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Chapter 142: Double Line Prologue
Mariejois - Between Powers
The huge dome between the powers is inlaid with dazzling gold decorations. The sunlight shines through the glazed ceiling, but it cannot warm this cold and hard realm of power.
The door slowly opened, and the friction sound of the heavy iron door echoed in the empty hall.
Red-haired Shanks walked into the hall step by step, his cloak fluttering behind him. He glanced coldly at the five Five Elders sitting on the high seats of power, and pressed his hand firmly on the hilt of Griffin's sword.
Even though he was facing the supreme authority of the World Government, he still maintained the composure and dominance of the "Four Emperors".
Saint Satan spoke first, his gaze as cold as a still pond. "We are making an exception to meet with a Pirate for his sake."
"Come on, Shanks, what do you want to talk about?"
Shanks looked directly at them, his gaze calm yet sharp as a blade. His deep voice echoed throughout the hall: "Rogge has crossed the line. His purge is destroying the balance of the New World."
Nasujuro Sei snorted coldly, tapping the First Generation Kitetsu on his knee with his fingertips, with a hint of sarcasm: "A mere Pirates dares to teach us how to manage this world?"
"What does the balance of the Pirates world have to do with us?"
Shanks's eyes narrowed, his grip tightened slightly, and Griffin's hilt vibrated slightly.
His voice was low and contained an undisguised threat: "If you don't restrict it, then-"
"That's enough."
Mazishen interrupted him, his eyes cold: "Rogge's actions do not need to be explained to you."
"His goals and intentions are under our control!"
Shanks took a deep breath, his knuckles turning white from the exertion. "What if I attack G5 directly?"
These words, falling among the powers that be, were like a huge rock thrown into still water.
The Five Elders exchanged glances, and after a moment, Saint Vochuli spoke slowly, his expression calm, "We will not restrict Rogge, nor will we prevent anyone from challenging him."
"Whoever wants to die, go ahead."
Shanks's eyes flashed like a knife, staring at them for a moment, then he let out a long breath and turned away.
His cloak fluttered behind him like a fluttering battle flag.
The door slowly closed, and the hall returned to dead silence.
In the air, there is only the indifference and chill of power.
After a while, Saint Satan gently stroked his white beard and said lightly: "The child of Saint Feigaland Galin..."
"After the battle in God Valley, Roger picked it up..."
"Back then, for the so-called 'freedom', I followed Roger out to sea, gave up the honor of the Celestial Dragons, and became a pirate with undying ambition..."
Nasu Shoulang Sheng snorted coldly, his eyes full of disdain: "How ridiculous!"
Peter Saint's eyes narrowed slightly, and he spoke slowly: "However...if he really fights Rogge, the result is worth looking forward to."
"It's just dog-eat-dog."
Saint Maz closed his eyes, as if he didn't want to waste any more time on this.
Nasujuro Sei said indifferently, "No matter who wins, it will only clear up unnecessary variables for us."
"Second."
New World Sea Area: Red Force
As the night deepens, the sea breeze brings with it a damp, salty smell.
Red Force is like a sleeping giant beast, slowly moving forward on the silent sea.
Red-haired Shanks stood on the figurehead, one hand slowly stroking the famous sword "Griffin" at his waist.
Looking at the distant place where the sea and the sky meet, under the sky dyed red by the sunset, it seems that there is a storm about to break out.
Benn Beckman walked over with steady steps, and the strong smell of tobacco mixed with the sea breeze swept past.
The cigarette he was holding was half burned, and the sparks reflected on his always calm face.
"The latest intelligence."
Beckman said in a deep voice, his voice mingling with the sound of the waves. "Dressrosa is completely in chaos. The information about the Mera-mera Fruit was deliberately amplified by G5, attracting the mad dogs of most of the New World."
He took a deep drag on his cigarette, the spark flickering. "To make matters worse, over at the Marine side—Rogge is dispatching himself, and even the new Admiral Fujitora is heading to the front lines himself."
The red-haired man's fingertips paused lightly on the hilt of the knife, and the corners of his lips slowly raised a meaningful arc: "Heh... Admiral Rogge, has he finally left his iron fortress this time?"
He turned back to Beckman, a rare gleam of fighting spirit in his eyes. "So... G5 is now an empty city?"
His voice carried the excitement of a hunter finding his prey.
Beckman frowned, his eyebrows as if carved by a knife: "Shanks, this is not like you, trying to rob people? That's a direct provocation to Rogge!"
He removed the cigarette from his lips and stubbed it out on the side of the boat. "This goes against our original intention of maintaining balance. Once a war breaks out..."
"It's not a full-scale war," the red-haired man turned around, and the setting sun stretched his figure very long.
There was a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Lightning strike, only Buggy is the target."
Beckman flicked away his cigarette butt fiercely. "I'm afraid things aren't as simple as you think."
Shanks strode to the helm and shouted, "Full sail, full speed!"
"We must end the battle before Rogge returns to defend!"
As soon as the order was given, the Red Hair Pirates members on the deck took quick action, the capstans turned, the sails were fully raised, and Red Force rushed through the waves towards G5 like an arrow!
Dressrosa·The King's Tower
The king's tower was brightly lit at night, and his pink feather coat fluttered in the wind.
Doflamingo stood on the edge of the tower, looking down at the chaotic scene in the port.
The port has been occupied by hundreds of pirate ships, and powerful people from all over the New World have flocked in.
The densely packed masts and flags were reflected in his eyes behind his sunglasses, and Doflamingo's laughter became more and more crazy: "Fufufufufu... This is interesting!"
He opened his arms, and his voice echoed through the radio bugs that were all over the island, reaching every corner of Dressrosa:
"Welcome to the ultimate Colosseum that I have carefully prepared for you!"
"Here, you have everything you want: fame, wealth, Devil Fruit, and—the stakes of fate!"
At the harbor, Cavendish's "White Horse of the Sleeping Forest" slowly dropped anchor.
Cavendish stood gracefully at the bow, his slender fingers stroking the hilt of his sword, his white cloak fluttering gently in the sea breeze.
"What a dirty market..."
He frowned slightly and covered his nose with a silk handkerchief. "But..." A proud smile suddenly appeared on his lips. "This stage is finally worthy of the appearance of Prince Charming."
"BOOM!"
Bartolomeo's "Forward Luffy-senpai" rammed two small pirate ships with his ruthless slam. Amidst the flying wood chips, he stood at the bow and laughed maniacally: "Luffy-senpai! Bartolomeo is here to pave the way for you!"
His green hair stood on end, and he tore at his clothes excitedly. "See? This is the determination to pave the way for an idol!"
Qing Jiao's massive warship calmly docked. The legendary pirate stroked his graying beard and said, "Old Cai, do you feel the murderous aura on this island?"
Old Cai gripped his spear tightly and said in a deep voice, "Grandpa, I'm afraid this is going to cause a huge storm."
At the underground trading port, Sabo lowered the brim of his hat and blended in with the porters.
"Doflamingo's arms deal records are in Warehouse No. 3."
Koala's voice came through the tiny communicator, "Be careful of patrolling toy soldiers."
Sabo's blond hair was faintly visible beneath his hood, and he spun the pole in his hands in a beautiful arc. "Understood."
Not far away, a toy soldier was patrolling mechanically, with a strange red light flashing in his empty eyes.
In the most inconspicuous shadow, a shabby simple sailboat quietly docked. The sail was so tattered that it was almost impossible to recognize any signs. But the figure wearing a straw hat on the deck, although thin, could not be ignored.
In the shadows, Luffy stood there, his gaze as sharp as a beast's.
His eyes passed the bustling port and stared straight towards the King's Tower.
On the farther horizon, a small warship broke through the waves. A tall figure stood on the bow, holding a huge cane, and his purple kimono fluttered in the night wind.
New Marine Admiral Fujitora smiled.
He raised his head slightly. Although he couldn't see, he seemed to see through everything: "So many entanglements of cause and effect..."
He was blind but calm, and the heavy sword was already slightly unsheathed.
Doflamingo's wild laughter echoed in the night air: "Fufufufufu... the actors are all here!"
He opened his arms, and countless fine lines flickered in the moonlight. "Let's make this feast even more crazy!"