News Conference

The Marine Headquarters press conference will be held at 9:00 AM.

The air in Marineford was a bit cool, but everyone was up early; no one was still asleep. They all knew this was an important moment.

The same is true around the world, where many people wait in front of big screens or through live video streams.

Yesterday's battle still seems vivid in my mind today, but its impact has been enormous.

The impact on the world, on the seas, and on the navy is clear to everyone. If the navy's actions cannot satisfy the public, then the navy can no longer sail the seas under the banner of justice.

Justice is a belief, but for the navy, it is like the foundation; a navy that has lost justice is no longer trustworthy.

Although many people know that the cancer within the Navy is only a minority, who can guarantee that the Navy standing before them isn't a hyena disguised in the cloak of justice?

The world still needs the power of the navy. In this era, with pirates running rampant and the world becoming increasingly violent, the importance of the navy is even more prominent.

People's hearts are still with the navy. Many places still accept the navy's protection, and many places have been saved by the navy in the past. These are the accumulations of time. They believe in the navy and do not want the navy to fall.

If the navy falls, who can they rely on?

All of this depends on the Navy's actions. What will the Navy do? How will it deal with what was exposed yesterday? How will it face the people who still have hope for them?

Human hearts are complex. One moment they may be kind and friendly to you, and the next moment, for no apparent reason, they may start to resent you.

Many people's anger and disgust towards the Navy were influenced by Rediat's words, and they personally felt threatened and feared, so their attitude towards the Navy changed drastically.

But after a night, calming down and thinking it over carefully, I realized that this doesn't represent the entire navy. We shouldn't slander the navy based on Rediat's one-sided words. I still have some hope for the navy, and this hope can rekindle my faith in it at certain moments.

The live broadcast had already begun, starting a little early. At this time, the Marine Headquarters was gradually making some moves, with many soldiers gathering and lining up neatly, which looked very spectacular.

At this time, the high command of the navy had not yet arrived, and many people noticed the makeshift Execution Platform erected in front of the Marine Headquarters building.

This Execution Platform was prepared for Makudi; everyone could see that, and everyone knew what the Navy was doing.

At the naval port, rows of massive warships were gathered together, and many naval personnel had been brought back from other Marine Branch to strengthen the defenses of the Marine Headquarters.

This is a crucial moment, concerning the Navy's reputation, so there can be no carelessness. We must prevent any attack on Marine Headquarters. If this press conference is disrupted, it will not only be a disgrace to the Navy but also a failure of the entire event.

"This is the first time the Marine Headquarters has conducted a public execution, isn't it?" Teach sat on the throne, looking at the Execution Platform was exactly the same as the one he remembered. Compared to the Execution Platform used for Roger's execution, this Execution Platform was much larger.

It's just like when Fire Fist Ace was executed.

"Probably. Before this, there weren't any heinous criminals who needed to be executed. Those Great Pirate were either killed outright or imprisoned in Impel Down. Such executions were usually decided by the World Government, like Roger's execution. However, this time it should have been decided by the Navy, since it's an internal Navy matter." Rediat nodded, thinking carefully. There hadn't been any major executions; the last one was Roger's execution.

"Will this meeting go by so easily?" Rediat wondered, watching the video.

"I also hope something unexpected will happen, but the possibility is slim. The Marine Headquarters' forces have already been gathered together: Sengoku, Garp, Kong, Zephyr, and the four future Admiral —a total of eight Admiral- level powerhouses. In a few years, the Marines' power will reach an unprecedented peak, even the World Government will have to be wary." Teach's eyes gleamed as he pondered for a moment, "Add to that the other powerful figures, and anyone who dares to come here will be caught."

Just then, a Den Den Den Mushi) rang. "Mostima, what's up?" Teach asked as soon as he answered the phone.

It was Mostima who called Teach. "Captain, we've already moved our forces to the Saguros Sea. Before you arrive in the New World, we should be able to occupy about twenty islands. With our current strength, twenty islands is already our limit."

"Hmm." Teach nodded. "Those islands should have been dealt with by now."

"That's right, 2.2 billion Beli plus 30 Devil Fruit."

"Is it really worth that much?" Teach was somewhat surprised. Teach was aware of the situation in Mostima; they had managed to get so many islands from the Whitebeard Pirates in exchange for a total of fourteen islands.

It seems he underestimated Mostima's abilities.

"Heh, the Whitebeard Pirates actually made a profit. They recouped their investment in just three years, spending only 2.2 billion Beli. Most of those thirty Devil Fruit weren't very good, but a few were decent."

"Haha, the value of Devil Fruit will only increase. Right now, 100 million Beli is just the minimum price. In an auction, that's just the starting price. Even if we sell it, we can still make a greater profit."

"However, the Devil Fruit to establish a Devil Fruit Development Department needs to be brought forward." Teach seemed to have thought of something.

"Okay, then I'll start preparing. I'll find some scholars to understand the types and characteristics of Devil Fruit, and then help Devil Fruit users develop their abilities. However, it will take a long time before they can be officially put into use." Mostima naturally knew that with the increasing number of Devil Fruit User, many people did not have the right direction for developing their Devil Fruit. The establishment of this department could better help Devil Fruit User Devil Fruit.

"First, we'll gather information on the abilities and techniques developed by other Devil Fruit users, so they can understand them clearly. As for practical application, we'll test them on the Devil Fruit users on the ship first. This is originally intended to enhance the strength of the pirate crew's Devil Fruit users, and we might even put it on the market later." Teach smiled, his gaze fixed on the image.

He possesses the ability to steal Devil Fruit, and there will definitely be many Devil Fruit users on the ship in the future, so it is necessary to establish an organization to help them develop Devil Fruit.

Once it enters the market, it can also help others develop Devil Fruit, which will definitely be a big business. Of course, we'll have to wait until the entire department matures.

"Is there anything else?"

"According to intelligence, Kaido has flown away from the Babarossa Kingdom; he appears to be drunk."

"And in which direction?"

"It's very likely Marineford."

"I understand. Let's wait and see. It looks like today's live stream will be quite interesting," Teach chuckled, then hung up the Den Den Mushi.

Rediat, of course, overheard their conversation and smiled, "Kaido will arrive at Marineford. Let's look forward to it."

Both of them were in a good mood, watching this important press conference with anticipation. As they looked at the densely packed marines in the video, an image seemed to appear before their eyes: a Dragon Breath, and in the next moment, the entire port of Marineford would be devastated.

But that's impossible. Mostima must have confirmed the information before telling Teach, so there's a high chance that Kaido of the Beasts is at Marineford.

With so many powerful members of the Navy, they won't allow Kaido to cause trouble at will. Moreover, there are so many people outside the Navy present, including media reporters. If they are lost, the impact on the Navy will be enormous. Too many casualties could potentially cause the public watching the live broadcast to distrust the Navy. Therefore, it is imperative to stop Kaido, to stop him perfectly, and to demonstrate the Navy's strength.

In the Babarossa Kingdom, a new, enormous palace has been built on the site of the destroyed royal palace, and there is a sense of unease within.

"Oh no! The Governor has flown away!"

Where did the governor go?

"Speak quickly, what happened?" Jin grabbed one of the members by the neck, his voice cold and his whole body exuding a murderous aura.

"Wasn't everything fine? How could it suddenly disappear?"

"Lord Jin, we originally planned to watch the live broadcast, but the governor got drunk while drinking and saw Marineford in the video. He seemed to want to go there and cause a ruckus, and then he flew away. I couldn't stop him." The Beasts Pirates member said fearfully as Jin stared at him.

"Honestly, he just ran off without a word, always causing trouble." Yamato sighed, a smaller spiked club slung over his shoulder. "Maybe we should let him get a beating; it's not the first time anyway."

The Beasts Pirates' top brass gathered to discuss their next move. Kaido was drunk and not thinking clearly, but they weren't stupid. In the past, the Navy's forces were scattered, but now that so many powerful forces had gathered together, Kaido alone simply couldn't handle them.

Hearing Yamato's words, the others were speechless. Was this what a daughter said to her father? However, this was Kaido's family matter and a matter of education, and they couldn't interfere.

"We definitely have to rescue him. This is a critical time. The Babarossa Kingdom is such a large territory, and there are many people eyeing us. If the captain is captured and imprisoned for a while, we are very likely to be besieged by other Great Pirate." Krell frowned and analyzed, "However, we can't stop them. We need someone to meet up with the captain."

With so many top-tier naval forces present, even if the captain regains his senses after being beaten, it will be very difficult for him to escape.

"Then I'll go," Jin said. "Only I can keep up with the Governor's speed."

"Okay, then everyone else should prepare to defend against other forces." Krell nodded.

Not long after, a pterosaur, its body entirely black and engulfed in flames, flew out of the palace.

"Let's watch the video then, and see how the old man gets beaten up by the Navy." Yamato was especially excited, with even a hint of excitement in his eyes.

Soon, it was time for the press conference.

One by one, high-ranking naval officers appeared in the footage. These were all important figures on the high seas, such as Marine Vice Admiral, who were treated as VIPs in some Affiliated Nation of the World Government.

Now, they have all appeared at Marine Headquarters. This lineup is even more terrifying than the defenses during the execution of Pirate King Roger. The only comparable force is the Marineford War in the original story.

Reporters, one by one, held cameras or Transponder Snail, speaking to these high-ranking naval officers.

The naval high command, heads held high and chests puffed out, exuded powerful confidence and looked formidable as they walked at the front.

Many more people noticed that among the naval personnel, a somewhat aged-looking navy man with shackles on his hands and feet was still wearing naval uniforms, not the ordinary sailor's attire of a marine.

This navy officer is none other than Makudi, the "evil navy officer" who orchestrated the Mandra Island incident. Now, he has another nickname, a nickname that makes the navy uncomfortable: "Evil navy officer," and it's widely acknowledged.

Makudi's identity was that of a Navy officer, and the issue stemmed from within the Navy. Therefore, he needed to be executed in his capacity as a Navy officer. Otherwise, wearing prison clothes would be seen as severing ties with the Navy, which would be unacceptable.

He was escorted between two teams of naval officers, much like Roger parading through the streets. However, the onlookers were all naval officers, and other eyes were fixed on him through images or screens.

Makudi's identity had already been exposed. Although it was only for a short day, don't underestimate the power of the sea. The World Economic News even produced a special video focusing on Makudi, specifically introducing Marine Vice Admiral Makudi. Since Makudi was going to die anyway, the money earned from the video would definitely go to the news agency.

That's why the World Economic News made a fortune; after all, who in the world doesn't know the Daimyo of Vice Admiral Makudi, albeit a notorious one.

Angry and disgusted gazes filled the air, and some people even resorted to cursing.

At the scene, even the Navy personnel looked at Makudi with disdain and anger. It was because of him that he had committed such a heinous act, and yet he was only a Marine Vice Admiral. They couldn't help but feel as if their bodies and minds had been insulted.

Makudi not only tarnished the navy, but also their very beliefs.

Makudi felt extremely sad. Before this day, he had never imagined that he would become like this.

He had become a expendable pawn of the Navy, utterly worthless. Furthermore, he was rendered speechless and subjected to special treatment, seemingly to prevent an accident like Roger's. He was a Navy soldier; who knew what he would say in the end?