Onigashima,
Under the gloomy sky, Onigashima's massive skull menacingly overlooked the surging waves. Scarlet lightning occasionally flashed through the dark clouds, seemingly echoing the violent aura pervading the island.
The Beasts Pirates' underlings gathered in twos and threes, their phones displaying the latest news videos, yet no tension was visible on their faces; instead, they were grinning and laughing loudly.
"Hey, hey, did you hear? The Gorosei, those old geezers, have gone wild!" A Gifters wearing a bull-horned helmet slapped his thigh, laughing so hard he doubled over.
"Hahahaha! Who do they think they're talking to? This is our boss Kaido's territory!"
Another pirate with exposed fangs took a big swig of alcohol, which dripped down his chin. "The World Government? What a joke!"
No one took the Gorosei's threats seriously!
In the deepest part of Onigashima, Kaido's massive body leaned against a stone seat, a huge sake gourd in one hand, as he tilted his head back and guzzled.
Amber-colored liquor overflowed from the corner of his mouth, sliding down his bulging muscles and soaking his open shirt.
"Ugororororo…"
His low laughter echoed in the empty hall, his eyes glinting with a wild and dangerous light.
"Those old geezers, the Gorosei, finally can't sit still, can they?"
King stood silently to one side, his dark wings slightly spread, casting a shadow over his stern face.
He frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Kaido, the World Government's attitude this time is different from before. I'm afraid it's not just a verbal warning… They are very likely to send an Admiral, or even…"
"Hmph!"
Kaido suddenly crushed the sake flask in his hand. Fragments, accompanied by liquor, scattered and splashed, hitting the ground with a crisp shattering sound.
His eyes suddenly turned ferocious, and Conqueror's Haki raged wildly, making the air in the entire hall seem to tremble!
"Let them come!" He stood up with a wild laugh, the ground shaking with his movement, and terrifying pressure swept out. "I'd like to see who dares to snatch something from me!"
"Yes!" A hint of fighting spirit flashed in King's eyes, and fierce flames swirled behind him. "The Beasts Pirates are ready to meet the challenge at any time!"
At the same time,
Earth-shattering roars came from all over Onigashima. Queen wiggled his obese body, a cigar in his mouth, and cackled:
"Hehehehe! Finally, something fun!"
Jack, carrying a massive scythe, bared a ferocious grin: "The World Government? Perfect for stretching my muscles!"
Arrogance? No, this was absolute confidence!
In this sea, only the strong could decide everything!
And Kaido was one of the monsters standing at the apex!
...
"Big news! Absolutely huge news!"
Morgans, the president of the World Economic News Agency, flapped his white wings, pacing excitedly back and forth in the editorial office, his sharp beak almost piercing the latest report in his hand.
Because the sensational news rocking the world right now was Kaido!
And he, the News King, had sniffed out the blood and had to get involved!
Because Kaido's world-shocking livestream had suddenly cut out, the screen going black at the climax!
At that moment, the Four Emperors was wildly laughing and showing the cover of the novel One Piece. Tens of millions of viewers couldn't see anything and were left hanging!
"This is definitely not a technical glitch!"
Morgans declared confidently to his reporters, his feathers bristling with excitement.
"That cunning Kaido is clearly playing a traffic game from the new media era!"
"I'm 100% sure this is a carefully orchestrated 'livestream accident'!"
Here is his analysis:
This black screen has all the typical characteristics of a viral operation:
1. It cuts out at the most tantalizing moment!
2. It triggers crazy discussions across the entire network. Currently, 'Kaido Black Screen' has topped the TikTok trending topics!
3. Numerous speculation threads appear on major forums, leading to free secondary dissemination!
"You just wait and see!" Morgans pushed up his monocle with a wing, revealing a shrewd smile. "The Beasts Pirates will definitely resume the broadcast suddenly when the topic reaches its peak, very likely during prime time tonight!"
Morgans' analysis quickly went viral online, and many people found it reasonable!
Comment: Benn Beckman: "Playing such petty tricks... doesn't seem like Kaido's style."
Comment: Buggy: "Damn it! When will it re-broadcast? I want to be the first to know the treasure information!"
Comment: Sabo: "If this is intentional... it means Kaido indeed possesses important information."
Comment: Koala: "It also means he's plotting something."
"This is not the end!"
Morgans said meaningfully at the end of his report, "But the beginning of a top-tier marketing campaign in the new media era. When Kaido restarts the livestream, what awaits us might be even more astonishing than the novel's content…"
At this moment,
In front of screens worldwide, countless people were constantly refreshing their pages.
Everyone was waiting, wanting to know when Kaido would resume his livestream!
...
Ron leaned in a corner, his fingers swiping across his phone screen. TikTok was flooded with discussions about Kaido.
Clips of the blacked-out livestream were edited into various versions, accompanied by exaggerated titles and suspenseful background music, and the comment section had exploded.
"The novel in Kaido's hand definitely contains big secrets!"
"The Gorosei are anxious, it must involve World Government secrets!"
"Offering a hefty reward for subsequent chapters!!"
He narrowed his eyes, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table, his thoughts racing.
Ron knew the World Government's modus operandi better than ordinary people.
Those high-and-mighty power holders were always arrogant, rarely making public statements, and certainly wouldn't make a big fuss over a mere novel.
But the novel One Piece was a microcosm of the pirate world. Although his appearance had changed some things, it still held extremely high research value!
Because that book truly contained things that shouldn't have been written.
"Heh…" Ron chuckled softly, picked up his glass, and took a sip. The cold liquid slid down his throat, carrying a hint of coolness.
He knew those people too well; the more aggressively the Gorosei acted, the more it proved their guilt.
"They also know fear."
Fear of what?
Fear that the content Kaido revealed would expose their secrets?
Fear that the truth of 800 years ago would be known to the world?
Or fear that… their carefully maintained world order would collapse?
Ron's gaze fell on the Gorosei's statement video on the screen.
Behind that self-righteous facade, there was clearly an ill-concealed anxiety.
Their strong wording, yet with a hint of haste, as if eager to cover something up, their purpose had already been exposed.
Ron turned off his phone and tilted his head back, downing the rest of his drink. He knew that this turmoil was far more complex than it appeared on the surface.
The World Government, Kaido, various factions… everyone was playing a game, waiting.
"Let them be."
...
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