For some reason.
Just looking at this photo… just a photo, already makes many of the Navy present restless, cold sweat dripping down their foreheads.
It's like they're afraid this monster wearing human skin will step out of the photograph, laughing maniacally as it draws its sword against them...
"Previously at Shampodi, he fought against Netherworld King Rayleigh and defeated him, capturing the attention of countless eyes worldwide."
"At that time, many predicted that in the near future, this man would officially join the ranks of the world's strongest, capable of directly confronting the Navy Grand Admirals and the Sea Emperors!"
Blanu's gaze swept across the senior officers of the Navy present:
"Most people agree with this point, and I believe this includes all the officers present here."
"But… none of you or I ever thought that this day would come so quickly!!!"
"Just in the past two months, this man first forced Mr. Sakazuki into retreat, fighting through an entire night without a victor."
"And then, in this war, he completely defeated Grand Admiral Kizaru, even making Grand Admiral Kizaru endure misfortune similar to that of Netherworld King Rayleigh!"
"Physical prowess, Three-Colored Haki, swordsmanship, fist technique… nearly everything, he can stand at the pinnacle of this world, a hexagonal warrior with no weaknesses from any perspective!"
"Such strength is enough for him to face any one of the Four Emperors without backing down. He fully possesses the qualifications to become a Sea Emperor!"
"What he lacks is probably only a direct confrontation with the current Four Emperors…"
Everyone present understood what Blanu meant.
Being viewed by the world as having strength close to the Four Emperors and becoming a true Sea Emperor are ultimately two different matters.
The high-end combat power of the Endgame is strong enough, but there is still an apparent gap in overall strength.
The most crucial aspect lies with Shano himself.
He lacks the recognition of the Four Emperors, just like Red-haired Shanks a few years ago, who secured his emperor status only after clashing with a Sea Emperor and not being defeated?
"In any case…"
After Blanu and the others had digested this, he continued:
"This man is definitely the most dangerous and untouchable among all the pirates who have appeared in recent years after Red-haired Shanks!"
"His bounty has also reached the level right below the Four Emperors and is infinitely close—"
Bang!
As Blanu punched the whiteboard, his voice suddenly elevated a notch:
"The 'World's No.1 Sword Master' Shano, the latest bounty, 2 billion 860 million Belly!!!"
——————
New World, a certain sea area under the cover of twilight.
A figure wearing a mask and white trench coat stepped out from an airship marked "WE NEWS", leapt into the sky with Moonwalk, and disappeared from view after a few steps.
Inside the airship.
Morgans watched as that mysterious person in the white trench coat left, then cheerfully lay back in his seat.
"It's like the sun rose from the west, huh? The CP0 people, this time, came not to impose restrictions and demands…"
"But to let me write freely, daringly report?!"
"Even allowing me to exaggerate the facts and increase the praise for Shano? Interesting, very interesting!!"
Morgans took a sip of coffee, a gleam passing through his eyes, "Doing it so obviously… is it to provoke the other Sea Emperors to destroy the Endgame by other means?"
It doesn't seem that simple.
What secret lies behind those five old men's plans that even he doesn't know?
"Hahaha!!!"
Morgans laughed aloud again, "Thinking too much just becomes a self-imposed worry, huh! What does that matter to me? As long as I follow the World Government's orders diligently, I can earn a lot, right!"
"Someone, bring me my quill!"
"Eh? Boss, haven't you been tired enough from taking photos these past few days? Shouldn't you leave the rest to the subordinates to handle?"
"Cut the nonsense!"
Morgans glared fiercely, "I want to write it myself!"
He chose this path out of passion and cannot forget his original intention.
Though writing drafts can be exhausting, how could he dare call himself a journalist without personally writing this destined-to-shake-the-world news?!
...
As expected...
That night, Morgans was sent to the hospital.
He had been working nonstop for several days, acting as a war correspondent right on the front lines, and stayed up all night writing tens of thousands of words.
This world-renowned super tycoon was ultimately too old for his ambitions, fainting on his desk.
However, the first draft was mostly complete.
The editors at the office helped polish and sort it, making it just about presentable.
They knew exactly what the boss would want to see upon waking, so without hesitation, they immediately worked overtime to rush the printing.
Finally, at dawn, the job was completed.
The first batch of newspapers, with bold and blackened headlines, was packed into the News Birds' parcels and fluttered across the world like snowflakes…
——————
East Sea, Korbo Mountain Range.
The morning fog had yet to dissipate, and dewdrops in the forest glistened under the sunlight.
Luffy rubbed his sleepy eyes and yawned as he crawled out of a tree hole, touching his growling stomach.
"Ace—! Ace—! Where are you? I'm hungry!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the valley.