Stussy, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, rested her chin on her hand, licked her seemingly blood-red lips, her eyes full of interest. 'An interesting fellow, this adventurer Leno. What is he doing in Wano Country?' she thought, but her face remained impassive as she watched the scene.
As for Morgans, the president of the news agency, his eyes were shining. 'Big news, big news! A commander-level expert from the Big Mom Pirates was intercepted and blocked, forced to retreat in defeat!' Morgans, already drafting the story in his head, planned to properly organize the information on adventurer Leno later. A lot had happened to Leno recently.
Unlike these two intelligence and news professionals, the other emperors of the underworld showed no interest in the matter. 'Whatever adventurer, as long as it doesn't get in my way, I couldn't care less.'
"Remember what you promised me. Now get lost!"
With a wave of her large hand, Big Mom impatiently shooed away these eyesores and quickly stuffed a piece of dessert into her mouth. After eating the dessert, Big Mom's mood clearly improved. As if remembering something, she then looked at Morgans.
"Morgans, keep an eye on that guy named Leno for me. I need detailed information on him."
"Gyahahaha... no problem!"
Hearing Big Mom's request, Morgans readily agreed. It was just a piece of information. Nearby, a glint flashed in Stussy's eyes, and a faint smile played on her lips. She then nonchalantly picked up her teacup and began to sip it slowly. Hearing Morgans' reply, Big Mom nodded in satisfaction. With another wave of her hand, another row of chefs came up with numerous delicacies.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, several days had passed. Leno and his crew had finally crossed the Calm Belt and arrived in the West Blue. They were now planning to head to Reverse Mountain to enter the next sea.
"Hey, Chopper, are you feeling okay?"
Leno asked with some concern, looking at Chopper who had just come out of the cabin, still looking a bit listless.
"Mhm, I've pretty much recovered. Just came out to get some fresh air."
Seeing Leno lying under a parasol, Chopper walked over.
"It's good that you've recovered. From now on, it's best not to eat Rumble Balls unless it's absolutely necessary."
"You... you know?"
Hearing Leno mention the Rumble Ball, Chopper was startled, then looked at Leno with a guilty expression.
"I'm sorry, Leno! I caused trouble for everyone!"
Seeing Chopper's self-reproachful look, Leno placed a hand on his head and ruffled his fur vigorously.
"What silly things are you saying? We were just worried about you. Besides, we were helpless in that situation too. Just be careful yourself in the future."
"Mhm, I'll definitely be careful from now on."
Leno was a bit helpless seeing Chopper's serious, guaranteeing expression.
"Hey, Chopper, don't be so serious. We're family, we're partners. It's only right that we care for each other. Come on, give me a smile."
"You're so noisy! I get it!"
"There's the spirit! Hahahaha..."
After a bit of joking, Chopper also lay down on another chair nearby.
Watching Leno and Chopper, Nami, who was enjoying the sea breeze at the railing, showed a serene smile. Seeing a News Coo fly by, she waved it over.
A moment later, Nami cried out in surprise.
"Leno, come quickly! You're in the newspaper!"
Hearing Nami's shout, Leno slowly walked over and took the newspaper. He saw several glaring headlines, enlarged and bolded, occupying the center of the paper.
[The World's Strongest Creature Has Dethroned!]
[After Provoking Two Yonko Crews, What Is This Man's True Goal?]
[A New Emperor of the Sea Is Born!]
[The Thunder God Appears Again! It's Actually That Man!]
Looking at the contents, Leno was a bit speechless. 'This Morgans is truly resourceful. He's dug up all my information.'
"Oh? Kaido's not dead? He's really lucky!"
He looked at a photo in the newspaper. Kaido was being carried on the back of a person who was completely wrapped up. Kaido's body was charred black, and you could barely make out his appearance. The person carrying him should be King. 'How did that guy find Kaido?'
Reading on, it described almost everything that had happened recently, including him blocking the Big Mom Pirates' fleet. Based on the above, Morgans wrote with great certainty that Leno had already joined the ranks of the world's top powerhouses and could be called an 'Emperor'.
Below the last headline was a photo of Leno in his 'Thunder God' form fighting the Azure Dragon. The report speculated that Leno was most likely the Thunder God. The article went on to describe the deeds of the Thunder God and Fisher Tiger in liberating the slaves back then, calling them "Unnamed Heroes."
Looking at these descriptions in the newspaper, Leno didn't know whether to laugh or cry. 'This Morgans really knows how to write. As expected of the number one paparazzi in the pirate world.'
He turned his head and found that at some point, everyone had gathered around. Seeing their burning gazes fixed on him, Leno felt a little guilty.
At his feet, Chopper looked up with stars in his eyes, dancing with excitement.
"Awesome! Leno, you've become an Emperor of the Sea! So cool!"
"Back then, was it you who stormed the Holy Land of the Celestial Dragons, Mary Geoise, with Fisher Tiger?"
Robin's eyes trembled. She couldn't imagine that the young man in front of her was the hero who had liberated the slaves. In all these days, she had never heard him mention it. 'How old was he back then, to have the courage to attack Mary Geoise? It's truly unimaginable.'
"Not really. Tiger was the one who liberated the slaves. I just went up to get something along the way. You know... Kuina's sword was obtained at that time," Leno explained, mentioning Kuina.
Hearing this, Kuina at the side, lifted 'Sakura Veil', looking at it again and again, an indescribable emotion in her eyes. 'A famed sword obtained at such great risk, and he gave it to me so easily back then.' Thinking of this, Kuina looked up at Leno, the affection in her eyes nearly overflowing.
"Hiss~"
Nami grabbed Leno's ear, staring at him angrily, her eyes looking as if she wanted to eat him.
"So, you snuck off to sea behind our backs back then to do such a big thing?"
"Ow, ow, ow! I was just afraid of worrying you back then, so I didn't tell you. Besides, nothing bad happened, right?"
Leno, with his ear being pulled, quickly admitted his mistake. Otherwise, Nami wouldn't let him off so easily.
"Hmph~... From now on, you're not allowed to hide things from us! Do you hear me!"
"I hear you, I hear you... can you let go now?"
"Hmph~"
Only after hearing Leno's promise did Nami let him go. 'This detestable guy, to do something so dangerous behind my back.'
"Let me see the newspaper again. I want to see how it describes Captain Leno's glorious deeds."
Listening to Robin and the others' discussion, Carmen got curious, snatched the newspaper from Leno's hand, and wanted to read it carefully.
"Swish"
A wanted poster suddenly fell out from inside the newspaper.
Chopper curiously picked it up and glanced at it, then immediately screamed.
"Four… four billion Berries?!" he screamed, eyes bulging.