The special edition printed overnight carried a photograph in its most prominent spot.
In the picture, Ron stood boldly in front of three Emperors, his gaze deep and confident, as if the fate of the entire world rested in the palm of his hand.
Beneath the photo was a headline that shook the heart.
[King of the New Era? The Eternal Divine Kingdom May Rewrite the World Order!]
...
At the banquet hall on the summit of Onigashima, three Emperors who had once been at each other's throats now sat around the same vermilion-and-gold banquet table.
Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, occupied most of the main seat with her enormous body. To her left was Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, drinking with heroic ease; to her right was Kaido, silently pouring bowl after bowl down his throat.
Whenever the three of them clinked their bowls together, even the floor shook.
"Mamamama! I've wanted to drink like this for ages!" Big Mom raised a wine bowl large enough to be a bathtub, amber liquor splashing onto her pink dress.
Her face was filled with excitement and satisfaction, as if all her worries and pressure had been thrown far behind her.
Whitebeard appeared much calmer. He gently swirled the wine bowl in his hand, his gaze carrying a trace of depth and firmness.
He understood the meaning and value behind this banquet, and he also knew the responsibility and mission resting on his shoulders.
Kaido, meanwhile, remained a man of few words. He simply lifted his bowl, clinked it with the others, and drained it in one gulp.
At this special moment, the three Emperors set aside their past conflicts and grudges, enjoying this rare moment of celebration together.
As night deepened, the banquet gradually neared its peak.
All of Wano had sunk into revelry.
In the streets of the Flower Capital, the samurai of the Kozuki clan and the Gifters of the Beasts Pirates had their arms around one another's shoulders as they celebrated this special moment together.
Laughter and cheers rose one after another, filling the air with joy and harmony.
On the beach of Kuri, the division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates were competing in drinking contests with Big Mom's children.
They raised their cups and drank freely, enjoying this rare gathering to their hearts' content.
Though they had different backgrounds and pasts, in this moment, they all let go of their guards and prejudices, becoming true companions.
Even the prisoner quarry on Onigashima had been turned into a flowing banquet.
Prisoners and guards ate together, sharing food as well as stories from their lives.
On this special occasion, the lines between them seemed to blur, forming a strangely harmonious scene.
"Hey! Jozu, stop making that stiff face!"
Queen, drunk out of his mind, had one arm slung around Jozu's shoulders.
Confetti sprayed from his mechanical arm and plastered itself all over Jozu's face.
His words carried a strange mix of concern and friendliness.
"Today's a damn good day!"
Kaido glanced at his subordinates, who had suffered heavy losses, then threw his head back and downed an entire barrel of strong liquor.
A firm, fearless light flashed in his eyes.
"Wororororo… If you live this life, the bill always comes due sooner or later!"
His laughter shook dust loose from the beams overhead.
"The day I became a pirate, I was already prepared to die!"
At the main seat of the banquet hall, Ron held a glass cup and gently swirled it.
The amber wine inside shimmered faintly beneath the moonlight, giving off an alluring glow.
His voice was not loud, yet it was enough to make the entire hall gradually fall silent.
"To be honest…" Ron slowly began, "Big Mom taking the initiative to join the Eternal Divine Kingdom truly exceeded my expectations."
Big Mom's massive palm slammed heavily onto the table, making the bowls and plates leap several feet into the air.
Her greasy finger pointed straight at Ron as she loudly retorted, "Mamamama! Don't look down on me, brat! I'm the one who sees things most clearly!"
She had absolute faith in her own judgment, and the power in her hands was something no one could ignore.
Whitebeard's bold laughter rang out, overpowering Big Mom's shouting.
"Gurararara! Linlin, so you do have a sharp eye sometimes!"
Whitebeard's words showed approval of Big Mom's judgment, as well as recognition of the power Ron now held.
Ron lifted his cup and rose to his feet.
Moonlight spilled through the broken dome above, falling across his body and outlining him in silver.
The cup in his hand refracted rainbow-colored light beneath the lamps, looking especially dazzling.
"Then…" Ron's voice was filled with joy and anticipation. "To celebrate Big Mom and Kaido joining us—"
"Cheers!"
Thousands of cups were raised at the same time, the clashing sound ringing out like sudden rain.
At that moment, the entire banquet hall sank into an atmosphere of joy and peace.
Outside Onigashima, the Eternal Divine Kingdom's fleet fired cannons in celebration.
Brilliant fireworks lit up the night sky over Wano, decorating the sea until it looked as beautiful as a fairyland.
Kaido wiped the wine stains from his beard, a complicated emotion flashing through his dragon-like eyes.
He looked toward the corner, where Marco was forcing drink after drink onto Yamato, then turned his gaze to the young man chatting and laughing at the main seat—Ron.
Suddenly, the corner of Kaido's mouth curled into a smile.
"The wave of the new era, huh… Worororo… Then let me see just how big of a storm you can stir up!"
As time passed, the banquet gradually approached its end.
When the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, the balance of power in the New World had already been completely rewritten.
The grudges, schemes, and rivalries of the past seemed to have dissolved in this moment.
In their place stood a more harmonious, brighter future, waiting for them to explore and discover.
...
On Onigashima, members of the Beasts Pirates were nervously preparing for something.
They formed a long line, rolling up their sleeves one after another, ready to contribute their blood.
The sight was somewhat unsettling, but it was also a choice they had to make in order to survive.
Queen had a cigar clenched between his teeth as he impatiently directed everyone.
A special blood-drawing device was connected to his mechanical arm.
His tone was fierce, but beneath it lay a kind of helpless urgency.
After all, resources on the island were limited. They needed to use every bit of strength they had to keep going.
"Stop dawdling! I don't have the patience to wait for you lot!"
Queen's voice rang out again, breaking the brief silence.
Although the Gifters were dissatisfied, none of them dared openly resist.
They could only obediently step forward, stretch out their arms, and allow Queen's mechanical arm to draw their blood.
The process was undoubtedly painful for them, but it was necessary.
Because they knew that only through this method could they gain more power and resources, and only then could they survive in this cruel world.
No matter how brutal and inhumane the scene looked, it was still the choice they had to make in order to live.
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