Clatter—clatter—clatter~
The instant Ace's words fell, a harsh screech of metal hinges grinding together surged through the unique abilities of the Camera Den Den Mushi, spreading to every corner of the pirate world.
A vertical beam of brilliant light suddenly appeared behind Ace.
At the same time, the camera began to pull back.
Under Nami's practiced and steady control, the live broadcast screens watched by the entire world instantly revealed an enormous gate constructed from Island Clouds.
And carved directly above that gate was the emblem of the Whitebeard Pirates.
In terms of sheer size, it was only slightly larger than an ordinary gate—but perceptive viewers quickly realized something unsettling…
This gate was a deliberate imitation of the Marines' Gate of Justice.
The irony was overwhelming.
As the gate slowly opened, a prison cage—also formed entirely of Island Clouds—appeared behind Ace.
In that instant!
It was as if a god had pressed the pause button on the entire pirate world.
No matter their faction or identity, everyone watching the live broadcast stopped breathing, eyes wide as they stared at the figure inside the cage—someone tortured so badly he was barely recognizable as human.
Though he still wore the Celestial Dragons' astronaut-like attire, no one could possibly associate his wretched state with the eternally exalted, immaculate image of a Celestial Dragon.
More importantly…
Like countless slaves before him, he was imprisoned in a cage, eyes dull and lifeless, as though all hope had drained from his existence.
Even though Morgans published daily photographs of Celestial Dragons in miserable states in the World Economy News Paper, no image could ever compare to the visceral, soul-shaking impact of a live broadcast.
Under the disbelieving gazes of countless viewers, a man in a black cloak patterned with red clouds, wearing a spiral mask with a long nose, suddenly appeared. With practiced ease, he unlocked the cage.
Click.
The crisp sound of the key echoed.
The Celestial Dragon who had been sitting blankly inside instantly panicked, his body visibly trembling.
"No! No—don't!!!"
Saint Serentinia flailed wildly inside the cage like a sheep driven into chaos, crawling and rolling in desperation.
But Usopp—long accustomed to exploiting others within the cruel "inner-world" of suffering—had no intention of sparing a Celestial Dragon drenched in sin.
He stepped forward and kicked him down in full view of the world. Then, in one swift motion, he pulled out something resembling a dog leash and snapped it around Saint Serentinia's neck!
Like leading a pet, he dragged the Celestial Dragon out of the cage and toward the prepared execution platform.
"You… you can't treat me like this!!!"
"I'm a World Noble! I'm a Celestial Dragon!!!"
"If you do this, the World Government will never forgive you!!!"
Dragged along the ground, Saint Serentinia screamed hysterically.
…
…
"Damn it!!!"
Bang!!!
Far away on the Red Line, in Mary Geoise.
The blond member of the Five Elders smashed his fist through the tea table before him, flames of fury blazing in his eyes as he stared at the broadcast.
"Still can't intercept the livestream?" he demanded sharply.
Saint Saturn, responsible for the World Government's scientific division, shook his head. "The difficulty is too great."
"Even if we block part of the signal, it's impossible to cut off every broadcast."
The bald Elder interjected angrily, "What about Kizaru and CP0!?"
"They haven't located Fire Fist Ace's island after all these days!?"
"The scale of Sky Islands rivals that of the Grand Line," Saint Mars replied calmly, though dangerous light flickered in his eyes. "Finding a single island isn't easy."
"Didn't we already tell them—based on Fire Fist Ace's route, the most likely location is the Sky Island near the Ascending Sea Currents!?"
"So what are they still dragging their feet for?"
Saint Warcury stroked his mustache grimly, anger written across his face as the one responsible for coordinating with CP0.
…
…
Meanwhile—
On a stretch of White Sea not far from the divine realm.
A massive Marine battleship cut through the clouds like a blade, racing forward at full speed.
Yet aboard the ship, silence reigned.
Vice Admiral Momonga stood on the deck, watching the impatient backs of the CP0 agents ahead. A smile of schadenfreude crept onto his lips.
Though he belonged to Akainu's hardline faction and placed great importance on rescuing Celestial Dragons and preserving the World Government's dignity…
He couldn't forget how that masked man had barked orders at him days earlier, threatening him and forcing wounded soldiers to keep moving—only to cause even more injuries. Combined with the effects of Sky Island air pressure, the ship's speed had slowed instead.
"Looks like things are getting a bit critical now~"
Watching Saint Serentinia strapped to the execution platform on the small screen ahead, his bloated face contorted grotesquely, Kizaru's expression finally turned serious.
Despite his usual carefree demeanor, his loyalty to the World Government might even surpass Akainu's.
Ignoring the tense shame and fury of CP0 around him, he suddenly spoke:
"Now that we've confirmed their location, I'll head over first."
"I'll leave everything else to you."
This time, CP0's leader abandoned his former arrogance, his tone humble.
Because of his misjudgment, the situation had escalated dangerously.
If a Celestial Dragon were to die before the eyes of the entire world…
Losing his head would be the least of his worries.
So now, more than anyone, he hoped to see Kizaru unleash his full might.
Whoosh!
A streak of dazzling golden light shot skyward from above the battleship, racing toward the distant clouds.
CP0 turned their gaze back to the screen, instinctively exhaling in relief.
At the very least…
From the current situation, Fire Fist Ace didn't intend to kill the Celestial Dragon immediately.
Because after Saint Serentinia was brought to the execution platform, Ace—the host—began reading out his crimes.
…
…
Upon a pristine sea of clouds, Ace stood atop the platform, holding a portable recorder.
Bathed in blazing sunlight, his figure appeared both sacred and scorching. His gaze locked onto the Camera Den Den Mushi in Nami's hands, fury and sorrow burning in his eyes.
This wasn't acting.
This was raw, genuine emotion.
All because of what lay recorded in his other hand.
It was Saint Serentinia's own confession—everything he had done over the years, extracted during days of merciless interrogation by the Straw Hat Pirates.
The pages were thin.
Yet unbearably heavy.
Every word was soaked in blood-red lives.
A written indictment forged from blood and tears.
"Everyone! As you can see, the one kneeling before you today is none other than—"
"The main character of this grand event—Celestial Dragon, Figarland Saint Serentinia!!!"
"That's right!"
"He is one of those who claim to be descendants of the creators, wield supreme authority, and call themselves gods—the Celestial Dragons!!!"
"And today—"
Ace suddenly stomped down on Saint Serentinia's shoulder, a mocking smile curling across his face.
"I, Portgas D. Ace, will personally shatter this lie!"
"What gods!? What descendants of creators!?"
"In truth, Celestial Dragons are nothing more than parasites—trash living off their ancestors' glory!"
"They're no different from ordinary people, yet their status makes them believe they're superior beings!"
"And yet~"
Fwoom!
Flames ignited in Ace's hand as he slammed it onto Saint Serentinia's head.
"AAAAAAH!!!"
The searing heat triggered a scream like a slaughtered pig. Saint Serentinia's body twisted violently, yet the chains bound him fast.
Ace had no intention of letting him die so easily.
The flames quickly subsided.
The Celestial Dragon—his face hideously burned—collapsed weakly to the ground.
Ace chuckled softly.
"See?"
"These people are no different from ordinary humans."
"They feel pain when beaten. And when killed… they die."
"And yet, such swine stand above the world, completely unrestrained."
"The resources spent on just one Celestial Dragon each year amount to hundreds of billions of Beli!"
"And every last Beli is wrung from the people of World Government member nations—at the cost of their happiness and dignity!"
"People of the world!!!"
FWOOM!!!
Blazing flames erupted around Ace's body.
Raising his voice, firm and resonant, he roared:
"Open your eyes and witness this moment!!!"
"It will be me—"
"Who exposes all these lies!!!"
"A new era—"
"Has already arrived!!!"
Though there was no live audience present,
Ace shouted with the resolve of 'Though ten thousand stand in my way, I advance regardless!'
This wasn't just him following the role Red had designed—it was the righteous fury of a kind-hearted man who had long been enraged by the Celestial Dragons' crimes.
When performance meets genuine emotion…
At this moment, Ace was the greatest actor in the world!!!
Flames surged skyward, staining the white sea of clouds blood-red, as if hell itself had descended upon the heavens.
Yet everyone watching knew—
This skyborne realm symbolized paradise.
"I hereby declare!!!" Ace thundered.
"For the Celestial Dragon Figarland Saint Serentinia—"
"Sentence: death!"
"Execute immediately!!!"
Clang!!!
Two cold flashes gleamed amid the firelight.
Zoro and Issho—both clad in Akatsuki robes, faces hidden beneath spiral masks—drew their blades in unison.
Their gleaming tips aimed straight down at the Celestial Dragon beneath them.
Without hesitation—
They thrust downward!
And at that very moment—
"I can't let you succeed so easily~"
A slow, drawling yet urgent voice echoed from the distant sky.
In the next instant, boundless light erupted among the clouds.
"Yasakani no Magatama!!!"
A brilliant glow expanded like a miniature sun, then burst outward in an explosive barrage.
Countless light bullets streaked toward the execution platform.
"Ignore it! Continue the execution!!!"
Having already been warned via psychic communication by Issho, Red shouted instantly.
Outside the broadcast frame, he leapt into the air. His body transformed into an upright avian form, thunderous wings bursting through the red-cloud cloak behind him.
With a smile tugging at his lips, he declared:
"I've been waiting for you to make your move—Marine Admiral Kizaru!!!"
As his words fell, Red thrust both hands forward.
"Hyperspace Hole!!!"
SHRAAA—!!!
Empowered by Zapdos's attributes, Red's heightened strength summoned a massive, pitch-black spatial vortex. Though it couldn't block all of Kizaru's attacks, its angle ensured the execution platform remained untouched.
At the same time—
An identical Hyperspace Hole opened behind the platform.
The lightning-fast light bullets plunged through the vortex, passed harmlessly over the platform, and reappeared behind it—bursting into the sky like brilliant fireworks before exploding.
Whoosh—BOOM!
Rosy clouds.
Dazzling fireworks.
Two executioners in Akatsuki garb.
And a Celestial Dragon writhing on the ground.
Everything merged into a bizarre yet breathtaking tableau, transmitted through the Den Den Mushi to every corner of the world.
The explosions drowned out all other sounds.
Aside from a select few, no one noticed anything amiss beyond the screen.
To them, everything unfolded exactly as Ace had planned.
The executioners' blades showed no hesitation as they pierced straight through Saint Serentinia.
Effortlessly—
Slaying a Celestial Dragon once thought untouchable.
Drip… drip…
Blood slid down the blade tips.
With his skull pierced clean through, Saint Serentinia's appearance was grotesque and horrifying.
Yet those watching didn't dare blink.
Because they knew—
A new era had truly arrived!!!
…
…
"Fufufufufu…"
"Fufufufufufufufu…"
"Fufufufufufufufuhahahahahaha—!!!"
In Dressrosa's royal palace, a man dressed like a flamingo leaned back in his chair at an impossible angle, perfectly balanced.
Ignoring the baffled stares of his subordinates, Donquixote Doflamingo burst into manic laughter.
"The Straw Hat Pirates… Monkey D. Luffy… Red…"
"I really can't wait for the day you reach the New World!!!"
Knowing far more about the truth behind this broadcast than most, his smile twisted with the same cunning as his Jolly Roger.
…
…
Elsewhere—
Morgans, the mastermind behind this global broadcast, stared at the giant screen and erupted into laughter just like Doflamingo.
"It worked! It worked!"
"I've made it big!!!"
"Shihihihihi!!!!"
Flapping wings that couldn't lift him off the ground, Morgans danced wildly among his stunned employees.
From today onward—whether he lived or died—
His name would be etched forever into the history of global news!!!
From this moment on, he would reign as the one and only king of journalism!
He was—
The News King!!!
(End of Chapter)