"The size of that monster is terrifying! How did it even get to Mariejois?!"

Kong frowned deeply. He had no time to dwell on the mystery, though. He had to deal with it fast, then track down Vane and Kaido. According to surveillance footage, the two had entered the palace that symbolized the world's highest authority.

"The Celestial Dragons should've blocked them by now…"

Kong's gaze shifted toward the monstrous Nine Tails rampaging in the distance. His fists clenched, arms bulging with veins as his muscles tensed with overwhelming strength.

Just then, a towering slave—driven by blind panic—hurled a wild punch at Kong. The commander's sharp instincts kicked in. Without missing a beat, he responded with a crushing blow of his own. The slave was launched more than twenty meters away, smashing through the ruins of a building. It all happened in under two seconds. That was the force of Kong's fury.

But he couldn't afford distractions. The monster ahead, and more importantly, Rhett Vane, demanded his full attention.

"Arrogant beast!" he roared.

With a burst of power, Kong launched into the air, his massive right fist slamming down toward the Nine Tails' forehead.

Boom!

A deep, echoing thud rang out. The Nine Tails staggered back three steps—but only three.

"Human…" the Nine Tails rumbled, its voice deep and full of disdain.

"You're one of those with abilities?"

Kong immediately assumed the creature was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user.

"I am the strongest of all tailed beasts," the Nine Tails bellowed.

Its tails whipped through the air with incredible speed. Kong barely raised his arms in time to block, but the impact sent him hurtling backward like a cannonball, crashing into a building.

"This human is strong… but that's all."

The Nine Tails scoffed, then opened its gaping maw. A red orb began to form—a growing sphere brimming with terrifying power.

Tailed Beast Bomb.

"What the hell is that?!"

Kong rose from the rubble just in time to see the pulsing sphere gathering energy. His instincts screamed that the Nine Tails was about to unleash an attack of massive scale.

The creature's jaws locked onto him.

"Danger!"

Kong vanished from the spot in a flash, barely evading the charged blast. The sphere detonated a split second later, incinerating everything in its radius. Celestial Dragons, slaves, guards—no one within the blast zone survived.

And that wasn't even its strongest version.

"Damn it… what kind of Devil Fruit power is this?!"

Kong was blown back over fifty meters, rolling through the debris. Even the lingering heat was unbearable. Still, he pushed through the pain and charged again.

"Die!"

His fist, crackling with immense force, smashed into the Nine Tails' skull. The beast was sent tumbling across the ground.

"That punch… not bad, human," it said, voice low with menace.

"I won't let you leave Mariejois alive," Kong growled. The destruction and death already caused by this monster were unacceptable.

It had been too long since Kong went all out.

"I just hope Sengoku and the others arrive soon. I can hold this thing off, but not if Kaido and Vane join forces!"

Kong rushed forward again, the stone floor collapsing beneath the raw pressure of his footfall.

The battle reignited.

---

Elsewhere, Vane and Kaido had arrived at the palace housing the Empty Throne. The hall was vast and eerily silent, save for a few armored guards. None of them dared block the path of the Emperor and the man beside him. Most trembled at the mere sight of Vane.

Soon, the two men stood before the fabled throne.

It sat elevated, constructed of gold and steeped in symbolism—representing equality among the world's nations. Yet centuries of hidden rule had twisted that meaning. The world was never equal. The throne had become a symbol of secret control, not shared power.

Aside from Vane and Kaido, no guards remained on the steps. Only when Imu was present would anyone dare linger here.

The two walked forward, their footsteps echoing off the marble.

"So this is the Empty Throne," Kaido muttered.

"Mind if I sit on it for a bit?" he grinned.

Vane smirked. "You sure it can handle your size?"

The throne, built for an ordinary human, clearly wasn't meant for someone like Kaido.

"Hah! A throne this small? I wouldn't lower myself to sit on it."

Kaido scoffed and turned away.

Vane, however, stepped forward and sat down. "Not that impressive. It's cold, though. Figures—it's made of gold."

"Maybe it's pure gold," Kaido mused.

"Pure gold?"

Vane's brows lifted. In the One Piece world, pure gold was a legendary substance said to extend one's lifespan. If Imu hadn't relied on the Ope Ope no Mi's Immortality Operation, perhaps they'd used pure gold to stay alive.

But even the Golden Emperor, with all the treasure aboard the Grand Tesoro, had failed to obtain it.

Could the World Government have it?

"Kaido, someone's coming."

Vane sensed five powerful auras approaching fast.

"They're strong."

The palace doors swung open, and a furious voice echoed through the hall.

"How dare you!"

"Get off that sacred throne immediately!"

The stomping of boots followed, along with heavy breathing—equal parts rage and fear.

Vane tilted his body, resting his cheek lazily on one hand as he regarded the new arrivals with a smirk.

"Ah… what a pleasure to meet you all."

His voice was calm, almost playful. But the undercurrent of disrespect was unmistakable.

The Five Elders had arrived.

---

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