Sorry for the break. My Patreon was causing issues but i assure there will be none and chapters will be uploaded daily.
Chapter 60: The World Reacts
"That damn Morgans! I'll pluck that stupid bird's feathers and make soup out of him first thing in the morning!"
In his office, Sengoku was furious. The three Admirals sat before him, along with other high-ranking officers: Vice Admiral Tsuru, Chief Instructor Zephyr, and Vice Admiral Garp. Everyone's face was grim. Even Kizaru wasn't as relaxed as before. He understood perfectly what this meant. The higher the pirates' prestige, the harder the Marines' path would be.
By now, the newspaper had been distributed worldwide. People's reactions were mixed: excitement, anticipation, fear, and anger at the Navy for letting pirates grow so powerful.
"That Shanks... he's become one of the Four Emperors. He really is something."
In Windmill Village, the mood was different. The villagers wore happy smiles. They were on good terms with the Red-Haired Pirates. They felt a sense of pride.
"Come on, everyone! A toast! To celebrate Shanks becoming an Emperor!"
"Cheers!"
Everyone in Makino's bar raised their glasses and drank happily.
"It's infuriating!" the Mayor grumbled, thumping his cane on the floor. "You're celebrating a bunch of pirates! They're pirates!"
"Hahaha, Mayor! You're happy for them too, aren't you?" one villager laughed, throwing an arm around the old man and pouring his own drink into the Mayor's mouth.
They were happy for Shanks, but they were also exasperated with their own villagers. In this town, everyone was a little eccentric.
"Shanks... you've finally taken a big step toward your goal," Makino thought to herself, a soft smile on her face.
"The Four Emperors? Whitebeard, that old hag, that red-haired brat... what gives them the right to stand as my equals?!"
In the territory of the Beast Pirates, Kaido roared, staring at the newspaper. His anger would have been more convincing if he weren't covered in bandages. In his rage, his wounds had reopened, staining the bandages red. These were injuries from Shanks. He'd been beaten, yet he dared to talk like this. Kaido was Kaido—a reckless muscle-head with no brains.
"I'll go fight those three right now! Let's see what gives them the right to stand with me!"
Kaido waved a massive hand, turning to transform into his dragon form and take to the sky.
"At least tend to your wounds first," Queen said, stopping him. "Going like this is just embarrassing."
Queen knew brute force wouldn't stop him. He had to use another angle.
"Wahhh! Damn Shanks! You hit me so hard! I won't let this go!" Kaido's rage instantly turned to drunken tears. He began sobbing while guzzling enormous quantities of alcohol.
The Beast Pirates were used to this. This was Kaido after drinking too much—a common sight.
In Big Mom's territory, Charlotte Linlin's face darkened as she read the paper.
Still, she was relatively rational. She knew exactly how strong Beast, Red-Hair, and Whitebeard were. Those three did have the right to stand as her equals. Especially Shanks. Of the three, he was the one she'd fought most recently.
When Shanks first entered the New World, he'd challenged Kaido first, then her. Back then, she'd had a slight edge. But she knew the outcome and process of Kaido's fight with Shanks. Her strength was on par with Kaido's. If Kaido lost, her own chances weren't great. At best, it would be a draw—not like before.
As for Whitebeard... Big Mom had no desire to provoke him at all. That old man's power was too terrifying. The Tremor-Tremor Fruit, with its world-shattering power... anyone hit by that shockwave would be in trouble. Big Mom would rather fight Kaido and Shanks simultaneously than pick a fight with Whitebeard.
In Whitebeard's waters, aboard the Moby Dick.
"Pops! That Morgans guy is calling you one of the 'Emperors of the Sea'!" First Division Commander Marco held up the newspaper.
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard laughed. "Just a boring title."
He didn't care much for the name 'Emperor.' His current strength was enough to make him Pirate King if he wanted. It was just a matter of desire.
"My strength doesn't need his recognition."
Whitebeard was supremely confident—even arrogant—about his power. The future was uncertain, but Whitebeard believed he was currently the strongest man in the world.
"That's right! Everyone on the sea knows Pops' strength!" The Whitebeard Pirates crew cheered in agreement.
As for the Red-Haired Pirates, Shanks looked at the newspaper in his hand, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.
Four Emperors. He was now considered an equal to Whitebeard. The last person to stand beside Whitebeard as an equal was his own captain, the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Shanks knew he hadn't reached his captain's height yet. But this was enough to thrill him.
"Captain! Four Emperors! Looks like our name has truly shaken the world!" his crew cheered, exhilarated. Compared to the other three established powers, they were the rising stars. Their excitement was natural.
"So, when are we challenging Whitebeard? I feel like even facing Whitebeard now, our captain wouldn't lose!" someone shouted.
Hearing this, Shanks' own fighting spirit burned. Who wouldn't want to challenge Whitebeard?
"Not yet," Shanks said, his voice calm but firm. "But Whitebeard is out there. One day, I will go."
Shanks had seen Whitebeard fight. He knew exactly how formidable the man was. With his current strength, going all out, he could at most fight Whitebeard to a standstill. He wasn't confident of victory.
But Shanks believed that day wasn't far off. The New World's balance had been named, and he had claimed his seat at the table. The game was truly on.
(End of Chapter)
✨If you're enjoying this story, consider supporting me on Patreon —
Patreon.com/TofuChan
💕Patreon members get early access to chapters, bonus content, and voting power on future ideas.💕
Every bit of support helps me write more and faster. Thank you so much for reading! 🥰
Bonus Chapter For Every 100 Power Stones
Lets hit the goal of 200 Patreon Members now for 5 Extra Chapters 💕