As the live broadcast shifted to a new feed, everyone watching could clearly see the devastated ruins of G-5 Base.
The once-solid fortress of the Marine branch had been reduced to rubble.
Collapsed towers, shattered walls, and flames roaring sky-high as thick smoke smothered the sky.
Vergo had never expected this.
He had only just returned to G-5 after escorting Isaac to Mariejois.
He was still desperately trying to figure out a way to save Donquixote Doflamingo…
Then the Souta Kiryuu Pirates suddenly descended on his stronghold—
and his secret identity was exposed to the world.
This meant the Donquixote Family's final hope was gone.
Without the power of Marine Headquarters backing him, Vergo alone could never rescue Doflamingo from Souta Kiryuu's grasp.
And now, stripped of his rank and status as Vice Admiral…
Vergo had fallen into complete despair.
"So it was you back then…
The one who intercepted the intelligence Corazon was delivering to Marine Headquarters!!"
Trafalgar Law held Vergo's severed head in his hand—his expression twisted with rage, his eyes cold with murder.
Years ago, on Minion Island in the North Blue—
before Doflamingo had arrived—
Corazon had already succeeded in contacting the Marines.
He was about to deliver the Donquixote Family's criminal evidence to a Marine liaison.
That liaison…
was Vergo.
The moment he obtained the documents, Vergo attacked Corazon directly.
Corazon, who was already wounded from stealing the Ope Ope no Mi, barely escaped with his life—
only to be intercepted again by Doflamingo, who had arrived after learning the truth.
When Doflamingo learned his own brother was a Marine spy, he did not hesitate.
He shot Corazon without expression.
Corazon, mortally wounded and bleeding from a dozen bullets, used the last of his strength and the power of the Calm-Calm Fruit to hide Law and silence all sound…
He died smiling.
"Protecting family… is that a crime?"
Even as a severed head removed by the Ope Ope no Mi, Vergo spoke with a faint peacefulness.
He had never regretted following Doflamingo.
He had never regretted killing Corazon—
the traitor.
"Protecting family… yes…
Perhaps neither of us were wrong."
Law's furious expression slowly calmed—becoming silent, like a blade submerged in ice.
"But even so—
you must die."
With a flash of steel, the cursed blade Kikoku cleaved Vergo's head cleanly in half.
This time, it was not a clean surgical separation supported by the Ope Ope no Mi—
but a true, final execution.
"Tch, Law, what a waste."
"Right? He would've made a perfect zombie. Or at least a Blood Servant."
Gecko Moria and Capone Bege clicked their tongues regretfully.
But seeing Law's expression, they let the matter drop.
"Patch him up later. We can still make something of him…"
Moria muttered as he collected Vergo's corpse.
If Dr. Hogback stitched him properly, Vergo could still serve as a powerful undead soldier.
The broadcast continued.
Before the entire world, the Souta Kiryuu Pirates had destroyed a Marine base.
Bartolomeo repeatedly shoved his face into the broadcasting Den Den Mushi, loudly introducing himself and screaming his devotion to Souta Kiryuu.
Some of the former Impel Down monsters proudly announced their allegiance to the crew, openly taunting Marine Headquarters and telling Fleet Admiral Sengoku to raise their bounties even higher.
Their arrogance made Sengoku tremble with fury.
And finally—
Souta Kiryuu himself appeared on screen.
At his side stood two of the world's most stunning women:
Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, and Devil's Child Nico Robin.
The sight alone made more than half the pirates in the world swallow hard.
Big News Morgans, knowing Souta had personally allowed this broadcast, understood something significant was coming.
One of his top field reporters rushed forward, holding a broadcasting snail and microphone, trembling with anticipation.
"Five Elders. Fleet Admiral. I must say, I'm disappointed."
Souta's voice traveled to every corner of the world.
"To invade only a small Marine branch like G-5… Truly, I'm wasting my magnificent Airborne Fleet on this."
The world froze.
Silence.
Fear.
"The World Government's mass conscription is terrifying. You can produce powerful Marines at any time.
So—
For the sake of stability and balance in the New World…"
Souta raised a hand.
"I propose all Marines withdraw from the New World."
The world erupted.
"G-5 is our first target—
but it will not be the last."
"My crew will take the lead in expelling the Marines entirely from the New World."
"Four Emperors—if you have the courage—join me."
Then he looked directly at Red-Haired Shanks.
"And especially you, Shanks—descendant of the Celestial Dragons.
Tell me—are you a Yonko of the seas?
Or the Government's pet?"
Morgans nearly exploded with excitement.
In Mariejois and Marineford—
"CUT THE BROADCAST!!
ALL KINGDOMS BLOCK THE TRANSMISSION!!"
The Five Elders and Sengoku roared in panic.
This declaration—
Was powerful enough to destabilize the entire world.
Once again—
they had underestimated the one man they should never have allowed to rise.
Souta Kiryuu.
The God-Slayer.