Chapter 118: Chaotic East Blue

Five hundred meters above Elegia, Golden Lion and Indigo were drenched in cold sweat.

The souls of the dozen pirates who had followed them had all been dragged into the world of song, turning into zombies.

Meanwhile, the massive Demon King of Song continued to roar at the sky, its deep shadow spreading across the surrounding seas.

"I never thought such a monster would appear in a deserted country."

Golden Lion had a pounding headache, filled with fear.

He had never imagined that trying to capture a little girl would unleash something like this.

"Boss, are we going back down to deal with it?"

Indigo asked, stammering.

"Deal with it? I'm a pirate, not the Navy!"

Golden Lion punched Indigo on the head, furious.

"We're just going to leave it? It looks like it might swallow up the entire East Blue."

Indigo hesitated.

According to their original plan, they were going to threaten the world using the safety of the East Blue to assert dominance.

"Let it swallow it. Let the East Blue be destroyed for all I care!"

"Don't the Navy and that Caelan love meddling in other people's business? I want to see how they handle this monster!"

Golden Lion laughed darkly at the thought of what was about to happen.

He'd been ruined by Caelan and the Navy, and resentment had long been festering inside him.

He didn't know the full extent of this monster's abilities, but if it could drag down the Navy and Caelan with it, all the better.

"There's going to be a good show."

Golden Lion stood before the golden cannon, a sinister smile on his face.

…

On the East Blue, the Red-Haired Pirates.

After learning that Golden Lion was wreaking havoc in the East Blue, they rushed back as quickly as possible.

Not only was Red-Hair's old flame, Makino, in the East Blue, but his adopted daughter was also staying in Elegia.

After visiting his wife in Foosha Village, Shanks headed for Elegia again, hoping to check on Uta's safety from afar.

Even from dozens of miles away, Shanks could sense something was wrong.

"The Demon King of Song has been unsealed. Uta is in danger!"

With his Observation Haki fully extended, Shanks could sense the drastic changes in Elegia.

That massive creature was the Demon King of Song, Tot Musica—the same one that had destroyed Elegia ten years ago.

"That old man Golden Lion is really asking for death."

"If anything happens to Uta, I'll kill every last one of them!"

Shanks' expression darkened, his tone filled with urgency.

Uta was precious to him. He would never allow harm to come to her.

"Don't worry, Shanks."

"The appearance of Tot Musica at least means Uta is still alive."

Beckman, pipe in mouth, replied calmly, his eyes deep and composed.

The appearance of the Demon King of Song meant Uta was in danger.

But because of her Song-Song Fruit, she wouldn't be in immediate danger until the Demon King was defeated.

"That's true. As long as we get rid of that thing, Uta will be fine."

"Save Uta first, then we'll deal with Golden Lion. Relics of the old era should've retired a long time ago!"

Shanks pressed down on his sword, Griffon, and laughed boldly.

But deep down, he was uneasy. The Demon King of Song was not easy to handle.

Ten years ago, the Demon King hadn't been sealed by them. It had vanished only because Uta had exhausted her physical strength.

Everyone aboard the Red-Haired Pirates knew that, and their expressions turned grim as they pushed the ship forward at full speed.

Whatever the outcome, they had to give it everything they had.

…

"The Red-Haired Pirates. The God Slayer Caelan. An unknown powerful demon. And Golden Lion who may be lurking nearby…"

The Marines stationed near Elegia observed multiple powerful presences and were drenched in cold sweat.

The East Blue, known as the weakest of the four seas, had already been cleaned up by Garp and Caelan. Even the appearance of a pirate with a bounty in the millions was a huge event here.

Now, four top-tier forces had shown up at once. It felt like the sky was collapsing.

"Hurry, request reinforcements from Headquarters!"

The captain shouted, nearly panicked.

The signal officer quickly pulled out the Den Den Mushi and transmitted the information directly to Marine Headquarters.

"Understood."

Sengoku hung up the Den Den Mushi with a heavy expression and a throbbing headache.

Even before this call, he had already received reports from several Vice Admirals, prompting him to end Aokiji's recovery and send him out.

Yet, less than an hour after Aokiji set out, bad news had arrived from the East Blue again.

Each of these four forces was a nightmare on their own.

And now they were converging.

"Aokiji alone isn't enough."

Sengoku pressed his forehead, deeply troubled. Garp and Akainu were still seriously injured and unfit for deployment.

Only Kizaru, who was patrolling various locations, could still be dispatched.

But without an Admiral stationed at Headquarters, the Grand Line could erupt into chaos.

After a long hesitation, the shorthanded Sengoku finally dialed Kizaru's Den Den Mushi.

Kizaru, who was leisurely kicking Supernovas around in the Sabaody Archipelago, answered.

"Buru buru, this is Borsalino."

Kizaru had one foot on Capone Bege, the other on Hawkins, and lazily answered the Den Den Mushi.

Kicking around some Supernovas was actually a decent way to blow off steam.

At least it helped ease the frustration that Caelan had given him a few days ago.

And clearly, it was working.

"Kizaru, get to Elegia in the East Blue immediately. An ancient demon has been unsealed. God Slayer Caelan, the Red-Haired Pirates, and Golden Lion are all present!"

Sengoku's voice was serious, his anxiety perfectly captured through the Den Den Mushi's expression.

"???"

Kizaru was stunned. Several question marks popped into his head as alarm bells rang.

Any one of them would be enough to warrant sending an Admiral.

But all four? Was he being sent to die?

Especially Caelan. Just thinking about that monster who had resurrected and grown even stronger made his body ache all over.

After a moment of silence, Kizaru asked with no will to live, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, is it too late to hand in my resignation?"

"Cut the jokes. Aokiji is en route. Now go."

Sengoku's voice was cold and to the point. He hung up before Kizaru could reply.

Click.

Kizaru stared at the now-silent Den Den Mushi, speechless.

He hadn't been joking. He genuinely wanted to resign.

A group on par with the Four Emperors. Caelan, who nearly soloed three of them. A legendary pirate. And a mysterious, ancient demon of unknown power.

Even with Aokiji added in, they were still outmatched.

"Light-Speed Kick!"

With two frustrated kicks, Kizaru sent Capone Bege and Hawkins flying, reducing them to two black specks on the horizon.

Just thinking about what Sengoku had said made him incredibly uneasy.

Four monsters had gathered. Who knew what kind of disaster they were about to unleash?

"If only all enemies were as easy to deal with as these Supernovas... that'd be nice."

Kizaru muttered to himself, then reluctantly took off for the East Blue.

After all, he was still a Marine. He had to go see what was going on.

Though, if possible, he'd really rather just observe from a distance.

(To be continued.)