Grand Line, Winter Island, Drum Kingdom.
The weather here remained as gloomy and cold as ever, with snowflakes as large as goose feathers falling incessantly from the sky. The icy wind howled, sweeping the snowflakes across the land, chilling the people who were working outside in their thick winter clothes.
Especially the construction workers from the World Government, who, despite their reddened and frozen cheeks, pushed carts filled with materials and tools onto the already widened Mushroom Cable Cars with their gloved hands.
On the other side, the magnificent Ice Stairway, painstakingly created by Kuzan over a long period of time, was bustling with an endless stream of people going up and down. Every kilometer, spacious platforms had been built with wooden huts and pavilions for people to rest.
From above, one could most directly witness the spectacular flow of people. Particularly on the Drum Rockies next to the main peak, the roughly formed medical school building could already be clearly seen.
The Ice Stairway connecting the Drum Rockies had turned them into a beautiful, shimmering necklace!
At this moment, Dr. Kureha was accompanying a large group of doctors from various departments, enjoying the underfloor heating that the construction team had prioritized, while watching the live broadcast projected by the Image Snails.
"Wow, someone can actually unleash such terrifying magma. If it hits a person, I wonder how we would treat them," pondered a middle-aged male doctor, stroking his chin.
"It would definitely be severe burns all over the body. If the patient doesn't have strong vitality, surviving would require a miracle," another doctor chimed in.
These doctors, of varying ages but all wearing white coats, had a rather interesting perspective on this world-renowned naval battle. No matter the topic, they always managed to bring it back to medical treatment.
At this point, Dr. Kureha, also in a white coat, stood up and left.
She wasn't particularly interested in these events, but since the medical school was now established with the support of the World Government, she felt it necessary to pay some attention.
Now that the Marines seemed to be gaining the upper hand, she couldn't stay any longer. Her mind was fully focused on the research of Platinum Lead Disease, and taking this time out was already a sign of her goodwill towards the World Government.
Additionally, Dr. Kureha had recently heard that a Marine Admiral—or rather, a former Marine Admiral—would be coming for a medical check-up in a few days. As the battles in the 'New World' intensified, the influence of this world-wide live broadcast was also gradually expanding, with more and more people gathering together or staying at home, turning on their Image Snails to watch in small groups.
Especially the royal families and nobles of the various affiliated countries, who, after witnessing the terrifying combat power displayed by the Marine fleet, felt an increased sense of awe towards the World Government.
So, the Marine Headquarters' warships are that big, their decks that sturdy, their cannons' range that far, and their power that immense!
Even the seemingly weakest Marine soldiers displayed strength, speed, and reflexes comparable to the generals of the King's Army!
And those officers cloaked in the mantle of justice moved so fast that the naked eye could barely keep up! Deep beneath the sea, at the Ryugu Castle of Fish-Man Island, King Neptune, Queen Otohime, the Minister of the Left, and other officials were also watching this grand naval battle between the Marines and the pirates.
"I am now very glad that I agreed to have the Marines establish a branch here. The strength of Admiral Akainu and Admiral Kizaru is so formidable, and Vice Admiral Aokiji, who is also a candidate for admiral, must be similarly powerful. Our Fish-Man Island will no longer have to worry about pirate attacks," King Neptune sincerely remarked.
"Your Majesty is wise!" the Minister of the Left bowed and replied.
In fact, the various officials of the Fish-Man race and the soldiers of the Neptune Army guarding them were all somewhat frightened by the battle scenes displayed.
The Fish-Man race prided themselves on being ten times stronger than humans in terms of physical strength. This wasn't just the belief of the Fish-Man District but the mainstream view across the entire Fish-Man Island.
They acknowledged that there were humans stronger than themselves, but they believed such individuals were few and far between. However, in the current battle footage, both sides were humans, with not a single Fish-Man in sight. Moreover, apart from the Marine soldiers, every other person on the screen gave the Neptune Army soldiers an overwhelming sense of invincibility.
"Your Majesty, I've also heard that Vice Admiral Dragon, who is currently stationed at Sabaody Archipelago, is a user of the Logia-type Hurricane Fruit. Moreover, he is the son of Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Oh?"
King Neptune looked at the speaker in surprise. He had heard that the head of the Marine base at Sabaody Archipelago was Dragon, but he didn't know about his specific abilities.
Or rather, in his memory, Garp's son Dragon was a non-Devil Fruit user.
"This is good news. The stronger Dragon is, the safer our citizens will be when they visit or reside in Sabaody Archipelago!"
After saying this, his gaze returned to the projection screen, only to find it completely filled with golden light, making it impossible to see anything. The king didn't mind, though.
In his heart, he hoped that the Marines would win this battle. Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
On the social square of Pangaea Castle, Imu, disguised as Nerona Saint, had the net on the tennis court removed and then sat on a recliner, watching the high-definition live broadcast projected above the court with Mihawk, Gion, and Stussy.
Early this morning, he had introduced Mihawk to Gion and Stussy, and then, under Mihawk's reluctant expression, played a 'fun' and 'exciting' game of tennis with him.
The young man wasn't particularly skilled at tennis, but as soon as he picked up the racket and played a round, his proficiency skyrocketed. After all, the basic techniques of tennis posed no difficulty for a Swordmaster.
Interestingly, Gion knew Mihawk, or rather, had heard of his reputation outside.
The 'Hawk-Eye' Swordmaster who wielded the Supreme Grade Black Blade, Yoru! She just hadn't expected to meet him here, and even more surprising was his identity as a Celestial Dragon!
So, Gion was now filled with curiosity about Mihawk. As she watched the live broadcast, she couldn't help but steal glances at him, who was intently focused on the battle.
"Ah—I really want to fight him, but he's also a Celestial Dragon. What should I do?!" This woman's heart was now filled with immense conflict.
Just then, the projection screen showed purple electric snakes writhing within the dark clouds. Seeing this, Imu's lips curled slightly, revealing an extraordinarily handsome smile.
"The main characters have arrived. Is the first one to appear Charlotte Linlin?"
In the next moment, streaks of violet lightning filled the entire scene, resembling ferocious, writhing pythons. With astonishing speed, they opened their gaping maws and lunged at the warships and the naval officers engaged in battle.
Strangely, some officers managed to evade the initial strike using Soru, but the electric serpents automatically curved and continued to pursue them.
In almost an instant, dozens of lower-ranking officers and hundreds of naval soldiers at various levels were electrocuted. Only those with the rank of captain or above, who had mastered Haki, managed to withstand the attack! "A Logia-type user?" Mihawk asked in surprise.
Indeed, after witnessing Borsalino's 'Yasakani Sacred Jewel,' it was hard not to associate such a large-scale natural phenomenon attack with a Logia-type ability.
"No, it's 'BIG MOM,'" Imu said softly.
Sure enough, under the skilled filming of the Publicity Department's government personnel, a flag bearing a chocolate-colored top hat, pink curly hair, and bright red lipstick appeared before countless eyes.
"That's the Queen Mama Chanter of the BIG MOM Pirates!"
Once again, a certain newspaper reporter, relying on his knowledge of the major factions, loudly announced the information he knew in the square of Sabaody Archipelago.
"A Yonko has joined the battle?!"