargh!!"

Their screams rose and then faded into silence.

The grand hall was now a river of blood—no trace of the Five Elders remained, only five unrecognizable heaps of flesh.

Chu Yang stepped over the blood-soaked floor, pursuing Imu.

Deep within Pangaea Castle.

Sensing the Five Elders' deaths, Imu stiffened.

In 800 years, she had never felt such fear.

Her enemy was far stronger than she had ever imagined—far beyond even Joy Boy.

"He can't be human!"

"Could he be like me—immortal?!"

"Did he survive from the ancient era?!"

Panic-stricken, Imu began rambling, searching for a reason to explain Chu Yang's impossible strength.

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