Mangaka in the StrawHats

Boom!

A vivid, multicolored ripple of energy erupted across the sky, surging outwards and instantly consuming the CPO with the lion head mask, devouring him in an explosive surge of light and heat!

Boom~~~

The collision of elemental forces—ice and fire—created a magnificent and deadly display. Two realms, frozen and fiery, clashed violently in an intense dance of annihilation, each power vying to consume the other in a fierce embrace. This enormous whirlpool of opposing elements spun in the air like a frenzied storm, swallowing anything in its path with the relentless force of a natural catastrophe.

Golden bursts of energy flashed intermittently within the maelstrom, glinting as they reflected the monstrous power spinning at its heart. Streaks of violet lightning coiled around the whirlpool, snaking across its outer layers in erratic, jagged paths. These currents of energy darted into the whirlpool's interior, only to resurface from random points, flaring and crackling in chaotic arcs of light. Every movement of the whirlpool was both mesmerizing and terrifying, as if nature itself were being torn apart and reborn within the swirling chaos.

Although this mighty vortex appeared as a simple, luminous energy ripple, it pulsed and throbbed, disassembling in brief moments of pause, only to reassemble with even more ferocity. It was a destructive force in constant flux~~~

After what felt like an eternity but was only a few agonizing seconds, the energy began to fade, its might dissipating into the heavens and vanishing into the earth below, leaving only a chilling silence in the aftermath.

As for the CPO with the lion head mask...

No~

Where had the CPO with the lion head mask gone!!!

The sky was now an empty void, marked only by faint, fading traces of energy, their vibrant glow slowly dissolving into the air like ghostly remnants of an obliterated existence.

He!!

Had been entirely erased!!

The two remaining CPOs, who had moments before been brimming with self-assured confidence, now stood frozen, their expressions contorted with shock and disbelief. They were unable to process what had just transpired, unable to grasp that their comrade had been utterly annihilated in the blink of an eye.

Though the CPO with the lion mask had been the least powerful of the trio, the difference in strength was minimal. The power that had erased him could just as easily obliterate them. The realization struck them like a bolt of ice through the heart.

In that instant, the Terra Robots fixed their piercing, mechanical gaze on the two remaining CPOs.

"Target acquired!"

"Identify the enemy!"

"Eliminate!"

Ding ding ding...!!!

As the Terra Robots honed in, their intense, unyielding gaze zeroing in on them, the CPOs' observation Haki flared with relentless, wild warnings. An unmistakable feeling of dread flooded over them, their instincts urging them to flee.

"Shave!!"

They locked eyes for an instant, each recognizing the desperation in the other, and sprang into action without a moment's hesitation.

With a blinding flash, ten energy beams tore through the sky, their speed nearing the speed of light itself, each beam an unstoppable streak of annihilation!!!

In that fleeting moment, each CPO realized they were the intended targets, trapped within the intricate, web-like paths of energy beams, all of which spiraled and converged with lethal intent…

"What!!"

"No!!--"

Their cries of horror and disbelief echoed into the open air, punctuated by the relentless advance of the Terra Robots' beams, which engulfed them in an explosive cascade, obliterating them as effortlessly as crushing an insect underfoot.

The once-mighty CPOs, defenders of the holy land, found themselves utterly powerless in the face of these implacable machines!

There was no opportunity for escape, no possibility of survival~~~ Such was the extraordinary, boundless power of these Terra Robots, machines so feared that they had earned the title "kings of humankind" and were considered equals to the fabled three ancient weapons!!

Mariejois

In the Five Elders' grand hall.

A figure appeared, emerging silently from the shadows~~~

"Huh? Why have you entered without an announcement..."

Saint Marcus, startled by the unexpected entrance, looked up with irritation, his brows furrowed as he turned to the doorway. Yet the moment he saw who had arrived, his irritation turned to horror. His face went pale as he sprang to his feet, his demeanor abruptly shifting from annoyance to submission.

"Lord Im...!"

The sound of Saint Marcus's exclamation jolted the other four Elders. For a brief, bewildered moment, they were taken aback, their expressions frozen in shock. But as the realization settled, they quickly composed themselves, aware of the gravity of the situation.

An immediate, profound tension filled the hall as they rose in unison, their eyes fixed toward the doorway.

Lord Im was here!!!

"Lord Im...!"

In perfect synchronicity, the five Elders fell to one knee, their heads bowed low in a gesture of absolute respect. Beads of cold sweat trickled down their foreheads, each feeling the weight of their lord's unexpected presence. It was almost unimaginable. Typically, when Lord Im wanted to order them, he would summon them to the Empty Throne. For him to arrive in their hall, unannounced, meant the situation was dire.

"Is there an attack?"

Im's voice was low and penetrating, carrying an ominous undertone that made their spines shiver.

"Yes, my lord. It's a minor matter. We have ordered CP0 to handle it accordingly," the elder star replied swiftly, his voice quivering slightly under the intense scrutiny.

"Minor matter?"

Im's voice grew harsher, a note of irritation rising. "Do you even understand what those robots are?"

"Ah~?"

A flicker of realization swept through the Elders. They were beginning to understand that this was no mere incursion. If Lord Im himself was aware of these robots, then the implications were clear. Could it be... from 800 years ago???

Im's gaze hardened, his tone icy and resolute. "Those machines... are entities capable of rivaling the three ancient weapons themselves!"

Nani???

Was it even conceivable that anything else in existence could match the might of the three ancient weapons?

The Five Elders stood in stunned silence, their minds racing, fear now creeping into their carefully composed expressions.

Before they could fully absorb the magnitude of this information, Im's next words sent fresh terror coursing through their veins.

"All five of you—yes, all of you—are to depart immediately. Take the remaining CP0 agents, every last one, and eliminate these machines. Either those robots are destroyed by day's end, or you are."

The weight of Im's words hit them like a crushing blow, leaving no room for doubt or delay.

"Yes!" They replied in unison, their voices taut with fear and duty.

Saint Ju Peter, despite himself, dared to ask, "My lord... about the strength of these robots..."

Though his words were hesitant, his meaning was clear.

What was the true power of these machines?

If CP0 was reduced to mere cannon fodder, it suggested the robots were beyond formidable. How could they—the five most powerful elders—stand a chance against such a force?

Im's gaze locked onto Ju Peter with icy disdain. "Simply follow your orders. Your task is to delay those machines. I will come with the support later on."

The Elders exhaled in unison, feeling a momentary, fragile relief.

With Lord Im himself involved, they knew they were not alone in this struggle. Although the robots' full strength remained unknown, they had faith in their ability to hold the line, if only temporarily. Besides, there was plenty of cannon fodder to spare.

Emboldened by this reassurance, Ju Peter responded, "Rest assured, my lord! We will hold these machines at bay!"

He straightened, gesturing for the others to follow him as they exited the hall, each steeling themselves for the battle ahead.

Outside Pangaea Castle, the Five Elders issued the highest-priority mobilization order, summoning every available force to the fore.

Within moments, the elite forces of the CP departments gathered, their ranks filled with operatives from CP1 through CP9, every last one stationed in Mariejois, all assembled and prepared.

"My Lord, has something serious occurred?" a CP0 team leader asked cautiously, his tone tentative.

"It's nothing critical," one of the Elders replied smoothly, keeping his expression neutral. "There's simply been an attempt to breach the holy land, and we thought this would be a fitting opportunity to test our defenses." His voice was calm, downplaying the enormity of the threat with practiced ease.

As an experienced leader, he knew that if the truth were fully revealed, these forces might balk at the thought of facing such overwhelming danger. Presenting it as a routine exercise, however, would ensure they fought willingly, driven by confidence...

Some might even compete to prove their worth.

But what these brave soldiers did not know was that, to the Five Elders, they were nothing more than sacrificial pawns.