Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Official Announcement, Advancing into the New World
Marineford.
A gentle breeze swept across the sea, carrying with it the scent of tranquility. Today, Marineford stood tall, its structures magnificent and its organization impeccable, rivaling its glory during the peak of the Navy Headquarters. It was as if the unprecedented battle at the Summit War had never taken place.
But everyone knew the truth.
Marineford still stood, but its masters had quietly changed, just like the concept of "justice" that was slowly transforming.
On the shoreline, with her long, jet-black hair flowing like a waterfall, Nico Robin gazed at the ocean's horizon. The view was filled with battleships of the Central Authority fleet.
"It's really hard to believe, Shiro," she said. "You are truly something extraordinary."
The woman known as the "Devil Child," Nico Robin, turned her gaze to the towering figure behind her. Her eyes were filled with undisguised admiration and respect.
She had known Shiro for a long time and was well aware of his extraordinary potential. Even in his early days as a lone Marine, she could tell he was destined for greatness.
But she never expected his rise to be this remarkable.
The name Shiro now stood at the pinnacle of the seas.
"Hahaha, what's the matter, Robin? Have I bewitched you?" Shiro laughed, enjoying the warmth of her gaze.
One could say that compared to the intense passion of Boa, the calm demeanor of Robin was a rarity. Seeing her openly express her admiration was indeed unusual.
"Hmph, if you've bewitched me, why haven't you taken me..." she said with a playful tone.
"Taken you where?" Shiro asked, his interest piqued, but then he hesitated, realizing he might have overstepped.
"Taken me... to..."
That day, Princess Vivi of the Alabasta Kingdom announced her allegiance to the Central Authority and assumed the position of the administrative secretary under Shiro, the highest leader. The kingdoms of the first half of the Grand Line and the nations of the East and South Blue were taken aback and quickly sought to establish friendly relations with the Central Authority.
Following this, the Central Authority issued a bounty order, targeting high-profile figures within the World Government and Navy, including the Celestial Dragon leader Imu, the Five Elders, the Commander-in-Chief Kong, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, and Sengoku the Buddha.
Notably, the bounties for Admirals like Aramaki (Green Bull) and Borsalino (Kizaru) surpassed 3 billion Belly each. However, the bounties for the Five Elders were only 741 Belly each, while the bounty for the Celestial Dragon leader Imu was slightly higher at 74,741 Belly, a blatant act of provocation.
Despite the provocations, the World Government remained unresponsive.
As the bounty list spread throughout the world, it caused a wave of shock. Coupled with the news that numerous kingdoms of the Grand Line and the East and South Blue were extending their goodwill toward the Central Authority, its reputation soared, cementing its status as a top-tier force.
Across the vast sea, only the World Government, the Revolutionary Army, the Navy Headquarters, and the Four Emperors stood on par with the Central Authority.
Among these powers, the only comparable force to the Central Authority was the World Government itself. A new order was silently taking shape, and countless individuals disillusioned with the World Government began to look toward the Central Authority with hope.
On this momentous day, Shiro stood at Marineford and declared that the Central Authority would advance into the New World!
This announcement sent shockwaves through the New World, especially among the pirate crews ruling the seas. Ever since the Central Authority took control of the first half of the Grand Line, the Navy had shifted its focus entirely to the New World, with Fleet Admiral Sakazuki (Akainu) relentlessly pursuing pirates in a bid to restore justice.
Now, with the Central Authority entering the New World, an unprecedented storm was brewing, and the entire sea awaited the upheaval that was to come.
New World, Marine Headquarters!
"Sakazuki, what does the World Government intend to do? Are they just going to let Shiro continue to grow unchecked?" a voice questioned urgently.
At that moment, Fleet Admiral Akainu, Sengoku the Buddha, and Admirals Borsalino and Aramaki were in a heated discussion about Shiro's high-profile declaration to advance into the New World.
Despite Sengoku's position no longer requiring his involvement in these matters, he found himself stepping in to stabilize the situation, as the state of the Navy was shaky ever since the world conscription campaign.
"You're scared, aren't you, Aramaki? Do you think you can handle that brat Shiro?" Kizaru said with his typical sarcasm, mocking both Akainu and Aramaki, unafraid of ruffling feathers.
With the loss of influence in the first half of the Grand Line, the Navy's standing within the World Government had plummeted, to the point where even their pay was delayed. The Navy seemed more unremarkable by the day.
In comparison, the Central Authority was much more generous, word had it that the salary of a Central Authority Vice Admiral was several times higher than that of a Navy Admiral. Besides, Shiro had placed a bounty on him worth 3.6 billion Belly—who knew if he would actually pay up?
"Enough! Stop arguing," Sengoku interjected, steering the conversation back on track.
"As Marines, our duty is to follow orders, not question them!"
He looked out toward the distant ocean, pondering Shiro's bold moves and the enigmatic power of the Central Authority. The tides were changing, and the future of the Navy remained uncertain in the wake of the impending storm.
New World, Dressrosa Kingdom!
"Fufufufu!" Doflamingo laughed as he watched the horizon, his eyes locked on the Red Line. "A new era is coming—a true era where only the strong will survive. Fufufufu!"
Fish-Man Island, Ryugu Palace!
King Neptune stood in disbelief, staring at Jinbe, now the Central Authority's Vice Admiral, once a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"Jinbe, are you saying that Shiro, the most dangerous criminal in the world, is coming to Fish-Man Island?" Neptune asked, his voice trembling.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Jinbe replied firmly. "Fish-Man Island is now under the protection of the Central Authority."
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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg
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