NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 136: Heavenly Emperor
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It was the best of times, yet also the worst of times.
Though the era of the Great Pirates had reigned supreme, pirates had always been oppressed by the overwhelming authority of the World Government. Now, with the destruction of Marineford, the Navy's prestige had been utterly shattered, leaving them unable to suppress the pirates.
But in its place, an even more terrifying force had emerged.
"Time to leave," said Urouge.
"Captain!"
"This is the perfect opportunity. While the Navy is still in disarray, we'll head to the New World and carve out our own territory. Just make sure to avoid Whitebeard's territory—that now belongs to Uchiha Kitaro."
Whitebeard's final act was to entrust everything he had to Uchiha Kitaro as payment, including the entirety of the Whitebeard Pirates' legacy. In essence, everything Whitebeard had—his wealth, his lands, and his power—was now under Uchiha Kitaro's control.
Uchiha Kitaro had effectively inherited the full legacy of one of the Four Emperors. The new reality was clear: anyone might risk angering the World Government, but no one dared to provoke the Uchiha Security Company.
And there was also the declaration Whitebeard had made before his death. Twenty years had passed since the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, had been executed, and the world still hadn't found the One Piece. Some had begun to doubt its existence, speculating that the Pirate King might have been playing a cruel joke on the world with his final words.
But Whitebeard was different. His parting words confirmed that the One Piece was real, reigniting a fiery passion among pirates worldwide. With the Navy crippled and its authority diminished, the seas were set to be flooded with countless treasure hunters and adventurers, all vying for the legendary treasure.
The true Great Pirate Era had begun.
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The New World
Splash!
A massive Marine warship descended from the sky, landing heavily on the waves below.
This was the very warship stolen by the Whitebeard Pirates during their raid on Marineford.
As the ship settled on the sea, the crew finally snapped out of their daze, realizing they had returned to the New World.
They had envisioned many ways to make it back to the New World, but flying through the skies above the Red Line, over the World Government's sacred land of Mariejois, had never crossed their minds.
"Well then, I've fulfilled my promise to safely deliver you back to the New World. Whitebeard's request has been honored," Kitaro declared.
Thud! Thud!
Led by Marco, the entire crew of the Whitebeard Pirates knelt on the deck, bowing deeply to Kitaro.
"Thank you, Mr. Kitaro! We are eternally grateful!"
Kitaro had not only returned Whitebeard's body but had also destroyed Marineford itself as a grand funeral for the late Emperor of the Sea. Though once adversaries, the crew now felt nothing but deep gratitude toward him.
"This was my duty. You owe me no thanks," Kitaro replied.
Marco, his voice steady, said, "Mr. Kitaro, I've followed Pops for so many years, and I've never seen him laugh so freely as he did in his final moments. Thank you for giving him that. However, there's something I must ask of you—we seek vengeance against Teach, the man who betrayed us and killed Pops and Ace. Once we've dealt with him, we pledge to serve under you."
Whitebeard's deal had made everything he owned, including his crew, a part of Uchiha Kitaro's domain. It was a transaction Kitaro had accepted for the significant benefits it brought him.
"I'll be honest," Kitaro said, "I admire your resolve. Also, the Uchiha Company does not force loyalty. If you wish to leave, I will not stop you."
Marco's expression was resolute. "No. A father's debts are to be repaid by his sons—that's the natural order of things. Pops publicly declared you our benefactor; we will not tarnish his honor. You will have our loyalty."
"That's right! We will never disgrace Pops' legacy!" others echoed.
"Very well," Kitaro said with a nod. "From now on, you are all part of the Uchiha Security Company. I will establish a special division called the Whitebeard Security Unit, with Marco as its leader. Your primary responsibility will be to oversee security across the Uchiha Company territories in the New World.
"As for hunting Blackbeard, you may do so in the name of the Uchiha Security Company. Succeed or fail, it will not tarnish the Company's reputation."
Hearing these words, Marco and the others were visibly moved. Kitaro had gone out of his way to preserve the Whitebeard name through the creation of this new unit, allowing them to honor their fallen leader.
"Yes, President!" they shouted in unison.
Kitaro handed Marco a business card. "I have other matters to attend to. Notify me when the funeral for Whitebeard and Ace is arranged. I'll be there."
"Yes, President!"
Placing a hand on Shisui's shoulder, Kitaro activated his teleportation technique.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, the two vanished.
"President Uchiha Kitaro truly moves like a phantom," Marco murmured, marveling at the sheer precision and stealth Kitaro had demonstrated throughout the entire battle.
"He's not just elusive," another crew member chimed in. "Did you see that monstrous giant form of his? Even the Admirals couldn't lay a scratch on him. And that final punch—it completely obliterated Marineford! Talk about satisfying!"
Indeed, they all harbored a deep hatred for the Navy, particularly Sengoku and the Admirals. With Marineford now in ruins, they felt nothing but exhilaration.
"Let's head back. We're taking Pops home," Marco said solemnly.
The battle report from Marineford spread across the world within an hour, detailing every aspect of the fight. People everywhere were left speechless by the shocking revelations.
Through this monumental event, Uchiha Kitaro earned a title befitting his power:
The Heavenly Emperor, Uchiha Kitaro.
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