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Chapter 264: Two Emperors ArriveGrand Line.
The massive Moby Dick cut through the currents with astonishing speed, racing in the opposite direction of the Holy Land migration—toward East Blue.
Meanwhile, in East Blue.
The port of Foosha Village was no longer the quiet fishing dock of the past. Expanded dozens of times over, it was now crowded with ships of all shapes and sizes, including battleships flying the Marine seagull flag.
Countless tycoons, nobles, and powerhouses from around the world had gathered here like pilgrims, making this small island unprecedentedly prosperous—and unprecedentedly crowded.
But in this moment...
All the noise—the discussions, the hawking, the arguments—was choked off by an invisible hand.
The entire port fell into a dead silence.
Everyone's eyes turned in terror toward the horizon, looking in two different directions.
To the east, a massive ship that looked like it had sailed out of a fairy tale—a giant cake—was slowly approaching. The singing figurehead and the Jolly Roger on the mast, a skull with lipstick and a pirate hat...
"It... It's the Big Mom Pirates!!"
Someone screamed, their voice trembling with fear.
But that was just the beginning.
Almost simultaneously, to the west, a sleek red ship with a dragon figurehead cut through the waves like a phantom. The Jolly Roger flapping in the wind, bearing three distinct scars over the left eye, made everyone's heart skip a beat.
"Red... Red Hair Pirates!!"
"Two... Two Emperors are here at the same time?!"
Panic spread through the port like a plague. Countless people turned pale, their legs giving out as they collapsed to the ground.
On the bow of the Queen Mama Chanter, a man of immense stature stood quietly. He wore a fluffy scarf covering his mouth and looked cold and imposing.
Charlotte Katakuri.
His gaze was calm as still water, seemingly unmoved by the scene before him, focused only on the center of the port.
On the other side, on the deck of the Red Force.
Red-Haired Shanks, dressed casually in a shirt and cropped pants, rested a hand on his famous sword, Gryphon. A playful smile danced on his lips.
"Oh my, what a coincidence."
His First Mate, Benn Beckman, held a cigar in his mouth, blowing a smoke ring. His eyes were sharp as knives.
"Seems we aren't the only ones attracted by the 'miracle'."
Two pirate ships representing the pinnacle of power in the New World faced off just outside the tiny port of Foosha Village. Sparks seemed to crackle in the air between them.
The invisible pressure released by two Emperor crews materialized into a heavy atmosphere that blanketed the port. Those with weaker wills found it hard to breathe, their backs soaked in cold sweat.
On the Queen Mama Chanter, Charlotte Perospero licked a giant lollipop, extending his long tongue as he let out a strange laugh.
"Perorin~! If it isn't the Red-Haired brat? T-shirt and shorts... looking as shabby as ever."
On the Red Force, Yasopp, who was polishing his rifle, grinned.
"Better than some candy-man in pink frills who's been playing with mud his whole life, right?"
"What did you say?!"
"Want to fight?!"
Swords were drawn, guns were cocked. The killing intent spiked instantly!
Just as a great war seemed inevitable...
"Stop."
Two voices spoke at almost the same time.
One was Katakuri. His calm, flat tone instantly silenced every member of the Big Mom Pirates.
The other was Shanks. The smile remained on his face, but his eyes grew oppressive.
"Give me some face. Don't cause trouble here."
Katakuri's crimson eyes met Shanks' gaze across the water.
"Red Hair. We are here on Mama's orders to deliver an invitation to the Tea Party for Boss Blake." His voice was low and powerful. "Our objective is not to fight you."
Shanks nodded with a smile and raised a hand.
"Likewise. We're just here to visit this 'Boss' who's stirred up the whole world."
"But..."
Shanks' tone shifted. The mirth in his eyes faded, replaced by an unquestionable dominance.
"You've heard of this island's rules, haven't you?"
"—No violence allowed."
Katakuri's gaze narrowed slightly.
"Of course."
Two simple words, yet they carried the weight of a mountain.
It meant that two Emperors of the Sea, rulers of the New World, were tacitly acknowledging and obeying a seemingly absurd rule set by Blake. Not because they loved peace. But because they knew better than anyone what it meant for Garp, the Revolutionary Army, and the Golden Lion to all abide by it.
Provoking the rules here was a death sentence!
After a moment of silence, the two massive ships slowly docked.
Katakuri took the lead, walking down the gangway. Behind him followed the Sweet Commanders—Cracker and Smoothie.
On the other side, Shanks disembarked with Beckman, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and the rest.
The core members of two Emperor crews stepped onto the soil of Foosha Village.
The crowd at the port, frightened out of their wits, scrambled back to form a wide vacuum zone. Even the Marines stationed there could only watch from a distance, clutching their weapons tightly, daring not to make a move.
It was an absurd and terrifying sight. Two behemoths capable of creating tidal waves in the New World were now walking silently down the same street like tamed beasts.
They didn't speak. They didn't look at each other. But the invisible rivalry and confrontation made the air thick.
Everyone knew they were heading to the same place.
═════ To Be Continued ═════
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