Zzzzt~
"Testing, testing, is the broadcast stable now?"
"Alright, alright, stop fiddling with it, Betty! Come down and watch with us!"
Den Den Mushi were truly miraculous creatures.
Once the live broadcast signal activated, they could transmit real-time footage to every corner of the world through their unique bio-electrical waves and image synchronization capabilities.
There was virtually no delay, nor any distance limitations.
The events unfolding on Sabaody Archipelago initially only concerned the immediate vicinity. But as the commotion grew louder and the news spread increasingly shocking...
Before long, word spread across the seas at astonishing speed!
More and more factions received the news, gathering their members to watch the live broadcast together.
The Revolutionary Army—
This organization that struck the most fear into the World Government was no exception.
At this very moment, at the Eastern Army's temporary base.
Led by Eastern Army Commander Belo Betty and Deputy Commander Ahilu, the Eastern Army officers crowded around a man shrouded entirely in a hooded robe, their expressions varied as they stared intently at the screen.
"Hey hey hey, Ahilu! See that? Our fellow East Blue native is going absolutely wild out there!" Betty lit a cigarette, grinning boldly as she laughed. "He's actually taking on the Celestial Dragons and the God Knights! And doing it on Sabaody, in front of the whole world! This is exactly the kind of thing we Revolutionaries have always wanted to do but never got the chance!"
"Calm down, don't get too carried away, Commander Betty." Ahilu placed a hand on her shoulder, chuckling wryly. "The footage is certainly inspiring, but that doesn't mean our Revolutionary Army couldn't do the same. It's just that Dragon has always preferred a more low-key approach."
"But precisely because of that, our Revolutionary Army has been able to grow steadily, expanding step by step until we became the greatest threat in the World Government's eyes. Isn't that right, Dragon?"
Dragon didn't respond immediately.
His gaze remained fixed on the screen, a bead of cold sweat trickling down his temple.
"What a terrifying man," Dragon finally spoke in a low voice. "He's only been officially sailing for a year, yet he's grown from a nobody in East Blue to this level. And he's not even twenty years old yet. Even looking across the entire Ocean Era Calendar, such a rise is..."
He shook his head slightly, a trace of regret in his tone.
"Pity. Achieving fame at such a young age inevitably leads to recklessness. His actions are far too aggressive and audacious. Even if he succeeds in trampling the World Government this time, the most likely outcome is that he'll just become another Rocks."
"Hah? Way to kill the mood, Dragon. I won't allow you to talk about my fellow East Blue native like that. After all, I've been a fan of this guy for months now." Betty exhaled a smoke ring, grinning cheekily.
"Besides, it's not necessarily so bleak. The Curtain Closer's way of doing things seems much more reliable than the old Rocks Pirates, if you ask me."
"Different paths lead to the same end."
Dragon didn't want to argue further. After a brief pause, he spoke again:
"Pass on my orders. Have the Grand Line Army, West Army, and North Army begin operations immediately. Also, contact Ivankov and Lightning, who we recently reconnected with, and have them stir up as much chaos as possible in Impel Down."
"Hmm?"
Betty looked slightly taken aback. "What are you—?"
"Though we may not walk the same path, since we're both fighting against the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, we are allies on the same front. How can the Revolutionary Army stand idly by? At the very least, we should lend them a hand."
Dragon turned around, speaking calmly. "The tide of a new era has arrived, but the one who topples the throne of the gods shouldn't bear the backlash alone, should they?"
Such a cool declaration—as expected of Dragon! Ahilu's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Tch, why can't he just say he wants to help outright? Such a tsundere... Betty rolled her eyes. "I'll get right on it!" she said before hurrying off.
Dragon's gaze returned to the screen.
But this time.
His focus wasn't on Xiano. Instead, it shifted to another part of the battlefield.
In that scene, a towering man wearing a Bear-Eared Hat was displaying terrifying strength.
Single-handedly, he not only effortlessly suppressed Qilingom and Gunko, two members of the God Riders, but also found time to repel the Marine officers attempting to reinforce them.
Long time no see, Kuma.
A hint of nostalgia flickered in Dragon's eyes as he recalled their first meeting years ago—the boy who, despite enduring endless misfortune, had always kept a kind and gentle heart.
Originally.
When he learned that Kuma had joined the Curtain Closers and was terrifying the seas under the name "Thunderfall," while he respected Kuma's choice, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.
But now.
That regret no longer seemed necessary.
The brutal death of his father, the suffering of his childhood, Ginny's tragedy... Kuma, though you've never spoken of it, the hatred for the Celestial Dragons in your heart has never truly faded, has it?
During your time in the Revolutionary Army, for the sake of the bigger picture, you had to endure—year after year. But after joining the Curtain Closers, you found your chance so quickly...
Dragon took a deep breath.
Then.
Just like this, keep unleashing it all, Kuma!
Let these lofty Celestial Dragons truly feel your pain and the fury you've held back for so many years...
————
Crack!
A thick bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, casting an even more sinister pall over the storm-wracked sea.
Amid the howling winds, the newly commissioned New Red Force raced at full speed toward the Red Line.
Red-Haired Shanks stood at the bow, draped in his cloak, his gaze heavy as he stared at the distant horizon.
"How much longer until we reach Sabaody?" he asked without turning.
"Captain, even under the best conditions, it'll take another two or three hours," the intelligence officer Hongou replied with a sigh. "I don't know if we'll make it in time... Ah, we were just too slow getting the intel..."
"No, Hongou, your intel was timely enough. The real issue is how elusive those Curtain Closers are—appearing and vanishing like ghosts."
Yasopp, polishing his rifle, interjected with a frown:
"It's strange. I don't know how they did it, but those people suddenly appeared in Sabaody and launched a surprise attack. The sea routes were full of Whitebeard's men and Marine surveillance ships, yet they somehow slipped through unnoticed."
"That man wouldn't have come this far without secrets even we can't comprehend."
Beckman took a drag from his cigarette and glanced at the Captain ahead:
"Let's not dwell on that for now, Shanks. The World Government and Marine Headquarters will likely give you face, but what about Xiano? Given his temperament and how far he's gone, do you really think he'll cease hostilities just because we intervene?"
"..."
Shanks fell silent, recalling their encounter last year in Blackstone City, and eventually shook his head:
"Unlikely."
That man's conviction was among the strongest and most unshakable he'd ever seen.
"But we have to try regardless."
Shanks narrowed his eyes as he spoke. "Given the current situation, though Sabaody is in chaos, at least no Celestial Dragons have died yet. That means there's still a chance for negotiations."
Even if the odds were slim, he had to seize them.
You're too reckless, Xiano.
The tides of the new era, indeed unstoppable since your sudden rise, are crashing ashore far too soon—far, far too soon...
The balance of the sea must break, but not now.
"Why couldn't you wait just a few more years?"
Shanks stretched out a hand, feeling the raindrops against his palm, murmuring softly, "Why rush? Just a few years—that's all you needed."
If only that brat would Awaken, everything could be resolved effortlessly.
Luffy...
————
Amazon Lily.
"Another dull day..."
A languid, curvaceous figure leaned against the windowsill, chin resting on her palm as she gazed absently at the distant sky.
This kingdom in the Calm Belt had little contact with the outside world. There were no Den Den Mushi broadcasts, and even News Birds rarely passed through. To get the news, they had to send people out to collect newspapers and bring them back.
Below the steps, two female guards whispered to each other.
"What's wrong with the Snake Princess this time?"
"Who knows? She's been like this ever since returning from that last hunt..."
Come to think of it.
Though the Snake Princess's temper remained haughty and fiery, she had inexplicably become more approachable since that day.
At least she no longer made unreasonable demands or treated them like dirt.
Even the newspapers brought by Grandma Tsuru...
"Hey, you two." Hancock suddenly turned around, visibly agitated. "Has the latest newspaper not arrived yet?"
"Not yet," one guard replied cautiously, startled. "But it should be soon. Based on the previous pattern, Grandma Tsuru will likely bring the papers to the palace the morning after tomorrow."
"Not until the morning after tomorrow?"
Hancock turned back, puffing her cheeks in frustration. "Ugh, seriously, that old hag... Hey! Make sure to wake me the moment she arrives, got it?"
"Yes, Snake Princess!"
The two female guards finished their report, but there was no response from above. They exchanged bewildered glances, utterly confused in their hearts.
How strange.
What could have made the Snake Princess, who was usually indifferent to the outside world, suddenly so fond of reading books and newspapers?
————
Wano Country.
On the grassy field, Queen and King stood together with peculiar expressions, watching the father and daughter pair sitting cross-legged side by side, completely engrossed in the screen.
How long had it been...
How long since they'd last seen these two meet without arguing, sitting together so peacefully?
Kaido, unaware of their thoughts, appeared focused on the screen, but his peripheral vision kept stealing glances at his daughter beside him.
Strange. Where had this kid heard about Xiano? And why had she taken the initiative to watch this broadcast with him this time?
But it didn't matter.
This was a scene he was happy to see.
That brat Xiano—whether in strength or spirit—had earned his approval. Even if Yamato became infatuated with him, it was better than her constantly tying that Shimenawa around her waist and shouting nonsense like "I am Oden!"
Might as well try anything at this point, even if it was a long shot.
"Hey, Kaido."
Yamato suddenly spoke.
"?"
Kaido snapped out of his thoughts, frowning slightly with displeasure. "Hey, since I've agreed to your request, brat, shouldn't you at least fix how you address me?"
"Kaido, watch the screen, not me."
Yamato remained unmoved, her face cold. "The critical turning point has arrived. This war has dragged on long enough—I think it's about to end."
Hm?
Kaido was startled, no longer bothering to hide his stolen glances as he hurriedly turned his gaze back to the screen.
Indeed.
He narrowed his eyes. It really did seem, just as Yamato had said, that it was about to end...
————
Boom!
Amid the deafening explosion, Sentomaru spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing to his knees alongside the last two Pacifistas.
Zzzzt... Crack!
Electric sparks flickered across the faces of the two Pacifistas before the light in their eyes dimmed completely, shutting down.
"That's as far as you go, Fatty!"
Jack stomped on Sentomaru's face, grinning viciously. "You put up a decent fight with these robots, I'll give you that! But holding out this long against me? You've got some skill!"
This guy was mediocre in most aspects.
But his defense? Damn impressive. Even compared to his own thick hide, it wasn't far off!
"..."
Sentomaru barely managed to open his eyes, as if trying to say something.
But after being beaten relentlessly for so long, his willpower had reached its limit. His head lolled to the side as he finally lost consciousness.
"Lucky you."
Jack snorted, lifting his foot.
He remembered his boss mentioning that people connected to Vegapunk should be handled carefully—they might prove useful later. So once he confirmed Sentomaru was out of commission, he couldn't be bothered with him anymore.
Pulling his scythe free from the wreckage of a nearby Pacifista, he turned his gaze to the right.
Thud! Thud!
The heavy, drum-like impacts continued without pause—the sound of Kuma pummeling two members of the God Knights.
Jack had noticed earlier that those two God Knights had particularly troublesome and bizarre abilities.
One could manipulate arrows, effortlessly deflecting any harm directed at him;
The other summoned numerous massive black monsters that charged at Kuma from all directions.
Yet even so, Kuma remained firmly in control, always leveraging his high-speed teleportation to find openings and deliver devastating blows to these two God Riders.
Whether it was blasting off their heads or piercing through their chests…
An ordinary person would have long been dead beyond dead.
But members of the God Knights were clearly not ordinary.
When their heads were blown apart, new ones would regenerate in an instant. When their chests were pierced, a flash of black mist would restore their bodies.
Was this the so-called "Undying Body"?
Jack put himself in Kuma's shoes and thought that if he were the one fighting these two, he'd grow increasingly impatient, wishing he could slice them to pieces a thousand times over.
But looking at Kuma's expression…
Strange—why did it seem like he was actually enjoying himself?
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