Next Bonus, 100!!
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Over the next few days, the delegation from Alabasta, led by Princess Vivi, arrived safely.
The delegations from the three Swan Kingdoms arrived, escorted by Van Augur.
The one from Kilauea was led by Captain Sherlock himself.
In addition, the performance troupes selected from the various cities, towns, and villages of his territories began to arrive to participate in the New Year's Eve gala.
The last day of Sea Calendar year 1519.
Drum Island.
A massive figure appeared outside a small wooden house in the mountains.
It was Kuma.
He and Dragon had just led the Revolutionary Army in a major operation on the Tequila Wolf bridge, liberating tens of thousands of slaves. The World Government was furious and had dispatched a Buster Call-level force, led by Sakazuki and Kuzan, to hunt them down, with Cipher Pol also in on the action.
For the past six months, to buy time for the freed slaves to escape, Dragon and Kuma had split up, acting as decoys. They had clashed with Sakazuki and Kuzan several times, narrowly escaping with their lives.
But their objective had been achieved. The freed slaves, led by Sabo and the other Revolutionary commanders, had been scattered to the Kamabakka Queendom and Baltigo.
Kuma had returned to Drum Island because he had promised Bonney he would spend New Year's with her.
A light glowed from within the house.
Hearing the noise, the door opened. It was Bonney. Seeing Kuma, she ran happily across the snow and leaped into his hand.
Dr. Kureha, Kaya, Chopper, and Anaguma came out, all of them smiling at the scene.
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At the newly constructed Ice and Snow Amusement Park.
"It's freezing!"
"Good thing we have the Snow Den Den Mushi."
The staff was setting up a large screen, connecting it to a Visual Den Den Mushi for a live broadcast from Hannabal.
Live broadcasts were possible in the world of One Piece. The Marines had broadcast Ace's execution during the Summit War.
To better unite his territories, Jin was using the New Year's Eve gala to broadcast to all the islands under his rule.
He had borrowed or rented the necessary equipment and personnel from Morgans, Tesoro, and various other entertainment companies.
To facilitate the transmission of the Den Den Mushi's bio-electric waves, he had even placed ships equipped with bio-electric wave amplifiers between the islands to act as "base stations."
The farthest was, of course, the Conomi Islands in the East Blue. Fortunately, there were islands within the Calm Belt. With a little advance planning, it wasn't too difficult.
Outside Cocoyasi Village.
A large screen had been set up. The elderly and the children were already gathering, bringing stools and snacks.
"Incredible!"
Usopp and his mother, along with Merry, had been invited by Kaya's parents to visit. Usopp had also brought his three little followers—Onion, Pepper, and Carrot—who loved to play pirate games with him.
They all stared in awe at the large Den Den Mushi, which was emitting strange noises.
"Is that a Den Den Mushi?"
"It's amazing!"
Sanji, Zeff, and the others from the Baratie had also come. They had closed the restaurant for the day. After a long year of hard work, they were taking a day off. Sanji, of course, had been reluctant, but he couldn't resist Zeff's interest in the event.
Nami wasn't there. She was with Genzo and the others from the town hall, helping out in the villages on the other islands.
In the Calm Belt.
Kuro and Gin were leading the labor camp in building an airfield. A crew was also setting up broadcasting equipment.
Melcyse Island, Asuka Island, Mock Town...
Even on the sky island of Skypiea, preparations were being made, though just for the residents' enjoyment. The lack of oxygen made the Den Den Mushi sleepy, and the signal was too weak for a live broadcast. They would have to watch a recording.
A live broadcast to the sky would have to wait until the research center had developed wired and wireless radio, satellites, and televisions. The main problem was the strange magnetic fields of the Grand Line, which only the bio-electric waves of the Den Den Mushi could penetrate.
So, it all depended on when Kid and Killer found the Magnet-Magnet Fruit.
Then, the magnetic fields would turn, and a million horsepower of force would be unleashed.
Kuja Island.
The fighting arena was stained with blood. The traditional festival, a part of their New Year's celebration, had already taken place.
Now, Rayleigh was directing the Kuja pirates in setting up a Visual Den Den Mushi and a screen, connecting to the bio-signal.
From Hannabal to Mock Town, to Thriller Bark, to the Sabaody Archipelago, and finally to Kuja Island.
Not only that, but people all over the world could listen in on the public information channel of the Den Den Mushi.
Thanks to a prior report in the Entertainment Weekly, they knew that Uta, Brook, and Napole would be performing. Their fans had gathered in groups, setting up tables and chairs near the broadcast stations.
Orange Town.
"Hey, Captain Buggy! Is it ready yet?" Cabaji and the other pirates looked up at Buggy, who was hanging speakers in the air.
"Alright, let's test it. Can you hear anything?"
It was New Year's Eve. Even pirates needed a break.
Foosha Village.
Makino's bar was packed. Luffy was stuck in the middle of the crowd, unable to move.
Hearing that Uta would be singing, the villagers had all flooded in. Makino had no choice but to set up tables and chairs outside.
Loguetown.
Smoker, returning from his patrol, saw several of his men setting up equipment outside the broadcast station. He shook his head.
"That guy... he really knows how to pull a stunt. Have they all forgotten how he kicked their asses at the beginning of the year?" Smoker muttered, rubbing his head.
Alabasta, Rainbase.
Screens had been set up in and around all the casinos.
Crocodile stood on the second floor, looking out the window at the growing crowd. He exhaled a puff of smoke.
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Night.
In the royal capital, on the central street, cold drinks made from the various Ice Mushrooms were selling like hotcakes. The screen in the center of the square flickered to life.
It showed a massive concert hall. Then, the hall and the screen suddenly went dark. A countdown appeared.
When it reached "1," a gentle, soothing melody began to play, and everyone watching, everyone listening, fell silent.
Then, a child's voice rang out.
"The flowers told me of the path you've walked..."
"The earth knows every corner of your heart..."
"A sweet dream that no one will ever miss..."
"We finally welcome this moment of joyous reunion..."
The pure, innocent voice of a child struck a chord in the hearts of all who heard it, stirring memories of their own childhoods.
On the screen, a group of children appeared, along with Gordon. A group of children, an old man, a perfect harmony.
The familiar melody, the familiar song... in his private box, Jin was reminded of his homeland.
Though the New Year's galas of his past life had been the subject of endless criticism in the internet age, here, in this strange land, hearing that song... he felt a pang that struck him to his very soul. He took a deep breath.
'Maybe I should make some dumplings,' he mused.
No. Better not.
He could feel it.
Both inside and outside the concert hall, everyone—pirates, civilians, nobles—had fallen silent.
After the song, Morgans called.
"King Jin! You're a genius! My soul... it's been purified..."
"Morgans," Jin said, "are you crying?"
"The wind is just kicking up a lot of dust," Morgans replied. "How did you ever think of holding a gala like this?"
Jin smiled. "No matter the world, no matter the people, the dream of happiness, of joy, is universal. It's simple, and it's sincere. And in this world, ravaged by pirates, it's needed now more than ever. For the average person, all they see is darkness. Perhaps... on this New Year's Eve... to be reunited with their families, to enjoy a single moment of beauty brought by music... it can add a touch of color to their lives. Perhaps... it can be a single ray of light, to illuminate their otherwise dreary existence."
Morgans applauded. "Can I put that on the front page tomorrow? This is big news."
"Of course," Jin said. He and Morgans both understood the boundaries of their relationship. Their partnership had always been a pleasant one.
"Dammit!" Morgans suddenly exclaimed. "The second act is a mermaid performance?? You truly are the King of Entertainment!"
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