The Holy Land of Mariejois exploded—two Celestial Dragons were killed. The Celestial Dragons were furious, especially the family that lost two of their own. A heated clash erupted between the Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders, demanding accountability from the Navy Headquarters. But one name was on every tongue: Vane. He had to be captured—alive. The Celestial Dragons insisted on executing him personally.
The very next day, the bounty was posted. The shocking incident, along with the bounty poster, spread across the world like wildfire. The brutal slaying of Celestial Dragons—normally hidden from the public eye—was now global news. It shattered the illusion of their untouchable status. For the first time, people were seeing Celestial Dragons as vulnerable. Enraged as they were, the so-called gods couldn't suppress the voices of the world.
Newspapers delivered by seagulls carried the news far and wide.
Vane's bounty was set at 700 million Berries. The rabid Celestial Dragons demanded 2 billion—some even more. But to them, money was just a number. The tribute they received—Heavenly Gold—had led to the destruction of nations and countless tragedies. Still, the World Government ultimately settled on 700 million Berries.
[Vane: Age 15. Possesses the Paramecia-type Explosive Fruit. Master of all three forms of Haki. Crime: Slaying Celestial Dragons—capture alive at all costs.]
And just like that, Vane became infamous across the seas—on his very first voyage.
It was now late spring in the year 1519 of the Sea Circle Calendar. The world had been quiet after Shanks became the Fourth Emperor, a new storm now brewed.
---
White Earth Island – Revolutionary Army Headquarters
"He did something we didn't dare," Dragon said solemnly. "If only we could get him to join the Revolutionary Army…"
"Want me to find him?" Sabo asked.
Dragon stared out at the horizon. "I'm thinking about it. He'll need protection now. Maybe we really can bring him in."
---
Calm Belt – Amazon Lily, Island of Women
"Unbelievable… this…"
The Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, covered her mouth in shock as she stared at the newspaper, reading every word and punctuation mark without missing a beat. Her eyes were wide with disbelief. Even after all these years, the memories of what happened still haunted her. She still trembled in her sleep, waking from nightmares drenched in fear.
"I truly didn't expect this," murmured granny, shaking her head while reading the paper.
"With a king's will… no wonder he refuses to be bound."
"He's only fifteen. His potential is limitless."
"how… how can there be such a man in this world?" Hancock's voice carried newfound reverence—so unlike her usual pride.
"I don't know," Granny whispered. "He's done what most couldn't even dream of. Even if the Celestial Dragons deserve it, in this world, they're still treated as gods."
The palace was awash in awe and disbelief.
---
New World – Dressrosa
Doflamingo laughed maniacally.
A former Celestial Dragon cast down to the earth, Doflamingo was still occasionally shielded by the Five Elders. He viewed his lineage as superior to all.
"Heh… who would've thought?"
"Perched on a throne, thinking mortals are nothing but ants… One day someone was bound to drag them down and let them feel what it's like to be trampled."
"I want to meet that man."
His twisted grin widened as the image of Vane reflected in his pink-lensed glasses.
---
New World – An Island Near Red Force
On a quiet coast, the Red Haired Ship was anchored. In a seaside cave, Shanks and his crew were drinking and roasting meat.
"Unbelievable! He actually killed a Celestial Dragon?" Shanks marveled.
Ben Beckman blew on his skewer. "Three types of Haki… and he's only fifteen. You see monsters like that in the New World, but in the first half of the Grand Line? That's unheard of."
Yasopp chimed in, "He's incredible. Completely flipped the Sabaody Archipelago and wiped out every illegal operation."
Shanks grinned. "They must be in chaos. But the real question is—can this kid survive?"
Ben Beckman laughed. "The older I get, the more these young upstarts surprise me."
"You are getting old, Beckman!"
---
Moby Dick – Whitebeard's Ship
"The world's finally stirring again! Gurarara!" Whitebeard roared with laughter.
"It's been too quiet. Those bastards have grown too arrogant. Someone finally put them in their place… What a terrifying brat!"
"Three types of Haki… and a bounty of 700 million!" Marco said, stunned.
"He's younger than me!" Ace laughed.
"Yeah, well, you're nineteen, Ace! Don't go picking on kids four years younger!" Marco teased.
"Bring out the sake!" Whitebeard bellowed.
"Dad, your health—!"
"I've got this beard, don't I? Gurararara!"
---
Across the seas—from Kaido and Big Mom, to every corner of the world—people were left reeling from Vane's explosive debut.
But Vane himself remained unaware of the storm he had unleashed.
---