"Ocean TV will start a live broadcast that will continue throughout all events!"
"Follow the Ocean TV live broadcast and experience the brutality of war!"
"The greatest battle in 800 years is about to erupt today!"
The Forum exploded, as if the entire world was discussing this war. Even the fact that Kaido had once again invaded Whitebeard's territory was overshadowed.
The number of visits to the Ocean TV app reached historical heights, and Big News Morgans appeared live on television even before the war started.
"It's clear the atmosphere here in Erume is already very tense. According to live reports, Marine Patrol warships are stationed less than a kilometer from the port. There are hundreds of warships present, and the scale far exceeds a Buster Call!" Morgans switched the screen during his talk.
People in front of mobile televisions could also feel the atmosphere of war. When they saw the Marine Patrol ships appearing on the calm blue sea, even those who favored Alabasta couldn't help but waver.
"You can see the headquarters of the Marine Fleet in Alabasta. His Majesty the King of Alabasta is here in person. Next to him are the Zephyr unit and the blind samurai Ishho, who is the commander of the guard."
Morgans did not pretend he wasn't shocked himself. When the image turned, people saw an elite Fleet soldier standing on the high platform of the headquarters, an old man wearing round glasses, with long white hair, a scar over his eye, and a sword hanging from his waist.
As soon as Morgans said his name, the world was in an uproar.
It's the legendary pirate, the right hand of the Pirate King, Silvers Rayleigh! - squealed Morgans.
The Marines had long known the whereabouts of this man, but since Rayleigh had "retired" long ago and lived peacefully for decades, they didn't want to waste time dealing with him. However, Sengoku did not expect he would dare to support Alabasta in such a grand manner!
This is perfect, - The Vice Admiral calmly took a sip of tea, - it gives us a reasonable justification.
Sengoku agreed with him. In this case, at least, the accusation against Alabasta for conspiring with pirates has compelling evidence. Since the other side chose to cooperate with Rayleigh, they have a reason to truly punish Alabasta.
The newspapers aligned with the World Government soon focused on the information about Rayleigh's appearance, harshly condemning Alabasta's dealings with pirates. They decisively denounced the King's criminality, demanding that the King immediately resign and that the Marines enter Alabasta to liberate the oppressed people of the country.
Toutiao News quickly counterattacked. Morgans suddenly received a personal message from Ezekiel during the live broadcast.
Understood… - Morgans took a glance and explained to 50 million viewers in front of their phones:
Rayleigh! - Instead of heading to Erume, Admiral Sengoku of the Marine Fleet was stationed at the Marine Headquarters, monitoring the progression of the war. When he saw Rayleigh's figure, he angrily slammed the table.Our King of Alabasta wants to declare war on the World Government before the peoples of the entire world.Soon, as the image changed, Ezekiel appeared before everyone sitting on the throne. This was the new King of Alabasta, who was truly addressing the public for the first time in his life.
"Is this the new King of Alabasta? He seems to be just a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, who possesses such courage and bravery, it's astonishing!"Much younger than he looks from afar... Is he really going to oppose the Government?"
"He doesn't seem like a mad King, so why has he pushed Alabasta into such a situation?"
In contrast to the confusion and doubt of people worldwide, the residents of Alabasta reacted very differently: joyful cries rang out in all the cities.
Ezekiel stared into the mobile phone camera lens. People watched online as his eyes gradually calmed, and Ezekiel began to speak slowly:
"Greetings to everyone in the world, I am the King of Alabasta, Ezekiel Nefertari. Currently, over 60 million people are watching everything happening here through mobile phones created by Alabasta. The eyes of more than hundreds of millions of people are following this through various channels—whether by sea or land, mountains or plains, the world has heard his voice. At present, the World Government has not truly realized the threat posed by the authoritative regime that has taken hold of it. In this world, there has never been a shortage of oppressors and the oppressed. Power consumes people's hearts; power destroys willpower. People who are addicted to power and might ignore the truth of this world—a world made up of countless ordinary individuals. Today, Alabasta stands as an oppressed rebel, not as an ambitious ruler. We have not attacked anyone; we simply wanted to execute the pirate who committed crimes in Alabasta! I have noticed that some are focusing on the claim that Alabasta has 'conspired' with the legendary pirate Rayleigh. Before I explain this, please listen to me first. Currently, a scaffold has been set up for the execution of Crocodile. He has been held accountable as a criminal, with his various crimes being described on the Forum and broadcast live. Crocodile used Dance Powder in Alabasta for many years, leading to the mass death of civilians, destruction of the water channel, the downfall of cities, conflicts between the people and the Royal Family, and the uprising of hundreds of thousands of people!
Those unaware of all this were shocked by Crocodile's crimes, while those who knew were filled with righteous indignation.
"This man was encouraged by the World Government for nearly ten years. They gave him Shichibukai status and even sent the Marine Patrol to save him. Can we, the people of Alabasta, agree with this?" Ezekiel raised his hands, and all the soldiers of the Alabasta Army and Fleet below immediately shouted:
"No! We will never agree!"
In the darkness, swords and gun barrels were raised, and the sound carried for ten miles, with their spirit soaring to the sky!
Then Ezekiel's voice sounded again:
"Why are we cooperating with Rayleigh? Let me ask you this. Compared to Crocodile, recognized by the Marines and the World Government, Rayleigh has a louder reputation, but has he done anything to innocent people in this world? What has he been pursued for? I examined Rayleigh's past and concluded that, in my opinion, his biggest 'crime' was resisting the World Government!"
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