Beckman took a deep breath, turned to the helmsman, and yelled, "Hard to starboard! Take down all sails! Activate the emergency power system!"
He knew his Captain too well; anything that could make Shanks show such an expression must be more serious than they imagined.
Yasopp quickly climbed onto the crow's nest: "Marine patrol ship ahead! Should we avoid it?"
"Charge straight through!"
Shanks's hand rested on his sword hilt, and Conqueror's Haki overflowed, causing the sea to stir without wind.
"No time for detours."
The Red Force sliced through the sea like an arrow leaving a bow, startling flocks of seagulls.
Shanks stood on the figurehead, his cloak flapping wildly behind him.
He gazed in the direction of Wano Country, the scene of Roger's execution flashing before his eyes.
"Captain Roger..." he murmured softly, his fingers unconsciously tracing the torn edge of his cloak, "I hope it's not too late."
Beckman walked up to him, handing him a bottle of rum: "I haven't seen you this nervous in twenty years."
Shanks took the bottle and took a big swig, the liquor dripping down his chin: "Beckman, if I'm not mistaken..."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "That book in Kaido's hands might not be the end of 'Pirate King' at all."
"Who knows, after all, the first half makes it sound like I'm being monitored constantly."
"..."
In the distance,
The Marine patrol ship had already spotted the uninvited guest; sirens blared across the sea, but it was a warning, not an obstruction.
Are you kidding? This is one of the Four Emperors!
As long as they didn't attack them, they had neither the guts nor the orders to start a war with a Four Emperors.
...
Over the New World sea, dark clouds gathered, foretelling an approaching storm.
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard's hearty laughter suddenly cut through the heavy sea, his crescent-shaped white beard trembling slightly with his laughter.
The legendary great Pirate held Murakumogiri in one hand and raised a giant sake flask with the other, taking a big swig, the amber liquid dripping from the corner of his mouth.
"Go ahead and make as much noise as you want!"
Whitebeard slammed the sake flask onto the deck, making the Moby Dick shake slightly.
He wasn't tempted by the subsequent parts of the 'Pirate King' novel that the entire sea was so eager for.
"This old man already died in the Marineford War, so naturally, I won't have any part in the later stories!"
Marco stood by, blue flames dancing at the tips of his hair; he looked at his Whitebeard as if he wanted to speak but held back, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
The other crew members also remained silent, only the sound of waves hitting the ship remaining on the deck.
Indeed, Whitebeard had already kicked the bucket in the book.
Whitebeard suddenly clenched his fist, Armament Haki instantly covering his entire arm, the purplish-black color gleaming with a metallic luster in the sunlight.
"But before that—" his voice suddenly turned cold, and the surrounding temperature seemed to drop a few degrees, "I must find that scoundrel Teach!"
"Whitebeard must catch that traitor..." Jozu couldn't help but speak, his diamond-hard fists sparkling in the sunlight.
"Just thinking about what he did..." Whitebeard's eyes blazed with anger, and Conqueror's Haki uncontrollably leaked out, causing the dark clouds in the sky to twist and swirl, "It makes me furious!"
"That's right, we must catch that bastard Teach!"
....
Meanwhile,
On Cake Island in Totto Land, the Big Mom Pirates members were anxiously awaiting instructions from their Queen.
Katakuri leaned against a pillar, his scarf covering half his face, but his furrowed brow revealed his worry.
"Mama hasn't given any orders for three days..." Perospero licked his candy cane, his voice filled with unease.
"Is it really okay like this every day?"
"Let's wait and see. All we can do now is cooperate with Mama."
"...My mouth has been twitching so much recently that I get cramps when I sleep at night."
"You'll get used to it."
"..."
...
Mary Geoise, the pinnacle of power.
Inside the magnificent Pangaea Castle, the Gorosei were gathered, the atmosphere so heavy it was almost suffocating.
The blond Gorosei slammed his hand onto the table, making the teacup clatter and tea splash onto the world map, spreading a dark red stain.
"That arrogant Kaido, how dare he monopolize the rest of the 'Pirate King' novel?!"
His eyes were wide with rage, his voice low and full of oppression,
"Who does he think he is? A Four Emperors? A mere Pirate, fit to control the world's direction?"
"Indeed, it's absurd."
The long-bearded Gorosei coldly echoed, tapping his scepter lightly with his finger,
"This novel involves the secrets of the world; he must not be allowed to monopolize it."
"We have given him enough time to consider."
The sword-wielding Gorosei slowly stood up, his gaze as sharp as a blade,
"Since he doesn't know what's good for him, then don't blame us for being impolite."
As his words fell, the air in the room seemed to solidify.
The Gorosei looked at each other, a cold resolve flashing in their eyes.
They then released a video, officially issuing a final ultimatum to the Beasts Pirates in the name of the World Government!
"Kaido, immediately hand over the remaining content of the 'Pirate King' novel! Otherwise, the World Government will no longer stand idly by!"
As soon as the news broke, the entire sea was shaken!
Especially the video released by the Gorosei, which swept across the entire world like a hurricane.
Major news agencies rushed to repost it, and it was even magnified onto projection screens so that people who couldn't afford phones could see it.
It played on a loop in the Sabaody Archipelago, Water 7, and even various corners of the New World.
In the video, the Gorosei's stern faces and intimidating declarations made countless people hold their breath.
"Kaido must hand over the remaining content of the 'Pirate King' novel!" The blond Gorosei's voice was like a judgment, "This is not a request, but an order!"
The world erupted!
In pubs, casinos, and even Marine branch lounges, everyone was fiercely discussing the footage.
"Someone finally dares to take on Kaido!"
An old Pirate with a scarred face slammed his hand on the table, his eyes gleaming with excitement,
"That novel might contain clues to ONE PIECE, and I don't want to miss it!"
"But that's Kaido..." The person next to him recoiled, his voice trembling, "Isn't provoking that monster asking for death?"
"What's there to be afraid of!" A young man wearing goggles suddenly stood up, "With the Gorosei backing us, this time there might really be a chance!"
Countless people yearned for that mysterious novel, wanting to know if their own fates were recorded within it, wanting to glimpse the truth of the world.
But facing the Beasts Pirates entrenched on Onigashima, most people could only be angry but dare not speak.
Kaido's terror had long been deeply ingrained in their bones; he was a monster who could destroy a country single-handedly!
But now it was different.
"Join the Attack Team!"
"Count me in!"
"This time, we must see the novel's content!"
...
-------------------------------
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