"UTA!!!"
From deep within the New World, an enraged roar erupted from the Red Hair Pirates' ship as it sped forward.
Boom! Boom!
Conqueror's Haki burst out without restraint. Red lightning tore through heaven and earth, violently lashing the skies as dense clouds were ripped apart, leaving behind a massive hole.
The sea churned with towering waves, each surge carrying an extreme, uncontrollable fury.
Shanks' eyes were bloodshot, like those of a demon, locked firmly onto Sakazuki. In all his life, there had never been a moment when he hated someone this deeply.
Eat his flesh. Sleep on his skin.
He wanted to abandon everything and charge straight into a final, all-out war against the Marines. Yet the last shred of reason clamped down on him with iron force.
His clenched fists creaked loudly…
* * *
The New World, New Marineford.
Sakazuki released his grip. The body of the Red Hair's daughter, Uta, fell limply from the execution platform and crashed to the ground.
The live broadcast did not end.
Sakazuki remained standing on the platform.
Far in the distance, Carlo appeared and gave a slight nod, signaling that everything was ready. In the next instant, the screens of everyone watching across the world were switched.
The image showed a vast ocean viewed from high above. From this altitude, even the curvature of the sea was visible. It was clearly the highest layer of the atmosphere.
Sakazuki's low, eerie voice echoed out.
"Let us take a look at these so-called great figures, the ones who have shattered countless families and destroyed innumerable lives. When faced with the death of their own flesh and blood, what kind of expression will they show?"
In the aerial footage overlooking the ocean below, something seemed to erupt. A nearly tangible, deep crimson Haki swept across the sea and rapidly expanded outward.
Even the clouds below were blasted apart, torn open by the shockwave, followed by a roar that shook heaven and earth.
"UTA!!!"
Anyone familiar with the voice would immediately recognize it as Red-Haired Shanks.
This footage was replayed using the Marines' latest technology. The image suddenly froze, then began to shake slightly, as if the person holding the Den Den Mushi had stood up. A calm, indifferent murmur followed.
"More-More Hundredfold Speed."
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, the video switched almost instantly.
The screen now showed the furious faces of the Red Hair Pirates, along with Shanks himself. His eyes were crimson as he stared at the broadcast, disbelief, madness, and murderous intent written plainly across his face.
The moment the intruder appeared, the Red Hair Pirates reacted at once and launched their attacks.
Boom!
The screen plunged straight into darkness.
Though it lasted only an instant, everyone had clearly seen Shanks' face and the raging emotions upon it…
The broadcast cut back to New Marineford, once more focusing on the execution platform.
The word "Justice" billowed on the cape behind Sakazuki as his devil-like voice rang out.
"So even an Emperor feels pain.
"These so-called emperors of the sea rely on their strength to run rampant, casually inflicting suffering on others while calling it fun, freedom, and happiness.
"All we have done is return to them the pain they imposed on the people. And yet, this is the result. How disappointing.
"When faced with the death of their loved ones, they rage, powerless. No different from ordinary civilians. So what exactly kept them from ever feeling such pain before?
"Was it because they relied on extraordinary talent, rampaging across the seas without restraint, believing there was no one in the world who could defeat them?
"They shout about freedom and bring pain to the people.
"They shout about dreams and strip people of their lives.
"They shout about war and seek to plunge the world into slaughter.
"They shout about profit while sucking the world dry.
"They wreak havoc across the entire world, even becoming faintly mythologized, making people believe the Emperors are untouchable.
"But today, everyone has seen it. They feel pain too. That makes things simple.
"The pain they have inflicted upon the people and the world will be returned to them in full. They will experience what it feels like to see the lives, dreams, and empires they built over decades collapse into nothing.
"Pirates of the New World…"
Sakazuki stared straight into the video Den Den Mushi. His piercing gaze seemed to lock onto every single person watching.
"The Marines are coming."
The words spread throughout the world. Everyone watching fell silent, as if their voices had been stolen. An eerie stillness descended.
* * *
On islands across the world.
The live broadcast ended the moment Sakazuki finished speaking. The screen was cut off abruptly.
Only those four words, along with the cruel curve of his smile, remained etched into people's minds.
"The Marines!!!!"
A shout echoed through the sky above one island.
A middle-aged man with a severed arm and blazing red eyes roared at the top of his lungs.
"Victory will be ours!!!!"
Countless people snapped out of their daze and turned toward him.
"Ohhh!!!!"
The entire island was swallowed by a sea of cheers.
* * *
The New World, Wano Country.
Seated upon his throne, Kaido tipped back his head and downed a massive gulp of liquor. He grabbed the kanabo, Hassaikai, resting beside him and strode outward.
Reaching the entrance of the great hall, he lifted his gaze toward the eternally clouded sky above Onigashima. His head transformed into that of a dragon as his body extended endlessly upward.
Before long, a colossal azure dragon burst into the clouds.
Pitch-black flame clouds crackled with lightning and fire, carrying the massive dragon as it surged toward the Marine stronghold opposing Kaido.
"The Marines… heh."
* * *
The New World, Totto Land, Whole Cake Island.
Big Mom rose abruptly to her feet, her gaze dark as she stared at the now-closed broadcast.
"Sakazuki…"
How many years had it been since someone dared to threaten her so openly?
Boom!
A tremendous explosion suddenly shook the island.
"What?!"
Just then, Perospero appeared inside the hall.
"Mama, the Marines have invaded!"
Big Mom said nothing. She summoned Zeus and flew straight out. Her Observation Haki had already sensed the intruders.
Only two of them.
"Garp!!!!"
At the shores of Whole Cake Island, Garp looked up as Big Mom charged toward him. He kicked off the ground and shot into the sky.
Strangely, the other officers who arrived did not interfere. Instead, they fixed their eyes on the lone figure standing calmly in place.
Facing so many pirates, Aramaki curled his lips into a light smile.
"Now then~ Become my nourishment!"
Vines filled the sky, intertwining with all manner of abilities as they surged forward.
* * *
The New World, Hobro Island.
The foremost island where the Marines were currently confronting Knox.
Long before Sakazuki carried out the public execution, every soldier had already received the order to evacuate completely. Civilians who refused to leave were forcibly escorted away by Marine personnel.
Half a day had passed since the execution ended.
Seeing that so many civilians still remained, the fleet's administrative officers were filled with anxiety. If they did not leave now, it would be too late.
Shhhhh!
A sharp, piercing steam whistle sounded first. A spear of steam shot toward the rear of the fleet.
Next, a white giant hundreds of meters tall descended from the sky, smashing down toward the ships.
"Pressure Kill: Steam Burst!!!"
Crack! Crack! Crack!
On one side of the sea, countless sheets of ice spread outward, surging upward to form a towering curtain of frozen ocean.
"Ice Age!!!"
Boom!!!!
Since the declaration of war between the Marines and the pirates, this was the first time top-tier combatants clashed without restraint.
The war had truly begun.
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