East Blue waters.
A Red Dragon Pirate Ship sailed leisurely along.
Shanks leaned against the ship's railing, holding a bottle of liquor in one hand while chatting with his crew, occasionally bursting into hearty laughter.
The flapping of wings approached as a news coo carrying a mailbag circled overhead, holding a rolled-up newspaper in its beak.
After paying 100 Berries, a crew member took the newspaper.
A short while later.
"Boss! It's a report about that guy..."
Shanks was momentarily stunned, then laughed heartily: "Well, he is a marine who survived fighting me. They're bound to make a big deal out of it."
"It can't possibly be news about me being defeated, right?"
"Boss... you should see this for yourself."
The crew member turned the newspaper around, and Shanks' eyes were immediately drawn to the large headline on the front page.
"The Most Handsome Marine in 800 Years!!"
Besides the headline, the front page featured an artistically captured, strikingly handsome face.
The figure of Red-Haired Shanks was relegated to the second page.
On the second page, Griffin's Justice Coat billowed in the wind, his eyes radiating determination and justice, the blade in his hand gleaming coldly.
Behind him were civilians in various poses.
Sophisticated photography techniques... or perhaps masterful photo editing, made it clear to viewers the emotional transformation these people experienced the moment Griffin appeared.
From panic-stricken to reassured.
Opposite them was a heavily filtered Shanks, portrayed like a demon baring fangs and claws from a black-red abyss.
...
"The photo... actually looks pretty cool."
Shanks remembered that aside from the inexplicably appearing civilians, he and Griffin did have such a confrontation.
Of course, he wasn't complimenting Griffin - he thought he himself looked cool.
It practically captured me unleashing my full Conqueror's Haki's power... but wait, I don't think I actually unleashed that level of Conqueror's Haki, did I?
...
The newspaper provided a detailed report about Colonel Griffin, the Branch Base Commander of West Blue's 179th Branch, who bravely fought against the Red Hair Pirates after learning of their entry into the territory, all to protect civilians.
Even while severely wounded, Colonel Griffin still shielded the civilians behind him.
His revealed, solid muscles were stained with blood, covered in wounds.
Proving he wasn't just a pretty face, but a man tempered through countless trials!!
In contrast, there was Shanks' retreating back as he threw down a money bag and jumped ship.
In this battle, no civilians were harmed.
Without a doubt, this was a victory for the Marines!
Possessing both strength and peerless looks, a Marine Supernova, a hero for the next generation, has been born!!
...
...
...
Is that...
really how it happened?
Shanks put down the newspaper, looking at his crew with a solemn expression: "I don't understand..."
The crew members wore serious expressions, ready to receive their captain's wisdom.
"Why is that guy's face on the front page while I'm on the second page!"
"And I'm even stuck in a corner of the second page!!"
Thud—thud—thud—
A series of falling sounds followed.
"Is that really what you're focusing on!!"
"The Marines are slandering you! Boss!!"
"Those despicable, shameless Marines! They're making it look like we were about to do something to the civilians!!"
...
...
Sigh...
Beckman exhaled a puff of smoke and chuckled lightly: "This has Sengoku's fingerprints all over it."
"I only cared about that kid's strength before, but thinking back now... he really does have a handsome face. Even as a man, I don't dislike it."
"Sengoku wants to use him as the Marine's poster boy to attract young women and people with certain special preferences to join the Marines and replenish the lower ranks."
"In other words... what you'd call recruitment advertising."
...
"Hahaha, is that so? No wonder I could only make it to the second page!" Shanks laughed heartily.
"By the way, Beckman... you don't happen to have any special preferences, do you?"
"Don't talk nonsense! I'm only interested in beautiful ladies!"
Tossing aside the newspaper, Shanks looked toward a nearby island and waved: "Yasopp! We're almost at your hometown. Want to go take a look?"
"No... Meeting that child now would only disturb their peaceful life."
The sniper of the Red Hair Pirates, Yasopp, gazed at an island in the distance for a long time before finally turning his eyes away.
...
"Alright then, let's head straight to Windmill Village!"
"We still have some way to go, let's have a party!!"
"Party!!"
"Yeah! Let's party!!"
——
——
——
On an island in the Grand Line.
A group of young girls gathered together, discussing excitedly.
"So handsome! Lord Griffin is just too handsome!!"
"How can there be such a handsome man!!"
"Powerful strength, handsome appearance, noble character that protects the people... Damn it, he's just too perfect!!"
A young girl held a newspaper, her cheeks flushed red, her eyes filled with admiration.
Her expression changed as if she'd made some kind of determination, and she stepped away from the crowd.
"Lily! Where are you going?"
The girl Lily turned back, clenching her fist determinedly: "I'm going to join the Marines!!"
"Me too! For Lord Griffin! I'm going too!"
...
Under the Marines' careful planning, news about the Marine's rising star spread throughout the world, with similar scenes occurring on many islands.
The number of people at Marine recruitment offices surged dramatically, with the number of female Marine applicants increasing several times compared to the same period.
——
——
West Blue, Branch 179.
Griffin had removed the bandages from his hands and face, but his internal injuries hadn't healed that quickly yet, and he still needed to stay in the hospital.
Holding a newspaper, the corner of his mouth twitched.
This was... somewhat different from what he had imagined.
The Marines' promotional efforts were stronger than he'd thought, with several consecutive pages publishing news about him.
But...
The focus of the promotion was wrong!!!
The most handsome in 800 years?
This setting overlaps with that leopard character!
No, it's even worse than that leopard!
...
"Since childhood, he fought criminal organizations in Kano Country , his heart of justice burning fiercely. At twelve years old, he resolutely joined the Marines, single-handedly wiping out the underworld organizations in the branch.
At only eighteen years old, he was promoted to Colonel through military achievements and serves as Base Commander!"
Is this right...
I remember... I belonged to Kano Country 's underworld organizations as a child, and at twelve I wanted to go to sea to become a pirate.
As for rising to my position...
Didn't I rely on sponsorship from that enthusiastic underworld figure, Mr. Capone?
...
Griffin understood Sengoku's intentions.
Image spokesperson.
The Marines basically had no good-looking famous male Marines - they all looked increasingly rough.
Someone like Smoker, that big rough guy, could actually make the top five in the Marine officer appearance rankings.
...
Bastard...
Are you erasing all my efforts until now just because of this face!?
The Uchiha bloodline goes without saying—it's practically synonymous with good looks in the ninja world.
The Yuki clan was also once famous for their beauty. Their last descendant, Haku, was so captivating even at just four or five years old that Zabuza couldn't take his eyes off him.
And Griffin, who combines the best features of both clans...
Let's put it this way.
Smoker has cursed him thousands of times but never dared to insult his face.
If this were a world without extraordinary abilities, Griffin would gladly rely on his looks to live a comfortable life.
But this is a world where strength reigns supreme, and power is everything!
...
...
"The photos really turned out great, Griffin. Have you ever thought about debuting as an idol?"
Only Griffin and the doctor were in the ward. Given their relationship, they didn't use formal titles in private.
Griffin thought for a moment, a dark line forming on his forehead. "Don't joke about that. I'd rather die than become some idol just to please others!"
The doctor chuckled while reading the newspaper. "Then how about joining the Navy's propaganda department? At least you wouldn't have to take on dangerous missions."
After years of interaction, Griffin felt like her own child in her eyes.
A mother...
is the opposite of adventure.
...
...
"Doctor Marie, you know..."
Griffin put down the newspaper and looked out the window, his gaze burning with intensity.
"I can't stop."