Fales's urgent voice through the Den Den Mushi startled everyone. Without hesitation, Ash pushed open a space gate leading directly to Sky Island.
Sky Island,
As they stepped through, they were greeted by clear blue skies and drifting white clouds. The island appeared as peaceful as ever.
Fales quickly rushed over upon noticing their return and began recounting everything that had just occurred. Only then did the group understand the situation.
Just minutes earlier, the previously bright sky had been swallowed by thick, dark clouds. Before anyone could react, countless radiant energy beams pierced through the cloud layer, raining down upon all four islands, including God Island.
The barrage fell like a storm, yet every attack was halted by a mysterious energy barrier that surrounded the islands.
When the assault ended, the result left everyone shaken. Aside from the four protected islands, every single island cloud across the entire White Sea had been completely obliterated.
Sali and the others exchanged grim looks. Ash clenched his teeth.
"Uranus…"
Fortunately, before departing for war, Ash had anticipated the possibility of a counterattack and set up multiple protective barriers around his home.
As expected, Imu and the World Government had resorted to striking at his base when direct confrontation failed.
At that moment, Ash had no interest in reflecting on who had provoked whom. His only thought was to tear Imu from the Empty Throne and bring destruction to Mary Geoise.
After a brief moment of thought, Ash returned to the village to speak with the elder village chief. Once he had issued several instructions, he contacted Big News Morgans.
"Super big news? Are you serious? Bigger than your battle at Hachinosu in the New World?"
Morgans's voice came through the Den Den Mushi, filled with disbelief.
Previously, Ash had encouraged Dragon to broadcast the attack on the Holy Land, even supplying a batch of live broadcast Den Den Mushi from Gran Tesoro. Now, if he wanted to stage another global broadcast, he lacked the equipment. The only person capable of providing it on short notice was Morgans.
Ash had already promised him a major story before the battle at Hachinosu. Whether Morgans dared to accept this opportunity was up to him.
But what did Morgans have to fear?
The birdman was already intoxicated by the flood of recent headlines.
First, the Dawn Ship had been ambushed at Beehive Island by the great pirate Wang Zhi and the Big Mom Pirates. Immediately afterward, the three Admirals clashed with other Yonko forces near Beehive Island, and that confrontation was still ongoing.
While the entire world focused on Beehive Island, the Shichibukai Wyper, known as the Thunder Demon, launched a sudden attack on Amazon Lily. Using the awakened power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, he not only sank the island but permanently altered the surrounding sea's natural environment.
Before the shock of that event could settle, another revelation emerged. In Dressrosa, the Shichibukai Donquixote Doflamingo and his entire family had been wiped out.
Witnesses claimed that the destruction was carried out by a force led by Daly Jella, a powerful subordinate of Sali, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
A subordinate of one Warlord annihilating another.
The headline alone was enough to shake the world.
Morgans was exhilarated, like a bird drunk on chaos and opportunity.
And now, Ash was offering something even greater, along with a chance to broadcast it to the entire world.
Of course he would accept.
However, Morgans had no intention of appearing in person before Ash. His excitement did not override his sense of self-preservation, especially after fabricating stories about Youki and others.
He wanted the news, but he also valued his life.
…
At Sabaody Archipelago, Ash met the news team dispatched by Morgans.
He glanced over the group of News Coos before him. "Since you can all fly, that simplifies things. Follow me."
Above the towering mangroves, at a height nearly level with the Red Line, Ash led the team to a floating island cloud.
After setting up the broadcasting equipment, one of the News Coos respectfully handed him a Den Den Mushi.
"Kwahahaha, Sir Ash, are you truly leaving the opening remarks to me?" Morgans's voice echoed through the device.
"Confirmed. Start immediately. I want the entire world to hear this."
…
The world had only just begun to process the Revolutionary Army's assault on Holy Land Mary Geoise. The image of Celestial Dragons, once thought untouchable, being slaughtered like ordinary people had shaken the foundations of global belief.
Fear and reverence toward the so-called Descendants of Gods had begun to waver.
Then, the Transponder Snails that had recently gone silent flickered back to life across the seas.
"Kwahahaha! Greetings, everyone! I am Big News Morgans, President of the World Economic Journal! Some of you may know me, some may not, but that doesn't matter. Today, I bring you an earth-shattering piece of news!"
Morgans's exaggerated expression filled the screens worldwide, once again drawing attention. What kind of news could rival the attack on the Holy Land?
"Without further delay, let us welcome our special spokesperson for this announcement. I assure you, this is a heavyweight figure!"
The screen shifted.
Morgans disappeared, replaced by a scene of open sky and drifting clouds. A young man sat comfortably on a beach chair, dressed in casual beachwear.
The moment Ash appeared, leaders and powerful figures across the world felt a chill run down their spines.
This was no joke.
Something significant was about to unfold.
New World, Calm Belt.
Vice Admiral Tsuru, Garp, and Zephyr, who had halted their journey after Ash's warning, watched the broadcast intently. They wanted to see what exactly Ash had prepared.
After receiving a signal from the news team, Ash turned his gaze toward the Transponder Snail.
"Nineteen years ago, a man named Gol D. Roger used his final words before execution to ignite the Great Pirate Era."
"Since that day, the seas have been dominated not by merchant vessels or passenger ships, but by pirate ships."
"Countless nations, already struggling under the burden of the Heavenly Tribute, became breeding grounds for piracy. The World Government's negligence allowed this chaos to fester, giving rise to the Seven Warlords of the Sea, pirates granted legal plunder, and the Four Emperors who rule the New World."
He paused briefly.
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself. I am Ash, captain of the Dawn Pirate Hunters. Many of you may also recognize me as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"But I've never liked that title. The so-called right of legal plunder is nothing more than sanctioned theft. A thief is a thief, regardless of legality."
"An old man once told me that even if I despise that privilege, it can serve as protection when I am not yet strong enough."
Ash's gaze sharpened.
"But today, I no longer need that protection."
"I hereby announce to the entire world that the Dawn Pirate Hunters, along with its two subordinate divisions, are withdrawing from the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
As his words settled, two figures stepped into view behind him.
Sali and Wyper.
Across the world, shock rippled through every audience.
White Lion Sali and Thunder Demon Wyper, both Shichibukai, were members of Ash's faction all along.
It suddenly made sense why only Pini and Youki of the so-called Ten Demon Saints had ever appeared publicly. The true strength of the Dawn Pirate Hunters had been hidden all this time.
But the shock was far from over.
With Sali and Wyper standing behind him, Ash spoke once more.
"Furthermore, I declare that the Great Pirate Era ends today."
===
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