Chapter 434: SVOP - 434

Chapter 434: SVOP: Chapter 434

Hearing this, Sengoku froze completely, sinking slowly back into his seat as if he had turned to stone.

It was possible to mistake the Emperor’s face, but never the Ruler of the Seas. That black dragon was unique — so distinctive that even a blind man would recognize it instantly.

"These madmen... what are they planning to do now?!"

Fear surged through Sengoku’s heart, and his body began to tremble slightly. After nine long years, he was once again experiencing the exact same dread he had felt back then.

"No! I must expand Marine military strength immediately! Launch a World Conscription! We must recruit the strongest masters from across the civilian population at once!"

With that thought, Sengoku hurriedly picked up the Den Den Mushi and placed a call directly to the Holy Land Mary Geoise.

A short time later, within the office of the Five Elders, voices filled with shock echoed one after another.

"Impossible! They have returned?!"

"Nine years... why now, of all times?!"

"Emperor Vladimir... has actually returned!"

The Emperor appears once more! Phantom has returned!

This piece of intelligence struck like a thunderclap on a clear day, sending shockwaves through the highest levels of the World Government.

Considering the information came from the remote East Blue, the Five Elders chose not to spread the news.

Instead, they sealed the report completely and ordered the Marines to remain low-key and cautious for the time being, while they first verified the truth of the matter.

Simultaneously, at Marine Headquarters in Marineford, a recruitment drive was launched to gather individuals of justice from all over the world — the beginning of the World Conscription, aimed at rapidly expanding military numbers.

...

Setting aside the paranoia of the Marines and the World Government...

In Loguetown, East Blue... right in the center of the plaza, within the eye of the tornado, Vladimir continued his conversation with Dragon.

"So, you are saying that the ’National Treasure’ held by the Government is actually ’Uranus, the Heavens’ — one of the Three Ancient Weapons?" Vladimir asked, seeking confirmation.

"That is only a speculation," Dragon replied, shaking his head. "During the battle back then, one of our main armies was completely annihilated."

He paused, then added: "But we did learn one piece of critical information. The cost for the Government to use the National Treasure was immense. It seems to be closely related to... lifespan."

Back in that battle, the Revolutionary Army had suffered catastrophic losses, but the World Government had also paid a heavy price. This was why a delicate peace had been maintained ever since, until now.

Listening to his explanation, Vladimir began to form his own deductions.

If activating the National Treasure required sacrificing lifespan... it explained perfectly why the World Government had been desperate to obtain the Ope Ope no Mi (Operation Operation Fruit).

That fruit was capable of performing the Perennial Youth Operation, granting the recipient eternal life and unaging vitality.

Unfortunately, the Operation Fruit had already been eaten — by none other than Trafalgar Law.

"Perhaps... I could use that Law boy as bait?" Vladimir pondered silently.

He flicked his finger lightly, and instantly, Straw Hat Luffy, who had been bound beneath the platform, was set free.

"I am returning your son to you."

As he spoke, a wisp of black smoke swirled in front of Vladimir, quickly solidifying into the figure of the Shadow Fiend.

The moment it appeared, the Shadow Fiend tore open the fabric of space, revealing the entrance to the Shadow World.

Vladimir stepped through. Just before the portal closed, he looked back at Dragon one last time.

"I am deeply dissatisfied with your progress. From now on, speed up your expansion significantly. If there is still no improvement..."

Dragon never heard the rest. Vladimir had already vanished.

Letting out a soft breath, Dragon looked down at Luffy, murmuring to himself: "With these ruthless figures back in the world, chaos is sure to erupt again. This time... it feels like the World Government might actually be finished.

The National Treasure might be enough to deal with us revolutionaries, but it is absolutely useless against Phantom!"

Of course, since Vladimir had ordered him to expand faster, Dragon had no choice but to comply. Otherwise, Phantom might very well turn around and make them their next target.

...

The New World — Mysteria

At the top floor of a cathedral-like building lay a massive conference hall.

Seated at the head of the table were two individuals — a man and a woman. They were unmistakably Nico Robin and Donquixote Doflamingo.

Beneath them sat over a dozen high-ranking officers and subordinates, currently reporting on various missions and assignments.

Among them were several former members of the Donquixote Family, but the majority were new recruits who had joined over the years.

To be precise, the Donquixote Family was a thing of the past. This organization now operated under the direct command of the Tenth Blade, functioning effectively as an affiliated branch — a small but vital extension of Phantom itself.

"... and that concludes the current status report," a subordinate finished respectfully, sitting back down.

"Fufufufu... Are the Marines trying to strip me of my title as Warlord?"

Doflamingo let out a low, chilling laugh.

"They have held several Warlord summits consecutively without inviting me. It seems that with Emperor Vladimir absent for so long, they have started getting restless again. What do you think, Miss Robin?"

"Indeed..."

Nico Robin nodded, but offered no further opinion. Although her status was technically higher than Doflamingo’s, she never interfered unless absolutely necessary.

She would never forget the grace and protection shown to her by Phantom. Her loyalty belonged entirely to their interests.

Suddenly, black winds began to howl within the conference room.

Threads of black smoke gathered from all directions, swirling together to form a massive dark gate right in the center of the hall.

The center of the gate swirled like a vortex in deep space.

Seeing this, Robin’s body trembled slightly. Her beautiful eyes widened, filled with anticipation, as she stared intently at the dark portal.

"This aura... it can only be... the Shadow..." Doflamingo was stunned, realization dawning on him.

The subordinates seated below were utterly confused. One of them abruptly stood up, shouting in alarm.

"Who goes there?!"

In the next instant, a figure clad entirely in black stepped out from within the dark gate.

"... Fiend!" Doflamingo finished the sentence, his mouth hanging open in shock. "It really is you!"

The Shadow Fiend glanced around at the surrounding crowd, then fixed its gaze upon Robin and Doflamingo.

"Have you not come forth yet to pay your respects to Emperor Vladimir?"

As it spoke, another figure stepped out from the shadows behind it.

Upon seeing this person, Doflamingo and Robin immediately stood up, dropped to one knee, and spoke in reverent unison.

"Emperor Vladimir!"

"What?!"

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