"What's wrong? I'm telling you now, these rice cakes are mine. You already finished yours."
"Forget the damn rice cakes—your boy's made headlines."
"Huh? Dragon? Did he overthrow another country?"
Sengoku's face darkened. "No—Creed."
He handed the newspaper over.
On the front page, in a massive photo, Creed stood with rinne in his right hand, frozen mid-swing. His eyes were cold and sharp, and before him yawned a massive fissure that split the ground itself.
Behind him lay ruins and shattered buildings.
Even through the picture, one could almost feel the oppressive, terrifying aura—it made the heart shudder.
Below the picture was a detailed account of the previous day's events, along with several remarks about Creed.
"Riot in Sabaody's lawless zone—five Supernovas with bounties over 100 million cut down."
"A slash that split the earth—Marine Headquarters' strongest swordsman, only 15 years old!"
"Yesterday, the lawless zone became a living hell. The Marines' brightest new star—among the pirates' new generation—none can match his edge."
…
"Hahahaha!" Garp burst into laughter. "As expected of my grandson—he's got my style!"
"Three days in and he's already stirred up this much trouble. Took out this year's five Supernovas."
Sengoku shook his head. Those Supernovas had truly been unlucky.
The news shook the entire first half of the Grand Line—
But only the first half.
To the monsters of the second half, the New World—
It was nothing more than after-dinner gossip.
After all, the Marines had no real influence in the New World.
They didn't even have a single branch there—only the G-5 base.
A pirate with a bounty over 100 million?
That was just an entry ticket to the New World.
So the event didn't draw much attention there.
New World—territory of the Four Emperors, Red-Haired Shanks.
Shanks lounged with one leg crossed over the other, gazing at the paper.
Two years.
In just two years—
You've grown this much?
Looking at the youth in the photo, Shanks smiled.
Already at the level of a Great Swordsman, huh?
Such terrifying progress!
I'm looking forward more and more to the day you cross blades with Mihawk.
Early morning.
Sabaody Archipelago.
After Creed's massacre yesterday—
The atmosphere on the islands had greatly improved.
Especially in the lawless zone—whether slave traders, bounty hunters, or pirates—everyone spoke in quieter voices.
On a normal day, small fights broke out constantly here. Today, it was unnaturally peaceful.
That single slash which split Area 29 down the middle was a constant reminder—
Don't stir trouble. There's a terrifying presence on this island.
At that moment—
"Oi, oi, oi, look at that pirate ship."
Docked not far from the Marine base's harbor was a pirate ship.
Someone turned to look—then froze in terror.
The flag bore the skull-and-crossbones holding a massive shield.
"T-That's the emblem of the Giant Shield Pirates!! A great pirate crew from the New World!!"
Someone recognized the ship's origin.
"Iron Arm Madman—a great pirate from the New World, bounty: 500 million berries!!"
Gulp.
The sound of throats swallowing echoed around.
Five hundred million berries!!
In the first half of the Grand Line, a bounty over 100 million was enough to dominate—enough to be called a Supernova.
"Wh-Why would such a big pirate come to Sabaody?" one man muttered, dread rising in his chest.
"I once heard a rumor… Supernova Yuri was the son of the Iron Arm King."
Eyes narrowed all around.
The son of the Iron Arm Madman.
Faces paled.
Yuri… Yuri was killed yesterday.
The realization hit them like a thunderclap—this was bad.
From the ship, a massive, towering figure disembarked with a group.
Most striking were his two arms—muscles like an elephant's legs, absurdly thick and powerful.
This was the Iron Arm Madman himself, along with the officers of his crew.
"MARINES!!!! GET OUT HERE!!!"
The Iron Arm Madman drew in a deep breath, then roared toward the distant Marine base.
…
(End of Chapter)
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