The battlefield, once filled with the deafening sounds of clashing weapons, gradually quieted as the Four Emperors gathered.
Across the world, screens that had gone dark with no images suddenly flickered back to life. The broadcasts resumed with a faint hiss, revealing a shocking scene: the fierce battle that had shaken the seas had come to an abrupt halt.
Viewers from every corner of the globe stared at their screens in silence, unable to comprehend what they were seeing.
"No way… The Four Emperors gathered at Marineford?"
A voice, soft and dreamlike, broke the silence. People instinctively slapped their cheeks, the sting of pain confirming the reality of what they were witnessing. This was no dream.
"Hurry, hurry! Write up the report! The Sea Breeze News must be the first to publish this!"
"Use this headline: 'The Day of World Change! The Dawn of a New Era!'"
In the frantic rush of newsrooms, the astonishing news spread like wildfire across the globe.
On the now-quiet battlefield, Kizaru disengaged from another exchange of punches with Whitebeard. Standing apart, they turned their gazes toward Kaido and Charlotte Linlin.
"Kizaru, don't you think we've played our parts long enough?" Whitebeard asked with a smirk.
"I suppose so. Tell your crew lying on the ground to get up. If this continues, they might get caught in the crossfire of what's next."
Kizaru casually pulled out a pair of sunglasses and adjusted them as he glanced toward the remaining three Emperors near the port.
"I'll take care of Charlotte Linlin. You handle Shanks."
Lowering his body slightly, the wind tugged at the admiral's cloak as he prepared himself.
"After this, we're heading to fight the World Government. I'm so excited~!"
With a golden flash, Kizaru vanished into a streak of light, chuckling.
"Kurararara! That boy's more eager than I expected."
Whitebeard planted Cong Yunqie into the ground and grinned. The faint white aura surrounding him brightened as he began walking through the air with heavy steps, carrying his weapon with ease.
Thud.
Whitebeard landed lightly in front of Shanks. Glancing down at the curious Luffy by his side, he spoke.
"Red-haired brat, join the navy."
Shanks, who had been deep in thought, responded with a wry smile. Taking a long drag from his cigarette, he turned to observe the orderly retreat of the Whitebeard Pirates into Marineford under their captains' commands.
In the dim light, Shanks exhaled smoke and met Whitebeard's gaze. "Why? You're Ace's father. What are you saying?"
Luffy, stunned by Whitebeard's words, shouted, "Why?! Aren't you here to save Ace? Isn't he your most respected son?! You…"
Wham!
A blackened fist struck, and Luffy collapsed unconscious. Whitebeard glanced at him briefly before retracting his fist.
"The tides of the era have arrived. This isn't the time for childish pirate games," he said coldly.
Reaching out, Whitebeard raised a single finger toward Shanks. "If you want to know why, I'll tell you. Whether you accept it is your choice. This new era is no longer the age of pirates."
As the finger moved closer to Shanks' forehead, the red-haired captain smirked. Halting his crew from intervening, Shanks took one last drag of his cigarette, exhaling slowly before flicking it away.
"Alright, go ahead."
"Kurararara! You've made the right choice, Red-Haired Brat."
Whitebeard's finger touched Shanks' forehead, a stream of information flowing directly into his mind. As his vision blurred, Shanks staggered slightly but was steadied by Benn Beckman.
Shaking his head, Shanks quickly processed the new knowledge. His eyes gleamed with understanding as he stood straight once more. He waved reassuringly to his concerned crew before turning his attention to Whitebeard and the others watching from the high platform.
With a faint smile, Shanks spoke. "The Red-Haired Pirates agree to join the navy."
"Captain!"
"Captain! What are you saying?!"
The outcry from his crew was immediate. Shanks turned back, grinning at their disbelief.
"Don't you trust my decision?"
The crew fell silent, exchanging glances before bursting into laughter.
"Hahaha! Looks like our captain's drunk again."
"But he's our captain. If he's decided to join the navy, then we'll join the navy too."
Laughing and joking, the Red-Haired Pirates rallied behind Shanks, even if his choice seemed absurd.
On the high platform, Hiroshi patted Klee and the other children on their heads, handing them a Den Den Mushi and a microphone.
"Here, I have a little task for you. You three will be reporters now. Your mission is to broadcast the events here to the entire world."
Crouching to their level, Hiroshi smiled. "Can you do it?"
"Mm~" Qiqi gently touched the Den Den Mushi's head. "Qiqi will try… her best."
"Then I'll leave it to you three." Hiroshi stood, pulling Venti and Lumine over.
"You two, keep an eye on them," he instructed seriously before nodding to Zhongli, who stood nearby with crossed arms. Turning, Hiroshi descended toward the battlefield.
Zhongli smiled, taking Liyue's outstretched hand while stopping Venti from sneaking away. Reluctantly, Lumine accepted the Den Den Mushi from Klee, stepping into her role as camerawoman. Meanwhile, Venti was reluctantly assigned to provide music.
As the screens worldwide flickered, the tense audience was caught off guard. The new broadcast began, featuring a little girl with a peculiar charm on her forehead.
Accompanied by soft harp music, three adorable girls appeared on screen. Behind them, the young man they called "Brother Hiroshi" could be seen descending toward the battlefield.
Holding a large microphone in both hands, Qiqi looked calmly at the Den Den Mushi.
"Next, Klee, Liyue, and I will explain everything to you."