Sabaody Archipelago.
At that moment, the giant screens across all areas suddenly lit up.
Everyone passing by stopped in surprise.
After all, these massive screens had always been there—but they were rarely used. Usually, they'd only activate when the World Government had a new decree, or during grand events like the World Summit held every four years.
Of course, private usage was allowed too.
But the rental cost was so high it could make you spit blood.
Just renting the dozens of screens scattered across the Sabaody Archipelago cost over ten million Berries—per hour.
Now, imagine renting all the screens in every kingdom around the world.
That would easily cost several billion Berries per hour.
Ordinary people?
No way they could afford that.
But half a month ago, a group of rich lunatics appeared.
Representing the World Economic News, they traveled to each member kingdom and rented out every large screen they could find.
Now, more and more people were stopping in their tracks.
They gathered in front of the massive screens in each district, faces full of curiosity.
A few minutes later…
The screen moved!
---
It was a bird's-eye view shot from the sky.
But the entire screen just showed the vast ocean. Nothing else.
People stared in confusion.
Then, seconds later—a warship appeared.
And then another. And more.
The camera zoomed out.
It was an entire fleet.
Only 40 ships, but enough to make your scalp tingle—they were completely made of steel, had no sails, and each was equipped with massive, terrifying cannons.
All around the world, people had the same first reactions:
1. Are those... ships?
2. Whose fleet is that?
3. What are they planning?
The answer came quickly.
The view shifted again—another bird's-eye angle.
Another fleet appeared.
Much larger—over 400 ships.
But this time, people recognized it immediately.
Every flag bore the insignia of the World Government and the Navy.
No need to guess who this was.
Then the screen split into two.
On the left was the mysterious steel fleet.
On the right—the allied suppression fleet of the Navy and World Government.
Suddenly, under countless gasps around the world, the steel fleet moved first.
The massive battleship cannons began to rotate.
Sixteen warships—over a hundred cannons—all aimed in one direction.
Then—
BOOM.
Even the sound was perfectly synchronized.
It was clear—the crew was elite.
Hundreds of shells fired into the sky.
Moments later, in the right-side image, the Navy's left flank was slammed by a devastating volley.
In one attack:
—A medium-sized Navy ship was blown in half.
—Several others were torn apart by near-misses. Even without direct hits, their hulls were shredded and badly damaged.
The entire world was stunned.
Who were these people?
Which force would dare to directly attack the Navy and the World Government's fleet head-on?
Was this…
A declaration of war?!
HISS—
A world-shaking event. An unprecedented incident!
In a matter of moments, massive crowds gathered around every screen across the globe.
Civilians. Pirates. Marines.
Everyone was glued to the screen, faces full of shock.
"Look! Admiral Kizaru is on the move!"
"We don't know who that fleet belongs to, but with an Admiral showing up, they're finished for sure!"
A Marine pointed at the right screen, where a blinding beam of light shot skyward from a battleship.
Others cheered.
After all, the earlier attack on their fleet had been terrifying.
But no matter who those enemies were—
They're dead now!
Admiral Kizaru will destroy them!
But then—another screen change.
This time, the scene returned to one of the steel warships.
A man appeared.
"I'm Morgans, President of the World Economic News! Hello, world!"
"Enjoying today's live broadcast?"
"Ah, silly question—you're loving it, aren't you?"
"After all, world-shaking moments like this don't come often!"
"Now then…"
"I was going to give you all some background, but looks like we're out of time—because Admiral Kizaru... is here!"
He pointed toward the sky.
The screen followed—and there it was. A beam of light, shooting directly at them!
"Kuhahaha! This ship is way stronger than the ones we sold to the Navy. The Jun Lin Fleet is terrifying!"
"Wait… are you live-streaming this?!"
Kizaru materialized in front of the fleet, reassembling from his light-form.
That annoying drawl of his was broadcast to the entire world.
Then he looked up.
Several News Co. birds hovered above, filming with Den Den Mushi cameras.
Even Morgans' battleship had two reporters with cameras locked onto him.
Damn it.
There goes my chance to slack off.
The whole world is watching...
Kizaru felt a headache coming on.
Then his expression hardened.
Maybe…
He couldn't even afford to slack off this time?
He sensed something.
With Observation Haki, he picked up on three powerful auras within the enemy fleet.
One of them was a bit weaker than him—but not by much.
And more importantly—he recognized that aura.
It was Gion. "Momousagi."
But since when was she this strong?
She was barely a step below him now—practically at Admiral level...
But the other two auras were what really shook Kizaru.
They weren't like Gion—they were full-fledged Admirals.
If you classified Admiral-level power like a cultivation realm—beginner, intermediate, advanced, and peak—then:
—Gion was beginner level
—Kizaru himself was advanced
—Those two… were advanced as well.
Kizaru started to panic.
No way.
They expect me to fight 1 vs 2?!
Even if he went all out, he'd lose.
Let alone slacking—he couldn't even win!
And Gion? Who knows whose side she's even on anymore...
"You guys…"
"Can we just pretend I wasn't here?"
His weak, cheeky voice echoed across the world once again.
Back in the Sabaody Archipelago, all the Marines who had been cheering moments ago…
Now stood there—completely dumbfounded.