"Big news! Big news!"
"Shocking headline—Beasts Pirates' mysterious son-in-law, wanted for 1.5 billion berries!"
"They say this bounty was personally issued by the Five Elders—the highest authority of the World Government!"
Across the endless sea, the News Coo birds of the World Economic Journal cried out as they dropped newspapers over every island.
People everywhere froze, heads lifting, hands reaching to grab the falling papers.
The moment they saw the headline, their eyes shot wide open—
"Beasts Prince Consort Roxing — 1,500,000,000 berries!"
Hiss—!
A chorus of gasps swept across the world.
One-point-five billion berries!
That was higher than the bounty of most Emperor commanders.
Across the entire ocean, the only people with bounties higher than Roxing…
were the Four Emperors themselves.
"But why is the picture on the wanted poster… a yellow Psyduck?"
"They must not know what he looks like."
"Seriously… a man so mysterious that even the Navy's spies all over the world couldn't find a single image of him."
"For them to set his bounty at 1.5 billion without even knowing his face… shows how terrifying he must be."
"Well, they say he invented the Monster Cells that can rival Devil Fruits!"
Discussion about Roxing erupted everywhere.
"I heard Doflamingo and Crocodile both used Monster Cells—and their strength skyrocketed!"
"Imagine that… even Warlords can get stronger. Those cells are terrifying!"
"No wonder the World Government set his bounty so high. Creating something like that is as dangerous as being a Yonko himself!"
People nodded in agreement across the seas.
In the underworld, gossipmongers quickly labeled him:
"The Mysterious Fifth Emperor of the Sea."
Meanwhile — Wano Country
Wano, a land closed off from the world, received the news slightly later.
That day, Roxing and his wife Yamato were distributing food to villagers when Queen came sprinting over, panting heavily.
"Consort! Big news! BIG news!"
"What news gets you this excited?"
Roxing smiled as he handed grains to a frail old man.
Since the death of Kurozumi Orochi, Yamato—backed by Roxing's swift and overwhelming political maneuvering—
successfully became the new Shogun of Wano.
To win the hearts of the people, both Yamato and Roxing came down to the villages personally, handing out food.
(Truthfully, it was mostly Yamato's idea. She had always dreamed of improving Wano's lives, and once she started, she only grew more enthusiastic.)
The people now adored her, calling her "The Most Beautiful Shogun in Wano's History."
Roxing accompanied her to keep her happy…
and also because he felt a little guilty for secretly keeping a "golden canary" outside.
Queen cackled, "The Navy issued you a bounty poster!"
"Oh?"
Roxing raised a brow, genuinely surprised.
Seeing Yamato happily working with the villagers, he pulled Queen aside.
"Show me."
Queen handed him the poster.
The moment Roxing saw it—
He swore loudly.
"Grass!" (a type of plant)
Queen laughed.
"Shocking, right? They set your bounty at 1.5 billion berries! Higher than mine!"
Roxing's mouth twitched.
A mere 1.5 billion meant nothing to a reincarnated man like him.
What enraged him was—
The photo.
That cursed Psyduck.
Which creative idiot approved this!?
His mighty, heroic image… ruined by a derpy yellow duck!
If he found the culprit, he would personally demonstrate "crow sits on airplane" to them.
"Queen!" Roxing growled.
"Gather every newspaper that landed in Wano—burn them all.
Yamato must never see this. Ever."
Queen had no idea why, but orders were orders. He rushed off to arrange it.
"Consort, I actually came with even bigger news," Queen added.
"I found Shutenmaru—the leader of the Atamayama Bandits!"
"So he's finally found? Perfect timing.
I'm in a terrible mood—he can help me blow off steam."
Roxing's eyes glinted with cold light.
Shutenmaru was once Kozuki Oden's retainer, a powerful fighter on par with Jack the Drought.
Kaido valued his strength so much that he allowed him to roam freely instead of killing him.
But—
Now that Roxing held effective control over Wano,
there was no place for an unpredictable outsider.
If Shutenmaru voluntarily submitted, Roxing might have spared him.
But after several days, not even his shadow had appeared.
He clearly had no intention of serving under Roxing.
That decided his fate.
"Then he can go reunite with Kozuki Oden," Roxing said coldly.
Roxing was not Kaido.
He did not show mercy just because someone was talented.
A person who would not submit was not an asset—
he was a threat.
And threats must be eliminated without hesitation.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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