novelraw Chapter 483: Shanks Bows His Head, The Fleet Admiral Keeps His Appointment With Whitebeard!
Chapter 483: Shanks Bows His Head, The Fleet Admiral Keeps His Appointment With Whitebeard!
Countless news coos flapped their wings, flying to all towns across the Four Seas and the Grand Line with unprecedented density, delivering newspapers to every corner of the world.
The front-page headline, in the largest and most eye-catching font, bore a title that was enough to make the whole world boil.
"The Era of the Four Emperors Has Ended!"
"The Entire Red Hair Pirates Will Surrender Themselves at Marine Headquarters Today!"
The news sent shockwaves throughout the world.
From bustling cities to remote towns, from the underworld's black markets to every pirate crew still sailing the seas, most people's first reaction upon seeing this newspaper was disbelief!
This must be fake news!
Who is Red-Haired Shanks? The absolute overlord of the latter half of the New World, a Sea Emperor on par with Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin!
His Red Hair Pirates' officers boast the highest average bounties and the most balanced strength, widely recognized as the Iron Wall Pirates!
How could such an existence possibly surrender?
Yet, when people saw the photo officially released by the Navy Headquarters in the newspaper—showing the core members of the Red Hair Pirates wearing Sea Prism Stone Handcuffs, escorted by a group of young trainees—all doubts turned into silent shock.
The background of the photo was that Navy Training Ship known worldwide.
The news publisher was the World Economic Journal, affiliated with the Navy Headquarters!
....
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The port had long been packed to the brim.
Hundreds of journalists from around the world, carrying camera Den Den Mushi like long rifles and short cannons, eagerly awaited the return of the training ship.
"It's here! Look! It's the training ship!"
Someone shouted, and the crowd instantly erupted into commotion.
All lenses simultaneously focused on the black dot slowly approaching from the horizon.
At the forefront of the port stood a solitary, graceful figure.
Headquarters Admiral Gion, draped in a Justice Cloak, one hand resting on the hilt of her famed sword Konpira.
Behind her stood a group of high-ranking Navy Headquarters officers.
During Fleet Admiral Orion's time at sea, Gion had taken full charge of all Navy affairs.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, once the situation in the Grand Line stabilized, Gion would likely become the next Fleet Admiral.
The training ship slowly docked, its massive anchor dropping and splashing water.
Under the gaze of the entire world, the heavy side door of the ship opened, and the gangplank thudded heavily onto the pier.
Luffy, Ace, Sabo, Usopp…
A group of vibrant young trainees, standing tall and straight, escorted legendary pirates out one by one.
Ben Beckman, Yasopp, Lucky Roux…
Though the core members of the Red Hair Pirates wore handcuffs, their expressions showed no trace of dejection, still carrying the composure befitting the strong.
Click! Click! Click!
Flashlights instantly lit up in unison, bright as daylight.
"Mr. Beckman! Why did the Red Hair Pirates choose to surrender? Were you defeated by Fleet Admiral Orion?"
"Mr. Yasopp! We heard your son Usopp is now a Marine! Did you surrender for his sake?"
"Mr. Lucky Roux! We heard that after your defeat, you ate your own left arm out of hunger! Is that true?!"
The reporters went wild, thrusting microphones and cameras forward, bombarding them with sharp, relentless questions.
Just as chaos erupted on the scene, a melodious ship horn suddenly sounded.
Everyone instinctively turned to look.
Another incredibly luxurious, pure white ship, its bow carved with the Celestial Dragon emblem, was slowly sailing into the port.
The reporters' lenses instantly shifted toward it.
When they clearly saw the figure standing on the deck, the entire place fell into deathly silence.
Because the man standing on the deck had a head of dazzling red hair, a calm expression, and heavy Sea Stone shackles binding his hands and feet.
It was none other than Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors!
And beside him stood a mysterious woman, her face half-covered by bandages.
God's Knights, Gunko!
"It's Red-Haired Shanks!"
"Heavens! Is he surrendering too?!"
After a brief dead silence, an even wilder frenzy erupted!
All reporters swiveled their cameras and rushed toward Shanks' ship.
Facing countless lenses and overlapping questions, Shanks slowly raised his head.
His calm gaze swept across each person before he spoke calmly.
"Since its establishment, every action of the Red Hair Pirates has been to maintain balance across these seas."
"And now..."
"Under Fleet Admiral Orion's governance, a truly peaceful and prosperous era is dawning. As remnants of the old era, we naturally wish to lay down our former fame and status, offering our final contribution as foundation stones for this new age."
"Shanks voluntarily submits to the Marines."
As his words fell, the entire world fell silent.
Soon, this news confirmed by Shanks himself swept across the globe like a tsunami.
Countless people wept with excitement, all anticipating the arrival of a great and peaceful golden age.
...
New World, Sphinx.
This was Whitebeard's hometown, now serving as the sanctuary for all members of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Fleet Admiral Orion hadn't returned to Marine Headquarters with the Training Ship.
While Shanks was announcing his surrender to the world, Orion appeared alone at the outskirts of the vibrant cherry blossom grove outside town.
The moment he appeared, Vista—who had been polishing his weapons amidst the cherry trees—froze mid-motion.
Jozu, who had been drinking and roughhousing with his comrades, saw his smile instantly solidify.
Marco the Phoenix, who had been napping, jerked awake as if from a nightmare.
Every commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, regardless of what they were doing, simultaneously sensed that terrifying presence that seemed capable of crushing the heavens.
All eyes turned in unison toward the edge of the cherry blossom grove.
There stood a young figure whose mere presence—despite complete stillness—exerted more suffocating pressure than an entire army.
"Or... Orion!"
"Damn it, Fleet Admiral Orion?"
"When did he arrive?!"
"Don't act rashly! Everyone stay calm!"
As all commanders rose in alarm at Orion's appearance, chaos beginning to brew, Whitebeard—who had been resting against a cherry tree—slowly opened his eyes.
When he glanced sideways at the figure standing beyond the cherry grove, he first stared blankly before grabbing his naginata and rising to his feet.
His voice boomed: "Fleet Admiral Orion! I knew you'd come, but I never expected you'd arrive empty-handed!"
"It seems this old man won't get to taste the fine wine you Marine Fleet Admirals bring!"
Orion strolled into the cherry blossom grove as casually as walking through his own garden, his smile gentle as sunlight.
"Whitebeard. I've come as promised. Have you prepared yourself for death?"