"Gurararara, have the Marines been breached, or has that old geezer Garp died?"
The incredibly tall Whitebeard laughed heartily; although he had many needles inserted into him,
his terrifying aura was hidden but not released, and an invisible Haki spread around, making people tremble.
Anyone could see that Whitebeard was a strong man!
Ace, who followed, twitched his eyelids; Whitebeard seemed very displeased with his grandfather. He then said: "Whitebeard, it's Hawkeye Mihawk, he's joined a pirate crew. The newspaper says he was beaten into submission and became a thug."
"What?"
"It must be fake, what kind of newspaper is this, writing nonsense!"
"Hawkeye surrendered? I don't believe a single word of it!"
The surrounding pirates were all in disbelief. Hawkeye, the world's strongest swordsman!
There are only a few people in the world stronger than Hawkeye, but to beat Hawkeye into submission and recruit him, the Four Emperors couldn't do it, nor could the World Government. Just who is this big shot!
"Newspapers these days are getting more and more fake..."
Whitebeard also didn't believe it. He took the newspaper, and the headline caught his eye!
Shocking! The world's strongest swordsman surrenders!
More than half the page was a picture: Shaya in front, Hawkeye and Anas on either side. Anyone with eyes could see that Hawkeye and the Dog-headed man looked like bodyguards.
There's a picture, there's truth!
This made Whitebeard frown slightly. Could it be true?
Looking further down... it all described how powerful Hawkeye was, various praises, various instant kills of the Four Emperors, which made Whitebeard secretly annoyed.
Then the topic changed, writing that Hawkeye was beaten into submission by Shaya.
It didn't describe Shaya's specific strength or abilities, but it completely used Hawkeye to highlight him.
Whitebeard opened the newspaper, and several wanted posters fell out and were caught by Ace. Whitebeard continued reading.
Shocking! Shaya, lord of the moon!
The picture was a photo of a terrifying phantom of the moon from ten days ago, followed by a solo photo of Shaya sitting.
The comparison inexplicably made people feel he was very domineering.
Then various conspiracy theories began, describing Shaya as useless except for his strength!
Things like petty theft and kidnapping women were minor; there were even descriptions of cannibalism without wiping his mouth, cutting people up and eating their flesh, etc., completely portraying him as a great devil.
The Marine's usual tactics!
In short, the newspaper contained no nutritious information; it was all about Xayah's Crew, astonishing the strong and terrifying the common people.
"Damn it!! How dare he!"
Suddenly, Ace roared in anger, startling everyone.
"Ace, what's wrong?"
Hearing Vista's curiosity, Ace shook his head,
and handed the wanted poster to Whitebeard, saying: "Whitebeard, this Shaya has taken away your title of the world's strongest!"
"He doesn't deserve it, I'm going to challenge him!"
Boom!!
In an instant, the entire crew exploded!
It should be known that the Whitebeard Pirates' greatest pride was the four words "world's strongest." They even subtly disdained the three words "Pirate King," and everyone took pride in being the world's strongest.
But now a New World's strongest has appeared, and no one can tolerate it!
"The world's strongest, lord of the moon?"
In a corner of the ship, Blackbeard Teach also bought a newspaper from a seagull, quickly read it, and then stared intently at the wanted poster.
Shaya!
The world's strongest!
Bounty: 3,675,000,000 Berries!
Although it wasn't as much as Whitebeard's 5 billion bounty, this was his first bounty, definitely the first existence in history to have an initial bounty exceeding 3 billion.
"No, I can't wait any longer, if I wait any longer, all opportunities will be gone."
Teach's eyes were bloodshot, filled with astonishment, indignation, powerlessness, and confusion.
He was not young, 38 years old!
He was even one year older than Red Hair, who was also one of the Four Emperors. His strength had reached a point where it could no longer be enhanced, except with a Devil Fruit boost.
But the Dark-Dark Fruit hadn't appeared yet, and he was filled with confusion, even... despair, about the future!
Buruburu!
Suddenly, the den den mushi rang. Teach's expression instantly became harmless, and he said softly: "Thatch Captain, why did you suddenly contact me?"
"Hahaha, Teach, we're good brothers, aren't we? Didn't you say to tell you if I found any Devil Fruit, since you're so fascinated by them, but you never eat any? I really don't understand you!"
Teach's body trembled, then he lowered his head and whispered: "Thatch Captain? What kind of Devil Fruit?"
"Ah, I don't know either, it's purple and black like a pineapple, with an eerie feeling..."
"Thatch Captain, where are you? I'll come find you!"
Teach was trembling all over at this moment, a bloodthirsty glint flashing in his eyes. Hearing Thatch's description, for him, who had once memorized the entire Devil Fruit encyclopedia,
the chances of it being the Dark-Dark Fruit were very high, but he still needed to see it with his own eyes.
"Haha, you're still the same, you get so excited when you hear about Devil Fruit, then lose interest after a couple of glances. That's not a good habit..."
"Thatch Captain, this is an old habit of mine, don't make fun of me. Where exactly are you?"
"Alright, I'm on the coast of the Ya Mai Die Kingdom. I might be back tomorrow, so if you're coming, hurry up."
"Okay, I understand, Captain, wait for me!"
After hanging up the phone, Teach's body flashed with an extremely sinister aura for a moment, then he became harmless and honest again.
Looking at Ace, Marco, and the others in the center of the deck, all filled with anger, Teach couldn't help but sneer.
Just because of this title, they're acting like he's their father's killer, how ridiculous!
Instead of resenting others for taking the title, Whitebeard most hoped that one of them would take it. Teach had long seen through the Whitebeard Pirates.
"A bunch of leeches!"
For how many years had Teach been on the ship, and he had never seen anyone actively train!
Nor had he ever seen anyone say, "Old man, wait until I become stronger than anyone, then I'll protect you!"
They were all useless!
A bunch of freeloaders flaunting the title of "world's strongest," all sucking Whitebeard's blood. Not one of them was ambitious, they only knew how to enjoy themselves. Sooner or later, they would all die out there!
Whitebeard was also short-sighted, so protective. He worried endlessly if his sons got even a minor injury.
If a son or he himself were to die outside, Teach believed it would be because Whitebeard was too doting and too trusting of these sons!
"People's dreams will never end. If I associate with you, I will die an unknown death sooner or later!"
Teach scoffed inwardly, his eyes full of hope and drive!
Dark-Dark Fruit, I hope it's you. Only you can allow me to be reborn!
...