Neither the Shichibukai and Marine officers present, nor those still watching the live broadcast, expected that the moment the heads fell on the execution platform, Orion would immediately turn his focus and exert extreme pressure on the Shichibukai on the high platform.
As Orion voice fell, the atmosphere in the room instantly became tense, as if swords were drawn and bows were strung.
Sakazuki slightly raised his head, his cold, gleaming eyes sweeping over the members of the Seven Warlords seated around the conference table. The dozen or so officers standing on either side of the high platform also placed their hands on the weapons at their waists.
Without a doubt, at this moment, anyone who resisted or refused would undoubtedly be swiftly and mercilessly executed by Sakazuki and the officers.
Those watching the live broadcast also fell silent at this moment, especially the reporters and various factions gathered in the squares of the different districts of Sabaody Archipelago.
They all held their breath, their eyes fixed on the Seven Warlords appearing on the screen, causing the entire archipelago to fall into a deathly silence. The only sound was the bubbling of the rising soap bubbles.
Rayleigh and Shakky, who had originally intended to leave, also paused and turned back at the moment Orion standing in front of the camera suddenly uttered the words. "Will you bow to me?"
Turning to look at the figure on the screen, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword and the other behind his back, Shakky narrowed her eyes and said slowly.
"Over the years, many ambitious figures and young kings have emerged, but compared to this one they all pale in comparison."
"Strong, domineering, and utterly uncompromising!"
Rayleigh nodded in agreement.
"I never expected this, truly never expected it. I never thought that the descendant of the D clan that Roger was waiting for would not appear, but instead a young king would emerge from the ranks of the Marines!"
On the screen.
Even Mihawk, seated at the conference table among the Seven Warlords, felt the invisible pressure emanating from Orion at this moment. Despite being the world greatest swordsman, he inexplicably felt a sense of unease.
This unease was not due to Orion formidable strength, but rather the natural air of a king that he exuded, which brought an overwhelming sense of oppression.
Not only Mihawk, but Jinbei, Hanafuda, Crocodile the ambitious schemer, and even Doflamingo all felt a strange impulse to prostrate themselves before Orion as he slowly approached the conference table, the oppressive aura washing over them.
"Hehehe... Fleet Admiral Orion, you really leave us no room for maneuver~"
Suddenly, Doflamingo let out a sinister chuckle, then hunched over and abruptly stood up, looking directly at Orion. In a deep voice, he said.
"However, even if we compromise due to the overwhelming strength of the Marines, how can you ensure that we won't go back on our word once we leave?"
"Fleet Admiral Orion!"
Before Orion could respond, Hanafuda who had been overwhelmed by the oppressive aura and felt the urge to bow before him, suddenly stood up, his eyes blazing as he stared at Orion.
"Don't forget, the Seven Warlords system was proposed by the World Government to balance the situation in the Grand Line, not because we wanted to become Warlords. If you don't want the system to exist, you could simply announce its abolition. Why summon us here?"
"Doflamingo is right. Even if we compromise now, it's only because of your overwhelming strength!"
"Of course, if you were to approach us in a different manner, I believe everyone here would be more than willing to continue serving you!"
At this point, Hanafuda immediately turned his head to look at the two silent Shichibukai beside him.
"Jinbei, Crocodile, am I right?"
"!!!!!"
Caught off guard by Hanafuda suddenly calling out his name, Jinbei eyes widened in shock.
Hanafuda intention was clear—he wanted to take advantage of Doflamingo stepping forward first to rally them all together to counter Orion extreme pressure.
But—
Jinbei couldn't help but curse inwardly!
This was Marine Headquarters, after all!.
Did they not see the fierce gazes of the four Admirals standing beside Orion?
Did they not notice the group of young officers on both sides of the platform, already itching to draw their swords?
Could they not feel the killing intent emanating from all the Marines of Marineford?
Even if all the Shichibukai joined forces, there was almost no chance of escaping alive!
Most importantly, Mihawk had remained completely silent from the beginning to the end and earlier he had followed Orion onto the platform, one after the other.
This was enough to indicate that Mihawk had likely reached some kind of agreement with Orion and was unlikely to get involved.
As for Hancock, she didn't even need to be considered!
This meant that two of the Shichibukai had already chosen Orion side. In such a situation, dragging him out was practically asking for his life!
Though these thoughts raced through his mind, Jinbei maintained his composure and subtly glanced at Crocodile, who was sitting calmly beside him.
Crocodile, too, was caught off guard when Hanafuda called out his name.
The moment Hanafuda gaze fell on him, the cigar in his mouth nearly dropped and the golden hook resting on his knee almost slipped out, as if it might lash out and strike Hanafuda.
"Damn it!"
Seeing that neither Jinbei nor Crocodile responded, Hanafuda cursed inwardly and then turned his gaze toward Moria.
Huh?
The moment he looked at Moria, Hanafuda eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Moria, that bastard was actually meditating with his eyes closed!
Realizing that Moria had also chosen to remain silent at this critical moment, Hanafuda heart hardened. He decisively withdrew his gaze and looked at Orion, speaking in a deep voice.
"Fleet Admiral Orion, you should know very well! I am allied with Yonko Kaido. If you dare to kill me—"
"Understood—"
Before Hanafuda could finish his sentence, Orion, who had been silently waiting for their decision, suddenly took a step forward. The golden blade at his waist, Konpira, was drawn in an instant.
"Hanafuda, you've made your choice!"
Before the words even fully left his mouth, Orion figure flashed past Hanafuda.
There was no overwhelming Conqueror's Haki enveloping the area, nor any dazzling sword aura.
All that remained was a ripple in the air as Orion passed by Hanafuda.
And—
The head of Hanafuda, still wide-eyed, now held in Orion hand.
The moment they saw the head in Orion grasp, everyone present—whether it was the Shichibukai, the Marine officers of all ranks, or those watching the live broadcast—thought they were hallucinating.
Their eyes widened in shock, and their pupils were filled with nothing but disbelief.
"How... how is this possible!"
After a brief moment of dead silence, Mihawk was the first to react. His face pale with horror, he stared at the figure holding a sword in one hand and Hanafuda head in the other. Even someone as composed as him couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment.
Although Orion sword speed reached the extreme, almost achieving the unity of man and blade and he instantly decapitated Hanafuda, even with his astonishing speed there were many Observation Haki masters present.
Especially Hanafuda, as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea he had once fought evenly with Kaido and eventually became one of Kaido three top executives, which was enough to prove that Hanafuda Devil Fruit abilities, Observation Haki, and Armament Haki were far beyond ordinary strongmen.
However—
Not only was Hanafuda instantly killed, but almost everyone present, including him, failed to detect even a trace of Orion presence.
After a brief moment of shock, Mihawk pupils slightly contracted and his eyes instantly regained their eagle-like sharpness.
He silently exclaimed in his heart. 'Observation Haki Kill—'
Mihawk, who had comprehended everything looked at Orion with a gaze as if he were seeing a monster.
Clearly, Orion had not only suppressed Hanafuda Observation Haki with Observation Haki Kill at the moment of his attack but also suppressed all the Seven Warlords present, including himself.
And Orion actions were not just about killing Hanafuda, he was clearly telling them.
Even outside the Marine Headquarters, Orion could single-handedly take them down one by one.
At that moment—
Hanafuda body fell to the ground with a thud, and Orion turned around, tossing the still twitching head onto the conference table.
An overwhelming and domineering aura surged forth,
He spoke word by word.
"Who else? Step forward!"
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