Dave raised his voice, addressing every Marine, agent, and bystander left standing. "The world has changed," he announced, his tone steely and unwavering. "I've no interest in destroying everything or everyone—only those who continue to abuse their power. If you stand with tyrants," he nodded to the quivering Celestial Dragons, "then you'll meet the same fate as those I've taken down today."
A heavy silence followed, broken only by the crackle of Enel's dissipating electricity and the last creaks of Tony's armor shifting as he relaxed his stance. Dave's message was clear. He wasn't a pirate in the traditional sense, nor a revolutionary, but a new kind of force—one that neither revered nor feared the structures of the old world. The message was more than just for the Marines and the Celestial Dragons. It was a signal to the entire world: a warning that there was someone out there who wouldn't tolerate the abuse of power, and who wouldn't be bound by anyone's rules.
The admiral, admirals, and Celestial Dragons understood, perhaps for the first time in their lives, what it felt like to be helpless. Sengoku, his form shrinking back to his human state, locked eyes with Dave one final time, the weight of resignation pressing down on his shoulders. He knew that this was only the beginning of a new, unpredictable era.
As Dave and his crew turned to leave, the Marines made no move to stop them. They simply watched, stunned and subdued, as the most dangerous man on the seas and his formidable crew departed. The world would never be the same, and everyone—Marine, pirate, and citizen alike—would soon learn that the era of untouchable Celestial Dragons and invincible Marines had come to a swift and shattering end.
****
The next day, the entire sea seemed to pulse with the shocking news. From the New World to the Four Blues, and aboard every pirate ship, including the infamous Moby Dick where Whitebeard's crew prepared for the upcoming battle to rescue Ace, the headlines blared out, a chaotic whisper growing louder with each telling.
Morgan, the relentless news king, had ensured that the story spread like wildfire. Pirates, Marines, and civilians alike held up the latest edition, eyes wide with disbelief or exhilaration. On the front page was an image that no one ever imagined they would see: the quivering, terrified forms of the Celestial Dragons, their arrogant postures replaced by looks of utter fear and defeat. Towering over them was Dave, alongside his Hellprince Pirates, captured in a powerful moment of triumph as they symbolically stepped on the very icons of the World Government's power.
The imagery was so brazen, so fantastical, that many doubted its authenticity at first. But the details, the descriptions of the brutal clash, and the testimonies of witnesses left no room for skepticism. Word of mouth spread even faster, rumors swirling of how Dave and his crew had taken on some of the most powerful forces the government could throw at them—and won.
On the Moby Dick, Whitebeard held the paper in one massive hand, a grin splitting his face as he studied the audacious display. "Looks like a new storm's brewing," he chuckled, his deep voice booming with approval. "This Dave… seems like he has no fear of the powers that be."
Marco, his first division commander, nodded thoughtfully beside him. "If the Marines weren't already scrambling with Ace's execution, they certainly will be now."
Unknown to him, the Marines had their forces ready to deploy. However, at the last moment, due to internal divisions, only half of them went to confront Dave, ultimately leading to their defeat.
Across the seas, a tidal wave of reactions erupted in the wake of Dave's actions. On countless pirate ships, the celebrations were deafening. Crews raised their mugs, laughing and singing songs of defiance, their spirits ignited by Dave's audacious challenge to the World Government. For years, the Celestial Dragons had reigned with unchecked power, cloaked in an aura of untouchable divinity, yet Dave's actions had struck at their very core. The image of him and his Hellprince Pirates stepping on the revered Celestial Dragons spread like wildfire, reaching even the farthest reaches of the Grand Line. In every corner of the ocean, Dave had become a symbol of rebellion, a force willing to confront even the supposed gods.
Yet, while pirates cheered, the atmosphere aboard Marine ships grew grim. Whispers filled the decks as Marines grappled with the implications of Dave's open defiance. Many of the younger Marines, fresh and idealistic, were torn; for the first time, they witnessed someone standing up to the government in such a brazen way. They couldn't deny the sense of awe that lingered, their admiration muted but undeniable. But among the higher ranks, the fury was palpable. The older officers, hardened and deeply embedded in the system's strict hierarchies, could feel the tremors of rebellion shaking the very foundation of the world order they fought to preserve.
Akainu, simmering with rage and nursing his wounds, was a living embodiment of Marine anger. His pride scarred and his iron-fisted authority questioned, he swore an oath to hunt Dave down. He would show no mercy to any pirate—nor even to those within the Marine ranks—who sympathized with or spoke in admiration of Dave's actions. His hatred ran deep, and he was determined to crush this rising threat before it could inspire others to rebel against the government's rule.
The tremors of Dave's rebellion rippled out, stirring tension in every faction across the seas. Revolutionary leaders saw an opportunity in Dave's challenge, his defiance mirroring their own ideals of freedom and justice. Civilians, long oppressed by taxes and tributes to the Celestial Dragons, whispered about the mysterious Hellprince Pirate who had brought the supposed gods to their knees. And among the pirates, Dave's act was nothing short of legendary—a daring strike that had blurred the lines between order and anarchy, questioning the very fabric of power in the world.
For the first time in generations, the world felt on the brink of a new era. The Marines, the pirates, and the people alike all sensed it—a shift sparked by one man's audacity, a single act of defiance against the celestial elite. This was no longer just a battle for treasure or territory; it was the beginning of a war on an ancient, corrupt system. And Dave, with his unyielding resolve, had just lit the fuse that could change the world forever.
*******
if you like my fanfic, and want to support me and read advance chaps, checkout my fanfic on Patreon :-
There are regular updates too.
patreon.com/FantasyLi
***
While waiting for new chaps do check out my other books too..