It turned out that the old Golden Lion had truly been captured by the World Government.
To catch a man like him, they must have dispatched someone of Garp's caliber—or perhaps even stronger.
Around the deck of the Moby Dick, Doflamingo, Hancock, and Dracule Mihawk stood frozen in disbelief.
They knew Golden Lion Shiki's strength better than anyone—after all, they had fought him not long ago.
Though age had touched his body, his might was undiminished, and his army of airborne beasts alone could rival a small nation's military. No one expected that the World Government would succeed in capturing him.
When the camera turned toward Shiki, instead of shame or fear, the old pirate threw his head back and laughed madly.
"Hahahahaha! Isn't my angle handsome? You despicable dogs of the World Government! You'll never defeat Thorne Ashveil! You fools know nothing of his power!" Shiki roared, his voice echoing across the world through the broadcast.
Kong's expression hardened. With a sharp gesture, the feed cut away from Shiki's mocking grin to the next set of captives.
This time, the camera revealed two men bound in layers of Sea Stone chains.
One was a burly, towering figure whose muscles strained against his restraints—Douglas Bullet, the so-called Demon Heir.
Beside him stood a long-bearded pirate, equally infamous—Byrnndi World, the World Destroyer.
"They even caught Bullet and World?" someone gasped from the gathered crowd watching the feed.
"They must have escaped from Impel-Down because of Ashveil!"
"I can't believe the Marines captured them again so soon!"
"The World Government's strength is deeper than we thought!"
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, his voice low and grave.
"That man, Bullet… back when he sailed with Roger, he could fight Silvers Rayleigh to a standstill. And that 'World Destroyer'—he was once called a pirate equal to me."
He exhaled slowly. "To think they managed to capture even them… The Government has prepared for every outcome this time."
Marco nodded solemnly.
"Yeah. They're going all in, Pops. They've planned this move for years."
As the camera lingered on the two captured legends, both men suddenly laughed, their voices filled with mockery and fury.
"Hahaha! Marines, what kind of justice is this? Overwhelming numbers and shackles? You think this is victory?" Bullet sneered, his scarred face twisted into a grin.
"You pathetic dogs," he growled, "you dream of defeating Ashveil? Keep dreaming."
World smirked beside him, his tone dripping with venom.
"World Government trash! You wanted to recruit me to fight against him? Hah! Do you even deserve the honor?!"
Their laughter filled the broadcast, and murmurs rippled across the world.
At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku's glasses flashed as light reflected off the lenses. His jaw tightened.
"These fools still don't understand," he muttered, cold fury in his tone.
The feed switched again—this time showing a purple-haired old man, one arm replaced by a massive iron crusher.
Gasps erupted across every viewing den.
"That's… Zephyr! The former Marine Admiral!"
"I remember him! He came to our island once to hunt pirates!"
"I heard his whole family was slaughtered by pirates, but even then, he never killed anyone—people called him the Admiral Who Doesn't Kill! How could someone like him be in chains?"
On the Moby Dick, Doflamingo's grin faded.
"So that's why Golden Lion and Zephyr never returned after saying they'd bring gifts for Ashveil," he murmured. "They were captured."
Zephyr's calm eyes met the camera. He took a deep breath before speaking in a steady, resonant voice.
"You hypocrites of the World Government—stop hiding behind that word, justice."
His iron arm clenched.
"Justice is just a flag you wave to maintain your control. If you truly upheld justice, how could you ally with the same pirates who've burned and slaughtered across the seas?"
Then, with a bitter laugh, Zephyr threw his head back.
"Hahaha! You call this justice? You're the real scourge of this world!"
His words struck deep. All over the world, people watching the live broadcast began to murmur.
"Zephyr's right… why would the Marines work with Kaido and Big Mom?"
"Even if Ashveil committed crimes, he never harmed civilians or enslaved people. But Kaido and Linlin? They destroy entire nations!"
"They're only attacking him because he angered the Celestial Dragons!"
"And for that, they call this justice?"
Among the Supernovas, Eustass Kid burst into laughter, his metallic arm gleaming under the screen's light.
"Justice? What a joke! I saw through this world long ago!"
Kong's face darkened. Nearby, the Gorosei exchanged silent glances, their expressions grim.
Even Kaido, Big Mom, and several of the Shichibukai frowned slightly—Zephyr's words had stung.
The Marine broadcast crew, flustered, hastily cut back to Kong.
Kong leaned forward, shouting into the den den mushi microphone, spittle flying.
"Thorne Ashveil! I'm giving you one last chance! Surrender now, or your fate will be the same as theirs!"
"If you don't surrender within three minutes," he thundered, "the entire United Army will begin a full-scale assault!"
The world held its breath.
And then, as if to drive the tension higher, five imposing figures appeared on the broadcast—the Gorosei themselves.
One, bald with a long beard, stepped forward.
Another, with blonde hair and a scar across his face, folded his arms.
The others radiated silent menace.
"That's right, Thorne Ashveil," one of them said coldly. "We, the Five Elders, have come in person. This war is under our command, and our goal is your annihilation. Surrender now, and perhaps your crew will be spared."
Their unified voices carried across the world like a thunderclap. Even through the screen, the pressure of their presence made countless viewers shiver.
"The Gorosei?! Who are they?"
"I thought Commander-in-Chief Kong was the highest authority!"
"So the World Government had power even above him…"
Across the globe, kings and nobles exchanged fearful glances. To see the Gorosei themselves leading the assault was proof enough—the World Government was dead serious.
"Looks like that great pirate, Thorne Ashveil, is doomed," whispered one of the kings watching from Mary Geoise.
Meanwhile, out at sea, Kaido and Big Mom burst into cruel laughter aboard their massive ships.
"Worororo! So, the Five Elders themselves move against you, Ashveil!" Kaido's booming voice echoed through the waves. "You can only blame yourself for being too arrogant!"
Big Mom grinned, her massive tongue running over her teeth.
"Mamamamama! This time, little boy, you're finished!"
The entire world watched, the oceans silent but for the sound of the wind.
Every pirate, Marine, and civilian knew one truth—something was about to happen that would shake history itself.
And far away, on the Moby Dick, Thorne Ashveil finally set down his controller.
He smiled faintly, eyes glinting like steel.
He muttered,
"Good."
He rose slowly to his feet, his presence shifting. Even the air seemed to still around him.
"Then let's make sure they remember my name."
____
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