Chapter 256 : Brook's Arrival

Navy Headquarters!

As the sky broadcast unfolded, numerous Marine personnel were glued to the screen.

Their expressions ranged from astonishment to sheer wonder.

Inside the meeting hall, particularly, a profound sense of disbelief enveloped the room.

Led by Fleet Admiral Sengoku and joined by Garp and the three admirals, they were frozen in place...

They hadn't anticipated that the future Navy would oversee such a monumental conflict.

The Summit War!

And what a fierce battle it turned out to be... the demise of Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors, shook them to the core.

It was beyond comprehension.

After all, Whitebeard was a titan of his era, akin to Roger.

The manner of his demise was profoundly disappointing.

Sengoku and Garp fell into a contemplative silence.

Despite their adversarial history with Whitebeard—one a pirate, the other a Marine—they couldn't help but feel a twinge of sorrow witnessing the fall of a once-mighty figure from their era.

The sentiments among the three admirals were somewhat different.

Kizaru and Aokiji didn't harbor strong emotions regarding the event; they merely sensed the impending scale of future conflicts...

Indeed, over the years, the Navy and pirates had been hurtling towards the largest war in history!

Akainu was visibly thrilled.

His unwavering commitment to justice fueled a fervent desire for the demise of all pirates.

However, the aftermath of the war also dealt a heavy blow to the Navy, leaving significant casualties in its wake.

However, there's no denying the desire behind it all.

Not only did he killed Ace, the descendant of Roger,

He even took down Whitebeard, one of the Four Emperors.

In the aftermath, it's certain the Navy will tighten its grip further.

But what's truly surprising is... the greatest gainer from this war is someone overlooked by all...

Blackbeard...

After a moment of silence from Sengoku, he issued a direct order,

"Immediately command all Marine forces to survey the waters under their jurisdiction for Blackbeard's whereabouts!"

"If spotted, apprehend him by any means necessary!"

"And, if needed, invoke... the Buster Call!"

...

The Red-Haired Pirates!

"Will the future hold such an end for Whitebeard?"

"And could the son of Captain Roger... truly be Ace?"

Shanks gazed up at the sky, a grave expression on his face.

His relationship with Whitebeard wasn't straightforward, neither good nor bad.

It could be defined as two powerful men who respected each other in these seas.

And Shanks understood Whitebeard's nature well.

Among pirates, he was one of the rare few who could inspire the common folk to yield to strength in this world!

And what surprised Shanks even more is...

Ace is actually the son of Roger, his old captain.

Looking back, he met Ace once.

When he found out that he was Luffy's brother, he was extremely happy.

Unexpectedly, he still had Another identity.

This is quite surprising.

At this time, Shanks couldn't help but make a decision in his heart. If Ace is in danger in the future, he must help him when necessary.

…

…

Unknown waters!

In an unfamiliar sea where no one knows their location.

A bloated-looking man with an evil face and a slightly sloppy appearance.

He was looking at the sky blankly... and he was none other than Blackbeard!

Ever since he killed his captain, obtained the Dark Fruit, and escaped from the Whitebeard Pirates.

He has been hiding in Grand Blue, avoiding the pursuit of Whitebeard Pirates.

Unexpectedly, in the scene about the peak battle, he actually appeared in the scene?

What's more, he didn't expect...that his future would still be like this?

…

Blackbeard stood frozen for a moment, then his lips curled into a twisted grin.

"The Summit War..."

"Are Whitebeard and Ace truly dead?"

"In the future, not only did I defeat Ace, but I also handed him over to the Navy, and acquired the Tremor Fruit?"

"Haha..."

The reason he could steal others' fruits on the spot.

And the truth about how he could hold a second Devil Fruit in his body.

Only he held the answers to these mysteries.

Blackbeard was satisfied with the video of the peak battle.

Because besides the Darkness Fruit, what he coveted the most was...

The Tremor-Tremor Fruit!

He had dreamt of obtaining it from Whitebeard...

a fearsome fruit capable of stirring the sea and splitting the earth!

Has his future self already forged such a formidable crew? 

In this moment, Blackbeard's ambition surged and expanded!

It was as though he had found his purpose, striving towards the vision of his future self.

...

...

As the live broadcast concluded,

New scenes unfolded in the sky.

[Peak combat rewards are now bestowed...]

[Congratulations to Monkey D. Luffy for mastering all four gears to their pinnacle, achieving unparalleled Haki mastery!]

With this proclamation came the unveiling of rewards.

In the bustling Water 7, Luffy radiated a golden aura.

An indescribable power surged through him...

His mastery of the Gum-Gum Fruit had reached its zenith!

Not only had he mastered Armament Haki, but also his Observation Haki, including the Conqueror's Haki.

All had reached unprecedented heights!

Luffy was brimming with excitement!

Eager to face new enemies and witness the extent of his burgeoning strength!

Yet, what thrilled him most was the arrival of a new comrade.

The Straw Hat Pirates buzzed with anticipation!

For their new crewmate was none other than...

Brook!

At first sight, none recognized him.

A small vessel approached from the distant seas.

Perched upon it stood a skeleton.

Initially mistaken for a prank, familiar laughter confirmed the truth... Brooke was the crew's latest addition!

It was revealed that Brook managed to reach the Water 7 precisely because he observed the peak battle...

Upon learning everyone's whereabouts, he hurried over.

His inability to leave the Florian Triangle stemmed from Moria's control over his shadow.

Once exposed to sunlight, it would be obliterated.

And because Moria foresaw Luffy's future strength and feared retaliation, he promptly returned Brook's shadows.

After all, Brook was one of the Straw Hat Pirates' companions!

If Moria had waited for Luffy and his crew to come seeking retribution... wouldn't he appear foolish, just like in the previous encounter?

Moria couldn't conceive that Luffy, who had defeated powerful enemies like Bullet and others, could be overcome by him.

Therefore, without hesitation, he returned Brook's shadow, allowing him to reunite with his comrades.

Understandably, Brook left the Florian Triangle without a second thought.

Having been trapped there for so many years, he longed to find his companions.

After several days, Brook finally arrived at the Water 7 as indicated on the map.

At this juncture, nearly all members of the Straw Hat Pirates were present, with the exception of Jinbe, who had not yet returned.

Upon Brook's return...

Whether it was Luffy, Nami, Robin, Chopper, Zoro, or Sanji, they were all brimming with excitement!

The festivities commenced right then and there!

In honor of Brook's arrival...

**********

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