บท 34: 34. Big Events, Waves Are Coming
At the port of Sabaody Archipelago, a rather comical warship shaped like a dog's head was slowly approaching.
In the concealed alleyways, pairs of eyes peered out at the warship, with individuals clutching Den Den Mushi in their hands, relaying information to underground factions.
"The Marines are making quite a splash today. First, Admiral Kizaru, and now another warship. I wonder who's on board this time?" one voice pondered.
"I'm not sure, but I fear it might be sailors sent to deal with Sabaody's affairs," another voice replied.
"Have those Supernovas been apprehended?" came another inquiry.
"No, word has it someone formidable held off Kizaru. The Supernovas and their crew slipped away from Sabaody half an hour ago," the conversation continued in hushed tones.
However, when the dog-headed warship finally docked and a sturdy, elderly man disembarked, their throats seemed to constrict, silencing them instantly.
After a moment of stunned silence, faint whispers emerged from their lips.
"Vice Admiral Garp?"
"How could it be him?"
"Has something happened to Admiral Kizaru?"
"That's impossible!"
"Scatter, the Marines mean business!"
The shadowy figures dispersed one by one as if fleeing for their lives. First, the Celestial Dragons were targeted, and then Admiral Kizaru made his appearance. Following that, the clash among the top powerhouses shook Sabaody. And now, Vice Admiral Garp's presence added another layer of intensity to the situation.
Under normal circumstances, if an Admiral is involved, it's unlikely that individuals of the same rank would be dispatched to handle the situation. Typically, even though Sabaody is close to Naval Headquarters, on a regular day-to-day basis, only an Admiral oversees operations there.
However, the unexpected arrival of Kizaru, followed by Vice Admiral Garp, who ranks just below Fleet Admiral Sengoku in the Marines, indicates a significant deviation from the norm. Considering Kizaru's swift arrival within two hours of the incident at Sabaody, coupled with the fact that Marine forces had surrounded the battlefield early on, this suggests a troubling situation.
It's highly probable that Admiral Kizaru, possibly injured, sent out a distress call for assistance, prompting Naval Headquarters to deploy Vice Admiral Garp for support. This startling revelation quickly spread among the influential figures in the New World through underground channels. While speculative, this news is bound to send shockwaves through the underworld.
Simultaneously, an even more astounding piece of news than Kizaru's potential defeat and injury in Sabaody is rapidly disseminating worldwide, akin to a tsunami. The World Press Association's newspaper birds scatter free newspapers from the sky, spreading the sensational headlines far and wide.
Newspapers cascaded from the sky like snowflakes onto the bustling streets of Sabaody Archipelago, a telltale sign for seasoned observers that the seas were about to stir once more. It was only during significant world-altering events that the World Economic News Association's newspaper birds would blanket the sky with their free publications, and the widespread distribution hinted at the magnitude of the impending turmoil.
"Is the world heading for chaos again?" pondered an aristocratic man as he led a young boy through the streets, his eyes reflecting a sense of despair as he gazed upon the deluge of newspapers.
"What's wrong, Father?" the boy inquired, sensing his father's distress.
"A storm is brewing," the father replied, his hand gently tousling his son's hair as he sighed.
Recalling the last time such a spectacle occurred—when Gol D. Roger conquered the Grand Line and became known as the Pirate King—the man couldn't help but wonder what momentous event was on the horizon. It was reminiscent of the time the Marine arrested Roger, leading to his impending execution in Loguetown.
Lost in thought, the newspaper slipped from the man's grasp, landing at his feet. As he picked it up, his hands trembled, and his eyes widened in shock at the headlines printed on the page.
On the seas outside Sabaody, "Master Kid, here's the latest newspaper with the big news," a crew member announced, offering the paper to Kid, who lay on the bed, wrapped in bandages, struggling to grab it with one hand.
With a hearty laugh, Kid exclaimed, "Ah, so that's what's happening! Marine, stirring up quite the commotion. Boys, it seems the world's about to undergo a major upheaval. The tide of the new era is upon us."
His laughter was interrupted by a fit of severe coughing. "Captain Kid, please mind your injuries," one of his crewmates cautioned.
"This is nothing," Kid brushed it off. "Straw Hat Boy, Kizaru, farewell to the New World."
In Dressrosa, within a quaint seaside villa, Doflamingo reclined under a parasol, chuckling as he perused the newspaper.
"So, Marine has finally made its move," he mused aloud. "Fascinating, this world on the run."
"Dover, there's a word from the government—a mandatory summons for the Shichibukai," Torrebol informed Doflamingo.
"Then let's answer the call. It's perfect timing. I'm eager to witness the bravery of the world's mightiest," Doflamingo declared with a wicked grin. "Perhaps this war will bring about the world's end. Hehehe, how exhilarating."
...
In the New World, within the territory of the Four Emperors Shanks...
Shanks stood by the sea, his cloak billowing in the howling wind, yet the haze in his eyes remained undispelled.
"Is it still this far, Ace?" he murmured, his hand gripping firmly onto his renowned sword, Fingal, at his waist, his expression darkened with gloom.
Shanks had attempted to warn Whitebeard upon learning that Ace had recklessly confronted Blackbeard alone. However, his efforts were rebuffed by the stubborn Whitebeard. As he had feared, the outcome was irreversible.
Ace had been defeated by Blackbeard and handed over to the Marines. Strangely, Marine's stance was unusually rigid, opting to publicly execute Ace in Marineford before the entire world.
Shanks couldn't shake the feeling of conspiracy looming over the situation. No, it was more than just a feeling—it was a full-fledged conspiracy.
Marine's actions seemed designed to provoke a decisive battle between the Four Emperors, Whitebeard and his crew, and the Marines.
"What in the world is Marine thinking? Are they seeking to disrupt the balance among the Four Emperors? Will they plunge the entire sea into chaos once more?" Shanks pondered aloud, his frustration evident.
"Yet, executing Ace serves the government's interests more than engaging in a direct conflict with Whitebeard or even destabilizing the world order altogether," he concluded bitterly.
The newspapers scattered across the sky, lifted higher by the strong sea breeze, danced behind Shanks.
Benn Beckman, Yasopp, and the rest of the core members stood silently behind their captain, understanding the gravity of the moment. They refrained from interrupting Shanks' contemplation and decision-making.
As the violent sea breeze whipped around them, Shanks turned and strode purposefully down the rocky path, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, his gaze sharp and resolute.
"Let's go. We're joining the fray to save Ace," he declared.
The cheers that followed were louder than the roaring wind, filled with unwavering determination and devoid of any hint of fear.
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