The motionless, charred remains, as if a gentle breeze could turn them into dust, made the previous indifference of St. Jaygarcia Saturn and the God's Knights seem like a joke at this moment.
But is that really the case?
When the lightning disappeared, the people who had been charred alive instantly recovered. Their limbs, bodies, and heads were all restored to their original state, without a single injury.
Everyone remained calm and indifferent as before.
If the scars left on the earth by the wrath of God hadn't yet faded, who would have known that divine wrath had just descended from the heavens?
St. Jaygarcia Saturn and the members of the God's Knights lowered their heads slightly, their faces showing mockery, as if they were laughing at the earth-shattering lightning that had just struck them.
In their eyes, it was nothing more than insignificant trash that could not harm them in the slightest.
Then, ignoring the night which had returned to calm, everyone exchanged glances, lowered their heads slightly, and turned to look to the side.
The leader, St. Jaygarcia Saturn, who was wearing a white coat, leaned on his cane, coldly watching the members of the Umbrella Corporation who appeared behind them.
There were three people in total, from left to right, and the one in the middle was none other than the boss of the Umbrella Corporation, the uncrowned king of the West Blue, Ian the God of Sun.
Finally, St. Jaygarcia Saturn's gaze fell on Ian. His face showed neither anger nor disappointment; he simply looked at Ian with an indifferent expression, his eyes filled with arrogance, as if he were looking at an ant.
"Only three people? Fewer than I expected! The God of Sun, Ian... No, you should be called the ignorant human, Ian."
"Oh dear, this all happened so suddenly."
Despite St. Jaygarcia Saturn's words, Ian showed no anger, even maintaining a smile as he looked at St. Jaygarcia Saturn and the God's Knights.
"We are not prepared at all. How about we call it even for today, and you can come back another time?"
St. Jaygarcia Saturn: "..."
Upon hearing this, seemingly surprised by the response from the Umbrella Corporation's boiss, St. Jaygarcia Saturn fell silent.
Then, looking at Ian with a blank expression, he said, "You're calmer than I expected. What gives you the confidence to remain so calm even now? Is it the two people beside you?"
He glanced briefly at the guys standing on either side of Ian.
"An artificial Devil Fruit user and a logia-type Devil Fruit user? Or is it your strength? But it's nighttime now, not daytime, not noon. Are you planning to repeat what happened in Water 7?"
With a hint of sarcasm, St. Jaygarcia Saturn continues: "Using your own axe? I must say, Vegapunk has certainly caused a lot of trouble, but that's not enough!"
As those words fell, St. Jaygarcia Saturn and the members of the God's Knights all looked at Ian with cold eyes.
Although they did not exude any aura, the air around them froze just by the presence of these terrifying guys.
Keep in mind that these guys are also terrifyingly powerful figures standing at the pinnacle of the ocean!
This scene caused even the usually carefree Enel to show a serious expression, his eyes subtly fixed on Ian, as if asking where these guys came from and what to do now.
But Ian ignored him. Even though St. Jaygarcia Saturn's words were full of sarcasm and chilling intent, he still looked at the group of guys in front of him with that same smile.
As for Gerd... knowing some secrets, she wasn't as surprised or bewildered as Enel.
But facing this group of guys, her palms were covered in cold sweat, and even her entire back became damp.
Damn it, has the World Government gone mad?
They actually sent out this kind of force?
Is this a plan to wipe out the entire Umbrella Corporation?
Although she was terrified, she did not back down and stood beside Ian while looking at the group of monsters in front of her.
Faced with this scene, she was prepared to sacrifice herself, and even if possible... she would find a way to keep Ian alive in order to repay his life-saving grace.
A new era is coming. Although she doesn't know exactly what this new era will be like, this era absolutely cannot be without Ian.
As long as Ian can survive, she believes... One day, the World Government will pay the price.
At this moment, the two sides stared at each other. One side had only three people, while the other side, including St. Jaygarcia Saturn and five members of the God's Knight, had a total of six people, twice the number of the Umbrella Corporation.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Although neither side made a move, the contest had already begun invisibly.
Neither of them made the first move, nor did either of them take a step forward or a step back.
One side looked at the other with disdain, while the other side maintained a smile, showing no panic despite the terrifying formation.
After a moment, St. Jaygarcia Saturn seemed to be the first to lose his temper, looking coldly at Ian: "I really underestimated you!"
Although he's an ignorant guy, there's no denying... This guy might possess talent comparable to that of the King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger, and Rocks D. Xebec.
Or, if this guy is allowed to continue like this, one day he might actually become just as troublesome as those two!
"I never expected to hear such praise from a high-ranking figure in the World Government's highest authority. It's truly an honor!"
Ian remained unfazed by St. Jaygarcia Saturn's words, still smiling as he looked at the other side.
"How about we just let it go? Fighting wouldn't benefit anyone, and tomorrow is the public execution. I'm sure you don't want anything to go wrong!"
"How ridiculous! Do you think you'll even live to see tomorrow?"
However, upon hearing Ian's suggestion, St. Jaygarcia Saturn rejected it without hesitation, his tone mocking: "I've personally taken action. Do you think you can still survive? You should feel honored to die at my hands, Ian!"
As he spoke, seemingly remembering something, St. Jaygarcia Saturn chuckled again, then he narrowed his eyes and looked at Ian expressionlessly.
"No, you still have some hope of surviving. If you hand over your wife and daughter, the World Government might agree to spare your life. Even these guys, the World Government might spare their lives."
His tone was flat yet carried a hint of condescension: "And perhaps there's even a chance you can join the God's Knights and become a Celestial Dragon."