Chapter 411: Opinion

[Justice Will Not Be Tarnished by Pirate Slander!]

[World Government Holds Press Conference, Denies Massacre Allegations!]

[Fleet Admiral Kong Condemns: "The Pot Calling the Kettle Black!'—Turning Truth Upside Down!"]

[World Government: "All Content from 'Totto Land Daily' is Pure Fabrication by the Fallen Angel Pirates to Malign the Government!"]

[Five Elders: "The World Government's Greatness and Justice Are Beyond Question—Don't Be Misled by Evil Pirates!"]

…

At midday that same day, the World Government convened a press conference, broadcast openly to the entire world.

The Five Elders and Marine Fleet Admiral Kong personally appeared on camera to clarify and deny the "massacre" story from Totto Land Daily, declaring it nothing but baseless slander from nefarious pirates, who aimed to tarnish the image of the World Government and the Navy.

Furthermore, they announced a worldwide crackdown on the "Totto Land Daily," branding it a publication controlled by wicked pirates that spreads propaganda and misinformation about the Government and the Navy.

But the very next morning, bright and early,

the Kingdom of Totto Land—long forewarned and fully prepared—struck back without mercy.

In Totto Land Daily, they proclaimed that they would begin continuous broadcasts (24 hours a day, non-stop) showing live footage of the Celestial Dragons in God Valley—and previously in other nations—exterminating native inhabitants and enslaved workers. Any nation or town possessing a Visual Den Den Mushi could pick up the open signal. Even distant villages with fewer resources could still receive an audio broadcast, through a standard Den Den Mushi set to tune in.

This announcement shook the entire world; the seas roiled in commotion.

Though the shocked World Government ordered an absolute ban on Totto Land's signal, countless nations, towns—even remote villages—set up large screens and Visual Den Den Mushi, or simply used Broadcast Den Den Mushi to tune in to Totto Land's public feed.

Not only within Totto Land itself and its affiliated islands, but across the world, the Underworld trade group "Hell Trading Company" had meticulously prepared. In many large plazas or gathering spots, specialized receiving devices or large screens had been set up in advance. Everywhere, crowds gathered, waiting for the broadcast to begin.

"The screen is lit—here it comes!"

A calm narration accompanied stark words:

[This is one of the darkest chapters in human history—a horrific, inhuman massacre… Even worse, it is not an isolated incident, but a recurring "human hunt" put on by so-called 'Descendants of the Creator'—the Celestial Dragons—once every three years, under the guise of 'study trips'…]

[On July 6, 1484 of the Sea Calendar, the Navy—claiming to represent justice—received top-secret orders from the World Government to break into the Western Sea's non-member nation, God Valley. They subdued its royal family and citizens, then shipped in large numbers of slaves and convicts deemed 'problematic' to be dealt with.]

The screen went dark.

Subtitles and a grim-voiced narrator described the God Valley Massacre.

Then, slowly, images appeared...

"'Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone!

'Today we begin the three-yearly Tournament and Purge of the Natives!'

'This time's chosen site: the non-member nation of God Valley—an insolent island calling itself a "valley of gods," which we've determined to be rich in resources!'

'We'll carry out our customary human hunt here, while announcing that from now on, this island is the property of the World Government!'"

On screen, one sees a large island filled with tall, majestic peaks, yet fully encircled by Marine battleships with a tight blockade. There in the island's central region, large numbers of Celestial Dragons—fancy clothing, bubble helmets—were gathering. On a raised platform, a Celestial Dragon spoke in a loud and condescending tone.

Masses of slaves, convicts, and even the local royals and citizens of God Valley were all corralled together, under heavy Marine guard. One could see one of the Five Elders—Saint Saturn, the so-called "Warrior God of Defense Science"—and members of the Holy Knights. The footage highlighted each individual's identity with captions.

And soon, the slaughter began.

"This… This is God Valley!"

"No mistake—I've actually been there!"

"Damned Marines, truly dogs of the Celestial Dragons!"

"They can do such unspeakable deeds, yet still call themselves 'justice'…"

"Inhuman beasts—they spare not even pregnant women or newborns!"

"Don't they see we're all humans? They treat people like livestock!"

Once the so-called "human hunt" started, the broadcast turned ever more gruesome.

One scene after another showed brutal Celestial Dragons wielding guns, blades, or spears, hunting their victims like animals. Not even infants or pregnant mothers were spared. The pleas and screams of the unarmed populace—be they natives, slaves, or convicts—were wholly ignored.

In one particularly shocking shot, a heavily pregnant woman was sliced open alive, while a laughing Celestial Dragon propped up her still-attached infant on the tip of a lance, bloody and raw. An image that no one who saw it could easily forget.

Many watchers were so disturbed that they turned white, trembling. Fury, horror, and revulsion raced through the crowd. If paying the "Heavenly Tribute" to these Celestial Dragons turned impossible, would their own nation end up like God Valley? A lamb to the slaughter?