"Hey… did you hear that clearly just now? Did you catch what Admiral Sengoku said?"
At those words, everyone present felt their heads buzzing.
One of the reporters even suspected he had misheard, turning to ask a nearby colleague.
The other reporter also looked completely dumbfounded, but still responded word by word:
"He… he just said…"
"Saint Orin!!!"
"You've gotta be kidding me!!!"
After a brief moment of stunned silence, chaos instantly erupted and swept across the entire port plaza as people began talking over one another in disbelief.
Meanwhile, the journalists from the World Economic News were the first to seize the opportunity, pressing down on their camera shutters to capture the arrival of the Oro Jackson. One reporter curled his lips into a smirk of disdain.
"Idiots. Our newsroom had insider information ages ago about Orin-sama being a Celestial Dragon. President Morgans just didn't dare publish anything without Orin-sama's permission, that's all."
With the cameras flashing and live feeds broadcasting, the news of Orin being a Celestial Dragon would, without a doubt, spread across the entire Grand Line in no time.
A man who held half the seas in his hands.
The Emperor of the Underworld.
A ruler of the seas.
A legendary pirate who dominated an entire era.
Orin...turned out to be a Celestial Dragon!!!
Once this news spread, it was certain to shake the foundations of the entire world. At the very least, it would trigger massive shifts in the global power balance, and at worst...the hype surrounding the Great Pirate Era might cool by half overnight!!!
"Truly cunning, Sengoku… or perhaps I should say, the Elders."
Under the focus of countless cameras and eyes, a figure dressed in an elegant black-and-purple formal suit, draped in a gray cloak, slowly stepped onto the ship's bow.
His long hair was casually draped behind him, and his handsome face carried a faint, helpless smile.
(Celestial Dragon, Legendary Pirate)
(Bounty: 4,490,000,000 Belly)
"It seems the World Government thinks us, the [Shichibukai], don't weigh enough on the scales," Crocodile said, holding her cigar between her lips, her shadowed gaze sweeping over the cameras and Den Den Mushi. "The real centerpiece of today's drama is you, the so-called 'Legendary Pirate.'"
"Manipulating public opinion, making the world believe that the legendary Black Emperor has already sided with the World Government and the Marines…" Mihawk crossed his arms, a rare note of mockery in his voice. "That's exactly the kind of scheme those politicians would pull."
It was obvious neither of them held this kind of ploy in any regard.
"Doesn't matter," Orin said indifferently. "The World Government has given me respect plenty of times before. Giving them one back won't kill me."
He truly didn't care much. Titles, status — none of it could restrain or affect him at this point.
Taking a slow step forward—
In the next moment, four figures appeared simultaneously at the Marine Headquarters' port plaza.
"Click—!"
"Click—!"
Countless flashes erupted as reporters captured every second of Orin's arrival alongside the others.
In the camera's view, Orin stood directly before Sengoku, a faint curve on his lips as he looked at the man who had once forced him to retreat, wounded and fleeing.
Orin didn't mock him or gloat. Over the years, his vision — and his capacity for tolerance — had grown.
He merely patted Sengoku on the shoulder.
"Thanks for handling things this time, Admiral Sengoku."
Orin stepped past Sengoku and continued walking into the plaza, where he saw lines of soldiers flanking both sides of a wide road, like royal guards welcoming an emperor.
"I'm just here for a little visit, and you roll out such a grand reception?"
It seemed the Marines — or rather, the World Government — were truly willing to go all out to bind Orin firmly to their side.
Even the dignity of the Marines had to make way for Orin's passage.
Just then, a man clad in a flamboyant pink feathered coat, only slightly shorter than Orin, stepped out from the ranks with a wide smile.
"Welcome to Marineford, Orin-sama."
Donquixote Doflamingo's heart was racing, eager to make his presence felt before Orin, so he jumped forward first.
But Orin's reaction immediately sent a chill straight through his chest.
Through his crimson-tinted shades, Doflamingo saw Orin's pleasant expression instantly cool upon laying eyes on him.
Orin's tone was detached and faintly mocking:
"Oh~ if it isn't Doffy, the King of Dressrosa… the underground's very own 'Joker.'"
The more Doflamingo listened, the colder his back became. By the last sentence, his body was trembling.
"I've heard quite a bit lately… seems your influence in the underworld has grown considerably. Funny thing, though — every competitor of yours has… mysteriously disappeared, leaving no trace behind. No one even remembers they existed~"
No way…!!!
You've got to be kidding me!!!
Doflamingo's pupils shrank to needle points. If it weren't for the crowd around them, he might have dropped to his knees right there.
The power of his String-String Fruit wasn't the problem — it was something else. His Hobby-Hobby Fruit secret, the one ability only his most trusted family members knew about.
There was absolutely no way Orin should know about it.
Unless… there's a traitor within the Donquixote Family?!
Frozen in place, Doflamingo's body was slick with cold sweat, raining down his temples.
"Watch yourself, Doffy."
Orin patted Doflamingo's shoulder as well, then continued forward, leading Mihawk, Crocodile, Kuma, and the others toward the reception hall.
Mihawk passed Doflamingo without a glance.
Crocodile, however, shot the flamboyant man a sidelong, disdainful look.
"Not sure what you did, but it looks like you've stepped right into deep shit, Doflamingo."
Doflamingo's face darkened, but he didn't bother responding. His mind was spinning too fast to care about Crocodile's taunt.
Because he realized something terrifying.
Orin-sama...seemed displeased with him.
"That's… really bad news…"
His thoughts scrambled, Doflamingo quickly turned around and strode after Orin, following him into the reception hall.
He had to admit it.
He was scared.
The scale of Doflamingo's current power was nothing compared to the scope of his underworld influence. Overthrowing a kingdom was one thing — but his empire, his dominance over the dark trade routes, that was another matter entirely.
Without Orin's protection, just his rivals — and the other Yonko-level pirates — would tear him apart.
Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, even many of Orin's own subordinates would happily make an example out of him.
And beyond that… only Orin possessed the means to restore his Celestial Dragon status.
Before reaching the reception hall, Doflamingo quickened his pace, drawing closer until he was walking alongside Orin, right beside Crocodile.
Gone was any trace of arrogance or swagger. The so-called Heavenly Yaksha was drenched in cold sweat, his voice trembling as he bowed his head slightly.
"I… I humbly beg you, Orin-sama…"
"Please… grant me a chance to make things right."