Chapter 83: 83. The Bet, The Fravans Incident Breaks Out

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- Time flies; spring passes, and autumn follows. Even though the New World has reached a relatively stable period under the Four Emperors' influence, the turbulent winds of the new era continue to stir, with countless incidents unfolding every year. Sea Circle Calendar 1506 In North Blue, the "Flamingo" began to rise in fame. The Donquixote Family's underground operations expanded rapidly, with their influence seeping into the New World's shadowy underworld. Their growing reputation caught the attention of Marine Headquarters, particularly the Marine Chief of Staff, Tsuru. Despite repeated operations to capture him, Doflamingo escaped her grasp time and again, cementing his infamy. In the same year, the Marines launched a covert operation to suppress the Donquixote Family. A spy successfully infiltrated their ranks, even as Doflamingo, after years of estrangement, reunited with members of his bloodline. Sea Circle Calendar 1507 A crisis erupted in a kingdom where pirates had taken soldiers hostage, threatening the king to abdicate his throne. In response, the World Government deployed a 13-year-old Rob Lucci. He carried out his orders with brutal efficiency, slaughtering 500 soldiers singlehandedly. This display of power significantly bolstered the government's prestige. Sea Circle Calendar 1508 A year marked by constant upheaval, 1508 also saw the convening of the World Summit, held every four years at Mary Geoise. Among the key topics discussed was the state of the New World's Four Emperors and the escalating threat of piracy. The Marines and the World Government highlighted their contributions to maintaining order, leading to a decision to raise the Heavenly Tribute. While many nations voiced dissent, the memory of the previous year's throne incident swayed the majority to vote in favor of the increase. Other significant topics included the rise of revolutionary movements destabilizing governments worldwide and the completion of the Seven Warlords of the Sea lineup. Alongside Crocodile, Gecko Moria, and Baddock Bardock, the new additions included Swamp Villain Stella, Strange Force Russell, the enormous San Juan Wolf, and Ochoku, a former member of the Rocks Pirates. This roster of notorious pirates served as a counterbalance to the Four Emperors and a deterrent to Grand Line pirates. Despite its achievements, the World Summit also highlighted troubling developments. Notably, three fewer member nations participated compared to the previous summit. Among the absent was Flevance, the famed "White Town." Flevance, once a prosperous and beautiful nation in the North Blue, was absent not because of financial struggles or pirate invasions. Instead, a devastating illness struck the entire population shortly before the summit. This mysterious disease spared no one except the royals and nobles, leaving the common folk—men, women, young, and old—gripped by its deadly effects. Known as "The White Town," Flevance was renowned for its pristine, snow-like landscape. Its beauty stemmed from the presence of a rare ore called Amber Lead, found abundantly in the region's soil. Amber Lead became a cornerstone of the nation's economy, used to manufacture tableware, paint, sweeteners, cosmetics, and even weapons. The high quality of its products drew global demand, making the "Amber Lead Industry" a major economic pillar for Flevance. The World Government, ever opportunistic, seized control of the lucrative export business, ensuring that the "White Town" became a hub of wealth and trade. However, beneath the surface of prosperity lay a ticking time bomb, as Flevance's seemingly boundless riches brought unimaginable tragedy to its people. However, no one anticipated that while Amber Lead could bring immense wealth, it also carried devastating consequences. Through prolonged mining, its toxins seeped into the human body, silently poisoning one generation after another. By Sea Circle Calendar 1508, the cumulative effects of this "national poison" were set to erupt in full force. This grim truth had already been uncovered by Vice Admiral Gion of Marine Headquarters during her investigation in 1507. Her findings revealed a scandal that stretched back a century. The World Government and Flevance' royal family had known for over 100 years that Amber Lead was a deadly poison. Despite this knowledge, they chose to conceal the truth, prioritizing profits over people. They deceived the citizens, urging them to continue mining the toxic ore. When Gion uncovered the truth, her fury was uncontainable. She took her findings directly to Chief of Staff Tsuru and Fleet Admiral Sengoku, demanding accountability and a solution. Predictably, the response was far from satisfying. Though Gion's anger was understandable, the World Government's priority was maintaining its reputation and authority. Exposing such a scandal would be catastrophic, especially with the World Summit fast approaching. The Marines, under Sengoku's leadership, had no mandate to intervene in Flevance, as it was deemed an internal matter. To prevent Gion from taking unauthorized action, Sengoku ordered her to leave North Blue and remain at Marineford under strict orders to rest. But when news of the outbreak reached her and Flevance's plight made headlines, Gion defied Sengoku's orders. Without hesitation, she commandeered a ship and set sail for the "White Town." Realizing the gravity of her disobedience, Sengoku scrambled to send pursuit orders. However, by the time Marine forces set out, Gion had already entered the treacherous waters leading to North Blue. It was too late to stop her. Sengoku hastily informed Tsuru, who was also stationed in North Blue, to intervene if possible. By the time Gion arrived, Flevance had descended into chaos. The disease had ravaged the population, and neighboring nations—fearing an outbreak—had declared Amber Lead Syndrome an infectious disease. These nations, aware of Flevance's powerful weaponry made from Amber Lead, launched preemptive attacks. Flevance was now besieged and sealed off entirely. The sight that greeted Gion was nothing short of hell. Blockades surrounded the ports, while the bodies of the dead were piled high, left to rot under the open sky. "Marine?! Are you insane coming here?" A soldier guarding the blockade, his face obscured by a protective mask, called out to her in alarm. "Everyone inside is infected with a terrible disease. Are you here to retrieve someone from the royal family? Even the World Government abandoned them!" Before Gion could respond, the desperate cries of a child cut through the air. "Marine! Please, help us!" A boy, no older than eight, emerged from the shadows of a nearby eave, tears streaming down his face. "There's a refuge ship at the western port, but they won't let us on! Please!" The sight of the child struck a nerve in Gion. He was about the same age as she had been when she first pledged her loyalty to the Marines. As the boy stumbled toward her, she instinctively opened her arms to comfort him. But then, horror struck. The soldier, noticing the pale white patches on the child's exposed skin, screamed in panic. "Stay back! He's infected!" Without hesitation, the soldier raised his musket and fired. A deafening shot rang out, and a burst of crimson stained the air. The boy collapsed, blood pooling beneath him, the life in his small body extinguished in an instant. Gion stood frozen, her wide eyes filled with shock and disbelief as the grim reality of the situation unfolded before her.