Three Sides
Holy Land Mary Geoise Room of Authority
Beside the simple and solemn round table, the Five Elders sat quietly, and the air in the room was so heavy that it seemed to freeze.
The central projection screen clearly illuminated the execution site on Hachinosu.
The Harbor is frozen solid, the army stands solemnly, the Hanafuda are bound immobile by chains of Seastone, and the Iceburg and half-destroyed giant skulls stand in the background as imposing as a fortress.
Saint Nusjuro narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone tinged with doubt. "Roy... actually agreed to our restrictions so readily?"
"Kuzan, Enel, Tokikake... they can indeed fight Kaido and the All-Stars head-on, but they're still a step short of truly winning."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter's gaze sharpened as he fixed his eyes on the two young men at the front of the screen, his brows furrowing abruptly.
"Hmm? Those two young men... are Roy's two younger brothers?"
"Hmph... If something really happens to them, Roy and that old man Garp will probably cause the whole situation to spiral out of control."
Saint Warcury snorted coldly and said in a low voice, "Kizaru has already been secretly placed here."
"As long as he doesn't actively intervene in the battle, and it's just emergency rescue..."
"We'll just turn a blind eye then."
The other four exchanged glances and nodded almost simultaneously. "We second that."
New World Red Force
The sea breeze was blowing. On the deck, the crew of the Red Hair Pirates were half-huddled around a Live Broadcast Den Den Mushi, their eyes fixed on the scene of Hachinosu reflected in the screen.
Benn Beckman, a cigarette dangling from his lips, squinted at the screen. "Shanks..."
"If a fight really breaks out, and Kaido ends up losing, what do you plan to do?"
Shanks remained silent for a moment, his fingertips slowly stroking the hilt of Griffon's sword, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes:
"Judging from the Navy's current deployment, even if Kaido n't win, he's absolutely confident he can escape."
"However," he paused slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, "Roy's move was too underhanded."
"He dared to broadcast the execution of Kaido's brother live all over the world; he must have a backup plan."
Benn Beckman exhaled a puff of smoke and calmly added, "So, we need to keep something in reserve?"
Shanks nodded, his tone decisive. "Send the order: approach the Hachinosu Waters at full speed."
"Don't show yourself; observe from the shadows first."
However, no one noticed --
In the azure sky, a seemingly ordinary seagull glides leisurely over the Red Force.
A strange red light suddenly Flash in its dark bird eyes.
The next moment, the image traveled along a hidden intelligence chain, traversing storms and undercurrents, to the darkest depths of the New World...
World Economy News Paper Headquarters - President's Office
The morning sunlight streamed through the towering floor-to-ceiling windows, casting straight shadows on the floor through the gilded window frames, highlighting the luxurious yet austere office.
Big News Morgans —the media mogul who wielded immense influence in the Underworld —was now standing obediently by his desk like a timid apprentice who had made a mistake.
Big News Morgans, President of World Economy News Paper
The feathers on its back were soaked with cold sweat, its wings were pressed tightly against its body, and it even deliberately suppressed its breathing.
In the office chair, a man leaned back, his Justice Coat loosely draped over his shoulders, his legs casually propped up on the desk, his eyes slightly closed, seemingly resting.
But that invisible pressure was like a giant beast, making the air in the entire office heavy and stuffy.
Big News Morgans felt a chill run down his spine. "Damn it... how did he get in? Even my elite guards didn't notice..."
"Buzz--"
The Den Den Mushi on the table suddenly vibrated.
Big News Morgans almost reflexively looked down, a fawning smile instantly spreading across his face, his voice trembling with ingratiating intimacy:
"Vice Admiral Roy! The whereabouts of the Red Hair Pirates that you requested... have been found!"
Roy slowly opened his eyes, a half-smile playing on his lips, "As expected of the News King, you're very efficient~"
Big News Morgans hurriedly pulled out an intelligence map marked with coordinates from his pocket, handed it over with both hands, and spoke respectfully:
"It's my honor to serve you... I've already sent seagulls to track them the whole way, and their every move will be relayed to you immediately."
Roy took the intelligence report, glanced at it, and nodded slightly. "Well done."
"You'll get an extra 10% of the livestream revenue."
A gleam of joy immediately flashed in Big News Morgans' eyes: "Thanks--"
Before he could finish speaking, Roy's tone suddenly turned cold, his gaze sweeping over him like a sharp blade. "However... refrain from any underhanded tactics lately."
In that instant, Big News Morgans felt his heart clench as if it were being squeezed, and he nodded frantically, "Yes! Yes! Don't worry!!"
Roy slowly rose, his Justice Coat fluttering slightly. Silently, his figure vanished into the air like smoke swept away by the wind, leaving only lingering pressure and a faint chill.
"Call--"
Big News Morgans' legs finally gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, his feathers soaked with cold sweat.
"He found my location in an instant, and came in without even opening the door... Vice Admiral Roy, he's truly as terrifying as the legends say..."
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and just as he caught his breath, a thought flashed through his mind, and a fanatical light gradually appeared in his eyes:
"Wait a minute... Roy wants information on the Red Hair Pirates?"
"Could it be—he's going to target Red-Hair?!"
Big News Morgans jumped up suddenly, flapping his wings and circling excitedly in the office, laughing incoherently:
"Big News Morgans! This is Big News Morgans!!"
"The Navy's Strongest Vice Admiral VS. Red-Hair of the Four Emperors! A Fated Showdown?!"
"Quickly! Prepare the front page immediately! I want the whole world's attention to be focused here!!"
Totto Land of Whole Cake Island
A rich, sweet fragrance filled the magnificent castle of Totto Land, where Charlotte Linlin's enormous figure stood like a mountain on the Throne.
She held a tiny Den Den Mushi in her enormous palm and fell into an unusual silence.
Below, Perospero and Katakuri stood silently, the air so oppressive that even their breathing seemed unusually abrupt.
"Mom... is she just spacing out?"
"Who exactly called that Den Den Mushi?"
The two exchanged a glance, both feeling uneasy.
Linlin's emotions were always volatile, and her unusual silence only made them more nervous.
Time ticked by, and finally—
"Mamamama~!!!"
Linlin suddenly threw her head back and burst into laughter, the sound like thunder, causing the sugar sculpture on the wall to tremble slightly.
"That bastard Kaido... I really didn't expect him to contact me on his own initiative!!"
Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she turned to Perospero: "Perospero! Take a force and head to Onigashima immediately!"
"Contact Queen and garrison Onigashima!"
Upon hearing this, Perospero gasped in shock. "Governing... guarding Onigashima?!"
Linlin merely glanced at him indifferently with her bloodshot eyes.
In that instant, it felt as if an invisible giant hammer had struck Perospero's heart, instantly soaking his back in cold sweat.
"I'm leaving right now!"
He hurriedly bowed, turned and walked away quickly, the candy cane tapping rapidly and haphazardly on the floor.
Katakuri paused for a moment, then slowly stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Mother, are you planning to... go to Hachinosu yourself?"
"The navy's intentions are very clear this time. If there really is an ambush..."
"Mamamama~!!"
Linlin's laughter interrupted him, her tone filled with undisguised arrogance and excitement:
"How could I possibly miss such a wonderful show?!"