novelraw Chapter 487: A New Broadcast, Whitebeard's Finale!
Chapter 487: A New Broadcast, Whitebeard's Finale!
Sabaody Archipelago.
In front of the massive outdoor screen, a massive crowd had gathered.
Countless people were looking up at the live broadcast screen, watching as the Red Hair Pirates' officers were handcuffed with Sea Prism Stone Handcuffs and escorted off the world-renowned Training Ship by a group of young Marine trainees.
"My God! It's true! The Red Hair Pirates really surrendered themselves!"
"Has an era ended just like that?"
"It's too fast, everything happened too quickly! Fleet Admiral Orion's declaration to end the Great Pirate Era wasn't an empty boast—he actually did it!"
"Long live Fleet Admiral Orion!"
Among the crowd, discussions, exclamations, and sobbing sounds rose and fell.
The Red Hair Pirates, one of the Four Emperors—this colossal entity representing absolute dominance in the New World—had actually come to an end in such a nearly peaceful manner.
The impact on the world was far more shocking than a cataclysmic war.
However, just when everyone thought this historic surrender would be the only theme of the day, the screen suddenly distorted without warning.
A piercing static sound erupted, and the live broadcast instantly turned to snow.
"What's going on? Did the signal cut out?"
"What the hell! Dropping the ball at the critical moment!"
As the crowd grew restless, the snowy screen flickered a few times, and a brand new, crystal-clear image appeared before the entire world.
It was a dreamlike cherry blossom grove, with pink petals dancing in the air.
Within the grove, two figures sat facing each other.
One of them had a mountainous build, his iconic crescent-shaped white beard declaring his identity—the world's strongest man, Edward Newgate!
Sitting opposite him was a tall, straight-backed young man.
The Marine Fleet Admiral, Orion!
The moment these two figures were clearly recognized, all of Sabaody Archipelago fell into deathly silence.
Then, the crowd instantly erupted!
"Whitebeard?!"
"Why is Fleet Admiral Orion sitting with Whitebeard?!"
"Could it be that Fleet Admiral Admiral Orion plans to take down Whitebeard, the last of the Four Emperors, while the Red Hair Pirates are surrendering?!"
"Isn't that obvious? Fleet Admiral Orion wants to end the Great Pirate Era, and Whitebeard, the world's strongest man, is undoubtedly the final obstacle!"
"Excellent! As long as Whitebeard is eliminated, those pirates roaming the Four Seas and the Grand Line will no longer be a threat! Someday, they will all kneel before the Fleet Admiral!"
Every broadcast around the world showing the Red Hair Pirates' surrender was simultaneously switched to Sphinx Island.
Countless eyes were fixed on the two figures that had suddenly appeared on screen.
The last overlord of the Four Emperors era and the Marine Fleet Admiral who had personally ended that era sat facing each other on the ground, with a massive barrel of sake between them, looking like old friends reuniting and catching up—the atmosphere was harmonious.
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Just as the Red Hair Pirates members were being escorted to the temporary prison at Marine Headquarters, the largest public screen in the central square switched scenes.
Ben Beckman stopped in his tracks and looked up at the screen.
When he saw the two figures in the cherry blossom grove, his pupils abruptly contracted.
"Hey now, you've got to be kidding me!" Lucky Roux's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.
"He just sent us back, and now Orion has gone to Whitebeard's territory? He's the Fleet Admiral! Does he have to handle everything personally? This is way too reckless!"
Shanks also halted his steps and looked up at the screen.
When he saw the young fleet admiral sitting opposite Whitebeard in the footage, he let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Cutting the Gordian knot—that's so like you, Orion."
As he spoke, he withdrew his gaze and turned to Ben Beckman beside him.
The arrogance of a pirate had vanished from his eyes, replaced only by a serene sense of relief.
"Then, let's wait and see."
"Let's see if this world can truly move toward a glorious future as he wishes!"
...
Holy Land Mary Geoise, Chamber of Authority.
Five elderly figures sat gathered together, their attention drawn by the sudden shift in the live broadcast on the screen.
When the image of Orion and Whitebeard sitting face-to-face appeared, Saturn, Warcury, and Nusjuro all showed expressions of surprise.
In contrast to the trio's astonishment, the two newly appointed Five Elders appeared far more relaxed.
Sengoku sat with his legs crossed, munching loudly on a handful of rice crackers.
Zephyr, meanwhile, kept his eyes closed, seemingly dozing and paying no heed to the changing scenes on the screen.
Crunch, crunch.
The crisp sound of chewing echoed sharply in the silent room.
Saturn finally couldn't hold back, frowning as he said, "Sengoku! Aren't you the least bit concerned?"
"Concerned?" Sengoku stuffed another rice cracker into his mouth, speaking indistinctly.
"Concerned about what? Orion can't handle a terminally ill Whitebeard? Or that they'll get drunk and tear the New World apart?"
He swallowed the food in his mouth, brushed the crumbs from his hands, and lazily added.
"By the time Orion returns, the Whitebeard Pirates will probably be gone. And then, won't it be time for the next rotation in the Chamber of Authority?"
As he spoke, he nudged Zephyr beside him with his elbow. "This rotation feels a bit short. I haven't even had my fill of being one of the Five Elders yet."
Zephyr didn't even lift an eyelid, merely letting out a soft snort in response.
Saturn, Warcury, and Nusjuro all turned their heads in unison, exclaiming, "Sengoku, do you think the Chamber of Authority is a retirement home?"
There was a time when the Chamber of Authority was a place where their words held absolute authority.
Now, it was practically turning into a naval retirement home!
Of course, if given the choice, they would still prefer Sengoku and Zephyr to remain as Five Elders!
Because when the next rotation came, Sakazuki would likely secure a seat among the new Five Elders.
The mere thought of Sakazuki taking over the Chamber of Authority gave them headaches.
After all, back when Orion launched his coup and came to the Holy Land for negotiations, Sakazuki had already made it clear that they had no right to command him from a position of strength and status.
If Sakazuki were to enter the Chamber of Authority, he would surely seize the opportunity to make them taste his magma!
...
New World, Revolutionary Army Headquarters.
Before a massive screen, Dragon stood with his hands behind his back, calmly watching the live broadcast.
Behind him, a group of Revolutionary Army cadres wore varied expressions, but without exception, each was deeply shaken.
"Dragon! Is Orion planning to make an example of Whitebeard?"
A cadre broke the silence, his expression filled with concern.
"If Orion and Whitebeard go to war, the entire New World could be affected. The islands and towns nearest to Sphinx would bear the brunt of the destruction. Should we prepare for rescue operations?"
Dragon's gaze fell upon the bold figure of Whitebeard drinking freely before the camera lens.
He replied calmly. "Sphinx is Whitebeard's homeland. He won't fight Orion to the death. Most importantly, he went to Sphinx to wait for Orion's arrival not for a final decisive battle, but prepared to meet his end. He intends to use his life as the final cornerstone for the new era Orion is ushering in."
"After today, the Whitebeard Pirates will become mere history."
"The name Edward Newgate will exist only in legends."