With the release of Marine intelligence, word quickly spread through news outlets large and small: the legendary pirate, the "World Destroyer" Byrnndi World, had been slain by the Marines in the North Blue.
The moment the news broke, it was like a bombshell dropped into a still lake, sending shockwaves rippling across the entire sea.
New World, somewhere at sea.
White, liquid-like clouds drifted across the sky, where the deep blue above met the endless ocean below.
A colossal pirate ship lay silently on the surface of the water, its size akin to that of a white whale. A skull flag bearing a white scimitar mustache fluttered high atop the towering mast, level with the seagulls soaring through the skies.
A blond, pineapple-haired youth dashed toward the bow, shouting in shock while waving a freshly printed newspaper above his head.
A figure sat idly at the ship's prow, casually holding a bottle of liquor, the heavy scent of alcohol wafting from his body.
"How many times have I told you, Marco? When something happens, the first thing you need to do is stay calm."
The man slowly stood.
With that single motion, an overwhelming presence rose from him, like a towering mountain emerging from flat ground—seemingly endless in height and weight.
Beneath the massive pirate ship, the calm sea suddenly churned. Concentric ripples and bubbles broke the surface like rain disturbing still waters.
Marco skidded to a stop and bowed hastily, his expression anxious.
"But you've gotta see this!"
The towering man slowly turned around.
Sunlight poured down in brilliant beams.
He wore a wide captain's cloak, a massive naginata planted by his side. His long, wild blond hair fluttered gently in the sea breeze.
He was the legendary pirate who ruled the New World, recognized by the Marines as a formidable threat!
The "Strongest Man in the World"—Edward Newgate, Whitebeard!!
Whitebeard looked down at Marco. His fierce eyes softened slightly with a smile.
"Alright then. What happened?"
Still catching his breath, Marco took a deep inhale to calm himself before shouting,
"That guy Byrnndi World... he got taken out by the Marines!"
The other crew members on deck froze, visibly shaken. Their hands stilled as they all drew in sharp breaths.
Crash... Waves surged around the ship.
"Oh? That World guy actually got taken down by the Marines?"
A trace of surprise flickered across Whitebeard's face.
The Whitebeard Pirates had once clashed with the World Pirates led by Byrnndi World. Though it was merely a test skirmish, and not a grudge match, Whitebeard had a decent grasp of World's strength.
Both parties had kept their distance, knowing the destructive force of each other's Devil Fruit powers. To avoid unnecessary casualties, they settled for a ranged exchange rather than an all-out battle.
To be precise—Whitebeard shattered Byrnndi World's "100x Cannon" with a single punch.
"Was it Sengoku or Garp?"
Whitebeard asked in a low voice.
Marco shook his head.
"It was some guy I've never heard of. A Marine Captain stationed in the North Blue. Name's Rogers Daren!"
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes.
He took the newspaper from Marco and opened it. Follow current novᴇls on novel[f]ire.net
A massive front-page headline jumped out:
"The King of the North Blue, Rogers Daren!! Successfully defeats the legendary pirate, Byrnndi World!!"
"Strongest Admiral in the North Blue! The Navy's 'Future Admiral'!?"
"The 'World Destroyer,' Byrnndi World—killed in the North Blue!?"
"Shocking! The Marine Supernova who took down Byrnndi World is a scandal-ridden rogue!? Is this the distortion of humanity or the collapse of morality!?"
The article included a photo: Rogers Daren standing atop a heap of pirate corpses in the midst of a battle, smoke billowing behind him.
"Seems like a pretty ambitious kid..."
Whitebeard studied the photo of the black-haired Marine with a wild grin, then suddenly burst out laughing.
"Gurararara!! Looks like you guys might have a solid rival on your hands!"
His thunderous laughter boomed across the sky like a great bell.
Far off on the sea, enormous waves rose without wind.
Layer after layer... roaring like dragons.
The sea was trembling!
At the same time, somewhere on the Grand Line.
Countless streaks of pale lightning tore through the black sky, thunder roaring as a torrential downpour crashed down.
Howling winds stirred up towering waves, like the invisible hands of a giant hurling a pirate ship forward at breakneck speed.
"Captain Roger! Huge news!!"
In the pouring rain, a red-nosed kid in a hood sprinted across the deck.
"Gorororo! Buggy, don't slip!"
Standing at the ship's bow, a black-haired man radiating wild Haki laughed in the face of the storm, one foot planted firmly forward. His crimson captain's coat flared in the wind, scattering water in every direction.
"Let me say it! I found it first, Buggy!!"
Another red-haired kid burst from the cabin and clung to Buggy tightly.
"Damn it, Shanks! Who told you to be so slow!?"
The two kids rolled and wrestled across the deck, their young faces contorted in frustration as they scuffled.
Roger, soaking in the storm at the bow, looked toward a bespectacled man in a shirt standing nearby.
"So full of energy... now that's youth and passion. Makes me think of when we first set out... right, Rayleigh?"
Rayleigh rolled his eyes and sighed inwardly—back then, the only one full of youth and passion was you.
If not for this guy's relentless pestering, I'd be living the good life in retirement by now.
"Say it together, Buggy, Shanks."
Rayleigh waved his hand.
"Yes, Mr. Rayleigh!!"
Shanks and Buggy glared at each other, then stood straight and shouted in unison:
"The King of the North Blue, Rogers Daren, has successfully defeated the legendary pirate, Byrnndi World!!"
Roger and Rayleigh both froze.
"King of the North Blue? That's a nickname I've never heard before..." Rayleigh muttered, frowning as he squinted at the soggy newspaper, the ink smudged from rain.
Roger's eyes gleamed with interest.
"Sounds like a guy who can really fight..."
Rayleigh twitched and sighed.
"Seems like he's not even twenty yet."
"Hahahaha! So what!?"
Roger laughed it off.
A massive column of seawater erupted beside the Oro Jackson, drenching the deck with salty spray.
"Captain Roger! Marines incoming! They're on our tail!"
Black cannonballs tore through the storm, arcing through the sky as they hurtled toward the ship.
Sparks flashed like cascading petals.
Several cannonballs were sliced midair by Rayleigh's blade, exploding overhead in clouds of smoke.
The flickering flames lit up Rayleigh's serious face.
"Roger! You're not getting away!!"
A powerful roar echoed from the stern, far across the stormy sea.
In the blurred distance, a shirtless, muscle-bound Marine stood atop the bow of a dog-headed Marine warship—hurling cannonballs barehanded at them!
Buggy shrieked, clutching his head in terror.
"Why won't that guy ever leave us alone!? We're really gonna die this time!!"
"Shut up!!" Shanks slapped a hand over Buggy's mouth, gritting his teeth.
But judging from his pale face, he was just as terrified.
"Gororororo! Garp! I'm not in the mood to play with you today!!"
Roger made a face at Garp across the sea, grinning like a mischievous kid.
"Time to get out of here—he's the 'strongest Marine,' after all!!"
"Got it!!" the crew shouted in unison.
Under the crew's command, the sails of the Oro Jackson billowed full, surging ahead with the storm winds.
Garp gritted his teeth, hurling cannonballs faster and faster. His hands were a blur as he shouted into the storm:
"Don't chase, Garp!!"
Rumble rumble rumble!!
Similar scenes played out across the seas.
As people read the headlines, some sneered, some scoffed, some stayed silent, some cheered, some raged, some were indifferent... and some were itching to make a move.
But one thing was certain—
The name "King of the North Blue" Rogers Daren officially stepped onto the stage of the Grand Line!
p@treon com / PinkSnake