A Thousand-Ship Cruise: The Pirates' End!

News of the Navy's upcoming unprecedented "Thousand-Ship Cruise demonstration" quickly spread throughout the world.

This front-page headline, personally written by Morgans, president of the World Economy News Paper, was like a boulder thrown into the ocean, instantly creating a massive wave around the world.

On the day the newspaper was released, countless News Coo blotted out the sky, carrying this momentous news to every corner of the world.

For a time, in the streets and alleys, in taverns and teahouses, everyone was talking about only one thing.

"Thousand-Ship Cruise? My God, a thousand warships? Has the navy emptied its coffers?"

"Are they crazy?! The era of the Yonko has only just ended, what is the Navy trying to do? Are they showing off to the whole world?"

"Who cares! I'm going to see it anyway! I heard this cruise demonstration starts at Future Island Egghead Island, and I've already booked my ticket!"

"Are you crazy? Isn't watching the live stream better? You actually risked going to Egghead Island!"

People all over the world eagerly awaited the arrival of the pirate forces, their enthusiasm ignited. In stark contrast, the pirate forces that still roamed the various seas remained at large.

New World, in some unnamed sea area.

On a dilapidated pirate ship, the captain was holding a newspaper, his hands trembling uncontrollably.

"A thousand warships on patrol? Three hundred thousand elite naval troops participating?"

"What's going on? The Yonko have already been defeated, why is the Navy still acting so recklessly?"

His first mate, standing beside him, was also trembling as he spoke, "Captain, they're coming for us! What do we do?"

"What to do? Lower the skull and crossbones flag! Find a deserted island to hide on! No, just surrender at the nearest Marine Base! I don't want to be used as fireworks by a thousand warships!"

Panic spread rapidly among the pirate factions.

They all knew very well that this so-called cruise demonstration was an ultimatum directed at them, the remnants of their former regime.

They just couldn't understand why such a large-scale operation was needed to deal with these small fry.

That's giving them way too much credit!

Egghead Island of the Future.

As dawn broke, the waters surrounding Egghead Island were already completely occupied by an endless forest of steel.

A thousand brand-new warships, like silent behemoths, floated quietly on the sea.

Sunlight shone on their silvery-white armor, reflecting a cold and menacing light. These latest-model warships, rushed from Water Seven and manufactured day and night, had undergone advanced technology processing by Vegapunk. Their sleek lines and menacing cannons showcased the terrifying power of the World Government and Navy.

Three hundred thousand elite naval personnel, handpicked from the Marine Headquarters and its various branches, stood in neat uniforms, like statues, on their respective decks.

A flagship flying the Marshal's flag slowly docked in port.

Wearing the Justice Cloak, Gion descended the gangway, surrounded by a group of Marine Admiral and Vice Admiral, including Issho, Katakuri, and Aokiji.

As the group set foot on Egghead Island, hundreds of journalists from all over the world, who had been waiting for them, immediately swarmed over.

Countless Visual Den Den Mushi lenses from Gion Mushi (snail-shaped electric detectors) were pointed at the group in Gion, and flashes went off everywhere.

"Gion! What is the purpose of this Thousand-Ship Cruise? Is it to celebrate the end of the Great Pirate Era?"

How many days will the cruise last? And where will it end?

"Marshal Gion, why didn't Lord Akira appear? Will he attend this patrol demonstration?"

A particularly bold female reporter even pushed her way to the front and asked loudly, "Gion Marshal, there are rumors that you and Akira Yu have a close relationship. They say that the reason you rejected Kaki Vice Admiral Kaji's confession is because you like Lord Akira. Is that true?"

The cacophony of questions rose and fell, almost drowning out the questioner.

Gion stopped in her tracks, a composed and polite smile on her face, her cool gaze sweeping across the entire room.

With just a glance, the noisy scene instantly quieted down.

"Welcome to Egghead Island, friends from the media."

"The Navy invited you all here so that, through your lenses, this momentous patrol could be broadcast to the world."

Gion paused, his smile unchanged, "As for other questions, I have no comment."

After saying that, she ignored the astonished reporters and led the group of officers toward Vegapunk's research institute.

East Blue, Loguetown.

Unlike the futuristic and tense atmosphere of Egghead Island, everything here appears peaceful and tranquil.

This is a town where beginnings and endings occur.

Akira, accompanied by Imu, Gunko, and Aqua, strolled along the cobblestone streets of the small town.

"Wow! Is this where the Pirate King Roger was executed?" Aqua, with a lollipop in her mouth, curiously looked around at the Loguetown square that came into view.

As the four of them entered the square, a woman selling oranges at a stall looked up inadvertently, then widened her eyes in disbelief and exclaimed excitedly, "Lord Marshal?"

"My God, it's actually the Lord Marshal!"

She was a villager from Cocoyasi Village, and she had seen Akira Akira in person when he first appeared in Cocoyasi Village.

The woman's shouts quickly attracted the attention of several people nearby.

Immediately afterwards, the crowd of people excitedly ran over, shouting "Lord Marshal!"

Amidst the shouts of these few people, the shop owners and hotel guests who were leisurely strolling around turned their heads, and then, as if one had triggered the whole thing, they all shouted "The Lord Marshal is here!" and rushed into the square in waves.

In just over ten minutes, tens of thousands of people packed the entire square to the brim.

Imu, Gunko, and Aqua were clearly used to this kind of scene, and tactfully retreated to the edge of the square.

"Uncle Akira is so popular! Wherever he goes, the streets are packed."

Looking at Akira, who was once again surrounded by a sea of people, Aqua narrowed her eyes like crescent moons, her face full of admiration.

Imu also narrowed his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Just then, soldiers from the Loguetown Marine Base, having received the news, rushed into the square and quickly brought the out-of-control situation under control. Even so, people continued to pour into the square.

Taking this opportunity, Akira walked over to Imu, shook his head and laughed, "Looks like I'll have to disguise myself next time I go out, otherwise I won't be able to enjoy the trip."

Imu mimicked Aqua's crescent-shaped eyes, her tone unusually playful, "You're so vain! I've been running the World Government for eight hundred years and I'm still not as popular as you!"

Akira shrugged slightly, delivering a merciless retort, "That's because you've never cared about the people. If I hadn't appeared, they would still be insignificant lower-world people in the eyes of those people in the Holy Land!"

Before Imu could react, Akira pulled Aqua to his side, affectionately ruffled Aqua hair, and said gently, "Aqua, remember this trip. You will one day enter the World Government and wield power. No matter how great your achievements, if you keep the people in your heart, they will naturally hold you high!"

"Uncle Akira, don't worry, Aqua definitely won't let you down," Aqua nodded obediently, then continued, "After all, we both grew up in a warm and loving environment..."

She had only spoken halfway when Aqua's face suddenly changed, and she reflexively raised her hand to cover her mouth.

Just then, the Den Den Mushi in Akira's Den Den Mushi rang.

Akira ignored Aqua's words "grown in the spring breeze" and took the Den Den Mushi Aqua out of his pocket.

Before Akira could speak, Vegapunk's voice came through the Den Den Mushi: "Akira, you untrustworthy guy! You said you'd come to Egghead Island, why aren't you showing up yet?!"

"Whether I go to Egghead Island or not is irrelevant if I can broadcast it." Akira smiled slightly, then looked up at the tall Execution Platform in the center of the square, and said, "I am currently in Loguetown, the place where Roger was executed. Before the patrol begins, you can broadcast footage of me here."

"Hmm? Loguetown?" Vegapunk paused for a moment, then realized, "I see! Announcing the end of the Great Pirate Era in the towns where it began and ended, not a bad idea."

Akira changed the subject and asked, "How many new Pacifista are available to participate?"

"Although the timeframe is a bit tight, fortunately you've allocated enough manpower from headquarters; for each new model, there are thousands available for cruise demonstrations!"

"That's enough." Akira nodded. "Let's begin the broadcast."

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