Gordon looked at the resolute Shanks.
"I understand," he said slowly. "The legacy of every music-loving citizen of Elegia will be entrusted to Uta. I swear I will raise her into the greatest singer in the world."
He lifted his right hand as though making a solemn vow, his voice echoing across the burning island as he called out to the departing Red Hair Pirates.
The crew, already boarding their ship, turned back one last time. Their gazes lingered on the ruins, each of them carrying a mixture of grief and reluctance. Shanks gazed at the land in silence. Then he turned, facing the line of marine warships closing in.
The long blade in his hand pulsed faintly with a crimson aura.
"Boys!" he roared. "Set sail!"
* * *
The next day, countless News Coo scattered across the seas.
Reports of the destruction wrought by the Red Hair Pirates spread everywhere, the annihilation of an entire nation shocking the world.
* * *
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
Koushirou sat with his usual calm expression, sipping tea while watching two children sparring in the courtyard.
Smack!
A sharp sound broke the air as a green-haired boy was struck down by a taller girl. The fight ended in an instant.
The boy pushed himself up and clenched his fists, frustration plain on his face. "Damn it!"
Chuckling softly, Koushirou took another sip of tea, and set his cup down. He picked up the latest newspaper and flipped through its pages. His expression tightened into a frown.
"Elegia… all its people wiped out. This is serious indeed."
* * *
Out at sea, at the floating restaurant Baratie.
The bustling kitchen was filled with chefs preparing dishes. Except for Sanji, who had appeared here at some point, everyone was shaken by the morning paper.
Paddy, the fat chef chopping meat at the counter, muttered as he worked, "Annihilating a whole nation… what a lunatic."
Beside him, Carne, the thin chef whose knife danced so quickly it left afterimages, shook his head. "That's the act of an irredeemable villain. But then again, he is a pirate."
The heavy steps of Zeff echoed as he entered the kitchen. The head chef and owner took the newspaper, flipped to the page about Elegia, and sighed deeply. "That man... he was once a crew member of the Pirate King. For him to do such a thing isn't all that surprising. Still..."
* * *
Grand Line, just beyond the Calm Belt.
A News Coo landed on a marine warship. An officer aboard Kuzan's vessel purchased a copy and read its contents. His face froze in shock, his voice almost breaking.
"This… this is monstrous."
The bold headline blared: Nation Destroyed.
Behind it, the truth that every single resident of Elegia had perished.
Clutching the paper, the officer rushed toward the deck where Kuzan rested on his sun chair. "Vice Admiral Kuzan! A major incident!"
The loud voice was enough to rouse the sleepy Kuzan before the man even got close. He shifted his sleep mask and cracked an eye open. "Hm? What is it?"
The officer hurried forward and handed him the newspaper.
Kuzan pulled the mask away completely and sat up straight. His eyes swept over the bold print. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, at last, he let out a low breath. "Oh my… this is terrifying. A nation destroyed. Is the rampage of the Sea Kings connected to this…"
His gaze lingered on the paper. Alongside the shock, another thought struck him. The outburst of the Sea Kings must have been provoked by Shanks' Conqueror's Haki.
* * *
New World, Whole Cake Island.
Big Mom's huge figure had grown grotesque with age, but it did nothing to slow her appetite. She devoured food with frightening intensity in the grand hall, her children watching silently until she finished her feast and leaned back contentedly.
Only then did Perospero dare approach, holding a newspaper.
She eyed him with mild curiosity. "What is it, Perospero? Something important?"
He answered respectfully, "Yes, Mama. News concerning the remnants of Roger's crew, the Red-Haired Shanks."
A spark of interest lit up in Big Mom's eyes. "Oh?"
She snatched the paper and scanned it. A wild laugh erupted. "Mamamama! So that little brat from Roger's ship has grown this strong already?"
On the wanted poster printed in the newspaper, the name stood out boldly:
Red-Haired Shanks. Bounty: 1,080,000,000 Berries.
* * *
Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
Inside his office, Sengoku sat behind his desk while Garp lounged on the sofa nearby, lost in thought. The admiral's voice was heavy as he looked over the report on his desk.
"Elegia has been destroyed. The battle was brutal."
Without his usual careless demeanor, Garp replied in a low tone, "Seems it was Red Hair's work."
Sengoku cast a glance at him. "It was the Demon King of Song."
Garp closed his eyes. "The Demon King of Song … he went too far this time."
Sengoku held up the new wanted poster. "Indeed. His true nature has finally been exposed. Some of his recent erratic actions haven't gone unnoticed. Roger would weep for this… Red Hair."
* * *
On a warship just arriving at the Sabaody Archipelago, Carlo handed over a newspaper with a grave expression.
"Admiral Sakazuki."
He accepted it, his eyes scanning the story. Gradually, his expression darkened. "Just like that trash Roger. Destruction of a nation…"
His mind drifted back to years earlier, when Roger had slaughtered thousands of soldiers on Kergashi Island.
Carlo sighed. "According to internal investigation, it's nearly certain this was done by the Demon King of Song."
Sakazuki sneered. "And what is that? Ever heard of such a thing?"
Carlo thought for a moment. "Supposedly... it's a legend told in the first half of the Grand Line."
Fwoom!
The newspaper in Sakazuki's hands burst into flames, turning to ash. "Passing blame to some myth? Who led this investigation?"
"Admiral Sengoku," Carlo responded.
Sakazuki narrowed his eyes. "That old fool…"
* * *
Elsewhere, aboard Borsalino's ship.
In his office, an exaggerated gasp broke the silence. "Ooh~ how scary~ as expected of the man they call Red-Haired Shanks~"
Strawberry, standing before him, rubbed his temples. "His nickname has nothing to do with him destroying a country, Vice Admiral Borsalino."
Borsalino blinked, as if only now realizing. "That's true~"
He casually tossed the newspaper onto the desk. "Now, what were you just reporting~?"
Strawberry's brow twitched. "The Sun Pirates. For some reason, they suddenly turned back toward the first half of the Grand Line."
Borsalino tilted his head. "Oh~? Then keep an eye on them~"
Strawberry's voice carried his exasperation. "Vice Admiral, we've been chasing them for three years. The higher-ups are very displeased."
Borsalino scratched his cheek lazily. "I see~ looks like our pleasant vacation is ending, huh. We'll capture them at their destination~"
He stretched with a sigh. "After all, those fish-men are each strong as monsters~ they're a real headache. Three years of pursuit isn't unreasonable~"
* * *
Grand Line, aboard the Sun Pirates' ship.
A fish-man navigator stared down at the Eternal Pose in his hand, his voice filled with relief. "Finally, we've got it. The Eternal Pose to Koala's homeland."
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