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The entire sea instantly boiled, and the news, like a tsunami, swept through every corner via the TikTok short video platform.
From the bustling Water Seven to the remote islands of the East Blue, anyone with a smartphone received this explosive news push immediately.
The emergency public relations video from Marine Headquarters was released and instantly drew a crowd.
In the footage, dozens of giant warships were neatly lined up in the port of Marine Headquarters, each deck filled with fully armed Marines.
They stood tall and straight like javelins, their eyes sharp as blades, and the weapons in their hands glinted coldly in the sunlight.
The camera slowly zoomed in, clearly showing the firm, death-defying expressions on everyone's faces.
Suddenly, the scene switched to a high-angle overhead view.
Accompanied by stirring background music, the magnificent sight of the entire fleet setting sail at the same time was breathtaking.
Among splashing waves, the ship's bows cut through the swells, leaving dozens of white wake trails on the blue sea.
At the top of the video, a line of golden characters was particularly eye-catching.
[Justice may be late, but it is never absent!]
However, the comment section completely exploded.
"Why are you taking so long to shoot a propaganda video? By the time you slowly arrive, Doflamingo will be long gone!"
"Late justice is worthless! The person has already run away, what are you going there for? To clean up the battlefield!"
A voice comment filled with sobs also caught the attention of many.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, please... my hometown is being burned, killed, and looted by pirates... [crying][crying]"
All the replies below were tagging @MarineHeadquartersBuddhaSengoku.
But there were also troublemakers.
"How much can a Marine warship sell for? Asking online, it's urgent."
Someone replied below. "Brother, leave your contact info, let's pull off something big together!"
"Hahaha, come and catch me! I'm right here at Grove 32 on the Sabaody Archipelago..."
As a result, in less than five minutes, enthusiastic netizens shut him down.
"Reported, you're welcome!"
"Brother, your account is gone!"
"Those waiting to collect the bounty are already on their way!"
The public relations team at Marine Headquarters saw these comments and a hint of helplessness appeared on their faces.
They knew that while this public relations video showcased the Marines' strength, it also exposed their slowness.
And the storm of public opinion on TikTok put them in a very passive position.
...
Meanwhile, the video released by Marine Admiral Aokiji appeared particularly clear in the sunlight.
In the footage, the once arrogant Shichibukai Crocodile was in a sorry state.
The wound on his forehead was still bleeding, and dark red bloodstains snaked down his pale cheek.
His eyes, which were always full of wildness, were now dull and lifeless, and his cracked lips shook slightly.
Heavy Seastone handcuffs rubbed his wrists raw, and the chains clinked crisply with his movements.
"Arara~" Aokiji's lazy voice came from off-screen, and the camera turned to the tall Marine Admiral.
He leaned casually against the warship railing, his eyes behind his ice-like lenses sharp as blades, and he spoke a warning to the camera.
"Do not try to challenge the Marines' bottom line. Even a Shichibukai will be wanted by the Marines for committing crimes!"
Two strong Marine soldiers supported Crocodile on either side, their military boots making dull thuds on the deck.
Crocodile tried to struggle, but the Seastone's control made even standing difficult. His large black hook was already battered and fluttered weakly in the salty sea breeze.
With a 'clang,' he was roughly pushed into the warship's prison, the loud slam of the iron door seeming to mark the end of this ambitious figure's era.
After the video was released, the comment section on TikTok was instantly flooded.
"Crocodile was captured? Is this real?"
"Great! The people of Alabasta can finally breathe a sigh of relief!"
"Admiral Aokiji is mighty! Justice of the Marines!"
"This is what happens when you challenge the Marines!"
"Where's that Straw Hat kid, the show-off? Catch him too!"
"Yeah, he's always shouting about wanting to be the Pirate King, it's so annoying to hear!"
"TikTok, ban his account!"
"..."
Crocodile's capture not only gave the people of Alabasta hope but also shifted the tide of public opinion across the entire sea.
People began to believe that the just Marines were still powerful and still capable of maintaining peace in the sea.
And Aokiji's video became a hot topic on TikTok, with countless people liking and sharing it, expressing their support and trust in the Marines.
The camera turned to the port of Alabasta. The sun scorched the yellow sand, but it couldn't dispel the joy on people's faces.
Ragged citizens crowded the dock, waving faded headscarves, their hoarse cheers rising and falling.
A white-haired old man knelt on the ground, murky tears streaming down his wrinkled face.
A young mother held her child, pointing at the departing warship and whispering something.
Princess Vivi stood on the rocks by the shore, her thin fingers tightly gripping the rope of Carue.
The sea breeze ruffled her sky-blue hair, and crystal tears continuously slid down her cheeks.
She watched the warship gradually become a black speck, still unable to believe that this nightmare, which had lasted for years, was truly over.
"Is this really... not a dream?" she whispered softly, her voice drowned in the cheers of the people.
In a daze, she remembered the TikTok that had changed everything, and infinite gratitude surged in her heart. The distant wind rustled, the desert heat still shimmered, but the air seemed to carry a hint of fresh freedom.
Vivi took a deep breath and closed her stinging eyes.
If the Marines hadn't intervened in time... If the Straw Hat kid hadn't been able to defeat that demon either... She didn't dare to think any further.
At this moment, only the relief of having survived filled her heart.
"The feeling of freedom..." Vivi opened her eyes and looked at the people singing and dancing on the shore, a genuine smile finally appearing on her lips. "It's so good~"
...
Dressrosa,
Twilight cast an ominous dark red hue. In front of the floor-to-ceiling window high in the palace, Doflamingo stared intently at the screen of his phone.
The video of Crocodile being escorted by the Marines played over and over on the phone. A drop of cold sweat seeped from his forehead, and the eyes behind his sunglasses got very small.
"Fufufu..." he chuckled nervously, yet his knuckles squeezed the wine glass, creating spiderweb-like cracks.
Suddenly, the sharp cry of a seagull came from outside the window, making his shoulder twitch. The red wine spilled onto his pink and white feathered coat, looking just like fresh bloodstains.
"Young Master?" When Trebol pushed the door open, he saw his Young Master nervously taking off his sunglasses to wipe them.
This man, who had never shown weakness, now had bloodshot eyes. The setting sun outside the window stretched his shadow long, but it strangely seemed hunched.
"Immediately... gather everyone."