Shanks Bows His Head, and the Marshal Keeps His Appointment with Whitebeard!
Countless News Coo flapped their wings and flew at an unprecedented density to all towns and cities along the Four Blues and the Grand Line, delivering newspapers to every corner of the world.
The front page of the newspaper, in the largest and most eye-catching font, displayed a headline powerful enough to set the world ablaze:
The era of the Yonko has ended! The entire Red Hair Pirates will surrender to the Marine Headquarters today!
The news caused a global uproar.
From bustling cities to remote towns, from the black markets of the Underworld to every pirate crew still sailing the seas, most people who see this newspaper will immediately think, "Impossible!"
This must be fake news!
Who is Red-Haired Shanks? The absolute ruler of the latter half of the New World, a Sea Emperor on par with Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin!
His Red Hair Pirates boasts the highest average bounty and the most balanced strength, making them a recognized Iron Wall Pirates!
How could someone like that possibly turn themselves in?
However, when people saw the photo in the newspaper, officially released by the Marine Headquarters, showing the core members of the Red Hair Pirates wearing Seastone Handcuffs and being escorted by a group of young trainees, all doubts turned into silent horror.
The background of the photo is that naval training ship that is known all over the world.
The press release was issued by the World Economy News Paper, which is affiliated with the Marine Headquarters!
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The port was already completely surrounded.
Hundreds of journalists from around the world, armed with their Camera Den Den Mushi, eagerly awaited the return of the training ship.
"It's here! Look! It's the training ship!"
Someone shouted, and the crowd instantly stirred.
All the cameras were pointed at the dark dot slowly approaching on the horizon.
At the very front of the port, a graceful figure stood alone, seemingly untouched by the world.
Marine Headquarters Admiral, clad in a cloak of justice, rests one hand on the Gion of the Famous Sword Kompira. Behind her stand a group of high-ranking officers from the Marine Headquarters.
During the time that Marshal Akira was at sea, Gion was in charge of all naval affairs. If nothing unexpected happens, once the situation on the Grand Line stabilizes, Gion, the Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral who followed Akira in launching the coup, will likely become the next Marshal.
The training ship slowly approached the shore, and the huge anchor dropped, splashing water everywhere.
Under the watchful eyes of the world, the heavy side door of the ship opened, and the ramp was placed heavily on the dock.
Luffy, Ace, Sabo, Usopp...
A group of energetic young interns, standing tall and straight, escorted one legendary pirate after another out of the camp.
Ben Beckman, Yasopp, Raki Rue...
Although the core members of the Red Hair Pirates were handcuffed, their expressions showed no sign of dejection; they still maintained the composure befitting strong individuals.
Click! Click! Click!
The flashes of light instantly merged into one, making it as bright as day.
"Mr. Beckman! Why did the Red Hair Pirates choose to surrender? Was it because they were defeated by Fleet Marshal Akira?"
"Mr. Yasopp! I heard your son Usopp is now in the Navy! Did you surrender yourself for his sake?"
"Mr. Raki Ru! I heard that after your defeat, you ate your left arm because you were starving. Is that true?!"
The reporters went crazy, shoving microphones and cameras forward and bombarding them with a barrage of tricky and sarcastic questions.
Just as chaos erupted at the scene, a melodious whistle suddenly rang out.
Everyone instinctively looked in the direction of the sound.
Then, another incredibly luxurious, pure white ship, its prow adorned with the Celestial Dragons' symbol, slowly entered the harbor.
The reporters' cameras immediately shifted to that direction.
When the figure standing on the deck came into view, the entire area fell into a deathly silence.
The man standing on the deck had striking red hair, a calm expression, and his hands and feet were bound by heavy Seastone shackles.
It's none other Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Yonko!
Beside him stood a mysterious woman whose face was half covered by bandages.
Knights of God, Gunzi Palace!
"It's Red-Haired Shanks!"
"Oh my god! Is he going to turn himself in too?!"
After a brief silence, an even more frenzied surge erupted! All the reporters turned their cameras and rushed toward Shanks ' ship.
Facing countless cameras and a barrage of questions, Shanks slowly raised his head.
His gaze swept calmly over everyone before he spoke slowly and deliberately, "Since its inception, the Red Hair Pirates have done everything in their power to maintain the balance of this sea."
"And now..."
"Under Marshal Akira's rule, a truly peaceful and prosperous era is about to begin. We, the remnants of the old era, are naturally willing to set aside our former fame and status and dedicate our last bit of strength to the foundation of this new era."
"Shanks has voluntarily submitted to the Navy."
As soon as he finished speaking, the whole world fell silent.
Soon, this news, personally confirmed by Shanks, swept the globe like a tsunami. Countless people were moved to tears, all hoping for the arrival of a great and peaceful era.
at the same time.
The New World, the Sphinx.
This is Whitebeard's hometown, and now it has become the home of all the members of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Akira did not return to Marineford with the training ship.
As Shanks announced to the world his surrender to the Navy, he appeared alone outside the town's outskirts in a grove of vibrant cherry blossoms.
The moment he appeared, Vista, who was wiping his weapon in the cherry Vista the Flower Sword grove, froze abruptly, and Diamond Jozu, who was drinking and joking with his companions, also froze with a smile.
Marco Phoenix was dozing off, suddenly opened his eyes as if he were having a nightmare.
All the captains of the Whitebeard Pirates, no matter what they were doing, felt at the same moment that terrifying aura that seemed to be able to crush the sky.
Everyone turned their gaze towards the cherry blossom grove.
Outside the cherry blossom grove, a young figure appeared out of nowhere. He made no move, yet his presence was more oppressive than a thousand troops.
"Xia... Akira!"
"Damn it, Navy Marshal Akira?"
When did he arrive?
"Don't be impulsive! Everyone, don't be impulsive!"
Just as all the captains were startled by Akira's appearance and stood up in a panic, the Whitebeard who had been resting against a cherry blossom tree slowly opened his eyes.
When he glanced sideways at the figure standing outside the cherry blossom grove, he was first taken aback, then grabbed the naginata beside him, stood up, and said in a loud voice, "Marshal Akira, I knew you would come, but I didn't expect you to come empty-handed!"
"It seems I won't be able to enjoy the fine wine you, Navy Marshal, have brought!"
Akira strolled leisurely into the cherry blossom grove, a warm smile on his face. "Whitebeard, I've come as promised. Are you prepared to die?"
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