World Economic Journal—
[The Thunderous Might of Justice! The Greatest Deterrent Since the Great Pirate Era, the Marines Execute Red-Haired Shanks! The End of a Legend!!]
—This report, jointly written by Chairman Morgans and the Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters, will detail information not captured in the world broadcast, adhering to an absolutely fair, impartial, and truthful stance, passionately presented!
—
Ocean Calendar Year 1514, April 24th, following the Hachinosu Island Incident, Marine Headquarters executed a public execution of the Red Hair Pirates with the highest protocol.
This scale is second only to the execution of Pirate King Roger, marking the Marines' entry into a phase of reckoning against pirate forces and other criminal elements!
However, how could the former crew of the Pirate King accept such reckoning so easily!
Led by Rayleigh and Gaban, eleven former members of Roger's Pirate Crew forcibly entered Marineford, intending to stage a prison break. Shanks, who should have been detained, also unexpectedly escaped.
—
Special correspondent Saburo from the Impel Down region risked his life to penetrate deeply, capturing real footage.
Originally, Shanks secretly collaborated with former Roger Pirate Crew members, including the Devil's Child Douglas Bullet, to escape from prison. "For related details, see page two."
…
Marine Rear Admiral Uchiha Griffin took the initiative to attack and repel Shanks. Rayleigh and others seized the opportunity to cause chaos, unlocking the chains of the remaining members of the Red Hair Pirates.
However, the Marines' encirclement had already formed; the pirates were merely struggling trapped beasts.
At this critical moment—
Shanks, who had been repelled by Rear Admiral Griffin, returned to the battlefield with an unknown woman! "For detailed information on this woman, please turn to page four [Great Sea Figures' Anecdotes Section]; it will not be elaborated here."
…
Later developments revealed…
Rear Admiral Griffin encountered the legendary great pirate, Shiki!!
Shiki.
Anyone who experienced that era knows the weight of this name—a super great pirate once compared to Pirate King Roger and Whitebeard!
Specific details cannot be verified or recorded.
The result was…
The famous swords Sakura Ten and Kogarashi changed owners.
The strongest of the new era ended this sky's overlord!!
—
Compared to this… the execution of Red-Haired Shanks also lost its color.
This battle,
ended with the deaths of seven individuals: Shiki, Red-Haired Shanks, former Roger Pirate Crew combatants Samber, Pankuro… and others.
The Marines achieved a complete victory! No deaths!
Only seventeen were injured, with the most severely wounded being the Marine Rear Admiral Griffin who forged a new legend.
An indescribable monster, a growth speed beyond comprehension…
Even Mr. Morgans, the founder of this publication, stated he had never seen such a person.
Truly a child favored by the gods!!
—
The Five Elders, the highest authority of the World Government, declared at Mary Geoise:
This execution serves as a stern warning to all pirates; any challenger of order, regardless of how 'legendary,' will ultimately face justice's judgment!
The World Government promises to increase security efforts for Member Nations over the next decade, hoping for active cooperation from nobles and civilians of each country.
—
Page Two—
[Deep Sea Hell Trembles! Devil's Child Douglas Bullet Breaks Through Impel Down, The Most Evil Escapee in History!!]
On the same day,
According to surviving prison guards, after Bullet was freed from his Sea Stone chains with Shanks' assistance, he engaged in a fierce battle with Chief Jailer Magellan.
The fight between the two nearly destroyed the lowest level of the prison, with severe damage also inflicted on the fifth and fourth levels. The number of casualties among prison guards remains unconfirmed.
Magellan, due to unknown physical reasons, failed to prevent Bullet's escape.
Marine Headquarters has urgently dispatched Admiral Kizaru with a fleet to search the surrounding seas and reinstated Bullet's bounty.
Bounty: 32 billion Belly!!
...
Surpassing Red-Haired Shanks, this bounty is now the highest, second only to the three Pirate Emperors!
Our publication continues to track the report, predicting he is highly likely to become the fourth Pirate Emperor on the seas!
It remains uncertain whether anyone besides Bullet and Shanks escaped.
Compared to Marine Headquarters, Impel Down suffered an undeniable defeat in this battle, and the World Government expressed extreme disappointment.
...
First Shiki, now Bullet and Shanks—the Marines capture them, but Impel Down can't even hold them, relying on the Marines to pursue them again?
In that case, why not execute the most heinous criminals upon arrest?
Should the Marines and Impel Down continue their separate, divided structure?
All levels of society erupted in intense debate. "See Page Six – [World Economic Journal Political Section], offering deeper insights beyond certain publications."
...
...
World Political News was simultaneously released.
——
This content, compared to the World Economic Journal, aside from a few special sections and some exaggerated wording differences, was almost identical.
It seemed like World Government personnel directly plagiarized the Economic Journal's content—they always do this.
But…
This time was an exception!
Only Morgans knew that this time, he had copied World Political News.
He hadn't found Griffin's location at all, nor had any channels to obtain information, so…
Journalists occasionally borrow material—it's expected.
After all, Political News copying us isn't a one-time thing.
...
When he secretly saw the original draft, he was startled, followed by extreme regret.
The major event of Shiki's demise, he couldn't witness it firsthand!!
As a journalist, I have truly failed in my duty!!
I must keep a deathly watch on that guy—he's practically a walking news generator!
——
——
Marine Headquarters.
Akainu's office.
Kizaru pushed the door open, casually greeted, and slumped onto the sofa in a very standard posture.
"Did you find him?"
Akainu stopped working on the documents in his hand and looked up to ask.
Kizaru weakly waved his hand: "By the time I got there, Bullet had already been gone for half a day. If I could find him, capturing him wouldn't have been so difficult back then."
"Really… why do I always get these kinds of jobs, and no extra pay!"
Akainu pushed a cup of tea on the desk toward him: "We'll discuss that later… What do you think about Griffin?"
...
"What can I think… tricky situation…"
Kizaru straightened up: "Originally, we planned to promote him to Vice Admiral after the execution, with a provisional Admiral title."
"Griffin was too impulsive this time. If he apologizes and pleads with the Five Elders, the matter could be glossed over."
"At worst, he shouldn't be sidelined, with promotion indefinitely delayed, still stuck with that pitiful Rear Admiral salary…"
...
Akainu's lips curled into a faint smile. "If he were to yield and admit fault, he wouldn't be the Uchiha Griffin I know."
"Promotions are irrelevant. As long as he remains in the Marines, there will eventually be a position for him."
Kizaru remained silent for a long moment before cautiously asking, "Sakazuki... are you also dissatisfied with those people?"
"... 'Also'..."
Akainu pondered the word and snorted lightly. "Are you grouping me with Griffin, or are you expressing your own thoughts?"
Before Kizaru could respond, he continued.
"I acknowledge the World Government led by the Five Elders. Protecting the descendants of the Twenty Kings is the legal and rational foundation for the existence of the World Government and even the Marines."
"But..."
Akainu's gaze darkened. "The highest authority in the world should not be overridden by those people!"
"This outcome is good. The Five Elders were not swayed by that woman and made the right choice."
"Griffin cannot be pushed out—even Smoker's stubborn head understands that."
"Haha... saying that is too harsh on Smoker!"
In their private conversation, Akainu spoke noticeably more than usual.
Kizaru leaned forward to take a sip of tea, pondered for a moment, and sighed helplessly. "There is still a rift. Honestly... even I have begun to doubt Griffin's stance."
"It doesn't matter. At least he has never harmed civilians and has only intentionally killed criminals."
Akainu looked deeply out the window. "If he truly falls into evil..."
"I will kill him myself!!"
——
——
New World, Marine G-179 Branch.
On a scarred rocky cliff.
A tree that seemed forged from gold stood tall, its golden roots digging deep into the ground and extending toward the seabed.
On its swaying, gilded leaves, illusory flames burned.
Unparalleled beauty.
Yet the closer one approached, the more terrifying it felt.
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "LegendaryTL" on Patreon!"
Thanks!