One Piece: Capitalist Brook's Crew Expansion Plan

Chapter 61: Explosive News

Chapter 61 - 61: Explosive News

The Golden Ark had already set sail, its sails furled as it vanished into the depths of the ocean. Only a small black pirate flag fluttered atop the mast—the flag of the Hell Pirates.

"No!! Brook, you can't leave! Bring back Saint Rosward at once!!"

Vice Admiral Dolodo watched in horror as the coated Golden Ark submerged into the sea. A shiver ran down his spine—his career in the Navy was as good as over.

The reinforcements from Marine Headquarters hadn't even arrived yet, and a Celestial Dragon had already been kidnapped. How was he supposed to explain this to the World Government? Memories of the Celestial Dragons' cruelty and despicable nature flashed through his mind, and a desperate thought surfaced—desertion. If he defected now, he might still have a chance to survive. Otherwise, facing the wrath of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons meant certain death. Besides, being a loyal lapdog to the Celestial Dragons had never earned him much favor at Marine Headquarters.

Before long, distant cries of panic filled the air as pirates and residents who had been knocked out began to regain consciousness. Their eyes widened in terror, and they fled in all directions, desperate to escape the looming disaster about to befall the Sabaody Archipelago.

"Ahhh! A Celestial Dragon is dead! Run! An Admiral is coming!"

A panicked pirate shouted as he sprinted back to his ship, determined to escape the island before the inevitable storm arrived.

"The Celestial Dragon is really dead! Everyone, take cover!"

Shipwrights, coaters, and locals rushed to their homes, hastily gathering their belongings before fleeing to other islands for safety.

"What? His Excellency the Celestial Dragon is dead?!"

Vice Admiral Dolodo grabbed a terrified coater by the collar, his hands trembling as he demanded an answer, his face twisted in disbelief.

A short distance away, Viscount Nass had also heard the horrifying news. It wasn't just a kidnapping—the Celestial Dragon had been killed?!

"No! Please, Marine-sama, don't kill me! The Celestial Dragon disappeared right there! That massive crater—it was a pillar of lightning! He was reduced to nothing!"

The coater thrashed wildly in Dolodo's grip before being tossed aside as the vice admiral staggered forward, his expression blank.

"Saint Rosward... is dead?"

Dolodo's trembling steps led him toward the massive, still-smoldering crater. Amid the scorched earth, he spotted a few gleaming alloy medals—the only remains of the Celestial Dragon's elaborate attire.

"Viscount Nass, we need to leave! Now!"

Several merchants urged him to return to his homeland, but Nass was already running. He had grown up listening to his father, a count, speak of the terror the Celestial Dragons inspired.

He knew exactly what their wrath entailed.

Saint Rosward's death was an earth-shattering event. If he didn't flee now, he might not live to see another day. His only thought was to return to the Valoran Kingdom and hide, even if his country was still locked in a bitter war with the Vodka Kingdom. No battlefield could be as dangerous as Sabaody at this moment.

The merchants scrambled to follow him, hastily boarding their ships and setting sail, desperate to escape the impending chaos.

Dolodo, now completely resigned to his fate, solidified his decision to defect. If staying meant certain death, then running was his only option. He pulled out his Den Den Mushi, calling his wife and family, urging them to flee as quickly as possible.

Turning to his remaining marines, he took a deep breath and cast off his Justice cape.

"Listen up! A Celestial Dragon has been killed. The World Government and the Celestial Dragons will seek vengeance, and we are all potential scapegoats. I'm leaving the Marines and heading for the New World as a pirate.

If any of you wish to come with me, take off your uniforms. If not, flee while you still can, or return to base and seek protection from Marine Headquarters!"

Despite his years of service under the Celestial Dragons, some sliver of morality still remained in Dolodo. He refused to force his subordinates into piracy against their will.

A portion of the marines chose to follow him, immediately preparing their ships for coating so they could escape to the New World.

Some, unwilling to become pirates but too afraid of the Celestial Dragons' wrath, discarded their uniforms and deserted, opting to return to their hometowns instead.

Others, still believing in the power of the World Government, remained loyal, choosing to report back to Marine Headquarters and await further orders.

As the news of the Celestial Dragon's death spread through Sabaody, panic gripped the entire island. Even criminals from the lawless zone withdrew, unwilling to risk being caught in the aftermath. Businesses shuttered their doors—theme parks, sightseeing areas, shipyards, inns, restaurants, and bars all closed down. The only exception was the coating sector, which saw an explosion of demand as ships scrambled to leave for the New World.

...

Back at the Marine branch base, the remaining marines had no choice but to report the incident to Marine Headquarters.

"What?! Saint Rosward is dead?! And World Peace Dove News Agency President Toko as well?!"

Fleet Admiral expression darkened. This news was nothing short of catastrophic.

"Yes, Fleet Admiral. And... Vice Admiral Dolodo, fearing retribution, has defected to the New World."

The marine speaking hesitated before revealing that Dolodo had asked him to delay the report to give his family more time to escape.

"That bastard fled out of cowardice?! Issue an arrest warrant! I want him brought back in chains!"

"Fleet Admiral, with Toko dead, the World Peace Dove News Agency will become unstable. While we still have some control over the News Coo, we need to act fast to cultivate a replacement or track down the reincarnated Toko Devil Fruit."

Chief Strategist felt a headache coming on. A dead Celestial Dragon, a defecting vice admiral, and now, even the ability to issue wanted posters and spread controlled news was at risk—the headquarters of the World Peace Pigeon News Agency had been destroyed.

"Find out everything about the Hell Pirates! I want a full dossier on every last one of them! In centuries past, no pirate has ever dared to kill a Celestial Dragon. Every single one of these bastards must be eradicated!"

Without hesitation, he sent an urgent report to Mary Geoise.

The moment the news reached the Rosward family of the Celestial Dragons, the entire lineage erupted in fury. Enraged, they issued a direct order to Marine Headquarters:

"Dispatch an Admiral immediately! Capture every last one of those criminals alive! Death would be too easy—we will make them suffer for at least a decade before granting them release!"

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