People all over the world gathered in front of their video Den Den Mushi finally regained their senses.

"So it’s finally starting..."

"This all-out war that will decide the fate of the world..."

On islands across the seas, countless people stared at the giant screens with their fists clenched tightly as they unconsciously swallowed hard, trying to suppress their emotions.

It felt as though hot blood was rushing to their heads, leaving their mouths dry. Excitement gathered in their eyes as they waited for that man to speak...

* * *

At the peak of Reverse Mountain.

A complete opposite to the Holy Land of Mariejois.

Far away from the entrance, upon the barren Red Line, a simple house had been built there at some unknown point. The supplies inside were complete and plentiful, enough for an ordinary person to live comfortably for quite some time.

The burning fireplace drove away some of the cold from this place high above the clouds.

Whoosh!

Carlo teleported there with Robin.

The video Den Den Mushi inside the room was currently broadcasting Sakazuki stepping onto the execution platform.

Looking at Sakazuki on the screen, Carlo smiled faintly before speaking to Robin. "You’ll stay here for a while and wait until I contact you."

Robin silently looked at him for a moment. "Is it dangerous?"

Carlo smiled. "A little, but it’s nothing serious."

He raised his hand and gently patted Robin’s shoulder. "Wait for me to come back."

Whoosh!

His figure disappeared.

Robin took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the unease in her heart.

Shaking her head, she stopped thinking about it and turned toward the video Den Den Mushi, where Sakazuki had already picked up the communicator and was preparing to speak...

* * *

New World, New Marineford.

On the execution platform.

The coat of Justice fluttered slightly in the wind as that figure, who seemed capable of suppressing heaven and earth itself, slowly raised the communicator in his hand.

Sakazuki’s steady voice spread across the entire world.

"Everyone. Today’s execution carries tremendous significance."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"It represents the end of the Great Pirate Era. It also represents this war finally reaching its conclusion.

"Since the beginning of the war against pirates, over two years have passed.

"Countless brave Marine soldiers have sacrificed themselves in the New World. More than a hundred thousand have died in battle alone. They gave their lives for the sake of the world.

"Their sacrifices were worthwhile. Their deaths carried extraordinary meaning.

"With countless Marines courageously advancing wave after wave, we divided the pirates, exterminated them, and gradually forced them into the final encirclement."

The screen suddenly switched to a map marked as the New World.

Numerous islands were covered with Marine flags, occupying four-fifths of the New World. Only a single remaining region still bore pirate flags, completely surrounded by the Marines.

At a glance, anyone could clearly understand the state of the war in the New World.

As the image changed, Sakazuki’s voice continued to echo.

"The tremor from the day before yesterday was something many of you likely felt, especially those living on islands in the West Blue and North Blue.

"That day... we detonated the second End Point island."

The screen changed again to the area where the island had completely vanished, leaving behind only endlessly erupting magma.

"This marked the beginning of the final decisive battle.

"And in one stroke, we destroyed all forces belonging to the pirates Knox and Shanks. The remaining pirate remnants have now gathered in the central region and are being exterminated by the Marines.

"Now, on behalf of the Marines and on behalf of Justice, I officially announce to the people of the world and to the Marine soldiers who sacrificed themselves throughout this long war..."

The screen switched back to Sakazuki as he took a deep breath.

"The so-called Great Pirate Era... IS OVER!!!!"

At that moment, even heaven and earth seemed to fall silent.

* * *

On the screen, the instant Sakazuki finished speaking, the soldiers lined up across Headquarters Plaza completely lost control. Deafening cheers erupted and spread throughout the world through the video Den Den Mushi.

The people watching around the world were jolted awake by those voices.

All other thoughts vanished from their minds. Only the words ’It’s over’ echoed repeatedly in their ears.

"It’s over..."

"It’s over..."

No one knew who shouted first, but suddenly everyone began yelling with uncontrollable excitement.

"It’s over!!!!!"

The civilians watching could no longer contain their emotions. They grabbed the shoulders of the people beside them while continuously shouting those same two words.

Some people shouted until they finally broke down into loud sobs, perhaps remembering family members murdered by pirates, or maybe the hometowns that had already become blurry in their memories.

A little girl looked at her mother and the crying people around them. "Mom, why is everyone crying?"

Hearing her daughter’s words, the little girl’s mother wiped away her tears. She crouched down and hugged her daughter tightly while explaining in a trembling voice, "Because everyone is very happy."

The little girl still looked confused. "But don’t people cry when they’re sad? Why do they cry when they’re happy too?"

The mother’s arms tightened around her daughter.

The hometown burned into ashes by flames... her neighbors, parents, older brother...

At this moment, they all became clear once again, as though they were standing right before her, smiling and waving at her from afar.

The little girl’s mother smiled as well while her voice trembled. "Because... it’s over..."

It sounded like she was explaining it to her daughter, yet also explaining it to herself. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Or perhaps she wanted to tell her lost family and destroyed hometown that the sinful Great Pirate Era... was finally over...

* * *

New World, New Marineford.

Sakazuki stood atop the execution platform and quietly waited as the soldiers released their emotions through roaring cheers.

Once it had mostly calmed down, he slightly raised his hand.

The entire island instantly fell silent.

The reporters at headquarters swallowed hard in shock. One second earlier, the world had still been filled with noise. The next second, it had become so quiet that even breathing could be heard...

Standing atop the execution platform, Sakazuki continued speaking.

"Twenty-two years ago, the pirate Roger used deceptive words to manipulate the world. He tempted people into becoming pirates and created endless suffering.

"And now, we will put an end to the lie Roger created."

Sakazuki walked to the side where the enormous device holding the Poneglyph stood.

"To become Pirate King, one must gather all four Road Poneglyphs, then find someone capable of deciphering the Poneglyphs and use them to interpret the contents of those four stones to obtain the route to the final island.

"Only then can one obtain the so-called ’Great Treasure.’

"The four Road Poneglyphs are scattered across the world. Some are constantly moving, while others are hidden within the palaces of pirate emperors. This has already been mentioned before.

"And what we intend to do... is make them disappear completely..."

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