"Uta!!!"
From the Red-Haired Pirates' ship, deep in the New World, an enraged roar echoed.
Boom boom —
The Conqueror's Haki surged unrestrained, scarlet lightning crackling and raging across the sky, tearing a gaping hole in the thick clouds.
The turbulent waves of the sea itself seemed to reflect an extreme fury.
Shanks' eyes were bloodshot like a demon's as he glared at Sakazuki. Never in his life had he hated anyone so intensely.
To feast on his flesh, to flay his skin...
He yearned to abandon everything and fight the Marines to the death, but the last shred of his reason held him back...
His clenched fists made creaking sounds...
--------
New World, Neo Marineford.
After Sakazuki released his grip, the corpse of Uta, daughter of the Yonko Red-Haired, fell limply.
However, the broadcast had not ended. Sakazuki remained on the execution platform.
Carrot appeared at a great distance from the platform, nodding his head to signal that everything was ready. The screens of everyone watching the broadcast worldwide instantaneously switched.
The image displayed was of the vast ocean, viewed from high above. The curvature of the sea was visible, indicating they were at the very highest layer of the atmosphere.
Sakazuki's voice echoed faintly:
"Let's see how these major figures, who have shattered countless families and ruined countless lives..."
"React to the death of their loved ones..."
In the video feed overlooking the ocean,
Something seemed to erupt from the sea below.
An almost tangible, dark red Haki swept outwards, spreading across the ocean.
The clouds below were directly affected, a large hole ripped open, followed by a roar that shook the heavens and earth:
"Uta!!!"
Those familiar with the voice would recognize it as Shanks, the Red-Haired.
The previous footage was a replay using the Marines' latest technology. Then, the scene paused.
It shook slightly, as if the person holding the Den Den Mushi had stood up. A distant whisper sounded:
"Multiplier – 100x Speed!"
Boom—
With a tremendous explosion, the video switched almost instantly.
The screen now showed the enraged members of the Red-Haired Pirates, and Shanks himself, his eyes bloodshot, staring at the broadcast with disbelief and a mad, killing intent.
The members of the Red-Haired Pirates reacted instantly to the sudden appearance of the intruders, launching their attacks.
Boom—
The screen plunged into darkness...
Although it was only a fleeting moment, everyone had clearly seen Shanks' face and his expression of fury...
The image cut back to Neo Marineford, focusing on the execution platform.
Sakazuki's Justice cape billowed behind him as his devilish voice declared:
"So, the so-called Yonko also feel pain."
"These sea emperors, who act with impunity due to their strength, inflicting suffering upon people as a pastime, as freedom, as joy..."
"All we have done is return to them the pain they inflicted upon others."
"To think they would react like this is truly disappointing..."
"Facing the death of a loved one, they are this enraged, this powerless, no different from ordinary citizens..."
"What could be the reason they haven't experienced such pain before..."
"Is it because they rely on their powerful talents, running rampant across the seas, thinking no one in the world can defeat them."
"They clamor for freedom, and bring suffering to people."
"They shout for dreams, and steal people's lives."
"They cry for war, and plot to harm the world."
"They cry for profit, yet they drain the world's blood."
"They destabilize the entire world, even deifying themselves, making people believe the Yonko are unassailable."
"But everyone has seen today, they... also feel pain."
"That makes things much easier..."
"The suffering they have inflicted upon people and the world, we will return it to them in full."
"Let them experience the feeling of their life's work, their dreams, their decades of foundation, all turning to dust..."
"Pirates of the New World..."
Sakazuki stared directly into the Den Den Mushi.
His sharp gaze seemed to pierce through everyone watching the Den Den Mushi:
"The Marines have arrived..."
The voice spread throughout the world. Everyone watching seemed to fall silent, an eerie quiet descending...
--------
On islands across the world.
After saying "The Marines have arrived," the live broadcast ended, the screen cutting off abruptly.
Only those four words and Sakazuki's sneering lips lingered in people's minds...
"Marines!!!!"
Shouts reverberated through the air above the islands.
A middle-aged man with a missing arm, his eyes bloodshot, roared with all his might:
"Victory!!!!!!"
Countless people snapped back to reality, looking at the middle-aged man...
"Woooooo!!!!"
The entire island erupted into an ocean of cheers.
--------
New World, Wano Country.
Kaido, on his throne, took a large gulp of sake, then picked up the Four-Handed Spear beside him and strode out.
Reaching the outside of the grand hall, he looked up at the perpetually cloudy skies of Onigashima. His head transformed into a dragon, stretching infinitely upwards.
Before long, a massive azure dragon pierced through the clouds.
Dark, flaming clouds, flickering with lightning and fire, were swept along by the giant azure dragon as it soared towards the Marine stronghold opposing Kaido...
"Marines... Hah..."
--------
New World, Whole Cake Island.
Charlotte Linlin suddenly stood up, her gaze fixed on the closed video broadcast, her expression grim:
"Sakazuki..."
After so many years, such a blatant threat...
Boom—
A tremendous explosion shook the island.
"What!!!"
At that moment, Perospero suddenly appeared in the hall:
"Mother, the Marines have invaded!"
Charlotte Linlin said nothing, summoning Zeus and flying out. Her Observation Haki had already sensed the approaching intruders... there were only two:
"Garp!!!"
On the shore of Whole Cake Island.
Garp, seeing Charlotte Linlin's approach, stomped his foot and soared into the sky!
Strangely, the arriving Vice Admirals did not intervene, but stared intently at the figure standing still.
Facing so many pirates, Aramaki smiled faintly:
"Now then~"
"Become my nourishment!!!"
Vines and various abilities filled the sky, intertwining...
--------
New World, Hobro Island.
The forefront island currently confronting Blackbeard.
Long before Sakazuki's public execution, all soldiers had received orders to evacuate.
Civilians unwilling to evacuate were being forcibly removed by the Marines.
Half a day had passed since the execution ended.
Seeing that so many civilians still had not evacuated, the fleet management personnel were at a loss. If they didn't leave soon, it would be too late...
Swoosh—
First, a sharp hiss of steam sounded, and a steam spear shot towards the tail of the fleet.
Then, a white giant hundreds of meters tall descended from the sky, crashing towards the fleet:
"Steam Burst Kill!!!"
Crack crack crack—
On one side of the fleet, the sea was covered in countless layers of ice, which surged upwards, forming an ice curtain:
"Ice Age!!!"
Boom！！！！
Since the declaration of war between the Marines and pirates, this was the first time high-level combatants were clashing without restraint.
The conflict had erupted...