The entire sea erupted in an instant. News swept across every corner like a tsunami through the TikTok platform.
From bustling Water Seven to the far-flung islands of East Blue, anyone with a smartphone received the explosive push notification immediately.
The Navy Headquarters' emergency public relations video was released—and it instantly drew massive attention.
In the footage, dozens of massive warships were lined up in perfect formation in Marineford's port. Each deck was packed with fully armed Marines.
They stood tall like spears, eyes sharp as blades, and their weapons gleamed coldly under the sunlight.
The camera slowly zoomed in, capturing the resolute, death-defying expressions on their faces.
Suddenly, the scene switched to an overhead aerial shot.
With stirring music swelling in the background, the epic image of the entire fleet setting sail at once took viewers' breath away.
Amid the crashing waves, the ships cut across the sea, leaving behind dozens of white wake trails across the azure surface.
At the top of the video, a gilded line of text stood out:
[Justice may be late, but it is never absent!]
But in the comment section, things were... less noble:
> "Why did it take you so long to film a propaganda video? By the time you arrive, Doflamingo will be long gone!"
> "Late justice is no justice. The guy's probably already escaped. What are you going for, a photo op?"
One particularly heart-wrenching voice message, choked with sobs, quickly went viral:
> "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, please... my hometown is being burned, pillaged, and slaughtered by pirates 😭..."
Replies flooded in below, tagging @NavyHeadquartersBuddhaSengoku nonstop.
And of course, there were trolls:
> "How much can a Navy warship sell for? Serious inquiry, need cash fast."
> "Drop your contact, let's do business."
> "Hahaha! Come catch me, I'm chilling at Grove 32 on Sabaody Archipelago."
He didn't last long. Within five minutes:
> "Reported. You're welcome!"
> "Bro, your account's already gone."
> "Bounty hunters are en route as we speak!"
---
At Navy Headquarters, the public relations team stared at the comments with a look of resigned dread.
They knew this PR video was supposed to show the Navy's might. Instead, it highlighted how painfully slow they were.
And on TikTok, the public opinion storm had left them on the defensive.
...
Meanwhile,
Aokiji's video hit the internet like a tidal wave.
Under the blazing sun, the video showed the once-proud Shichibukai, Crocodile, in utter disgrace.
A wound on his forehead was still bleeding. Dark red blood trailed down his pallid face.
The wild gleam in his eyes had dulled. His cracked lips trembled faintly.
Heavy Seastone handcuffs had rubbed his wrists raw. The chains rattled with every slight movement.
"Ararara~" Aokiji's lazy voice came from off-screen. The camera tilted to show the tall admiral leaning casually against the warship's railing, his gaze sharp behind his icy lenses.
> "Don't test the Navy's bottom line. Even a Shichibukai will be hunted down if they commit crimes."
Two brawny Marines flanked Crocodile, their boots thudding against the deck.
Crocodile tried to resist, but the Seastone left him too weak to stand. His once-feared black hook was dented, fluttering feebly in the salty sea breeze.
Clang. The iron door of the brig slammed shut behind him. That sound echoed like the end of an era.
After the video dropped, the TikTok comment section lit up:
> "Crocodile got caught?! No way!"
> "YES! Alabasta's people can finally breathe again!"
> "Admiral Aokiji for the win! Navy justice, baby!"
> "That's what happens when you cross the line!"
> "Now get that Straw Hat punk too while you're at it!"
> "Yeah, always shouting about being the Pirate King. Annoying AF."
> "TikTok, delete his account already!"
---
Crocodile's arrest didn't just bring hope to Alabasta—it shifted the tide of public opinion across the entire sea.
People started to believe again. The Navy still had strength. Still had justice. Still had power to maintain peace.
Aokiji's video shot to the top of the TikTok Hot List. Likes, reposts, and support for the Navy surged overnight.
The camera cut to the port of Alabasta. The blazing sun scorched the sand, but the citizens' faces were radiant with joy.
Tattered and exhausted, they flooded the docks, waving sun-faded scarves. Their hoarse cheers echoed up into the blue sky.
A white-haired elder dropped to his knees, tears tracing through the wrinkles on his face.
A young mother cradled her child, pointing at the retreating warship, whispering words only the two of them heard.
Vivi stood atop a rocky bluff, her delicate fingers clinging to Karoo's reins.
The sea breeze lifted strands of her sky-blue hair. Crystal tears streamed down her face.
She watched the warship shrink into a black dot on the horizon, barely daring to believe the nightmare had truly ended.
> "Is this really... not a dream?" she whispered. Her voice was drowned by the sound of celebration.
In her mind, she saw it clearly—TikTok, and the video that changed everything. A tidal wave of gratitude welled up inside her.
The hot desert wind still shimmered, but the air now carried a breeze of hope.
Vivi took a long, deep breath and closed her stinging eyes.
If the Navy hadn't intervened in time...
She didn't dare let her thoughts go further.
At this moment, only the overwhelming relief of having survived filled her heart.
"The feeling of freedom..." Vivi opened her eyes, watching the singing and dancing citizens. A genuine smile finally bloomed on her lips.
"It's so good~"
...
Dressrosa.
Twilight cast a dark red glow over the palace.
Doflamingo stood alone in front of the towering glass window, eyes locked on his phone screen.
The video of Crocodile being dragged away played on repeat. Sweat rolled down his forehead. His pupils behind the sunglasses narrowed into pinpoints.
"Fufufu..." He let out a nervous chuckle, fingers gripping the wine glass so tightly that spiderweb cracks formed in the crystal.
Suddenly, a seagull's cry pierced the sky.
Doflamingo's shoulder twitched.
Red wine spilled over his pink-feathered coat, streaking down like fresh blood.
"Young Master?" Trebol entered the room and found Doflamingo hastily removing his sunglasses to wipe them.
The man who had never shown fear now had bloodshot eyes. The setting sun stretched his shadow across the marble floor, somehow... small. Tense.
"Gather everyone." His voice was hoarse, low, and tinged with dread.
(To be continued.)
***
For every 100 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves
(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)