As dawn broke, the sky just began to show the first light of day.
The editors of the World Economic Journal had worked through the night, finally finishing their rush to complete the articles.
The News Birds shook their wings, carrying the freshly printed reports, and cheerfully flew off to various destinations.
They swept over towns, ports, and ship decks, scattering newspapers like snowflakes everywhere.
The headline on the front page was so striking that—
Across the four seas, the first half of the Grand Line, the New World…
Almost everywhere, the newspapers were instantly sold out as soon as they arrived.
This series of news, rapidly fermenting with public opinion, swept across the entire sea like a hurricane, stirring up huge waves!
————
In the New World, aboard the Moby Dick.
"Gurararara—"
A hearty laugh shook the deck slightly as Whitebeard tilted his head back and took a big swig of wine, casually tossing the newspaper to Marco. "Take a look, Marco, the Navy really made fools of themselves this time!"
"The Falling Stars Adventure Pirates, Xiano…"
Marco took the newspaper, glanced at it, and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Akainu… actually got injured?"
"Huh?"
"Really?"
"Let me see too, Oyaji!"
Several other division captains were shocked and hurriedly gathered around.
"Whoa?!" Diamond Jozu was the first to widen his eyes. "540 million Berry… to have such a bounty just after entering the Grand Line, that's even more exaggerated than Red Hair's growth rate!"
A bounty of this level could even rank among their own division captains!
"And he's a Master Swordsman too!"
Izou turned around with interest. "A Master Swordsman who even Akainu couldn't capture… Hey, Vista, this guy's swordsmanship might be better than yours, huh?"
"Don't joke around, you bastard Izou~!"
Flower Sword Vista was furious. "How could that be? Don't compare me to some brat who just stepped into Paradise!"
Though he said this, Vista's gaze kept shifting between the handsome face in the photo and the long katana on the young man's back.
A pure Master Swordsman without a Devil Fruit?
To reach such heights with just swordsmanship…
Indeed… it's been a long time since we've encountered someone like this!
Vista narrowed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the hilt of his sword.
Enter the New World soon, kid! When we meet, let's have a good spar and see just how much you're really worth!
"Oyaji."
Marco closed the newspaper, deep in thought. "Should we make contact? Such a powerful rookie shouldn't be snatched up by the other factions first."
"No rush, let's wait until he enters the New World!"
Whitebeard grinned and waved his hand.
"These things depend on fate, you fool of a son, gurararara… Anyway, let the Navy deal with their headache first! The sea is finally going to get lively again!"
————
On Onigashima, in the Skull Castle.
"Wahahaha, little Per! Why are you running? I'm not going to eat you!"
"…"
Two figures were darting back and forth between the pillars.
At the very top of the hall, the candlelight cast a long shadow of a massive figure.
"Urorororo! Queen, what are you looking at now?"
Kaido, drunk, lay sprawled on the throne, holding a bottle of wine, his eyes glancing sideways at Queen, who was holding a newspaper with a look of surprise on his face.
"Boss, there's some big news from Paradise," Queen said with a grin, holding a cigar between his teeth as he handed over the newspaper.
"Take a look. An eighteen-year-old kid nearly turned the Marine Headquarters upside down, giving them a real headache."
"Oh?" Kaido lazily took the newspaper, squinting as he read through the report before his gaze lingered on the bounty poster.
"Eighteen, even younger than Yamato, huh? Interesting..." Kaido's eyes stayed on Xiano's face for a moment before he suddenly asked, "He managed to hold his own against Akainu for so long... Is he a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user?"
"Huh?" Queen was taken aback, scratching his head. "According to the intel, it doesn't seem so... This kid is a pure Master Swordsman. He hasn't even eaten a Devil Fruit."
"...?" Kaido suddenly perked up, flipping over to sit upright. "Really? He hasn't eaten one?"
"Nope. Didn't you read the newspaper? He escaped by jumping into the sea..."
"Worororo! Who reads that stuff carefully anyway!" Kaido's drunken eyes sparkled with excitement. "At such a young age, relying solely on his physical strength to be this powerful... He's a rare find indeed!"
"Hey, Queen!" Kaido grinned widely. "Hold off on using those Devil Fruits we talked about earlier. Keep a close eye on this kid. The moment he enters the New World, report to me immediately! I'll personally go find him with the Devil Fruits!"
"This..." Queen wiped his sweat. Kaido was great in every way, but... wasn't he a bit too eager to recruit talent? A kid who just entered the Grand Line was already being offered such treatment? Letting him pick a Devil Fruit?
Though he had to admit, Xiano did have the qualifications. With a bounty of 540 million Berries before even reaching the New World, it was truly outrageous.
King had already surpassed 1 billion Berries, but Queen himself was only at 700 million, just a bit over a billion more than Xiano. If Xiano were to join the Beasts Pirates, he'd probably rank just below the two All-Stars right away...
Tsk, what would his new title be? Calamity Xiano?
Just then—
Two figures finally burst into the banquet hall.
"Damn it, Page One! Why are you running away from me!" Ulti chased her brother frantically around the hall.
"Sis, calm down!" Page One dodged, holding his head. "Kaido is discussing important matters!"
"Hey." Queen's forehead veins bulged, his cigar crunching between his teeth. "You two..."
The first time, he held back.
The second time, his chubby face began to twitch.
When Ulti zoomed past him for the third time, knocking over his treasured wine—
"Shut the hell up!!!" Queen exploded, his massive body displaying surprising agility as he grabbed both siblings and roared, "You two brats, if you want to mess around, get out of here! You're going to deafen Kaido with your noise!!!"
"...Uh, uh..."Ulti was drenched in spit, her big eyes welling up with tears of grievance."
"You're the one deafening me, you idiot!!!" Thud! Kaido slammed his kanabo onto Queen's head, sending him sprawling backward, his grip on the siblings loosening as he collapsed.
"Take your brother and leave," Kaido said, turning his gaze to Ulti. "This place is too small, it's not suitable."
"Alright! Thank you, Lord Kaido!" Ulti grinned, bowing to Kaido before sticking her tongue out at Queen and dragging her brother out by the ear.
Kaido silently watched the siblings leave.
Queen, rubbing his head, finally sat up. "Ouch... that hurt. Was that really necessary, boss? Aren't you spoiling those brats a bit too much..."
"They're not adults yet. Let them be from now on, don't do that again! I promised Hanafuda I'd raise them properly!" Kaido snorted, then suddenly frowned as if remembering something.
"By the way, go contact Hanafuda yourself and ask him why the Devil Fruits for this quarter haven't been delivered yet."
Friendship is one thing, but business is business.
That guy promised to deliver three Zoan-type Devil Fruits each time, and it's already several days past the deadline. What's going on?!
"Yes, boss!" Queen scrambled to his feet. "He must have been delayed by something... Don't worry, I'll go and hurry him up!"
[Illustration of Hanafuda]
————
In Totto Land.
The sea breeze blew gently as Katakuri sat alone atop the mast, staring at the newspaper in his hand.
The bounty was high, the strength immense. It had been a long time since such a monstrous newcomer had appeared on the seas.
But what he cared about most was...
Does this guy also have two sisters?
Can he just take his sisters with him, carefree and unrestrained, roaming the seas as he pleases?
"Heh..."
A hint of envy flashed in Katakuri's eyes as he thought about how their mother had been forcing their sisters into arranged marriages lately... He tugged at his scarf, leaning back against the mast with a tired sigh.
What a guy to be jealous of.
————
On a pitifully small sailboat.
Creak—!
Tashigi burst through the cabin door, clutching the freshly delivered newspaper, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
"Mr. Mihawk!"
She rushed over to Hawkeye in three quick steps, shaking the newspaper open with a flourish. "Ta-da! Look! There's new news about Sir Xiano!"
Hawkeye, who had been polishing his Black Blade Night, paused slightly.
He glanced up, scanning the contents of the report—Akainu injured, Crocodile killed in battle, the Marine fleet returning empty-handed... Each piece of news made his hawk-like pupils gleam with interest.
Had he underestimated him after all?
So his swordsmanship was that powerful?
"Interesting."
He murmured softly, a long-dormant fighting spirit igniting in his eyes.
Since his inconclusive duel with Red Hair, no one on these seas had made him so eager to draw his sword.
The Black Blade Night trembled slightly in its sheath, as if sensing its master's emotions. Hawkeye suddenly looked toward the depths of the Grand Line and spoke.
"After tonight, we'll part ways."
"Huh?!"
Tashigi, who had been happily holding the newspaper, widened her eyes in shock. "Why, Mr. Mihawk? Aren't we both trying to find Sir Xiano?"
"Your ship is just too slow."
Hawkeye shook his head slightly. "At this rate, we'll never catch up to that guy."
"Your ship is fast, sure, but it also sinks fast," Tashigi muttered, pouting. "It's not about the ship being slow, you just find me noisy, don't you?"
"..." Hawkeye rubbed his temples in frustration. "As long as you understand."
These past few days, Tashigi had been pestering him relentlessly, wanting to learn swordsmanship and become his disciple. It was truly exhausting.
As for why he was on the same ship as Tashigi...
It all started the day they left Loguetown.
At the time, he had set off for Reverse Mountain to continue chasing Xiano's ship.
But during the descent, because of that whale Laboon, he inexplicably lost track of his target and got distracted. In the chaos, he accidentally capsized.
He fell into the sea, drenched like a drowned rat, and his ship crashed into the shores of Twin Cape, shattering into pieces.
Coincidentally, Tashigi, who had set off ahead of him, was resting on the grass at Twin Cape, basking in the sun. So, this embarrassing scene was witnessed by this sword-obsessed girl, who stared in wide-eyed shock.
His first instinct was to knock her out and take her ship to leave.
But then he remembered the words she had spoken at the port of Loguetown...
In the end, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
And so, things turned out this way.
He became a temporary passenger on her ship.
And that scatterbrained girl Tashigi, upon recognizing his identity, was overjoyed and pestered him daily for swordsmanship lessons. She even crouched outside his cabin door at night, clutching her sword.
Eventually, she couldn't hold on and fell asleep, mumbling in her sleep:
"Mr. Mihawk... please take me as your disciple... Only by becoming stronger can I be worthy... to catch up to Lord Xiano..."
—It was utterly annoying.
He was used to being alone and always hated being disturbed, let alone taking on the hassle of a disciple.
But strangely, he never truly chose to leave.
He didn't know why.
Perhaps... it was because this sword-obsessed girl's pure dedication to the way of the sword reminded him of his younger self?
"..."
After a moment of silence, Hawkeye suddenly spoke:
"Fine, here's the deal."
Tashigi's head snapped up, her eyes wide, and she held her breath.
"Until we catch up to Xiano," he said calmly, "I'll teach you a few moves every day and check your progress the next day."
Tashigi's eyes instantly lit up.
"If I'm satisfied, I might consider taking you as my disciple in the future."
"But..." Hawkeye looked down at her calmly, "if your progress is too slow and I feel you have no talent, wasting my time—"
"I promise I won't!" Tashigi shot to her feet, her face flushed with excitement. "I'll practice with all my might! I won't disappoint you! I—I'll go get my sword right now!!"
She tossed the newspaper aside and turned to rush out, only to trip over the cabin threshold and fall flat on her face.
"..."
Hawkeye watched this clumsy girl fumble around, searching for her glasses, and couldn't help but close his eyes, wondering if he had made a terrible mistake.
Xiano, Xiano.
Where are you? Or just stop for a moment, so I can catch up to you sooner...
————
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"What did you say?!!! Garp!!"
Sengoku slammed the newspaper on the table, his incredulous roar nearly shaking the roof off the Fleet Admiral's office.
"Did I say something wrong again?"
Garp was momentarily stunned, but then he continued picking his nose nonchalantly. "But it's the truth. I've known this kid for a long time. I was the one who taught him Armament Haki."
"That's exactly what I'm concerned about!"
Sengoku gritted his teeth, almost wanting to punch the old man in front of him:
"Such a big deal, and you only mention it after seeing the bounty poster? Your so-called disciple has become a major headache for the headquarters, killing two Vice Admirals and even taking down a Warlord of the Sea!"
"Does that really make him my disciple? Back then, I only taught him some basics to repay a debt."
Garp shrugged, then glanced at the close-up of Akainu's injuries in the newspaper and suddenly chuckled:
"But... to push Sakazuki to this point, he's indeed quite something, pfft hahaha!"
"Garp!!"
Sengoku's roar made the windows vibrate: "How can you still laugh?!"
"Why so angry?"
After finishing with his nose, Garp casually wiped his finger on the goat beside him. "Wasn't Vice Admiral Onigumo's death his own doing? You know the details better than anyone. And that Bumaya, she was a complete lunatic, wasn't she?"
"Should I feel sad that they're dead? On the contrary, I feel like the air at Marine Headquarters has become much fresher..."
As for the Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile.
Garp clicked his tongue. He had seen the man a few times in recent years, and his intuition told him that Crocodile had never truly reformed.
Once an ambitious Pirate, after going to Alabasta, he put on a righteous facade, hunting Pirates more aggressively than the Marines...
Who knows what he was really up to behind the scenes!
But as for Xiano.
Since setting sail, he had never attacked towns or robbed merchant ships. Even the label of "Pirate crew" was something the headquarters had forcibly smeared onto him.
"Anyway, I don't have any ill feelings toward this guy. Of course, if I run into him, I'll still catch him!"
Garp grinned. "Speaking of which, since you're so eager to solve this problem, I have an idea. There's an empty spot among the Warlords of the Sea now, so why not recruit him as the new Warlord?"
Kill two birds with one stone!
It would stop Xiano from causing trouble for the Marines, and among the Warlords, there would be one less person who would abuse the legal right to plunder and bully civilians.
It's a win-win situation.
"Warlord of the Sea..."
Sengoku's expression darkened.
He had to admit, it was indeed a feasible solution.
In fact, he had already considered it, even making it a preliminary plan right after Crocodile's death.
But now, it was impossible!
At least not in the short term!
Sengoku stared at the World Economic Journal newspaper on his desk, his temples throbbing.
That bastard Morgans... this time, he had rushed to print an extra edition overnight, spreading the news all over the world before the headquarters could even apply pressure!
"Marines Suffer Crushing Defeat! Two Vice Admirals Dead and Injured, Admiral Akainu Also Seriously Wounded!"
"Warlord of the Sea Crocodile Confirmed Dead, Same Person Behind Both Incidents!"
"Highest Bounty in the First Half of the Grand Line History! 540 Million Berry!"
Exaggerated and sensationalized.
Each headline felt like a slap across the face of the Marine Headquarters.
Sengoku could almost picture the smug, gleeful expressions of the Pirates in the New World as they read the newspapers and burst into arrogant laughter.
In the midst of such a media storm, how could the Marines turn around and extend an olive branch, recruiting the very same person as a Warlord of the Sea?
Where would the dignity of the Marines be then?
And where would his own face, as an elder, be left to rest?
"Let's wait and see a bit longer…"
Sengoku took a deep breath, his gaze returning to the bounty poster on the desk.
In the photo, a black-haired boy stood with a sword on his back, a carefree smile on his lips. His sharp black eyes seemed to pierce through the paper, directly stabbing into Sengoku's own gaze—
Mockery.
Barefaced mockery!
It was as if he was ridiculing the Marines' grand-scale siege operation, which had ultimately ended in a humiliating defeat with an Admiral injured and the fleet returning empty-handed.
Sengoku's fingers unconsciously tightened, creasing the edges of the wanted poster...
————
Somewhere in the Grand Line.
On the deck of the Sunset, everyone huddled together, carefully reading the newspaper they had just bought, occasionally whispering excitedly.
"Ha, I knew it!"
Nami was the first to finish reading, placing her hands on her hips and laughing triumphantly. "What kind of Admiral is that? They couldn't do anything to my brother!"
They had been quite worried when they couldn't get through on the Den Den Mushi.
Fortunately, the World Economic Journal acted quickly this time, bringing them the good news of Xiano's safety early in the morning.
"Is that so?"
Kuina raised her head expressionlessly. "If I remember correctly, wasn't it me who knocked you out with a hand chop? Otherwise, you would've already rushed back, right?"
If she had shown up, she probably would've been blasted through the chest by Akainu. What difference would that have made from just throwing herself to the wolves?
"I…"
Nami was momentarily speechless, but soon retorted stubbornly, "Well, that's because I was too worried! And you're one to talk! Who was it that stood on the deck all night last night, holding her sword and staring north? Your neck must've been about to break, huh?"
"..." Kuina's ears instantly turned red.
Damn it, why did she have to say that in front of everyone!
"Hey, you two."
Nojiko tried to intervene helplessly, but was interrupted by the commotion across the table—
"Woof, woof… awoo!"
Agin suddenly stood up on his hind legs, his front paws excitedly slapping the newspaper. Everyone followed his gaze and saw a stack of wanted posters fall out from between the pages.
The first one was Agin's, and the bounty number was astonishing—
"150 million Berry?" Kuina turned her head in surprise. "Impressive, Agin. That's quite a jump."
"You're not bad either," Nojiko chuckled as she handed over the next wanted poster. "140 million."
Kuina raised an eyebrow and compared it to the ones that followed.
Second only to Lord Xiano, huh?
The Navy must think highly of her to suddenly put her ahead of Zeff and Smoker.
As for being below Agin… she thought that was fair. After all, her current strength was still a bit weaker than Agin's, and in the battle at the dock, Agin had been the most outstanding.
"What about me? What about me!!!"
Nami raised her hand high, her eyes filled with anticipation. "I contributed a lot this time too! The Navy must know I'm a Logia user now, right? How much did my bounty increase?"
If it's not 100 million, then 90 million… no, even 80 million Berry would be fine!
"Let me look for you… Huh, the Captain's bounty has already surpassed 500 million? But with his achievements, that's only natural… Oh, here it is. Yours is right below the Captain's."
The others immediately leaned over to take a look.
Then, in unison, they turned their heads and cast pitying glances at Nami.
"Hey…"
Nami narrowed her eyes, a bad feeling creeping into her heart. "Why… why are you all looking at me like that…"
"80,000 Berry!" Nojiko stifled a laugh as she slapped the wanted poster in front of Nami. "Congratulations! That's a full ten times higher than before!"
Nami's expression instantly froze.
One, two, three, four... She counted over and over again, confirming that there were indeed only four zeros on the bounty poster. Her vision darkened, and her entire body trembled: "Why, why?!!"Are the Navy's staff departments just a bunch of useless meeting-goers?"!!"she screamed in collapse." "Didn't they see the Wall of Fire I unleashed? What about the Fire Snake? The Fire Phoenix? I even defeated a Navy colonel one-on-one who came to stop me!"
"Well, according to the battle report and Agin's new nickname..."
Smoker flipped through the newspaper, "It seems, perhaps, maybe... the Navy mistook your Flame-Flame Fruit abilities as Agin's."
Agin?
Nami suddenly turned her head, glaring fiercely at Agin.
What's going on?
Agin was sprawled on the ground, stretching lazily with a blissful expression. Seeing Nami approach step by step with a dark face... he immediately looked utterly confused...
...
Two minutes later.
"Agin, Agin, Agin... Agin!!!"
Nami, bruised and battered, knelt on the ground, gritting her teeth and tearfully pounding her left arm, which had a recently stuck Agin sticker on it.
Nojiko stood beside her, sighing.
This sister of hers was truly a complete idiot.
This state wasn't caused by Agin.
Agin couldn't bear to lay a hand on his master's sister, so he kept dodging. As a result, Nami bumped into several corners during the chase, leaving herself bruised and battered...
"Wuwu..."
Nami suddenly looked up, pitifully saying, "Nojiko, help me! Help me beat up Agin to vent my anger!"
"Logically speaking, as your sister, I should pat your head and then raise my arm and shout 'Of course!'"
"But I can't."
Nojiko sighed, "Because even if we team up, the two of us still can't beat Agin."
Damn it!!!
Nami sniffled hard, feeling even more wronged. Her pet had stolen her battle achievements, becoming the second highest bounty on the ship, while she was mistaken for a pet by the Navy headquarters...
Is there no justice in this world?!
When my brother gets back, I'll definitely complain to him fiercely!
"Thinking of venting to your brother, huh?"
Nojiko saw through her at a glance, "But we can't reach him right now. We've discussed it and decided to continue sailing aimlessly. When we come across an island, we'll stop, store up magnetic force, and wait for his call."
"As for when that call will come."
Nojiko looked out at the distant sea:
"Just wait. It's only the second day. Knowing my brother, he's probably exhausted and still drifting somewhere on the sea, fast asleep..."
————
"Hu, hu..."
Xiano was indeed still fast asleep.
But he wasn't drifting on the sea; instead, he was lying on a soft lap.
Robin rested her chin on one hand, leaning back on the sofa. Her legs were covered with thick clothing, and Xiano lay horizontally on top of it.
There was no other way. The space on the turtle's back was limited, and while this posture wasn't exactly elegant, it at least allowed both of them to be comfortable.
As for tossing Xiano onto the hard, uncomfortable turtle shell beside them...
Robin gently shook her head, a slight smile on her lips.
—She couldn't bring herself to do such a thing.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze soft as she looked at the handsome, peaceful sleeping face before her.
For some reason, the cyan-purple poison on the boy's body would surge up one moment and then disappear without a trace the next.
Perhaps it was his body's internal resistance fighting against the deadly poison?
Robin speculated. In any case, his breathing remained steady, and they were getting closer to that medical superpower, so there was no need to worry too much.
And now, it seemed like he had returned to a normal state.
The boy's black hair was disheveled, scattered across his forehead. His eyelashes cast faint shadows under his eyes, and there was a faint smile on his lips, as if he was experiencing something interesting in his dream.
"Really..."
Robin couldn't help but reach out, gently brushing away the stray hair on his forehead, murmuring softly, "You just went through a fierce battle, yet you're sleeping so peacefully."
—He was a "notorious criminal" who had given the Marine Headquarters a headache, a terrifyingly strong individual who had effortlessly killed her former boss, Crocodile.
Yet now, in her arms, he looked like a defenseless child.
"Heh." Robin chuckled softly.
Such a contrast... it somehow made her feel...
Overwhelmingly protective.
She suddenly recalled what had happened last night.
She had just carried him onto the turtle's back, and not long after they set off, he suddenly opened his eyes. In a daze, he glanced at her face and said, "So it's you."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he collapsed again, falling back into a deep sleep.
It was so strange.
Wasn't he being a bit too trusting of her?
Didn't he fear that she might be a malicious enemy, ready to turn him over to the Marines for a bounty?
And what did that statement even mean? Did he already know her?
That didn't make sense...
On the other hand, it was true that she had known about him for a long time.
Ever since that call with Crocodile, she couldn't help but gather information about this black-haired boy.
When Crocodile went to ambush him at Whiskey Peak, she, having already completed her mission, became even more intrigued and quietly followed from a distance.
And then...
She witnessed him kill Crocodile, spar with the giants in Little Garden, and then single-handedly hold the rear on Toll Island, allowing his companions to escape while he stayed behind to confront Akainu, ultimately achieving a feat that shocked the world...
If at the beginning...
She had only been curious, and with Baroque Works disbanded, she had nowhere else to go, so she chose to continue following him, seeking the protection of a new boss.
Now, what she cared about wasn't just the immense strength displayed by the Falling Stars Adventure Pirates, but also the enviable camaraderie on that ship.
Freedom, trust, bonds.
These were things she had never truly possessed in her over twenty years of life, yet on that ship, they seemed so natural.
If she could get him to accept her and become a member of the crew...
The sea breeze gently brushed past, and she suddenly snapped out of her thoughts, laughing at herself. Someone like me... how could I even start fantasizing about such things?
But why did he know her?
Robin lowered her gaze, her fingertips unconsciously brushing through Xiano's hair.
Perhaps he was too exhausted, his mind muddled, and he mistook her for someone who looked similar?
That was the only explanation she could think of.
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