Chapter 411 - 250

Chapter 250: A New Era (Part 1)!Holy Land Mary Geoise.Inside the council hall, the light was serene, and the decorations, though seemingly ancient, exuded an invisible pressure.Five elders either sat on sofas or stood by the window. The aura emanating from them seemed to solidify the air, a terrifying majesty forged from their long tenure at the apex of world power, making it impossible to meet their gaze directly.At this moment, their eyes, like five invisible sharp blades, were all focused on an open document on the central coffee table."The Straw Hat crew… they're truly exceeding expectations more and more."Environmental Warrior God Saint Varcolica's deep voice broke the silence. He tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, his tone complex."In the past, only Straw Hat was worth vigilance on that ship. Now…"Agricultural Warrior God Saint Peter's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, sweeping over the words in the report that seemed to still be bleeding:"pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro and Black Leg Sanjijoined forces to successfully corner the legendary pirate Golden Lion Shiki.""Former Beasts Pirates member, 'Oni Princess' Yamato, did not fall behind in a direct confrontation with the new Admiral Fujitora Issho."Several more lines of equally shocking battle achievements followed."Each one… more outrageous than the last," Legal Warrior God Topman Warcury Saint slowly added."Regarding bounty adjustments, the Marine Staff Headquarters' recommendation is…"Financial Warrior God Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro Saintpushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting light."To universally raise the bounties of the core members to… the 2 billion Berries range.""Two billion?!"This number caused a slight shift in the expressions of the others."Unsuitable."Scientific Defense Warrior God Jaygarcia Saturn Saint immediately denied it, his voice steady but carrying undeniable power."Three pirates with bounties exceeding two billion appearing simultaneously, concentrated on the same ship? How are we to explain this to the world?"He paused, tapping his scepter lightly on the ground:"Golden Lion must, and can only, be 'defeated by the Marines.' Are we to fabricate other 'achievements' for these pirates to justify such a bounty?""This amount itself is already absurdly high!!""Saint Saturn is absolutely right."Financial Warrior God Nusjuro Saint interjected."Excessively high bounties only create unnecessary panic among civilians and add an illusory crown to the Straw Hat crew's infamy, serving no other purpose.""This will only highlight the World Government's impotence!!"The others remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded."Furthermore,"Saint Varcolica turned a page of the report."Germa 66 has submitted a formal request, hoping to change the bounty requirement for 'Black Leg' Sanji from [DEAD OR ALIVE] to [ONLY ALIVE].""What scheme is the Vinsmoke Family plotting now?" Saint Peter frowned slightly."No matter."Saint Saturn's tone was indifferent, as if discussing an insignificant matter."They are, after all, a Member States member. Such a detail, we shall grant it."A cold light flashed in his eyes.For pirates of this caliber, what difference did an extra word or two on the bounty poster make?"I second that.""I second that."…The other four voices sounded in turn, bringing a temporary close to this secret deliberation that would decide a corner of the sea's fate.Only the file concerning the Straw Hat Pirates lay quietly on the coffee table, its shadow seemingly spreading silently, about to cover an even wider expanse of the sea.————————In less than twenty-four hours, propelled by the Marine Headquarters' propaganda machine and the Underworld's information network, the news of "Golden Lion Shiki being completely annihilated by the Marines" swept across the world like a hurricane.This bombshell completely ignited the already turbulent sea, unleashing a tsunami of recognition.Countless faction leaders, kingdom nobles, and even the heads of secret organizations, upon receiving the intelligence, fell into prolonged speechlessness and an indescribable shock.The Marine's prestige, which had once tottered after the Marineford War, was visibly being re-gathered and solidified.The eyes of the entire world, whether with awe, apprehension, or scrutiny, converged once again on the massive Gates of Justice behind Marineford.People finally realized that even as eras changed and tides surged, this reformed Marine still possessed the iron fist and courage to eradicate the specters of the old era… Sabaody Archipelago, Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.The thin afternoon sunlight filtered through the windowpanes, cutting a checkerboard of light and shadow on the wooden bar counter.Shakky leaned languidly against the counter, a wisp of blue smoke rising from the slender cigarette between her fingers, blurring her enigmatic smile."The Marines' skill at self-aggrandizement is truly becoming more refined."She lightly flicked the ash, her gaze fixed on the newspaper headline spread open before her.Bold type trumpeted the Marines' "illustrious military achievements.""That Monkey D. kid, he clearly went to stop Golden Lion from destroying the East Blue… yet in the newspaper, it's become the Marines 'simultaneously encircling and annihilating an old-era legend and a provocative New Emperor,' even throwing in a glorious record of 'one dead, one injured'?"She scoffed, shaking her head."The World Government's mask is truly getting thicker and thicker, so thick they don't even care about losing face anymore."By the window, Rayleigh sat quietly.His strong, powerful elbow rested on the equally exaggerated newspaper, but his gaze behind his glasses did not linger on the flamboyant words.The sea breeze ruffled his silver-white hair, and a deep, almost proud smile of contentment slowly spread across his weathered face.He raised the wine bottle by his hand, and facing the vast, boundless sea outside the window, he whispered softly, his voice seeming to penetrate the Red Line:"Go on… go and turn that sea upside down.""The King of the New Era—""Luffy!"…Meanwhile, in the main castle council hall of Onigashima.The corridor outside was deep and dim, with wall lamps casting flickering shadows on the stone walls.King leaned against a stone pillar with his arms crossed, his black wings folded behind him, his gaze beneath his mask as cold as iron."King, why did you call me?!"A raspy voice came from the other end of the corridor.Queen staggered closer, his corpulent body almost filling the passageway.As he walked, he kept pulling up the suspender straps of his constantly slipping overalls, a unlit cigar still in the corner of his mouth, his face bearing its usual impatience.But just as he was about to step into the main hall, Queen's steps abruptly halted.He narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the two rows of cadres standing with bowed heads at the entrance.Each of them was pale-faced, knees trembling slightly, their breathing suppressed to an extreme, as if a slightly heavier breath would awaken something.The air was thick with the smell of alcohol, and a heavy, almost tangible sense of oppression."Governor Kaido wants to see you."King's voice was flat and emotionless as he stepped aside, revealing the path to the main hall.His wings fluttered lightly with the movement, shedding a few black feathers."…Hm?"Queen's mind rapidly rewound, reviewing his recent actions:The development progress of the latest Plague Rounds was normal, no one had discovered him secretly eating red bean mochi last night, and even his bickering with King two days ago had been kept within routine limits… After confirming everything, he grinned, feigning a relaxed demeanor as he stepped through the hall door, though his short legs moved much more cautiously than usual.The hall was shockingly vast and empty.Beneath the dozens-of-meters-high dome, only that gigantic shadow sat alone in the center.Kaido's head was bowed, his long hair disheveled over his shoulders, and a dozen empty sake barrels lay scattered around his feet.The strong scent of alcohol almost condensed into mist, mixed with the intermittent, rolling sobs in his throat."Shiki… you bastard…!"Kaido suddenly raised his neck, roaring at the void, tears mixing with sake rolling down his muscled chest."You actually got… *hic*… taken out by the Marines?!""It's all your fault… for being too weak!!!"His cries bounced repeatedly off the stone walls, echoing like an animal's lament.Then, Kaido's bleary, tear-filled eyes caught sight of the frozen figure at the doorway!A Hawaiian shirt, overalls, and that stiff, fake smile on his chubby face that he hadn't had time to drop."Th-that, Boss…"Queen's tongue suddenly tied itself in a knot, and one of his suspender straps slipped halfway down his shoulder again."You… you wanted to see me… about what?"Kaido slowly tilted his head.The confusion on his tear-streaked face lasted only a fleeting moment.The next instant, a cold light suddenly crystallized in his clouded eyes."…Queen?!"He slowly stood up, his shadow spreading out like a tidal wave with his movement, engulfing the entire front hall."When did I… call for you?"…Dead silence.A stream of cold sweat gathered on Queen's forehead and trickled into his collar."…So."Kaido spoke each word slowly, as if crushing them between his teeth before forcing them out."You came specifically to laugh at me!… Didn't you?!"Sizzle—!Purple-black lightning exploded without warning, coiling around the Spiked Club leaning against the stone seat.The eight-edged iron spikes scraped against the stone surface, dragging out a string of harsh sparks.Queen's pupils contracted to pinpricks."Wait! Boss! This is a mis—"His corpulent body burst with disproportionate agility, leaping backward, while simultaneously twisting his head and shouting hoarsely towards the door:"King!!! You goddamn dishonorable bastard!!!""Thunder—"Kaido's figure vanished from its spot.The moment the sonic boom erupted, the Haki-clad Spiked Club had already torn through the air."—Bagua!!!"Boom—!!!The entire Onigashima seemed to tremble with it.A shockwave, laden with electrical fire, surged out of the hall entrance, uniformly flipping the cloaks of the cadres outside, and King's wings flapped wildly in the gale.He impassively raised a hand to block the splashing stone fragments, as if merely brushing away a speck of dust.The roar inside the hall continued for more than ten seconds, interspersed with rhythmic thuds of heavy flesh, and intermittent, fading wails.When everything subsided, King slightly tilted his head, glancing at the chaotic depths of the hall.Sure enough, every time the Governor lost control, he needed a suitable punching bag.And Queen was always the punching bag who conveniently appeared in the script.King turned and left, his black wings casting a receding silhouette down the corridor.His mission was complete…