January 1, Sea Circle Calendar, 1521
After long preparations and an all-out push by the World Government, the decoration ceremony finally opened in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise under the eyes of the world.
But the Celestial Dragons styled themselves as "gods," and naturally would not allow ordinary mortals a true glimpse into the heart of the "Land of the Gods."
Thus, although this grand event was said to be held in the Holy Land, its actual venue was merely the vast platform before the entrance to the enormous Knock Up Stream passage connecting the Red Line to the G-1 Marine Base below.
Though this area also fell under Mary Geoise's jurisdiction, its imposing grandeur sufficient to demonstrate the World Government's authority, it cleverly avoided the true inner sanctum.
Even so, the scale of this ceremony and the attention it commanded had already shaken the entire sea!
Every guest invited to attend in person was a heavyweight:
Almost all the Navy's senior officers were present: Commander-in-Chief Kong, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admirals Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu, former Admiral Zephyr, Navy Hero Garp, Chief of Staff Tsuru, and numerous elite Vice Admirals from headquarters.
The emperors of the Underworld, including Big News Morgans, the King of Shipping, and the King of Loan Sharks, also appeared. These powerful figures, who controlled the economic lifelines of the world's dark side, further demonstrated the World Government's influence.
Kings and aristocratic representatives from numerous World Government Member States gathered as well, all impeccably dressed.
More astonishing still, Visual Den Den Mushi arranged by the World Government and Big News Morgans were broadcasting the ceremony live across the world!
At that very moment, wherever they were...
In the town squares of the Four Blues and the Grand Line, ordinary people gathered before screens, gazing up at