Chapter 363: The Demon Clan's Nine Demon Lords
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The meeting room was thick with tension as the marine officers glared at the uninvited guest.
Given his appearance, his words, and the demons currently ravaging Marijoa, his identity was obvious.
"You're one of the demon clan too, aren't you?"
Seeing the spectral black shadow, Kong took the lead and asked.
"What? Invading the Holy Land wasn't enough? Do your Apostles dare invade Marine Headquarters too, or are you one of the Apostles?"
Kong was deeply wary of the demon clan now.
Their invasion of Marijoa had already showcased their formidable resources.
Sengoku, on-site, had spotted groups of varied demon elite squads. Though not numerous, they felt like a refined force.
Over a hundred radiated strength akin to or surpassing an average vice admiral, a staggering foundation.
Even the Marine, bolstered by the great conscription, only had a few dozen vice admiral-level fighters.
A clan with such a number of powerhouses, if sparse in population, could be called extraordinarily gifted.
Hearing Kong's questions, the visiting demon let out a low, eerie laugh, his was voice hollow and ethereal.
"I am Dark Night, one of the Nine Demon Lords of the demon clan. I'm not here to wage war but to deliver a message on the Apostles' orders."
Looking at the puzzled marine officers, Dark Night spoke slowly.
"We hope the Marine, especially the Sun God, will remain on this island until our clan finishes its business at the Holy Land."
His words furrowed some officers' brows, while others were quick to retort.
"Nine Demon Lords of the demon clan? Since you serve the Apostles, your strength must be below theirs, right?"
"You've got some nerve. What's your leverage? Are there more demons? Call them out if there are!"
A vice admiral shouted with blazing eyes.
The demon clan had blatantly invaded the World Government's headquarters, Marijoa.
Now they even dared provoke Marine Headquarters, did they think themselves invincible? The room was packed with the Marine's top brass.
Even if demons attacked, they wouldn't flinch, King was here, after all.
"There's only me dispatched this time, so there no need to look around~"
Sensing the officers scanning the room with a peculiar power, likely Observation Haki, Dark Night knew they would find nothing.
He was truly alone, sent solely to relay the message. Fighting wasn't his role.
These demons were outrageously bold, coming alone and spouting grand threats, perhaps they wanted to delay reinforcements?
After Dark Night's words, many officers ceased their Haki sweeps, concluding as much.
What else could it be? Did he really think he could stop the Marine with words alone?
The Celestial Dragons aside, the World Government and allied kings couldn't afford major losses, otherwise, the seas would descend into chaos.
In truth, the demon clan's invasion of Marijoa was already enough to send shockwaves across the world.
"So arrogant. Just you alone, you plan to hold us back yourself?"
A vice admiral sneered, wrapping his fists in Armament Haki, then glanced at Fleet-Admiral Kong.
He was clearly awaiting orders to take down this brazen fool.
With only one enemy and the Marine's elite gathered, it was the perfect chance to shine.
Kong remained composed, cutting to the chase.
"If you've got any trump card, show it now! Otherwise, you won't get to stall any longer."
"Sun God King, I hope you won't act rashly. Otherwise, your human Marine Headquarters might not survive. If you don't believe me, just take a look outside."
The ethereal voice rang through the room, directed mainly at King, whose power none could deny.
Holding him back was the Apostles' key to this operation's success.
Dark Night's figure phased backward through the wall, swiftly drifting outside.
Since his arrival, Kong's Observation Haki had locked onto this strange demon, whose unique aura was unmistakable.
From Sengoku's reports on the demons invading Marijoa, most shared a common trait: a fleeting, sin-tinged presence.
"Let's go outside and see."
Watching Dark Night depart, Kong took the lead, determined to uncover what this demon was up to.
Surely it wasn't here just to toy with them!
The seas around Marine Headquarters.
In the shadowy depths, massive shapes stirred. Tiny bubbles occasionally rose, bursting on the surface into shimmering droplets.
After Dark Night left the meeting, the waters around Marineford erupted. The sea boiled like water in a pot.
This anomaly drew the attention of Marine patrols and guards at the edges and docks.
They stared, stunned, at the enormous shadows swirling beneath the surface, surrounding all of Marineford.
Seasoned marines paled and sweated as they recognized the shadows.
Veterans of the Extreme Evil War felt a surge of dread.
Such colossal silhouettes, Sea Kings! So many! How?!
Everywhere they looked, Marineford was encircled by similar shadows.
A chill gripped them. This was Marine Headquarters, not the Calm Belt, how could these giant sea kings be here?!
Splash, splash, splash!
As they grappled with fear and disbelief, the sea around Marineford exploded.
One by one, titanic creatures breached the surface, towering like mountains, encircling the island. A rough count exceeded a hundred.
More shadows lurked in the deeper waters beyond.
Truthfully, if not for Marineford's connection to massive sea currents, with depths far exceeding typical islands, these Sea Kings couldn't have gotten so close.
Some areas could only accommodate Sea Kings a few hundred meters long.
"This has to be a joke! Giant Sea Kings, super-giant Sea Kings, here, in this much numbers?!"
Seeing these peak-like behemoths erupt from the sea, many marines were terrified out of their wits.
The sheer impact was overwhelming, some might've wet themselves from fright.
"Sea Kings! Actual Sea Kings, so massive and so many!"
By now, Kong and the marine officers had stepped outside.
The mountain-sized Sea Kings were crystal clear even to them.
Strictly speaking, Marineford wasn't a large island.
Encircled by these towering Sea Kings, it felt pitifully small and helpless.
Gazing at the giants, Kong's face grew solemn as his mind raced.
Why were these Sea Kings here? Could the demon clan control them, or...
Had they acquired the legendary ancient weapon, Poseidon?!
The thought made Kong inhale sharply.
( End of this Chapter )