Chapter 286: The Descent of Noah's Ark!
A small island, colorful and vibrant, with a diameter of about twenty kilometers, where large numbers of Rainbow Eucalyptus trees grew.
Because their bark surface had various colors such as yellow, green, orange, and even purple, they visually presented a rainbow-like feeling.
When dense Rainbow Eucalyptus trees gathered together, gently blown by the Sea Breeze, their branches and leaves swaying, it was like a large mass of colorful oil paint constantly changing.
Its existence made the overall Environment's style become abstract.
It was on the shore of such a peculiar Small Island that an oversized 'blue whale' was docked. It was actually a very large Three-Masted Sailboat.
Since the Whitebeard Pirates left the Wano Country Waters, they had come to this Island, which belonged to their territory, to rest for a few days.
The Crewmates were either stepping on Wooden Boards to move Wine Barrels, Grain Boxes, and other Supplies up and down, or walking into the Inland (on the island) in twos and threes to stroll around, chatting and laughing with the Residents here, drinking Alcohol and eating Meat, a scene of harmony and joy.
'Whitebeard' sat on an oversized Lounge Chair placed on the Deck, seemingly basking lazily in the warm Sunlight.
On both sides of the Deck, some people were sitting or standing. Marco, Jozu, and other Captains were all there, but many of them had White Bandages wrapped around them and injuries on their faces.
It was clear that even with their combined efforts, they hadn't gained much advantage against Kaido.
However, the Atmosphere In the Court was incompatible with the bright weather and the colorful Small Island. Everyone looked preoccupied.
They clearly felt that the Great Sea was undergoing incredible changes, and the Situation of the entire World was developing in a strange direction.
BIG MOM and Kaido actually defected to the World Government? Can you believe that?
Such a joke, in the past, would truly have been a big joke. But now, when the facts were slapped in everyone's faces, they only felt like they had become the bewildered joke.
Why was this happening?
Why!
This was also the question that Edward Newgate couldn't figure out. Not only Charlotte Linlin, but Golden Lion Shiki and Byrnndi World also seemed to have complied.
How was this possible? Edward Newgate knew very well what kind of man Shiki was. This was a Bastard who, after leaving the Rocks Pirates, would absolutely never work for anyone else.
But what about those Flying Warships?
There were simply too many things he wanted to Understand, but no one gave him an Explanation. However, the words Charlotte Linlin said to him left a deep impression.
"Will This Old Man know sooner or later?"
Edward Newgate, who was resting with his eyes closed, sighed inwardly. But no matter what, the most important thing was to protect his 'Sons'!
From beginning to end, he had no Ambition to become King or dominate, nor did he have much desire for Treasure. All he wanted was to build a Family on the Sea and incidentally protect his poor and destitute Hometown.
That was a Non-Affiliated Country that couldn't Affiliation with the World Government because it was too poor to pay the 'Heavenly Tribute'. It gradually became an 'Outlaw Island' where Pirates and Human Traffickers ran rampant, and eventually the Country was destroyed, leaving only a few Villages.
Because he cared about that place, ever since he went out to Sea and became a Pirate, he had been anonymously sending 'Dirty Money' and 'Supplies' there. At the same time, he had the 'Children' responsible for Transporting them clear out the Trash doing evil on the Island.
Marco and the other Captains had been there before, but once they became famous and attracted World attention, they were replaced by the 'Sons' who had newly joined the Ship.
The purpose was to avoid attracting the attention of the World Government and other Great Pirates, lest they harm the Hometown that had become quiet and peaceful.
'Sons' and Hometown were everything to 'Whitebeard'. These were the things he cherished immensely!
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh----*
Suddenly, the weather changed drastically. A strong Wind swept in from the Sea Surface, causing the Clothing and hair of everyone on the Ship to flap loudly, and huge waves fiercely pounded the Moby Dick.
Fortunately, the Sail had been furled, but when this Wind reached the Island, it caused many people to exclaim in surprise. Many colorful Hats were blown off, and the Women quickly covered their blowing Skirts.
"Hmm?"
Edward Newgate suddenly opened his eyes, performed a Stand Up from his chair, and looked towards a certain direction in the clear blue Sky. This attracted the attention of Marco, Jozu, and the others.
"Old Man?"
Marco asked in confusion.
Edward Newgate gripped the Murakumogiri standing beside him, his Expression becoming serious. He ordered, "Something big is coming. Tell everyone to come back!"
"Alright!"
Marco turned without hesitation to handle it, while the other Captains on the Deck became vigilant.
Although their Observation Haki range had not yet sensed any Aura, their trust in the 'Old Man' was one hundred percent.
"Such strong Haki..."
But these people couldn't see the cold Expression on the face of 'Whitebeard', who had his back to them, because he felt an incredibly strong Aura that he had never heard of or even imagined before.
Not even Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger back then, or himself now, possessed such Overbearing Aura.
"What's wrong, Old Man?"
"We're back!"
The Crewmates who had gone ashore returned one after another, but at this moment, neither Edward Newgate nor Jozu, Thatch, Vista, and the other Captains paid them any mind. Instead, they stood frozen, looking up at the distant Sky.
This caused the Crewmates who had just returned to the Deck to subconsciously follow everyone's Gaze.
The next moment.
A relatively distinct Black Shadow appeared in their line of sight, slowly flying towards them. A moment later, the Black Shadow became clearer and larger.
"A Ship?"
"That looks like a white Ship, but it has no Sails. It's a bit like those Sky Islands of the Flying Pirates back then..."
Rakuyo, the Captain of the 7th Division, holding a Meteor Hammer, said, narrowing his eyes.
But when the white Airship got closer to the ground, suddenly, all the Crewmates' Expressions changed drastically, because they saw the 'Heavenly Soaring Dragon's Hoof' emblem on the Ship's hull.
"That's a Celestial Dragon Ship!"
At this, everyone present felt their Hearts sink to the bottom. Although they were known as the World's Strongest Pirate Crew, it was impossible for them not to be wary of the Celestial Dragons.
Because once you touch a Celestial Dragon, it's equivalent to declaring war on the World Government, and not just a small skirmish, but a true all-out war.
If it were before, they wouldn't be too worried. After all, in the 'New World', besides them, there was also the BIG MOM Pirates, and before that, the Flying Pirates. Even if the Marines were dispatched in full force, they couldn't do much.
But now, only they were left!
"Maybe it's just passing by?"
Fossa, the Captain of the 15th Division, who was carrying a Great Long Saber on his shoulder, chuckled with a hint of humor, but immediately his Expression darkened, because even he felt that was impossible.
"Is the World Government coming to subjugate us?"
'Flower Sword' Vista voiced his thought.
Marco asked in confusion, "If that's the case, why would they send a Celestial Dragon?"
If they were truly coming to wage war against them, then according to common sense, dozens of Marine Warships should appear.
But when the white Ship was less than a kilometer away, all sounds instantly disappeared. No one was Speaking anymore, and their Breathing became cautious.
Even the Men, Women, Old and Young on Rainbow Island behind them were dumbfounded. All the Birds and Beasts on the entire Island dared not make the slightest sound.
A deathly silence, as if even the Great Sea was scared into calmness.
Noah's Ark, with its terrifying hull covering a full twenty-one square kilometers, was completely displayed before everyone. It blocked the Sky, blocked the Sun, casting a vast Black Shadow over the boundless Great Sea.
Big, it was too big.
And the dense, hundreds, nearly a thousand Large-Caliber Cannons, also made people tremble with fear. Dozens of Warships combined didn't have such a grand presence...
"Is this the answer?"
Edward Newgate gazed at the Colossus with a blank Expression, thinking to himself.