Several helicopters circled in the azure sky. Professional photographers captured aerial shots of the B.W. peacefully anchored on the sea surface from various angles.
That dark, colossal form was made known to people through television and the internet.
The other ships at the port, platforms stacked with containers, warehouses standing not far from the harbor entrance… all these became reference points for the B.W., allowing people watching on computers, televisions, and even those present on-site to grasp just how absurdly large this ship was.
Online, netizens were in a frenzy. As soon as the aerial footage was transmitted, someone took a screenshot of the whale's eye painted on the B.W. and compared it to a nearby ferry, concluding they were roughly the same size.
Despite numerous reference points illustrating the B.W.'s enormity, people still struggled to form a clear concept. It was their first time seeing a ship of such magnitude.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and all those witnessing this great history, hello!"
"This day has finally arrived! Now, the Eve Festival for setting sail towards the New Continent officially begins!"
The impassioned voices of the male and female hosts echoed throughout the entire venue.
As soon as his words fell, the on-site clamor erupted.
At a glance, the area in front of the stage was packed with a dense sea of heads.
Wave after wave of cheers surged from the crowd.
Suddenly, the host raised a hand, and the cheers gradually subsided.
"From this moment on, everything you experience will be recorded in the annals of history! That's right, you are not only witnessing history, you will become history!"
"And the great man leading us to achieve this is none other than our King!"
"Now, let us welcome the King!"
Click.
The stage in front of the host emitted the sound of gears turning. A section of the stage began to rise slowly.
King Nasubi, dressed in formal attire, stood upon the rising platform, his hands adorned with gemstone rings raised high.
"I have only one thing to say: I am the great King of Kakin!"
"The New Continent shall be with us!"
Nasubi's domineering words resonated across the entire venue.
"King!"
"King!"
"King!"
Countless faces in the crowd showed expressions of frenzy, screaming the word 'King' as if their voices would tear.
That B.W. anchored in the port was a modern-day Noah's Ark. Many present hoped this voyage would change their destiny.
If Law had to use a somewhat blurred term from memory to describe it, perhaps it would be… the American Dream?
Law stood atop a distant high-rise, quietly observing the sounds coming from the port.
His location was somewhat distant from the stage by the port, but the giant display screen allowed him to clearly see Nasubi's triumphant face.
That posture seemed to proclaim him the King of the World, with the cheering masses below all his followers.
"The face of those in power."
Law couldn't help but sigh.
At best, that place could indeed only be called a New Continent, not the Dark Continent.
The Eve Festival continued. With the hosts' enthusiastic welcomes, the fourteen Princes of Kakin sequentially took to the stage, waving to the countless people below.
Following that, Beyond, as the head of the expedition team, also ascended the stage.
The significance of this Eve Festival was likely to give the Princes some public exposure.
It's worth noting that in the Kakin Empire, royal offspring, regardless of gender, are called Princes, meaning women also have the right to inherit the throne.
The Princes were dressed variously, their faces beaming with appropriate smiles, constantly looking around and waving.
Among the many Princes, some were infants in swaddling clothes, others were children of merely seven or eight years old.
Among them, the most conspicuous Princes were three.
One, a man with a build similar to Beyond's, with a face like a lion or tiger, was the First Prince.
He held his hands high, his gesture somewhat similar to Nasubi's on the rising platform.
'The Eve Festival involves full attendance, but how many will remain for tomorrow's Departure Ceremony?' the First Prince thought inwardly.
Standing at the other end of the line was a tall, slender woman. Her attractive features weren't the element that drew attention, but rather the arrogance emanating from her very bones.
This woman was the Second Prince.
'No matter what, the final victor will be me.' -The inner voice of the Second Prince.
The last notably conspicuous Prince stood near the center of the line. His golden hair was slicked back, a hint of disdain hidden deep within his eyes.
He wore a black suit highlighting his upright posture, exuding an aura of dissolute unruliness from head to toe.
This man was the Fourth Prince.
'Foolish people, watch well. I shall be the next King.'
…
The Eve Festival wasn't lengthy. On the contrary, the entire process concluded quite succinctly. The main theme was formally introducing the Kakin Princes and Beyond.
However, this Eve Festival elevated the fervor for the Dark Continent expedition to its peak.
That night, celebrations erupted all over the world.
Although they hadn't won tickets for the voyage, King Nasubi declared that several more B.W. ships would be built within a year, continuously sending volunteer immigrants to the New Continent.
That proclamation seemed to assert that the B.W. One would undoubtedly land on the New Continent… a kind of confidence without rhyme or reason.
A bar.
Law and Ging sat at the counter, each having ordered a cocktail.
The bar was nearly full of patrons. The passionate music couldn't drown out the surrounding conversations about the Dark Continent.
This was the Kakin Empire. Because of Nasubi's grand feat, the nation's citizens were nearly driven to madness.
"Tomorrow is the Departure Ceremony," Ging said, lightly tapping his glass.
"Mhm. After you board, we'll depart in a few days too," Law replied.
"I'd really like to see that turtle you mentioned. Is it as big as the B.W.?" Ging asked.
Law carefully compared the B.W. and the turtle in his mind, then nodded. "The B.W. is indeed huge, but the turtle is still a size larger."
"Tsk tsk," Ging clicked his tongue in amazement.
They didn't deliberately lower their voices while talking, so the bartender behind the counter could hear their conversation with a bit of attention.
Then, that bartender thought to himself, 'Are these two customers insane?'
Despite his thoughts, he tried to keep his gaze downcast to avoid letting the customers see his 'looking-at-crazy-people' stare.
"You being here probably isn't specifically to see me off, is it?" Ging suddenly said.
"Of course not."
"Law, I must say, sometimes you're really asking for a punch."
"Huh? I just answered your question."
"..."
A moment later, Ging said calmly, "Related to your apprentice?"
Law silently took a sip of his cocktail, 'Mhm, Monkey Liquor is still more fun.'
...
Hotel, top-floor luxury suite.
Splish splash.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom.
Amidst the rising steam, a hint of blood wafted.
Hot water from the showerhead poured onto the tiles, washing away rivulets of blood mixed with scattered black hairs flowing towards the drain.
The Fourth Prince of Kakin, also known as Tserriednich.
He held his hands up, pressing his hair back.
Not far away on the floor lay two nude female corpses.
Their skin had been completely peeled off.