In the streets of the Mariejois business district, a large number of Marines had begun their operation.
"What are you doing?! What are you doing?! We are under Saint Rodriguez's protection! This shop is Celestial Dragons' private property! What do you Marines think you're doing?!" A shop owner shouted angrily at the approaching Marines.
However, a Marine Rear Admiral stepped forward, his brows furrowed slightly. Without a word, he kicked the shop owner in the stomach, sending him crashing into the wall, wailing in pain.
The Rear Admiral then turned to the Marines beside him, his expression displeased. "Have you forgotten your orders? Suppress every area. If anyone resists, depending on the situation, you can kill them. If you keep hesitating like this, when will this operation be finished?"
"Rear Admiral Drake, but… this is Celestial Dragons' property," a Marine soldier hesitated.
That's right—the Rear Admiral in front of them was X Drake, a Marine officer and a member of CP-X.
Hearing this, Drake's eyes flashed with impatience. "So what if it's the Celestial Dragons' property? Even the so-called gods' dwellings are being suppressed. They can't even protect themselves, let alone control what happens here."
As he spoke, Drake pulled out a pistol from his waist and pointed it at the shop owner, who was still seething with arrogance. "No matter how many sins they've committed, no matter whether it's under orders or in the name of justice, there's no need to reason with people like them."
The next second, Drake pulled the trigger. A gunshot rang out, and the shop owner's head exploded on the spot.
Drake coldly commanded, "Execute the order. I want this entire street secured within fifteen minutes!"
Seeing that Rear Admiral Drake had killed someone without hesitation—moreover, a lackey of the Celestial Dragons—the surrounding Marines shivered. They dared not drag their feet any longer.
However, Marine discipline remained strict. They only targeted those who resisted. As long as shop owners obediently shut their doors and stayed inside, the Marines wouldn't trouble them.
It didn't take the full fifteen minutes for the unit to suppress the entire street.
Similar scenes were unfolding all across Mariejois, large and small. Like a tidal wave of ants, Marines and CP-X members flooded the Holy Land, suppressing everything in their path.
---
"Hina Commodore, the Slave Hall has been secured!" A Marine soldier reported to Hina, who stood nearby.
Hina took a drag from her cigarette and nodded. "Don't let your guard down. Those slave owners need to be put down, and the slaves themselves must be kept under watch. We can't afford any uprisings. If anyone resists, shoot on sight!"
"Yes, Commodore Hina!" the Marine soldier responded swiftly.
Hina exhaled a puff of smoke, her gaze complicated. She had been a Marine for many years, starting alongside Smoker and had envisioned many battles in her career.
But leading a Marine force to suppress Mariejois itself? That was something she never imagined.
"The New World Government…" Hina murmured, looking southward.
---
The layout of Mariejois was rather unique. Beneath the surface, vast underground structures existed—places that never saw the light of day. These underground levels were filled with blood, decay, and despair.
This was where the slaves lived—their prison, their workplace.
Many of Mariejois' so-called "advanced" technologies, like automated walkways were actually powered by the sweat and blood of these slaves.
At this moment, deep within the underground, CP-X agents were moving in and out.
Standing atop a massive gear, Jabra wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Damn, it stinks in here. I knew this place was bad, but I didn't think the underground was this filthy."
"Maybe these people will finally be saved," Kaku said with a hint of emotion. "Once His Highness takes power, it's almost certain that true abolition of slavery will happen."
As the two spoke, Kalifa approached, wearing a mask to shield herself from the stench. She held a stack of documents in her hands and reported, "It's done. The entire underground slave system has been completely shut down. The suppression is complete."
---
Outside Pangaea Castle, a large number of Marines had completely surrounded the area.
This Marine unit was responsible for subduing the royal guards from a hundred nations, as well as the forces guarding the castle itself.
At this moment, many guards loyal to the World Government lay motionless on the ground, as if an inexplicable force was suppressing them.
Not far away, the royal guards from various nations had obediently surrendered their weapons and were being detained in groups at the Social Square.
At the castle's front entrance, a table had been set up. Sitting in front of it was a Marine Vice Admiral, his expression calm.
On the table lay a sheathed sword, while in his hands was a bowl of noodles. Using chopsticks, he ate slowly and methodically.
After a short while, a Marine Colonel approached and saluted. "Vice Admiral Fujitora, Pangaea Castle has been secured!"
"Mm. Then proceed with the escort mission. Ensure the Reverie goes smoothly," Issho—better known as Fujitora—said with a smile, continuing to eat his noodles.
"Understood!" the Marine Colonel responded.
---
Meanwhile, in Mariejois' Communications Center, an official rushed into a communications room in a panic.
"Quick! Contact the Sabaody Archipelago defense forces! The Marines and CP-X have gone mad! They're staging an armed coup!!" he shouted desperately.
But before he could finish speaking, a CP-X agent in a black suit appeared behind him and calmly pressed a gun to his head.
Without hesitation, the agent pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Blood splattered across the room.
Holstering his pistol, the agent turned to the communications staff and commanded, "Continue blocking all transmissions. Monitor every signal coming from Mariejois. Cut off anything that doesn't match our parameters."
"Yes, sir!" the staff members responded in unison.
Looking closely, it was clear—they weren't ordinary workers. They were all highly trained agents.
---
As reports flooded in, Spandine let out a slow breath.
From the suppression of the House of the Gods to something as trivial as the business district, every operation had proceeded smoothly.
Even if there had been minor obstacles, they had been crushed swiftly and decisively.
Glancing at the map, his gaze landed on the Void Throne's location, not far from Pangaea Castle, the very place where the Five Elders resided.
That area was strictly off-limits. No one was allowed entry, except for newly inducted royals during the Reverie, who were granted a ceremonial visit to the legendary Void Throne, a supposed symbol of "equality and justice."
Outside of that occasion, even Claudius had no authority to step foot there.
On the surface, it was the Five Elders' residence.
But Spandine had his suspicions.
Most likely, the true master of that place was none other than the legendary Imu.
Mariejois was in complete chaos, yet no news had emerged from that place. It was as if Imu didn't exist at all, this eerie silence made Spandine uneasy.
But then again, the sheer force they had gathered in Mariejois gave him some reassurance.
"...We'll wait and see," Spandine muttered.
His Highness had made it clear—Imu would be dealt with last.
Until the Reverie was settled, they wouldn't touch that place.
He just hoped nothing unexpected would happen before then.
***
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