Chapter 383: A Grand and Turbulent Era
Chapter 383: A Grand and Turbulent Era
High above in the clouds, countless islands of varying sizes floated silently in the sky, presenting a breathtaking spectacle.
On one of these islands...
"Admiral! Admiral!!"
A pirate rushed frantically toward a room within a building, passing through and emerging into a small courtyard, panting heavily.
Standing in the courtyard was a figure with golden hair, a ship's wheel lodged in his head, and two sword blades where his legs should have been from the calves down. He was one of the three great legendary pirates alongside the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, and Whitebeard, Edward Newgate—the man who once single-handedly invaded and destroyed half of the Marine Headquarters—
Golden Lion Shiki!
"What's with all the panic...?"
"Is there a storm coming?"
Shiki, with a cigar in his mouth, sent a wisp of smoke curling upward as he frowned at the sight of his subordinate rushing in, breathless and unable to speak. He feared storms the most, or rather, his Devil Fruit ability was susceptible to them, as they interfered with his power and could plunge his aerial fleet into chaos or even destruction.
The subordinate panted heavily, his eyes still wide with disbelief, and managed to utter in a trembling voice, "No... It's not a storm... It's the World... The World Government... No, the Holy Land of Mariejois has been destroyed!"
"..."
Golden Lion's expression froze.
As one of the powers that loomed over the vast ocean, he had once razed the Marine Headquarters and even attempted to join forces with Roger to rule the world, showing no fear of the World Government.
In fact, if Roger had been willing to join forces with him and utilized the knowledge of the ancient weapons, they would have had the qualifications to dominate the world.
However, their negotiations ultimately fell through, and that clash ended in his defeat.
With the power he possessed at the time, or even with the might of Roger's pirate crew, they could, at most, stand against the Marines but were far from capable of challenging the World Government. Only by joining forces and employing the ancient weapons would it have been possible.
Yet now, with Roger deceased and Shiki having 'retired' and biding his time for over a decade, someone had destroyed Mariejois! Even he
couldn't help but be moved.
"Was it that Whitebeard fellow? Although he's powerful, he shouldn't be capable of such a feat."
Shiki stared intently at his subordinate and spoke in a low voice.
With Roger dead and Shiki having lost his legs, Whitebeard was the only remaining living legend and the ruler of this era. However, Whitebeard's strength alone shouldn't have been enough to raze Mariejois to the ground.
"No... It wasn't Whitebeard..."
"It's said... that it was the same person who defeated the Marine Admiral, Sengoku..."
Shiki's subordinate spoke in a trembling voice.
Golden Lion Shiki's eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked, "Was it that kid?"
For someone standing at the pinnacle of the vast ocean like him, there were few who could garner his respect, including Whitebeard, Roger, Garp, and Sengoku.
Back when he was with the Rocks Pirates, the only person he acknowledged as an equal was Whitebeard. He didn't hold Kaido or Big Mom in high regard.
Feng Ye, who had defeated Sengoku, had crossed the threshold to earn his acknowledgment.
"He really has..."
"...accomplished a remarkable feat."
Golden Lion took a deep breath.
Golden Lion suddenly laughed, and after a moment, his eyes flashed with a gleam as he said, "Since even the Holy Land has been destroyed, they ought to be feeling the fear now. In that case, my plan for revenge is meaningless, and so..."
The reason he had planned to lie low for over a decade was to research mutated creatures and turn countless sea creatures into fearsome monsters, striking fear into the hearts of the World Government and the Marines.
But now, that plan seemed pointless.
Furthermore, with the destruction of the Holy Land, he could foresee a new era unfolding on the vast ocean, with more heroes rising, some joining the Navy, and others becoming pirates, clashing and waging war, shaping the future in a grand and tumultuous age!
"Admiral?" Shiki's subordinate asked cautiously.
Shiki exhaled a puff of smoke and finally made his decision. With a grin, he said, "The age has already begun to run amok. Since that's the case, how can this era do without my presence? Cancel the original plan. It's time to return to the sea!"
"Yes!"
"Admiral!"
Shiki's subordinate's face lit up with excitement.
Compared to hiding on these islands, spending their days idle and living like farmers, there was no doubt that sailing the seas and engaging in battles was far more exhilarating and blood-boiling!
...
Similar events unfolded across the world.
The destruction of the Holy Land of Mariejois set off a chain of subsequent events, making the battles among the powers in the New World even more bloody and intense, and plunging the sea into greater chaos.
Correspondingly, as the sea grew more turbulent, more powerful figures with extraordinary strength joined the Navy to counter the rising evil forces.
This vast ocean had entered its most chaotic era!
A single sentence from the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, before his execution, had ushered in the Great Pirate Era. Now, the destruction of the Holy Land of Mariejois had propelled this era to its peak in an incredibly short time!
...
Above the Red Line.
A ship floated in the sky, passing directly over the Red Line.
On the ship's deck, Robin leaned against the railing, gazing down at the Red Line below. Where the Holy Land of Mariejois once stood, there was now only desolation.
Visible to the naked eye were two black arcs on either side, the remains of the destroyed Mariejois, piled up on both sides of the Red Line.
She retracted her gaze and looked at Feng Ye, who stood at a distance. In a slow and measured tone, she said, "You are indeed a god, Mr. Feng."
Even though she was an archaeologist and a skeptic, the power that Feng Ye had displayed transcended the realm of humans.
The very act of destroying the Holy Land of Mariejois sounded like a fantastical dream, yet it had happened right before her eyes.
Moreover, having spent time with Feng Ye and understanding him better than most, she felt that he was not merely a traveler.
He was more akin to...
A deity walking among mortals!
Feng Ye stood at the bow of the ship, and upon hearing Robin's words, he turned his head and offered her a gentle smile.
"If you wish to define me by my power, then yes, I suppose that definition fits," he said. "However, humans and gods are fundamentally different."
"In the true sense," he continued, "I am indeed just an ordinary human."
(End of Chapter)
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