Rising flas painted the evening sky crimson.
The Red Force slowly sailed toward the distance. The mbers of the Red-Haired Pirates laughed and cried at once, raising their glasses together in a farewell toast to Uta — bidding her goodbye in their own way.
Orin was not soone who cried easily. He simply sat on the mast, gazing into the distance at the burning Elegia.
Little Uta had already woken up. She cried and scread, wanting to return to the ship, but there was nothing she could do.
"For the sake of dreams, we part ways... that’s freedom upon the sea too~"
Orin smiled, leaning against the nearby pillar. With a flick of his hand, the majestic Seagull King spread its wings and soared into the sky, clutching a Den Den Mushi cara.
Through its lens, the image froze:
Orin sat atop the highest mast of the Red Force. Below him, the Red-Haired Pirates raised their glasses high. In the distance, the Kingdom of Elegia was completely consud — nothing but crimson flas everywhere.
"Report, sir! Only two survivors found in the Kingdom of Elegia! The entire nation has been wiped out! We also discovered the Red-Haired Pirates’ ship nearby — should we attack?"
The reconnaissance soldier rushed across the deck, panting heavily. They had been sailing at full speed since receiving the call.
But in the end, they were still too late. The Music Kingdom, Elegia... had perished!!!
"..."
Facing the soldier’s question, the Marine officer turned his gaze toward the Red Force. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"All personnel — do not make a single move!!!"
"Nani?!!"
The soldiers froze in confusion at the command, but they dared not disobey. They could only watch as the pirate ship slowly sailed away.
The officer himself was furious — but it was useless...
He had been in the Marines for many years and had seen this kind of thing far too many tis. When soone bore the title of Celestial Dragon and pirate at the sa ti, even the destruction of Elegia was in vain.
Just like what had happened at God Valley.
What could they do? Attack the Celestial Dragons for the civilians they killed?
Impossible. Even if they tried, none of the Marines on this mission would make it back alive.
That was the World Governnt.
As for Orin — of course he noticed the countless Marine battleships around. Yet, he didn’t care much.
If anything, it was Shanks who later seed a little drunk — perhaps from saying goodbye to the daughter he had raised for so many years, unable to bear the sorrow in his heart.
"Heh heh heh... hic... hey, Orin, that scar on your chest — where’d you get it? There’s soone on this sea who could actually hurt you?"
"Oh, that..."
Before Orin could answer, Shanks pointed to the three claw marks over his left eye.
"Let tell ya, these ca from..."
Half-drunk and slurring, Shanks clearly wanted to drink himself senseless. He’d had too much already, his words incoherent.
But Orin knew. Those scars — weren’t they from Teach? After all, a man who could one day beco an Emperor of the Sea...
If it were only thanks to a Devil Fruit, he’d never hold one of the world’s four greatest thrones. His Haki was extraordinary as well.
As for himself...
Orin brushed his fingers over the cross-shaped scar on the side of his chest. That one had sothing to do with Teach’s father — left behind by one of the great pirates of the Rocks Pirates.
...
Soon after,
the Seagulls that carried the news spread their wings and took off toward every corner of the world. A single headline shook the seas to their core.
"The Vanished Elegia — The Black Gun and the Red Hair!!!"
"A Nation in Flas, An Era in Chaos!!!"
"Shocking!!! The True Cause of a Kingdom’s Destruction Is..."
New World — Duramos Kingdom.
In the lavish, golden palace, an old man with glasses was leaning over a desk, reading the newspaper.
"Your Majesty, it’s ti for your al."
Old Keek waved his hand, signaling the maid not to disturb him. Frowning, he peered at the newspaper through a magnifying glass.
"That brat... there’s been less and less news about him lately. Used to be every single day..."
He smacked his lips unhappily.
But the next mont, his body froze. His eyes locked onto the figure in the front photo. The magnifying glass zood in on Orin’s bare chest —
and the very clear cross-shaped scar upon it.
"This..."
"Soone actually injured Orin? Which *@#% bastard did this!!!"
Though he sounded harsh, it was clear that he cared deeply for his only grandson. Orin had never had a single scar before!
Old Keek stomped around the palace, cursing up a storm, so furious he lost his appetite completely.
...
East Blue — Cocoyasi Village.
Buggy and his n were stationed around the outskirts of the village. Wrapped in bandages, he glanced over the newspaper his subordinates brought him.
Suddenly, his eyes widened in disbelief. Blood vessels bulged, his eyes popped, and his tongue hung straight out.
"Wha... what the hell is this?! Orin’s with that bastard Shanks?!!"
Buggy nearly fainted from rage.
Especially since in the photo, Orin was sitting on Shanks’ ship — and there were piles of treasure chests stacked on the deck!
Instantly, Buggy’s imagination went wild — picturing scenes like:
Orin helping Shanks raid treasures... Orin losing faith in Buggy... Orin deciding to side with Shanks instead.
So jealous...
For the first ti, Buggy’s heart wavered. A flicker of regret surfaced — regret for not agreeing to help Orin beco the Pirate King.
"Damn it!!!!"
"I could’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with that bastard Shanks!!!"
...
"Impossible. Orin-san could never do sothing like that."
Marine Headquarters — Marineford.
In the Marine officers’ lounge, Doll held the newspaper in her hand. The more she read, the angrier she beca — slamming her palm down on the table.
With that single blow, the entire table split clean in half.
In the eting room, Sengoku and Garp were already discussing the matter.
"Elegia has been destroyed."
"Seems it was done by the Black Gun and the Red Hair."
But Sengoku, having access to more detailed intelligence, imdiately asserted,
"It’s likely connected to the Demon King of Song."
"Still, they went too far."
Before they could finish, Doll burst into the room. Sengoku sighed, already feeling a headache coming.
"Doll, this isn’t sothing the Marines can interfere with. We also believe Orin-sama isn’t the type to destroy a nation for no reason. But if the public narrative exists..."
"He probably allowed it himself."
Then Sengoku explained the relationship between Shanks and Orin.
Doll froze for a mont — and imdiately ca to a conclusion.
"It was definitely that Red Hair Shanks!!!"
That gentle man who had taught her about Haki... who shared fine als with her... who toured Marineford with her — graceful, calm, and handso Orin-san...
How could he possibly destroy a nation at will?
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