Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Just as everyone had expected, ever since that bastard prince Bessos was released by the Sky Pirates, Fleet Admiral Kong's office had been flooded with calls.
The ones who could connect directly to the Fleet Admiral's Den Den Mushi were no ordinary people.
They were kings of World Government member nations, or nobles of considerable standing.
And every single one of them demanded the same thing: their sons, daughters, and relatives must not be harmed.
In an instant, the Marines were pushed into a completely passive position.
Soon after, a call from the Five Elders came in, ordering the Marines to guarantee the safety of those nobles. But at the same time, CP intelligence agents privately delivered another directive: eliminate the Sky Pirates at all costs, as quickly as possible.
The meaning was obvious.
If something went wrong, the Marines would take the blame.
Kong had no intention of accepting that.
If there was going to be a scapegoat, it would be the pirates.
"Any news from the Science Division? Still no way to block that Den Den Mushi signal?"
"Apologies, Fleet Admiral Kong! The opposing Den Den Mushi's transmission power is far too strong. Even with horned Den Den Mushi deployed throughout the auction hall, we can't suppress the signal. Dr. Vegapunk says that if he's to design a countermeasure, he would need to personally go to the Sabaody Archipelago and analyze the other side's signal strength before building a proper jammer."
"Then transfer him there immediately."
"I'm sorry, Fleet Admiral Kong. Dr. Vegapunk is currently conducting extremely important research in the New World and cannot leave. Without direct orders from the Five Elders, the Marines have no authority to move him. And even with their approval, it would take at least two days for him to arrive from the New World…"
"Damn it…"
Seeing Kong's fury, the intelligence officer hesitated before speaking again.
"Fleet Admiral Kong… there's one more matter…"
Kong leaned back heavily in his chair.
"At this point, how much worse could it get? Go on."
"According to reports from our branches, someone unknown has been secretly rebroadcasting the Sabaody incident across the entire underworld worldwide…"
"What?!"
…
The New World. An unnamed island.
The streets were chaotic, lined with warehouse-like buildings.
Inside one of them, the atmosphere was frantic.
Stacks of newspapers and books were piled everywhere. In the center stood a massive Den Den Mushi connected to more than a dozen screens, all projecting live footage from the Sabaody Archipelago.
Reporters rushed back and forth, frantically recording every word and every expression shown on screen.
At the center of it all, the president of the World Economic News Agency, Morgans, flapped his wings and danced in excitement as he watched.
"Big news! Big news! Sky Pirates captain Yemu really is a man who rides the tides of the era! Partnering with him was absolutely the right choice. Such strategy, such nerve… He's playing the Marines and the World Government like pieces on a board. No… he's playing the whole world."
He cackled.
"If all this darkness gets exposed, it'll shake the entire world!"
Just then, the Den Den Mushi in his arms began to ring.
Morgans glanced at it, a sly grin spreading across his beak as he answered.
"Well, well. Stussy. I knew you'd call at a time like this."
On the other end came a clear, alluring woman's voice.
"So it really was you, Morgans. Do you have any idea what you're doing?"
"Kwahahaha."
Morgans looked utterly unconcerned.
"Stussy, do I look afraid to you? I'm far more worried that news of this magnitude might not reach every corner of the world."
"So you've decided to betray the World Government?"
"Betray?" Morgans laughed. "You're mistaken, Stussy. The World Government and I have always had a cooperative relationship. Who ever said I could only cooperate with one side?"
He leaned forward, voice sharpening.
"Ever since Roger ushered in the Great Age of Pirates, the tides of the era have been rising. The old order is crumbling. This is a time to choose sides anew."
He stared at the Den Den Mushi.
"Are you really going to be buried along with that rotten old world?"
There was a brief pause before Stussy replied coolly,
"The closer you stand to the waves, Morgans, the easier it is to drown."
Morgans only laughed louder.
"So what? If I drown, then I drown in the sea. Isn't that the fate of those who chase the tides?"
His tone turned sharper.
"And you, Stussy? You know so many of the World Government's secrets. Do you really think you're going to get a happy ending?"
The Den Den Mushi fell silent.
Seeing that, Morgans' laughter grew even more triumphant.
Just then, Stussy's cold voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"So, Morgans, how can you be sure your choice is the right one? How do you know that man is the one this era has been waiting for?"
"Kwahaha. I asked that very question myself."
Morgans' eyes gleamed.
"Do you know what he told me?"
"…"
"If you want the answer, come find me, Stussy. Maybe there's room for cooperation between us as well… who knows? Kwahaha…"
…
Time passed slowly.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire world, scene after scene from the human auction house on Sabaody Archipelago's Island 1 was broadcast.
The darkness revealed there left people speechless.
Compared to this, the killing, arson, robbery, and plunder committed by pirates seemed almost trivial.
Tyranny. Crushing taxes. Slave trading. Forced labor. Organ trafficking. Usury. Abuse.
Any one of these alone was enough to horrify.
Sabaody Archipelago, Island 1.
From a distance, countless curious onlookers gathered quietly, sneaking glances toward the scene.
The Marines still stood in overwhelming numbers. Zephyr and the other high-ranking officers remained firmly in place.
People whispered among themselves, their faces filled with morbid excitement.
"This just keeps getting more intense…"
"Yeah…"
"I don't know why, but compared to the Sky Pirates killing a Celestial Dragon, this feels even more thrilling…"
"The Marines and the World Government are just letting this happen. It's unbelievable…"
"But the Marines are really holding their ground. It's been three days and two nights, and they still haven't made a move."
Just then, the poisonous cloud opened again, forming another small passage.
Another noble stepped out.
He had curly green hair and a lecherous grin plastered across his face.
Unlike the first one who had been released, this noble showed no fear at all. He even took the time to tidy his clothes before turning toward the auction house and speaking enthusiastically.
"Thank you all so much for the hospitality! Especially Miss Flare's cooking. It's the best meal I've ever had. If Miss Flare ever gets tired of being a pirate, she's more than welcome to come to my kingdom. I'll reserve the position of queen for you!"
With that, he happily trotted off on short, quick steps.
Everyone nearby stared in complete disbelief.
"What are they doing in there… throwing a banquet?"