109 World's End
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"Sir, we've just arrived at Greed Island." The assistant announced, standing next to Brontes with a respectful salute.
"Where are our navigators?" Asked Brontes, scanning his surroundings for the crew responsible for guiding their journey.
"I'm right here, Sir." Came the reply from a plump naval officer, his attire marked by the distinct coat of a lieutenant, indicating his rank and position.
"And how do we stand with the cloud cover?" Brontes pressed, his eyes narrowing as he observed the sky.
Not every navigator prided themselves on unmatched seafaring skills, but each held a deep understanding of meteorology.
Their keen observations of the clouds, sun, and tides empowered them to predict upcoming weather patterns with impressive accuracy, drawing from years of experience and knowledge.
After a moment of contemplation, the navigator responded: "Sir, judging by the wind's speed and the clouds' color, I'm about eighty percent certain we're heading into a substantial storm."
Brontes was a little a surprised : "Explain."
"Of course, Sir. The static cloud above us." The navigator began: "originated from volcanic activities near Greed Island centuries ago. Over the years, it has collected a dense concentration of underground metal minerals. This has resulted in a unique cloud formation that, despite its cotton-like appearance and minimal water vapor content, is heavily laden with various metals."
This navigator had earned Brontes's trust through years of diligent service, proving his worth and familiarity with Brontes's capabilities.
"Manipulating lightning under these conditions could prove challenging." Brontes mused, lifting a finger to release a bolt of lightning into the sky.
"ZliZli!"
The bolt, veered off course upon meeting the cloud layer, illustrating how the abundance of water in the clouds diminished Brontes's ability to control the lightning.
Furthermore, Brontes realized a critical limitation: the static cloud, unable to generate lightning on its own, wouldn't allow him to harness minimal electric energy from it to create a more potent lightning force.
This revelation highlighted the unique challenges posed by the dense cloud cover, directly affecting his strategy and showcasing the complexities of wielding his power in this environments.
"That's no problem at all, sir. We just need to add more water vapor to the cloud." The navigator assured with a confident smile.
He went on to explain: "The lack of sunlight throughout the year here, combined with deep-sea currents, means there's hardly any evaporated water vapor. This results in our static cloud having exceptionally low water vapor levels. But, if we utilize Ark Maxim's capabilities to heat up the atmosphere, these clouds will transform into a powerful conductor."
"Good, let's proceed with that plan." Brontes responded with a nod of approval.
Following the navigator's instructions, the Ark Maxim rose higher, positioning its steam nozzle directly into the static cloud. Then it activated its cloud-making apparatus.
As the Ark Maxim got to work, the originally vague and hazy static cloud began to darken noticeably.
This change was a sign that the moisture-rich and electrically charged thunderclouds were integrating with the static cloud.
"With these thunderclouds aiding us, taking down the entire Island of Greed won't be difficult." The navigator remarked, looking at the darkening skies with a sense of accomplishment.
Brontes cast his gaze upwards at the now menacing sky, then shifted his view toward Greed Island, which was alight with the glow of the island's inhibitors.
...
About an hour later, the Ark Maxim finished its task of producing thunderclouds and warming the weather. The preparation was complete.
The thunderclouds had successfully merged with the static cloud, making it appear slightly darker yet radiating a palpable sense of danger. This ominous sight made the marines on the warship feel a wave of unease wash over them.
"It's time." Brontes said, stepping off the warship and towards Greed Island.
Swiftly, the sailors steered the ship away from the area covered by the static cloud.
Hovering in the air above Greed Island, Brontes could hear an array of coarse sounds rising from below, the cacophony of an island unaware of the impending doom.
"World's End!"
With these words, Brontes raised his hands, from which intense thunderbolts surged forth, striking the static cloud above with precision.
"Boom! Rumble!"
The connection between his lightning and the cloud unleashed a thunderous uproar.
"ZliZli! Rumble!!"
The lightning dispersed, creating a network of serpentine bolts that danced across the static cloud's surface, a harrowing prelude to the storm that was about to be unleashed on Greed Island.
The whole cloud above Greed Island was alive with lightning, transforming the night into an unexpected spectacle of light, as if forecasting a celebration.
The sudden illumination was startling; even though the residents were well-versed in the diverse weather patterns of the New World, the appearance of lightning was completely out of the ordinary.
Especially on Greed Island, known as the Island of Eternal Night, where the static cloud had loomed for years without ever shedding a drop of rain, let alone flashing with lightning.
It was a sight that drew many curious and astonished folks from their houses, their gazes locked on the sky.
For the people of Greed Island, witnessing lightning was something they thought they'd never see.
"Be careful, you fool! Wait, what's that?" Snapped a fashionable, diminutive old lady, her irritation evident as she chastised a tall man beside her who clumsily managed a large naginata.
"I'm sorry, Mama. But, Mama, look up! Is that a bird?" The tall man wondered aloud.
Despite his adult frame, he exhibited a childlike demeanor—wiping his nose with one hand while the other was busy in his mouth.
"That's not a bird, you simpleton, that's a man up there!" The old lady retorted sharply, delivering a swift slap to the man's leg as she corrected him.
Peering closer, her tone shifted to one of curiosity.
"But he seems to be dressed... That person looks like a naval officer." She murmured, squinting at the figure in the sky.
"Waaa! Mama, look at him; he's playing with lightning!" The man's voice bubbled with excitement, as if he were a child dazzled by a new toy.
"W-What!! Impossible!!!" The old lady could barely hide her shock.
...
Elsewhere, atop the highest building in the city, a man lounged with a cigar perched between his lips and the company of two women at his sides.
His gaze was fixed on the sky, marveling at the continuous flashes of lightning.
"What's happening? When did the dark clouds over Greed Island start shining so brightly? Could it be a change in the weather?" He pondered, a hint of confusion lacing his words.
Running Greed Island had been his responsibility for years, yet he had never witnessed anything like this.
The absence of sunlight, combined with his lifestyle, had left his skin unnaturally pale.
This phenomenon of lightning, a rarity on the island, intrigued and surprised him, hinting at changes he hadn't predicted.
"My lord, perhaps this is a divine lightning spectacle meant for you." One of the ladies in his arms whispered in a soft tone.
"Hahaha! Perfect! The gods are indeed putting on this lightning show just for me. After all these years on Greed Island, they've chosen my birthday as the occasion for this grand display." The man chuckled heartily.
He was the lord of Greed Island, an enigmatic figure; an underworld boss, gambler, and businessman whose success was built on deceit.
"Though, the magnitude of this lightning is quite remarkable." He mused quietly, peering up at the brilliant clouds above.
...
Meanwhile, at the entrance of a casino on the island, Buckin, a spry elderly lady, displayed agility that defied normal human limits.
With a swift swing of her cane, she propelled herself several meters into the air, deftly landing on the towering shoulder of Weevil.
"Why are we fleeing, Mama? Weren't we here to make some money?" Weevil asked in a confused video.
"Now's not the time to worry about profits. Our lives are in jeopardy. This isn't just a natural calamity; it's someone set on our demise. Blast it all!" Buckin's fierce determination centered on her own survival and wealth. She refused to meet her end in this chaos.
Unbeknownst to Buckin, her words hadn't gone unheard; Brontes had caught wind of her conversation. Realizing Buckin and Weevil were on the island, he knew the time had come to strike.
"World's End!"
Brontes aimed his hand toward Greed Island.
"Boom! Rumble!"
His command reverberated through the skies, triggering a violent response from the clouds above.
Lightning burst forth, turning the once-dark sky into a radiant canopy of white light.
"Rumble! Rumble!"
The dazzling display illuminated the sea far and wide; even distant islands were privy to the spectacle, hearing the roaring thunder accompanying the streaks of lightning.
As the thunderclaps resounded, bolts of lightning cascaded from the heavens like brilliant beams, striking Greed Island directly and illuminating the surrounding seas with their electrifying force.
"Boom! Boom! Rumble!"
The tumultuous symphony of nature's fury echoed across the island, marking the onset of a cataclysmic event.
The lightning's impact was devastating, instantly demolishing the structures below.
Those unfortunate enough to be caught in its wrath endured excruciating heat, their bodies incinerated in an instant, their lives snuffed out in a heartbeat.
The effects of the lightning weren't swift deaths; the struck victims endured agonizing torment, the stench of burning flesh emanating from their charred bodies.
"Boom! Rumble! Boom!"
A barrage of hundreds of lightning bolts struck in rapid succession, wreaking havoc across Greed Island.
The deafening thunder shattered countless buildings, the people on the island feeling the electrifying force encompass them before they could react.
"Come and let them see my wrath!"
Brontes shouted, as he spread his arms.
"Boom! Rumble! Boom!"
The clouds above responded to his call, unleashing a deluge of lightning bolts, even more intense than before.
These weren't divine pillars of punishment; they were tangible bolts of pure lightning.
Greed Island transformed into a tempest of lightning, resembling a notorious island in the New World known for its electrical storms.
In that moment, the entire island became engulfed in a relentless storm of lightning, claiming lives instantly and offering little hope of survival to those left standing in its wake.
"Rumble!! ZliZli!!"
The relentless thunderclaps and crackling lightning in the sky persisted, the ongoing storm wreaking havoc across the entire island. Structures vanished, mountains were flattened, and chaos reigned supreme.
The catastrophic scene, reminiscent of an apocalyptic event, left the marine soldiers observing from a distance in stunned disbelief.
Confronted by such a ferocious assault, survival seemed nearly impossible for anyone on Greed Island.
Brontes's fury showed no sign of abating; driven by his wrath and with a conviction that every denizen of Greed Island deserved punishment, he unleashed his destructive power without restraint.
The island wasn't just a hub of gambling and entertainment; it harbored a darker side, rife with illegal activities like human trafficking, organ trade, and other heinous crimes.
In Brontes's eyes, everyone on the island was complicit in these nefarious dealings.
"Rumble! Boom!"
The onslaught persisted, continuing its relentless barrage.
After five intense minutes, the storm eventually subsided. The once impenetrable clouds above thinned and waned slightly.
Undeterred, Brontes focused his Observation Haki on two individuals, unwavering in his resolve.
As the last echoes of the lightning faded, Brontes had already made his way to Greed Island, prepared to confront those he sought.
