In the front half of the New World, on a winter island, Scotch carefully read the message he had just received, then picked up a Den Den Mushi beside him.
“Jabull, bring your son over to my place. I have something important to tell you both.”
Due to the spreading influence of his ability, Scotch rarely entered the center of the town. Otherwise, Magnezone’s ability to disrupt magnetic fields would directly damage the town’s signal facilities.
Not long after, Jabull arrived with his father.
“Boss Scotch, what’s so urgent?”
“We’ve known each other… over twenty years now, haven’t we? Our first meeting wasn’t exactly pleasant, Old Jabull.”
“Yeah, back then you looked more like a human than you do now… uh, you know what I mean.”
Looking at Scotch, whose body had undergone even more extensive modifications, Old Jabull joked. Although they had started as enemies, after so many years, they had long become familiar with each other.
“Hmph. You still remember what Lord Arceus and Lord Kaido were like when we first came here, right?”
“Of course I remember. What about it?”
“Good news. By Lord Arceus’s order, the heads of all islands can attend the ceremony. I still have to guard the island, so the two of you will go this time. You’re going to witness the most shocking sight.”
As one of the current Numbers, and even a single-digit member from ancient times, Scotch had naturally experienced the Divine Blessing Ritual, and more than once.
Whether as a participant or as a spectator, the sense of awe was beyond words.
Participants could feel the exhilaration of power being infused into their bodies, while spectators could experience that soul-shaking power. Even recordings could not truly recreate it. Only by witnessing it in person could one grasp its true profundity.
“This was originally our highest secret. It seems the higher-ups have made a new decision. You must cherish this opportunity, it might be a glory you can only witness once in your lifetime.”
Logically speaking, Scotch’s face, which had been transformed into that of a half-robot, shouldn’t have been able to show much expression, but Jabull could still see a trace of fanaticism on it—the blazing excitement in his eyes was impossible to extinguish.
“Little Jabull, make sure you support your old man. I’m afraid he might faint from excitement.”
“Is it really that exaggerated? I’m not so weak that I can’t even stand.”
“You’ll understand once you go. Oh, right—since this is a rare opportunity, I suggest you stop by the Udon quarry as well. I heard from Holed’em that there’s a pirate there who looks exactly like your son. Could it be an illegitimate child you left behind somewhere?”
“I’ve never left this island, so don’t talk nonsense.”
As they spoke, a Corviknight had already descended. Depending on distance and passenger condition, the Beasts Pirates dispatched different Pokémon accordingly, ensuring that no matter where they were, everyone could arrive at the venue on time.
Watching the two board the carriage beneath the Corviknight, Scotch returned to his cabin. Inside, the various “No. 8” markings served as reminders of his past glory.
This matter seemed to stir his emotions, to the point that he wandered to the seaside like an old man, gazing at the ocean and reminiscing about the past.
In Mandrell’s territory, Tiger, having just completed a recent raid mission, returned here with members of the Sun Pirates.
“B-Big Brother, I saw the news! Three supply ships and one slave ship—those World Government b*stards should know how powerful we are now, right?!”
“Don’t celebrate too early, Arlong. This is only the beginning. The next phase will be the most dangerous, we need to prepare for their counterattack.
Inform the Fish-Men and Merfolk still here not to go out unless necessary. Once we get through this final juncture, things will get easier.”
“Don’t worry, big brother, everyone’s prepared. But big brother, are your operations going to be paused?”
“We’ll take a short break for now. Also, there’s a ceremony I must attend. This is the Lord’s glory, something that cannot be missed. King Neptune and Jinbe will also be going.
Arlong, if you’re ready, I can take you along.”
“I’ll pass, big brother. That kind of occasion doesn’t suit me. I’d better not go and cause trouble for you. Wouldn’t want to make you unhappy.”
“I see… that’s fine. Then you can escort our people around here back to Fish-Man Island.”
After thinking it over, Tiger felt that Arlong’s personality indeed wasn’t suited for such a solemn occasion. Any incident there would have serious consequences, so since Arlong didn’t want to go, he didn’t insist.
Arlong accepted Tiger’s orders, but not long after he left, Mandrell arrived.
“You’re back. I knew you wouldn’t miss this.”
“Sister Misu sent me a message. The Celestial Dragons’ guards have recently strengthened their vigilance, so adjusting the frequency of our attacks during this time should yield better results.”
With Tiger’s departure, the underwater assaults on the Celestial Dragons naturally came to a halt. This was also part of the strategy. Pause the offensive when the enemy is highly alert, then strike again when they relax their guard.
“But you’re not going along?”
“No choice. We can’t just abandon the territories outside, we still need someone to watch over them. I’ve gone the past few times, so this time it’s someone else’s turn.”
Mandrell and Scotch were facing the same situation; they both still bore the responsibility of protecting their territories.
During previous ranking battles, senior officers would come to take over their defensive duties, but this time was different. Since it was being openly shown to the outside world, nearly all the senior officers were attending the ceremony, which meant Mandrell had to stay behind to oversee the overall defense.
Crack.
Before Mandrell could finish speaking, the sound of shattering glass suddenly rang out. At some point, the crystal ball in Shyarly’s hands had shattered into pieces, fragments scattering across the ground.
“I… I wanted to divine the situation…”
Shyarly hadn’t performed divination in a long time. This time, unable to suppress her curiosity, she wanted to glimpse the future. But just as she began observing the result, the crystal ball exploded into countless fragments like a bomb.
“The Lord’s future cannot be observed, this outcome is perfectly normal.
However, since the Lord intends to display His power to the outside world, Shyarly, your curiosity may be the Lord’s guidance from the shadows. If you come with us, you’ll witness a completely different kind of brilliance.”
Though they were siblings, Shyarly and Arlong were very different people. Compared to Arlong, Tiger felt that Shyarly was more suited to go and see it.
“Is that really appropriate?”
“What’s inappropriate about it? If Lord Arceus didn’t want to see you, even risking your lives wouldn’t grant you an audience. Since He is willing, then you should naturally seize this opportunity.
The gathering point is Fish-Man Island. When the time comes, just go together with the royal family. There’s no need to worry about anything else; everything there has already been prepared.”
At that moment, waves suddenly surged across the sea, crashing against the shore. Nereus’s towering figure emerged from the ocean.
Seawater dripped from her crown. After scanning the surroundings, she fixed her gaze on Mandrell.
“It’s time to depart.”
Besides the people within the territories, some Pokémon also set out on this journey. Nereus was one such example. For Pokémon, this was also a special pilgrimage, though due to time constraints, not many could make it in time.
“I know. I’ll leave Maylo and Rusalka in your care. Oh, and Shyarly, she’ll be going with you this time as well.”
“Don’t worry.”
Tiger and Nereus led the participants into the water, planning to rendezvous with Neptune and then wait for the Beasts Pirates to pick them up.
Traveling by swimming for two days was obviously impossible, so they could only wait and see what methods the Beasts Pirates had to shorten the journey.
Opposite to the deep sea was the high sky. On a Sky Island more than ten thousand meters above ground, Bat-Man also received the message and informed the others there.
“Wyper, Gan Fall, are you ready?”
“We’re ready. They’re all veteran warriors of the tribe, each carrying a devout heart to listen to the teachings of God.”
Compared to Gan Fall, the Shandians appeared far more excited. If not for the limit on numbers, they would have brought the entire tribe along. In the end, only a portion of them was selected.
As the people who will be going assembled, the clouds of the Sky Island seemed to stir. As the cloud layers shifted, a gigantic Altaria with a wingspan of thirty meters appeared.
After carrying everyone onto its back, it flapped its wings and flew toward Wano Country.
From the high skies to the deep seas, from land to ocean, people from all over the world were heading toward Wano Country. Near Wano Country, the figure of Zunesha loomed faintly within the dense sea fog.
Within that mist, a golden streak of light flashed by, eventually flying toward Mokomo Dukedom.
“Is everything done?”
Seeing Zeraora return to his original form, Setsuna, who had just finished the last document, asked.
“All done. The invitations for the countries I’m responsible for have all been delivered, and the kings were very enthusiastic. Where are Carrot and Bepo?
They’re the main figures this time. It’s the first time Lord Arceus is publicly displaying his power. Don’t let them mess things up at such a crucial moment.”
“They’re in the Whale Forest. Bepo’s a bit nervous, so I had the kids share some experience with him. Carrot’s there listening as well.”
“I see. I’ll go over too. It never hurts to give a few more reminders.”
“Go ahead. Bepo and Carrot are quite reliable. Didn’t Mandrell already tell you about their performance?”
“I’m worried Meowna and Wolff might pass on the wrong things. You know what those two are like, exactly like you were when you were a child.”
“When was I ever like that?”
Although she asked in return, Setsuna didn’t offer any real rebuttal. Instead, she waved her hand, signaling Zeraora to hurry along with his task. Then she closed her eyes and mobilized the Aura within her body, conveying Arceus’s will to Zunesha below…
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