Sabaody Archipelago.
At a gambling den, a well-dressed man shouted angrily, "You old bastard! Still not done placing your bets?"
"If you're not betting, then get lost! You're holding up the game for everyone else!"
But the target of the outburst didn't care at all. The old man held a newspaper in his wrinkled hands, reading with great interest. His face slowly curled into a knowing grin.
"Hehehe… So even Whitebeard lost, huh?"
"This so-called Fourth Admiral… Reckless Maniac… How interesting."
This man was none other than the former right-hand of the Pirate King Roger—the Dark King, Rayleigh.
He stood up, completely ignoring the curses hurled at him, and waved casually. "I'm broke. Done gambling."
Hands in his pockets and a faint smirk on his lips, Rayleigh strolled off.
After Garp and Sengoku, it seemed yet another astonishing figure had emerged from the Marines.
He also wondered whether the brat Red-Hair mentioned had arrived at Sabaody yet.
As for the news of Whitebeard fleeing with his tail between his legs, Rayleigh didn't buy that for a second.
Even if exaggerated, the announcement alone was enough proof that this Fourth Admiral had the strength to rival Whitebeard.
"Looks like the storm of the new era is arriving sooner than I thought. Sigh… I wonder if this old man will get to see it unfold."
Rayleigh murmured to himself. His white cloak fluttered as he disappeared past the casino doors.
…
Far across the seas in the latter half of the New World—Whole Cake Island.
Inside a massive bedroom, Big Mom sat at her vanity, holding a newspaper.
Compared to her enormous body, the paper looked like a tissue one might use in the bathroom.
The sheet trembled slightly in her hands.
Big Mom muttered in disbelief, "So that Whitebeard fool actually lost… to a newly appointed Marine Admiral?"
She had known Whitebeard well, having once served under Rocks with him.
She knew full well just how strong he was.
So this news genuinely surprised her. But soon, her expression shifted to a sinister grin.
"Time is a knife that never stops slitting throats. Looks like Whitebeard's time is up."
"Well then! If that old fool collapses, Totto Land can expand its influence even further!"
Her laughter echoed throughout the room.
"Reckless Maniac Admiral, Monmonmon… The world's finally becoming interesting!"
…
In another corner of the New World—unlike Whole Cake Island—the sky above was blanketed in thunderclouds, and lightning rumbled nonstop.
Below, an enormous skull-shaped structure loomed between heaven and earth.
This was the stronghold of another Yonko—Onigashima.
Kaido sat slouched in a massive chair, drunk as ever. A newspaper hung in one hand as he roared with laughter.
"So Whitebeard finally gave out, huh? Beaten by some newly promoted Marine brat? How embarrassing!"
He seemed utterly delighted at the news.
"Whitebeard… hic!…"
Kaido belched loudly, then burst out laughing again. "The new era has no place for you anymore. This era belongs to me—Kaido of the Beasts!"
"Once I get my hands on that damn Roger's treasure, I'll usher in an age of pure violence!"
"Marines, Reckless Maniac, whatever! I'll crush them all!"
To Kaido, Good defeating Whitebeard meant nothing.
Whitebeard was old. He belonged to the past. This defeat was just the signal of an oncoming era shift.
And Kaido—the Beast King—intended to sit at the top of that new world.
"Hahahahahahahaha…"
Thunder rolled through the skies like venomous snakes slithering through the clouds, but Kaido's laugh thundered even louder, drowning it out.
"How interesting… I wonder if that so-called Fourth Admiral has what it takes to kill me. Just thinking about it gets my blood pumping…"
"This world might finally stop being boring!"
…
Across the globe, the Marines' announcement spread rapidly.
Top powers around the world could sense it—a storm was coming.
…
Somewhere on the Grand Line, on a lone wooden raft, Dracule Mihawk sat silently, expressionless. Strapped to his back was a black blade inlaid with gemstones.
Two green wax candles flickered on either side of him, casting an eerie light like will-o'-the-wisps—matching his lone-wolf aura perfectly.
In his hands was a newspaper as well, though his face Showed no emotion. No one could tell what the world's greatest swordsman was thinking.
…
In the royal palace of Dressrosa, New World—
The airy sound of Doflamingo's signature laughter filled the hall.
"Fufufu… Didn't expect the Marines to move this quickly. They're in quite the rush, aren't they?"
But then, his laughter stopped abruptly. His face grew grim and serious.
Nearby, Trebol was puzzled. "Is something wrong, Young Master?"
Doflamingo didn't respond immediately. He thought for a moment, then muttered, "I've got a bad feeling about this…"
"I didn't expect the newly appointed Admiral to actually match Whitebeard's strength…"
"If that's true, then the balance between the Marines and the pirates is completely broken."
"With someone like that, the Marines might seriously consider abolishing the Warlord system…"
His sunglasses glinted as his eyes narrowed ominously.
…
These two announcements—the recapture of Shiki and Whitebeard's defeat—dominated headlines for days.
Good's name became known far and wide, while the Marines' authority reached an all-time high.
…
Meanwhile, Aokiji had successfully made contact with Blackbeard.
And just days later, somewhere in the New World, the Red-Hair Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates met once again.
…
(End of Chapter)
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