Chapter 127: Chapter 127: Uranus!
The Five Elders, wielding the enigmatic power of the national treasure, unleashed devastation upon the world to obliterate Golden Lion Shiki's lair. The once-majestic floating islands, a testament to Shiki's might and mastery of his powers, vanished without a trace under the weapon's apocalyptic fury.
Directly below the islands, a gargantuan void tore into the sea. Even after a week, the surrounding waters, as if defying natural laws, refused to refill the chasm. Instead, an underwater waterfall formed, cascading endlessly into the abyss, creating a phenomenon both terrifying and inexplicable.
The cataclysm didn't end with the destruction of the floating islands. The immense energy released triggered a massive tsunami, a monstrous wave that roared across the Grand Line. The island of Water 7, the nearest landmass to the devastation, bore the brunt of the calamity.
The tsunami surged upon the city with an almost sentient fury, swallowing half the island in an instant. Streets transformed into canals, buildings crumbled beneath the weight of the flood, and ships were tossed ashore like driftwood. Yet, Water 7's hard-earned experience with the annual Aqua Laguna spared it complete annihilation. The city's fortifications, designed to resist the infamous floods, mitigated what could have been an extinction-level disaster. But even so, the damage was staggering, and the death toll immeasurable.
As the shockwaves of destruction spread, the true magnitude of the event unfolded. A week later, the entire world trembled under a seismic quake unlike any recorded in history. From the tranquil seas of East Blue to the storm-ridden Grand Line, every ocean felt the reverberations of the cataclysm. Entire islands shook violently, sending people scrambling for safety as buildings collapsed and cliffs fractured. Scientists worldwide were left in disbelief, their understanding of geology unable to explain the unprecedented phenomenon.
"The largest earthquake ever recorded," they declared in hushed tones. Yet even this was only part of the disaster. The earthquakes caused global sea levels to rise, submerging numerous low-lying islands. Entire communities vanished overnight, swept away by the encroaching waters. For the first time, humanity felt the fragility of its dominion over the seas.
Big News Morgans, ever the opportunist, captured the world's terror with a stark front-page headline: "The World is Experiencing Destruction." The article, accompanied by harrowing images of submerged towns and sinking ships, painted a grim picture of a world brought to its knees by forces beyond comprehension.
Meanwhile, near the immense void in the sea, a fleet of Marine warships cautiously approached to assess the damage. On the deck of one of the vessels, Admiral Aokiji reported grim findings to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"The underwater void has created a perpetual waterfall," Aokiji explained, his tone unusually solemn. "The warships can't get close without risking being drawn into it. And… there's no sign of the hole filling up."
"And the cause?" Sengoku's voice crackled through the Den Den Mushi, heavy with tension.
"We don't know," Aokiji admitted, casting a glance toward the chasm. The sight filled him with unease, a rare emotion for the unflappable admiral. After a brief pause, he added, "It's... unsettling."
The warships eventually retreated, unable to probe further into the mystery. Yet, while the Marines fled the abyss, one figure dared to descend into its depths—Edie.
Hovering in the air above the chasm, Edie peered into the void below, its sheer size and darkness a haunting sight. It was as if the ocean itself had been torn apart, exposing an endless abyss that devoured all light.
"Is this vengeance for the Mariejois Raid?" Edie mused, his sharp mind piecing together fragments of information. The Five Elders had used the national treasure in simulations to annihilate Beehive Island in the future. With Beehive island being hidden in the skies, the weapon's wrath had been redirected for now, obliterating Shiki instead.
But was Shiki truly dead?
Determined to uncover the truth, Edie descended into the abyss. He plummeted for what felt like an eternity, the oppressive darkness growing heavier with each passing second. Thousands of meters below sea level, the light from the surface had long disappeared, leaving only an eerie void. At 580 meters above the seabed, Edie paused. The abyss seemed endless, and even his curiosity had limits.
"This Ancient Weapon…" he whispered to himself, rising back to the surface. "It's more devastating than a nuclear bomb."
Looking out at the ocean, Edie reflected on the stark contrast in the world's technology. In some places, civilizations clung to primitive tools, while others wielded weapons capable of reshaping the planet itself. Taking one final glance at the void—a testament to the unimaginable power unleashed—he turned and soared away, the weight of his discoveries heavy on his mind.
Back at the Hive Research Institute, months had passed since Edie last ventured to the prison to retrieve the legendary Golden Lion, Shiki. In the interim, Uta and her group had returned from Elegia, bringing with them several renowned music instructors, each specializing in unique styles and instruments. As Edie entered the institute, the melodious harmony of instruments emanated from the music classroom on the first floor. He paused momentarily outside the classroom door, appreciating the enchanting performance.
"Edie, take a look at this," Momousagi said as she approached, handing him a freshly printed newspaper.
Edie took it, his eyes scanning the headlines: "Sun Pirates Captured!" The article detailed the downfall of the Sun Pirates, a crew formed by the Fish-Man adventurer Fisher Tiger, composed predominantly of fishmen and mermaids. Their emblem—a red sun—symbolized a mark used to cover the branding inflicted by the Celestial Dragons. Vice Admiral Kizaru, the article reported, had annihilated the crew and captured Fisher Tiger alive, earning him a promotion to Admiral. With this, the Marines officially entered the era of the Three Admirals.
"Captured alive?" Edie muttered, surprised. He remembered the original timeline: Fisher Tiger had died from blood loss after refusing a transfusion of human blood.
"Yes," Momousagi confirmed. "All of the Sun Pirates have been captured. Yet, many still see Fisher Tiger as a hero who freed slaves."
Her voice carried a note of regret. Fisher Tiger, the man who had once scaled the Red Line to liberate slaves, had met an unceremonious end.
Shenhou approached, handing Edie a transponder snail. "Heavenly Father, it's Kaido."
"What does the little guy want now?" Edie asked as he accepted the call.
Kaido's gruff voice rumbled through the line. "Edie, the World Government really has what you said it does!"
Edie's expression shifted, realizing Kaido referred to the World Government's rumored "national treasure." The recent destruction—a colossal hole in the sea and worldwide earthquakes—seemed to confirm its existence. Despite the event originating in the Grand Line, Wanokuni had not been spared from the tremors.
"They hit Shiki first," Kaido growled. "I'm next, aren't I?"
Edie smirked, piecing together the government's strategy. They likely used the Golden Lion as bait, tracking him back to his lair before deploying the national treasure to eliminate him. It was both a demonstration of power and a warning to Kaido—and perhaps to Edie himself.
"You're not wrong," Edie replied. "But that weapon requires massive energy. It's unlikely they'll use it again soon."
"Still, I need to accelerate Pluton's excavation!" Kaido declared. The Beasts Pirates' leader was anything but calm, consumed by the urgency of solidifying his defenses and ambitions for Wanokuni.
Edie couldn't help but chuckle at the irony. "Oden's dream of opening the borders of Wanokuni will be realized by you. Truly poetic."
With the call concluded, Edie turned his attention back to his research. Pluton was just one piece of the puzzle. Poseidon, tied to the young Mermaid Princess Shirahoshi, and Uranus, the mysterious treasure wielded by the World Government, were the others. His next destination was clear: The Fish-Man Island, the home of Poseidon.
After issuing instructions to spread degaussing powder across Beehive Island—a measure to disrupt magnetic tracking—Edie made preparations for his solo journey. His advanced oxygen equipment and [Overlord's Territory] enabled him to dive into the ocean's crushing depths without fear. The oppressive darkness of the deep sea was punctuated by bioluminescent creatures and the glowing roots of the Sun Tree Eve, guiding his path.
Finally, Edie arrived at The Fish-Man Island. The underwater paradise, bathed in light from the Sun Tree Eve, was encased in massive protective bubbles. Beneath the Ryugu Palace, Princess Otohime was addressing her citizens in the square, passionately advocating for peaceful coexistence with humans.
Her speech was interrupted by the sudden rupture of the bubble, sending shockwaves of panic through the crowd. A shadow descended swiftly, piercing through the layers of protection.
Gasps and murmurs spread as the figure landed gracefully in the square, exuding an aura of authority.
"Hello mermaids~" Edie greeted, his voice carrying over the stunned silence.