The day after Aus escaped Marineford, the [Marineford Invasion Battle] exploded like thunder from a clear sky, completely flipping the seas that had just calmed down!
World opinion went absolutely insane!
As one of the New World's three great overlords, a powerhouse like Golden Lion Shiki having the balls to storm Marine Headquarters solo—
People would be shocked by such a major event, but it wasn't beyond reason.
A great pirate like that doing crazy shit was normal.
But the name [Black Gun] Doctor Aus appearing on the scene immediately grabbed attention from countless countries and forces worldwide.
One Piece: Legend Begins-Wanted Poster:
[Black Gun] Doctor Aus
Former Roger Pirates crew member, all three Haki types mastered, suspected [Paramecia] [Warp-Warp Fruit] user, mastermind behind the [Marineford Invasion Battle].
Bounty: 2,649,000,000 Belly
Dead or Alive - Heinous Criminal!!!
This name that only circulated in small circles—a young Roger Pirates intern—instantly became the world's hottest pirate supernova after this massive event.
No, "supernova" couldn't even describe this anymore.
According to exclusive World Economic Journal reports, this brat from Roger's ship might already possess combat power rivaling the World Government's highest fighting force—Marine Admiral level strength.
The young generation's king.
The "monster" Roger cultivated to rule the next era!
The Next Generation's "King"!!!
Sabaody Archipelago
In the red-light district that had started rebuilding and reopening, the old prosperity was slowly returning.
"Lady Sami! It's about Lord Aus!!!"
The district's two mascots—Aus's personal maids No. 6 and No. 7—burst into Sami's office.
Too excited to knock, they startled Sami mid-tea.
The two bounced around, clutching newspapers and slapping them on the desk.
"Look, look!"
"The paper says Lord Aus fought the Marines' top brass at headquarters, then walked away like a boss!"
"Mm-hmm~ The whole world's calling Lord Aus the next era's king!!!"
"So cool... totally worthy of Lord Aus..."
No. 6 and No. 7's eyes sparkled with hearts reading about Aus, feeling prouder than Aus himself.
These two young, clueless maids had no idea how much this news rocked someone like Sami, who'd seen the real world through the dark underworld.
Taking the paper and reading every word carefully, Sami's face showed pure shock and amazement, her pupils trembling nonstop.
She'd thought Lord Aus might be really strong.
But never imagined he could be this stupidly powerful!
"If this is true, then maybe this paper isn't wrong...
Lord Aus really has what it takes to challenge for world's strongest!!!"
Just like the report's conclusion:
"[Black Gun] Doctor Aus—
A genius that breeds despair, monster physique, absolute master of all three Haki types, Devil Fruit granting total battle control.
Suspected new era leader with absolute strength, cultivated by Roger.
Judging by the spirit and potential he's shown, he'll likely dominate world-class powerhouses for at least the next thirty years!"
First Half of the Grand Line
On some unknown island, a magnificent giant ship sat docked. In the nearby forest, three people roasted beasts they'd hunted.
"Mr. Rayleigh!! Shanks!! Huge news!!!"
The trio returning to Sabaody—Rayleigh and company—were taking a rest stop.
Buggy came sprinting from the beach, newspaper in hand, yelling as he ran:
"There's news about Aus—major event!!!"
"Holy shit!!! Really? Let me see!"
Shanks jumped up, snatching the paper from Buggy. The more he read, the more his eyes lit up.
"Classic Aus! So badass—wrecking Marine Headquarters!!!"
Buggy couldn't contain his grin either: "Right?! The whole world was saying Captain Roger got beaten and captured by Marines. Now Aus really showed them!"
They discussed excitedly, then looked at Rayleigh still grilling meat, rushing over with the paper.
Rayleigh glanced at the two reckless kids, smiling as he took the newspaper.
One look and his face went stunned.
The paper's opening featured a massive photo clearly shot by that news bird:
Shirtless Aus with flowing hair, blade in hand, covered in wounds.
Smiling as he stared down five Marines:
Marine Admiral Sengoku.
Marine Hero Garp.
Three natural-type monster Vice/Rear Admirals.
Besides the full article hyping Aus, it included shots of him solo-fighting the future three Admirals.
In those images, Aus wrapped in black-red lightning fought evenly against three natural disasters!
You could imagine—as those three young Marines climbed ranks and gained power, this photo's value would keep rising!
Facing such an insane lineup, causing chaos then escaping clean—
"Divine Departure... brings back memories..."
Just from Aus's technique in the photo, Rayleigh could tell this was one of Roger's signature moves.
Now being carried on in Aus's hands.
And that final assessment of Aus...
Looking at that unmatched dominating figure, he seemed to glimpse young Roger.
But that Roger wasn't 15—he was 25!
Terrifying kid.
Rayleigh sighed.
But he wondered—what was Aus's real intention behind this move?
Was it really just venting anger for Roger?
Meanwhile
One thousand meters above Impel Down, Aus sat cross-legged on clouds, casually catching a passing news bird.
After buying a paper with money from its pouch, he released it.
Reading through everything—
"Pfft..."
Aus lost it—both speechless and wanting to laugh.
That Morgans bastard, in his startup days, really would say anything for sales.
Nearly called him the future world king.
And those photo selections and layouts—none fake, but they totally misled the world.
Made it look like this Marineford invasion was entirely his plan, with Golden Lion just making a cameo.
Whether solo-fighting three Admirals or using Conqueror's coating, it screamed protagonist versus final boss.
But...
Aus honestly asked himself—his original reason for going to Marineford really wasn't showing off.
Even the fighting happened because the mood was right and he wanted to test his limits and build spirit—but that came later.
Looking at his wanted poster with that bold red "HEINOUS CRIMINAL - DEAD OR ALIVE," Aus felt helpless.
They even gave him a special layout poster.
Getting forcibly slapped with all these grand titles, Aus didn't really care—nobody could actually touch him anyway.
But getting misrepresented was still getting misrepresented.
When he met Morgans, he'd definitely settle accounts with that stupid bird.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
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