The fierce battle erupted on the staircase in an instant.
Though the battlefield was exaggerated and the clashes intense, with thunderous roars echoing across the entire Red Line Continent, imbuing the area with destructive power akin to the end of days, none of this affected the silver-haired youth who ascended unhurriedly.
Taking a step forward, Kong Tai finally reached the top of the staircase, arriving at the spot where the Five Elders had initially stood.
Behind him, the five warring factions engaged in a battle that resembled a world-ending scene, making his solitary presence there seem abrupt and insignificant.
Yet, no one dared to underestimate him, for he was the protagonist of the day.
"I have arrived."
Ignoring the black and white factions arrayed on either side, their gazes fixed forward, Kong Tai's cerulean eyes remained locked ahead. If one looked closely, they could see the world of a garden reflected deep within his pupils.
"You've come, you've finally come. Hurry over, hurry over. Everything you desire, everything you wish to know, I can give it to you if you just come here."
In the garden, Imu, wearing a crown with four towering spikes and a cloak that trailed to the ground, turned abruptly. Beneath the cloak, only the pupils of her slender eyes were visible, filled with excitement.
"A clone?"
"Or a projection?"
Looking at Imu, Kong Tai felt no presence emanating from her. Instead, beneath the ground she stood on, a barrier of power obstructed his exploration.
Kong Tai's steps continued without pause.
Just then, the black and white factions on either side decided not to let him pass. The moment he took another step, they tightened their grip on their weapons and charged at him.
The charge of the black and white factions was like two sharp blades, intending to crush the silver-haired youth.
"Have you forgotten about us?"
Behind Kong Tai, Ah Hua and the others ascended the stairs, charging towards the CP organization and the Knights of God alongside Beckman and Ivankov.
Just as the two forces were about to collide, a colossal void bear paw suddenly descended from the sky, slamming down heavily into the center of the black and white factions.
From the dust and smoke, a figure as tall as a great bear slowly rose, and beside him stood several small figures with wings on their backs.
Gazing at the figure emerging from the dust cloud,
Kong Tai's steps paused for a moment, then he took another step, his figure vanishing from his original spot and reappearing within the smoke.
With a wave of his hand, the dust seemed to be impacted, instantly scattering to the sides, revealing a clear image of the figure within.
"Bear."
Ivankov looked at the great bear, his eyes filled with surprise and joy.
Bear did not look at Ivankov and the others. Instead, he took two steps to the side, revealing Vegapunk standing behind him.
"Hi! Mr. Kong Tai, I haven't failed you. I've finally made it."
Looking at Kong Tai, Vegapunk proudly pointed to several figures beside him, resembling miniaturized Shichibukai.
"These are the weapons the World Government wants to replace the Shichibukai with. They all possess Lunarian bloodline factors, combined with the bloodline factors of the Shichibukai, making them true monsters."
"Lunarian?"
Looking at the Seraphim created by Vegapunk, a flicker of memory crossed Kong Tai's eyes. He had indeed felt special energy fluctuations from King, but due to the immense disparity in their power, King hadn't had the chance to use it, or if he had, it was ineffective before Kong Tai instantly defeated him.
"Alright, now is not the time for idle chatter."
Kong Tai glanced at the surrounding enemies, then nodded at Bear. "You guys do as you please. The enemies are not weak. I need to deal with the final boss here and might not be able to look after you. Be careful."
"Don't worry, Mr. Kong Tai! I will protect Dr. Vegapunk."
Bear swatted away a charging masked man in black with a single palm, then turned to Kong Tai, his resolute face filled with seriousness.
"That's good."
Nodding at the two again, Kong Tai took a step and vanished.
...
Things that are easily obtained are not cherished by the world.
Whether it was the Five Elders, the CP organization, or the Knights of God, none posed any real threat to Kong Tai.
Within his domain, he could render them unable to stand, forcing them to kneel and await their demise.
But the world did not need a victory that was so bizarrely beyond their comprehension, so overwhelmingly one-sided.
Such a victory would only elevate Kong Tai to be a hero, a god, and would not bring about much change for the world itself.
This was not what Kong Tai wished to see, and the world should witness a hard-fought victory, one where they could see the bleeding, where heroes emerged in abundance.
For only then could the value of heroes and the preciousness of victory be highlighted.
Instead of solely focusing all attention on Kong Tai.
This was the reason Kong Tai had given the world seven days.
The Revolutionary Army needed an outlet, the revolution needed an outlet. Although the victory in Marie Geoise was just the beginning, it was the beginning of the world's victory.
Kong Tai's disappearance had no impact on the battlefield.
This war, watched by everyone on screens across the globe, had captivated the hearts of the world. The world would hold its breath when someone on Kong Tai's side was injured, and it would cheer when someone on Marie Geoise's side died.
This was no longer a simple war; it was a historic revolution that would influence the future course of the world.
Kong Tai was not worried about the battle behind him.
The moment he set foot on the Red Line Continent, the outcome of this war was already predetermined.
While the strength of the Five Elders surprised him somewhat,
Kong Tai knew that his side's combat power surpassed the opponent's.
As long as the Navy did not intervene, the participation of Shanks and Dragon, two individuals infinitely close to this world's rules, would be enough to quickly defeat their opponents.
Furthermore, there was Kuina, and there was also Kong Tai's Zankon, which was not hanging at his waist as it usually was.
...
"What is this?"
Within the battlefield enveloped by countless azure lightning, the blonde Five Elder, clutching his chest with one hand and treading on the void, stared at the sword in Kuina's hand with utter shock.
If he remembered correctly, this sword belonged to the silver-haired one.
But now...
"Cartheus's Time-Time Fruit?"
"That guy can directly extract the power of Devil Fruits? Does that mean all the fruits of those you've killed are with him?"
"Time Stop!"
Kuina, entirely enveloped in azure electrical arcs, did not answer the blonde Five Elder. She turned sideways, gripping Zankon with both hands, holding the sword level before her eyes, the tip pointed at the blonde Five Elder, her electrically charged eyes filled with ice.
"Azure Dragon!"
A dragon head of azure light instantly enveloped Kuina, carrying the power to freeze time, and rapidly pierced towards the blonde Five Elder.