[Urgent Alert: One of the Marine's highest combat powers—Admiral Akainu Sakazuki—has openly defected!]
Having just crossed Reverse Mountain, Blake was preparing to enjoy some tea while checking if anything interesting had happened recently in the Grand Line.
But as soon as he picked up the newspaper, he nearly spat out his tea.
He instantly sat upright, eyes wide, a look of disbelief on his face.
Akainu? Defected?
He knew all these words, but why couldn't he understand them when they were put together?
Blake quickly read on—
[The order of the sea is collapsing! A supreme combat power, capable of devouring everything, has now broken free from its chains!]
[Exploded! It really exploded! A sea area in the New World has been completely dyed red!]
[Just received confirmed news—Marine Admiral Akainu Sakazuki, brazenly rebelled yesterday!]
Following that was a photograph.
The photo showed a sea area intertwined with flames and thick smoke, with the wreckage of ships floating on the water.
The World Economy News Paper photographer was quite professional, even capturing a glimpse of the God Pirates' flag, not yet completely burned away.
The comical image of a skull wearing fishbowls seemed to let out a silent mockery, mocking the ridiculous pirate crew that had only existed for a few days.
Below, it continued—
[And even more terrifying is that, according to multiple unreliable but very exciting sources, a World Nobles and his entire warship also disappeared along with Akainu! There was nothing at the scene except towering flames and boiling seawater!]
[This is by no means a simple defection, but an open declaration of war against the world's highest authority!]
[The defection of an Admiral is far more powerful than the clamor of ten thousand pirates!]
[The balance of power in this sea has tilted from this moment on!]
[Is the Marine finished?]
[Can the World Government still sit idly by?]
[Where will that man strike next?]
[Is it Marineford? Or Holy Land Mary Geoise?!]
[No one knows! But what we do know is—the era has truly changed!]
Blake's eyes twitched as he read.
Morgans, that guy, started with reasonable arguments, but then resorted to pure fabrication.
Blake sometimes couldn't help but admire his talent—
No matter how big or small an event, through his mouth, it would become a major incident affecting national economy and people's livelihood, the stability of the sea, and even shaking the very foundation of the World Government's rule.
If everything had developed according to Morgans' predictions, the World Government wouldn't have lasted until now; it would have been finished the moment that guy was born.
It truly was a case of starting with a single image and making up the entire story.
Blake hadn't been paying attention to Mary Geoise's movements recently.
He was only responsible for lighting the fire; what happened afterward was none of his business.
So Blake didn't even know the news that Grothius had formed the God Pirates and set sail as a pirate.
Thus, even now, he was still doubting the authenticity of this news.
Because in Blake's eyes, Sakazuki was not someone who would easily defect.
He was a single-minded person, whose mind was solely focused on executing orders and eradicating pirates.
How could such a person defect?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
Meanwhile, on the Moby Dick of the Whitebeard Pirates—
Marco handed the newspaper to Whitebeard:
"Pops, something extraordinary has happened."
Whitebeard glanced at the headline and snorted coldly:
"Gurararara... Marco, you don't actually believe what that mad bird says, do you?"
"Not entirely, Pops."
Marco replied lazily:
"But according to our intelligence, the Celestial Dragons' flagship did indeed sink."
"Akainu, who was responsible for protecting the Celestial Dragons, has disappeared."
"From the photo that birdman took, it seems the scene was indeed caused by Akainu."
"Recently, there hasn't been much activity from the Beasts or Big Mom, and it's unlikely Akainu would fight someone to the point where he couldn't even protect a Celestial Dragon."
"Putting all this information together, it makes me think that what Morgans said isn't entirely without reason."
"That magma brat would defect?"
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes:
"Regardless of whether this is true or false, the Marine will certainly have to respond."
"The New World is about to get turbulent again..."
"Send word down, tell all division commanders to heighten vigilance."
..."Worororo... Wororororo..."
Above Onigashima, accompanied by a deafening roar of laughter, a gigantic azure dragon loomed in and out of sight amidst thunderous storm clouds:
"Interesting! Too interesting!"
"Whether this is a Marine conspiracy or if Akainu really defected, the sea is about to get lively!"
Kaido exhaled a hot, alcohol-laced breath towards the distant sea:
"Let chaos reign! The more chaotic, the better!"
"Queen! Hurry up and produce weapons for me!"
"I want to participate in the highest-level war!"
On the ground, King let out a long sigh:
"Big Brother Kaido is drunk again..."
..."Mama Mama Mama..."
Charlotte Linlin looked at the newspaper, a greedy smile on her face:
"Perospero, where do you think that Akainu... is hiding now?"
Perospero cautiously said:
"Mama, do you mean..."
"If he really killed a Celestial Dragon, the World Government will never let him go."
Charlotte Linlin's large eyes sparkled with the light of wisdom:
"Akainu's power... Mama Mama... it's just too tempting!"
She licked her lips:
"Investigate! Find out where he's hiding!"
"Contact him! If he's willing to join the Big Mom Pirates, I can give him a position second only to mine!"
Then, her voice turned sinister:
"If he refuses..."
"Then I'll turn him into the finest Homies!"
...Leaving aside the reactions of various forces across the sea, the greatest reaction to Sakazuki's defection still came from the World Government's side.
Marineford, Fleet Admiral's office.
Sengoku held the transponder snail with a grim expression, the transponder snail perfectly mimicking Saturn's extremely gloomy face:
"Useless! All of you are useless!"
Saturn's roar made the air hum:
"You and your Marines have betrayed the trust of the descendants of the Creators!"
"Sengoku! You'd better give me an explanation immediately!"
"Why would a Marine Admiral, whom we personally promoted, kill a noble Celestial Dragon?!"
"How absurd! This is an unprecedented betrayal since the establishment of the Marine!!!"
"What exactly do you Marines do?! Why would you let a madman climb to the position of Admiral?!"
Before Sengoku could speak, a barrage of questions came crashing through the transponder snail.
Sengoku was also bewildered at this moment.
He knew Sakazuki was reluctant about this mission, and he had even given him a pep talk before he departed.
The result... not only was there trouble, but it was a super big trouble!
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