The incident of 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh climbing the Red Line Continent and being killed on the spot after breaking into the Holy Land Mary Geoise at night.
With the deliberate propaganda of the World Government, the attention of the world's populace was momentarily diverted from the upcoming liberation of slaves in Mary Geoise and the impending global live broadcast.
But for these ordinary people, it was nothing more than a spectacle.
After all, even the Pirate King himself had been executed by the Marines, so the loss of the 'Right Hand of the Pirate King' didn't seem like a big deal.
Thus, the focus of their discussion was on why this 'Dark King' had gone to Mary Geoise to seek death. In contrast, the news of Rayleigh's death had the most fervent impact among the circles of powerful figures around the world, especially those who had once crossed paths with him.
Garp, the pillar of the Happo Navy in the Flower Country.
Edward Newgate of the Whitebeard Pirates in the 'New World'.
Former Marine Admiral Zed, who was treating his asthma in the Drum Kingdom, and Douglas Bullet, who was training the army troops at the Army Headquarters Landforce on the Red Line Continent.
Oh, and there was also Shanks, who was right in Mary Geoise. The moment he saw the newspaper headline, he was completely stunned.
Of course, he had also noticed the commotion that night.
At the time, he had wondered who could be so audacious as to cause such a ruckus in that place, but he never imagined it would be Mr. Rayleigh!
As for Shiki, who was currently imprisoned, and Byrnndi World, who was frozen in ice, they were unable to learn of this news.
However, for Dragon, who was guarding the Sabaody Archipelago, the most significant point of interest in this incident was the sudden disappearance of Shakuyaku, the owner of the Rip-off Bar.
After all, he was only human and needed to sleep and rest. By the time the night was over, she was gone! After that, things gradually returned to normal, and most people were still more concerned about the upcoming global live broadcast in a few days. After all, the Celestial Dragons deciding to liberate all slaves was truly a rare and monumental event.
Thus, for a world undergoing dramatic changes, Rayleigh's death only caused a ripple that lasted about a day on the Red Line Continent.
In the world of Kabane on the other side of the Stargate in RL1556, everything continued as usual.
Although large construction equipment couldn't be brought in, with the efforts of numerous skilled craftsmen, the barracks and base centered around the Stargate were becoming increasingly well-established.
Led by Dr. Fritz, the passionate researchers of the Biochemical Research Institute worked day and night to study every aspect of the Kabane.
In addition, a group of researchers from the Materials Research Institute also arrived. Their dean was actually the Academy of Science's dean, Vegapunk, who was serving in a dual role.
It was said that Vegapunk had expressed interest in coming to see this new world after learning about it, but he had too many important projects on his hands.
Moreover, having just consumed the Munch-Munch Fruit, he needed some time to study and develop it further.
Especially the mysterious metal known as 'Shape Memory Alloy' that the World Government had revealed to him, which had deeply fascinated Vegapunk. He had a feeling that the emergence of this material would have a profound impact on the entire world.
So, he's busy and doesn't have time to come! But Vegapunk still offered to bring back a few samples of 'Kabane's Heart Membrane.' "Huh, uh, ah————"
"Huh, oh, uh————"
At night, Laskey and Marble, who were traveling westward along the newly discovered railway tracks, inevitably encountered numerous 'Kabane.'
These Living Dead, with their blackened irises and glowing red pupils, let out hoarse, hunger-filled roars as they lunged toward the fresh flesh of the two newcomers.
But Laskey and Marble were already accustomed to their presence.
The former could casually flick his fingernails to release air pressure, instantly piercing their hearts, while the latter seemed more accustomed to using her long legs clad in black stockings, sweeping with the sharp, hard heels of her shoes to effortlessly sever their heads.
They had discovered that the weaknesses of these Living Dead were not only their glowing hearts but also their heads. Once the head was severed, although they wouldn't die immediately, they could no longer move and would collapse into a glowing black-purple mass of flesh.
"These things are really endless. Don't the people in this world clean them up?" Marble chuckled coquettishly, smoothing her golden bangs that had been tousled by the night breeze.
However, Laskey was clearly a stoic and unromantic guy, continuing to walk forward along the railway tracks. Marble didn't mind; she was already used to his personality.
Normally, he would invite her for a glass of red wine or buy her jewelry, but during missions, he became utterly ruthless, cold, and devoid of any humor.
Laskey had once told her that he didn't want to risk even the slightest carelessness, as it might prevent them from ever returning to Guanhao to see their daughter.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Laskey, who was walking ahead, raised his hand to signal a halt, listening intently to the faint sounds carried by the night breeze. "There's gunfire ahead, but it sounds strange, a bit muffled."
"Finally, we've found living people!" Marta exclaimed excitedly.
"Yeah, let's check it out. Stay hidden."
"Got it."
As soon as the words were spoken, the two of them vanished from their spots with a whoosh, turning into dark shadows that darted into the nearby woods, then swiftly moved along the direction of the railway tracks.
Sure enough, as the distance closed, even Marta could clearly hear the distinct sounds of gunfire, explosions, and the rumbling of engines!
This filled their eyes with unmistakable anticipation.
Finally, they were about to make contact with the human civilization of this world! Emerging from the woods, they found themselves on a high hill and quickly crouched down to conceal themselves, squinting to carefully observe the battle on the flat ground below.
Although it was deep into the night, the explosions and burning flames provided ample light for the two of them. From their vantage point, they could see a large, blurry shadow in the distance, resembling a massive city wall with various structures inside. Clearly, they had found a human city!
The battle before them was taking place on a wide open space outside the city, where a pitch-black train lay like a giant beast on the ground, its armor facing them opened to reveal the interior space.
A group of black-clad soldiers, each wearing a half-mask resembling night-vision goggles, crouched beside what were clearly mortars, firing shells one after another. It was these that provided the battlefield with so much light and noise.
At the same time, some rode motorcycles, wielding long-barreled guns connected to tubes, leaping off the train and swiftly maneuvering across the battlefield. They coordinated with the infantry fighting solely on foot, continuously taking precise shots at the surrounding Living Dead.
Although not every bullet hit a vital spot, most of them struck the heads or hearts of the Living Dead. Moreover, the distance between the shooters and their targets was extremely close, unlike the typical engagement range for firearms.
"Is this the armed force of this world?" someone wondered.
At that moment, Marta suddenly raised her hand and pointed in a direction, exclaiming, "Look, what is he doing!"
Laskey followed his partner's delicate finger and looked over.
Sure enough, he saw a soldier who, after piercing the heart of a Living Dead at close range, knelt on the ground and pressed something against his own chest.
In the next second, a loud explosion erupted. The soldier had unhesitatingly blown through his own heart! "..."