- Dimensional Gods’ Selection: Only I Know Saitama is the Strongest
- OKSTS Chapter 157
**Chapter 157: A 1.4 Billion Bounty – The Emperor’s Vanguard**
“Huh? Not a single Marine in sight?”
Red-Haired Shanks stepped off his ship, glancing around in confusion. The expected chaos and grandeur of a battlefield were nowhere to be seen.
Even more perplexing, not a single Marine could be spotted.
He withdrew his Conqueror’s Haki, his steps steady as he ventured deeper into the ruins of Marineford.
“Marineford’s really been turned into a wasteland,” commented Benn Beckman, the sole first mate of the Red-Haired Pirates.
With his sharp features and striking gray hair, Beckman surveyed the destruction. His rifle rested cautiously at his side, his experienced eyes scanning the area for signs of ambush.
“Could this be some kind of trap by the Navy?” he murmured, skeptical of the eerie silence.
“Shanks!”
The familiar voice of Monkey D. Luffy broke through the quiet. Shanks and Beckman turned to see Luffy’s elongated arm reaching toward them.
“Bang!”
Shanks laughed heartily, catching Luffy’s arm and pulling him in for a tight embrace.
“Shanks! Beckman! What are you doing here?” Luffy exclaimed excitedly. He could hardly contain his joy at seeing the two figures who had set him on his path as a pirate.
“You’re still as reckless as ever,” Beckman chuckled, releasing his grip on his rifle as he relaxed.
Since Luffy appeared unharmed and cheerful, Beckman dismissed his suspicion of a trap.
Elsewhere, Whitebeard led Marco, Ace, and other division commanders to greet the newcomers with a hearty laugh.
“Red-Haired! It’s been a long time.”
“Indeed,” Shanks replied with a grin. “Though, it feels like we just met a few days ago.”
Whitebeard roared with laughter at the cheeky remark, clearly amused.
Shanks, now more serious, inquired about what had transpired at Marineford. The destruction, and the complete absence of any Navy presence, baffled him.
Marco stepped forward and succinctly recounted the events.
“A mysterious pirate saved you multiple times?”
Benn Beckman raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Marco’s account.
“Yes,” Marco confirmed. “That man was incredible—strong, composed, and he saved my life on more than one occasion.”
“Hmm,” Shanks mused, casting a sidelong glance at Beckman. “Sounds a lot like you.”
Beckman nodded in agreement, the description striking a chord.
“So, the Whitebeard Pirates achieved a decisive victory?” Shanks’ eyes lit up with anticipation, seeking Whitebeard’s confirmation.
Whitebeard nodded firmly. “Yes.”
“Excellent!” Shanks exclaimed, visibly relieved. “Bring out the booze and meat! Let’s celebrate with a grand feast!”
“Aye, Captain!”
—
Meanwhile, across the world, the war at Marineford had been broadcast live via Transponder Snails.
The Navy’s intention was to demonstrate their power and crush the Whitebeard Pirates for all to see.
Instead, the world witnessed their humiliating defeat. The Navy retreated, leaving Marineford in ruins, now occupied by pirates.
“What?! The Navy lost?”
Large screens in public squares went black as the Navy cut the feed.
But the memory of what the people had seen—the Navy retreating and conceding defeat—was seared into their minds.
The battle had been brutal, leaving an indelible mark on the world’s collective consciousness.
Discussions broke out among spectators:
“They were beaten by just one of the Yonko’s pirate crews?”
“I knew from the start Whitebeard would win! His crew avoided the Navy’s ambush almost unscathed, and that mysterious pirate even destroyed two of the Navy’s cannons!”
“True, but the Navy has its share of powerful fighters, too. Honestly, I wasn’t sure which side would win.”
“Whitebeard’s commanders aren’t pushovers either, but the one who stood out most was that mysterious pirate who took down those cannons.”
“Yeah, he was strikingly composed and skillful.”
“Composed? Stop fangirling over a pirate! He’s a killer, remember?”
In a corner of the crowd, Silvers Rayleigh leaned against a wall, flask in hand. He laughed heartily, his eyes twinkling.
“The Whitebeard Pirates gave us quite the spectacle!”
Though he had focused much of his attention on Luffy and Ace, ensuring their safety, he couldn’t ignore the presence of Fang Ye.
Time and again, the mysterious pirate turned the tides, leaving even Rayleigh unsure whether to call him a “tactician” or a “lucky charm.”
“Getting old…” he muttered, draining his flask in one swig.
—
On a Navy warship en route to the World Government’s headquarters, Commander-in-Chief Kong slammed his fist onto the deck.
“Defeated by pirates on the world stage! You’ve truly disgraced the Navy!”
Sengoku stood in silence, his head bowed. This war had been his strategy, and now he bore the shame of its failure.
Kong sighed, waving dismissively at Garp.
“Garp, take whoever’s still standing and help transport the wounded. We can’t afford more unnecessary casualties.”
Garp nodded, turning to carry out the order.
“As for you, Sengoku,” Kong continued, “figure out how to salvage the Navy’s reputation. This disaster is irreparable, but we must rebuild trust.”
Sengoku composed himself and outlined his plans: relocating the Navy Headquarters and nominating candidates for new admirals.
“Most importantly,” Sengoku emphasized, “we must locate Akainu’s Devil Fruit. It cannot fall into pirate hands.”
Kong agreed, issuing immediate orders to search for the Magma-Magma Fruit.
—
Back at the World Government, bounty updates for the Whitebeard Pirates were being finalized:
– **Edward Newgate (Whitebeard): 5.5 billion berries – still the world’s highest bounty.**
– **Marco the Phoenix: 1.5 billion berries.**
– **Monkey D. Luffy: 400 million berries.**
– **Portgas D. Ace: 700 million berries.**
Lastly, Sengoku hesitated, recalling the cold, unflinching gaze of the mysterious pirate who had shaken him to his core.
“Whitebeard Pirates – Unknown Pirate: 1.4 billion berries.”
A bounty for a nameless man who had shifted the tide of war.