Chapter 299: Broadcast Rights, Prelude to the Second Battle of Hachinosu
As time fermented, the waters of the New World seemed to be churning with a dark tide. The major factions keenly sensed that a storm capable of shaking the era was approaching.
As one of the Emperors of the Underworld, the President of the World Economy News Paper, Morgans, contacted Marine Headquarters almost immediately.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! For this execution on Hachinosu, I want to broadcast the entire event exclusively! A fifty-fifty split of the profits, what do you say?!"
Sengoku was about to readily agree, but Roy directly snatched the receiver, his tone indifferent:
"Morgans, a fifty-fifty split? Aren't you thinking a bit too highly of yourself?"
The bird face on the other end of the Den Den Mushi instantly stiffened, then forced a laugh: "Hehe... just being able to get this exclusive news is already a great favor from you!
A seventy-thirty split. Thirty for me, seventy for you—absolutely not asking for more!"
The corner of Roy's mouth curled up slightly: "Now that's more like it."
...
Marineford Port
Under the sunlight, a giant warship sat quietly docked at the pier. Pitch-black naval guns were lined up neatly along both sides of the deck, reflecting a ghastly cold light.
500 elite Marine soldiers stood in neat formation. The sound of their military boots stomping the deck was like a chorus of war drums, radiating both killing intent and justice.
At the bow, Admiral Kuzan had rarely put away his lazy expression; his gaze was as sharp as an ice blade.
Behind him were two top-tier Vice Admirals. Vice Admiral Enel stood with his arms crossed, lightning flashing in his golden pupils, a rebellious smirk hooking the corner of his mouth.
Vice Admiral Tokikake had a cigarette clamped in his mouth, waving to the colleagues seeing them off with a smiling face, yet a sharp edge hid in the depths of his eyes.
Behind them—
Rear Admiral Issho leaned on his shikomizue (cane sword), standing with his eyes closed. His aura was steady, yet carried an oppressive weight that made one's chest feel tight.
Rear Admiral Ace's cape snapped in the wind, blazing flames dancing on his fists.
Rear Admiral Law lightly stroked the scabbard of Kikoku, a blue light faintly flashing at his fingertips.
Commodore Luffy pulled down his military cap, grinning widely: "We're finally setting off!"
Commodores Zoro and Kuina had their twin swords slightly unsheathed, their edge restrained yet gleaming like cold stars.
Ensign Sanji exhaled a ring of smoke, his dress shoes tapping lightly on the deck: "Don't hold us back, moss-head."
Ensign Usopp swallowed nervously, but the sniper rifle in his hands was as steady as a rock.
The 500 Marine soldiers shouted in unison—
"JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL!!!"
...
At the same time, the World Economy News Paper's broadcast Den Den Mushi had already been set up in advance on Hachinosu, transmitting the video signal straight across the globe.
Morgans stood at a high vantage point, flapping his wings excitedly: "Audience everywhere! This is the World Economy News Paper—bringing you an exclusive live broadcast of the execution on Hachinosu!"
"This is the first time in Marine history that a former Royal Shichibukai—'Hanafuda'—will be publicly executed!"
"This villain who betrayed Justice will meet his doom under the gaze of the entire world!"
All over the world—in taverns, plazas, and towns—civilians gathered together, waiting with bated breath: "I heard Admiral Kuzan is leading the team personally!"
"There's also Vice Admiral Enel, that's the strongest Logia—the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user!"
"Vice Admiral Tokikake is an Admiral Candidate, his combat power is not inferior in the slightest!"
"'Fire Fist' Rear Admiral Ace, the 'Surgeon of Death' Rear Admiral Trafalgar Law... these are all Vice Admiral Roy's trusted aides!"
"Even all the aces of the New Generation have deployed!"
"With a lineup like this... even if Kaido really comes, he'll have to shed a layer of skin just to escape!"
...
The Sixth Day · Hachinosu Port
The Marine warship slowly sailed into the battle-scarred bay. The steel bow broke through the floating ice near the shore, emitting low cracking sounds.
When the entire ship docked at the ruined pier, the New Generation on the deck were all stunned—
Half of the island was still shrouded beneath a thick layer of ice. The glacier connected to the shattered skull building, looking like a colossal statue frozen in time.
Under the sunlight, the ice surface refracted blinding light. The chill seemed to seep straight into the bone marrow.
Usopp's calves were trembling uncontrollably, his voice shaking slightly: "Is... is this the power of a single strike from Admiral Kuzan? It's been so many days, and it still hasn't melted..."
Zoro reached out his hand to feel the biting cold, his battle intent provoked to burn even brighter instead: "This kind of ice... if an ordinary sword slashed it, it would probably shatter instantly."
Kuina lightly stroked the Wado Ichimonji with her fingertips, whispering: "So this is... an Admiral-level technique."
Law sensed the residual energy fluctuations within the ice layer, a trace of cold sweat beading on his forehead: "Such high-density energy control..."
The cigarette clamped in Sanji's mouth trembled slightly. He took a deep drag to steady his nerves: "Tsk... truly a monster among monsters."
Luffy, however, felt no tension at all. He grinned and patted Usopp's back: "How about it? Amazing, right?! Uncle Kuzan's ice can even freeze volcanoes!"
Ace walked over, his hands stuffed in his pockets, his tone casual: "But that guy Kaido isn't weak either... his 'Bolo Breath' can vaporize an entire mountain in an instant."
Usopp's face went deathly pale: "Va... vaporize a mountain?!"
Zoro grinned widely: "I hope that guy King came too... I'm waiting to slice him up."
Sanji exhaled a ring of smoke, giving him a sideways glance: "Hey, moss-head, can we really handle monsters like that?"
Compared to the others, Sanji and Usopp, who had joined later, still lacked direct experience with that level of top-tier combat power.
Ace saw through their concerns, patted their shoulders, and laughed: "Don't worry, don't underestimate us!
Kaido may be strong, but we have Admiral Kuzan here! Enel and Tokikake are also top-tier fighters—"
He paused, looking meaningfully at the blind man standing beside Kuzan. "Moreover, that Mr. Issho... is a powerhouse recognized even by Big Brother Roy."
Hearing this, Usopp's eyes lit up, seemingly regaining his confidence instantly: "That's right! Our side is a luxury all-star team!"
Sanji also revealed a smile, stamping out his cigarette butt: "Then bring it on! We can't let the Marines lose face."
Kuina shot him a glance, her tone mild: "I hope you won't drag us down later."
"What did you say?!" Sanji immediately bristled.
Zoro snorted coldly: "Idiot curly-brow."
"You two?!!"
The smell of gunpowder on the deck instantly thickened a few degrees.
Kuzan stretched lazily, looking at everyone: "Arara~ Chit-chat time is over."
"Enel, Tokikake, lead the squads to set up the defensive line."
"As for the rest of you..."
He swept his gaze over the New Generation, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly: "When the fighting starts, you have freedom of movement, but don't die."
...
Accompanied by the low murmur of the waves and the clanking of iron, the Marines busily erected the tall execution platform that symbolized life and death.
Heavy timbers were hoisted, spliced, and locked into place. Seastone chains gleamed with a cold luster under the moonlight.
The New Generation personally supervised every procedure. Kuzan stood not far away, his gaze calm, yet causing the surrounding temperature to drop a few degrees further.
...
The Seventh Day, Dawn.
As the first ray of morning light crossed the frozen peaks and spilled over the sky of Hachinosu, the World Economy News Paper's broadcast Den Den Mushi was activated simultaneously.
The signal instantly spread across the entire world. Taverns, plazas, palaces, fishing villages... countless people waited with bated breath.
The image slowly appeared—
A tall execution platform stood erect in the center of the frozen island. The steps on both sides were lined with Marine flags symbolizing Justice.
Hanafuda's hands were bound by thick, heavy Seastone chains. Forced into a kneeling posture, he was firmly pinned in the center by two fully armed executioners.
On the middle tier of the execution platform, Admiral Kuzan sat firmly in a chair, his expression as chilling as cold ice.
On his left and right sides, Enel stood with his arms crossed, lightning flashing in his golden pupils;
Tokikake carried a faint smile on his lips, his hands stuffed in his pockets.
Below the execution platform, the New Generation combatants were fully assembled. Ace, Law, Luffy, Zoro, Kuina, Sanji, and Usopp stood in a row, their gazes burning like torches.
Issho stood silently behind everyone, resting with his eyes closed. Behind him was a neat formation of 500 elite Marines, their battle flags snapping loudly, their rifles and cannon muzzles aiming simultaneously toward the sea.
The backdrop to this entire scene was a battlefield composed of half an iceberg and a ruined giant skull building, akin to a declaration of death. The oppressive feeling practically lunged through the screen into the hearts of every viewer.
Just as the morning light illuminated Hachinosu, dark shadows suddenly appeared on the distant horizon—
Three massive pirate ships were breaking through the waves, approaching rapidly!
Their towering bows resembled the fangs of giant beasts, and terrifying pirate flags flew wildly on their sails.
Above the sea surface, dark clouds churned, and muffled thunder rolled. Accompanied by the flash of lightning, the colossal silhouette of a giant dragon loomed faintly, circling and roaring amongst the clouds!
♧♧♧
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
♧♧♧
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais
(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you