Flocks of news coos poured out of Morgans's headquarters in a black tide. Wings beat in unison, blotting out the sky for a moment before the birds scattered—fanning out toward every inhabited corner of the seas.
This issue was destined to be different. What it carried was enough to shake the world.
The World Economic Journal — Front Page Headline:
[The End of the Old Era! The Flying Admiral "Golden Lion" Shiki Confirmed Dead!]
The subheadline, in bold black type, read:
[The Navy's Rising Star Who Cut Down a Legend—G–17 Base Commander Rain!]
[The Perfect Fusion of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and a Great Swordsman! One Strike—He Cut the Sky Apart!]
…
New World — The Moby Dick
On deck, it was the liveliest time of day: feast hour.
"Pops! Something huge happened!"
A young Marco clutched a newspaper, eyes wide with shock, and hurried to Whitebeard's massive chair.
"Hm?"
"Whitebeard," Edward Newgate, lowered his enormous sake bowl. Golden hair draped over his shoulders; muscles rose like stone, radiating a presence that could make men blanch.
He took the paper and swept his gaze over the glaring headline.
A long moment passed.
"Gurararara—!"
Whitebeard suddenly laughed, the sound making even the surrounding seawater tremble.
"That madman who always wanted to grind the whole sea under his heel… he finally chops off his legs to crawl out of Impel Down, and then turns around and dies to some Navy brat?"
He tipped his head back and guzzled. Sake ran down the corner of his mouth, and something complicated flickered in his eyes.
"Roger's gone. Shiki's gone too… The old bastards who can still drink with me are getting fewer by the day."
"Pops, this Navy guy 'Rain'…" Marco pointed uneasily at the photo. "The paper says he's only eighteen. Rumble-Rumble Fruit, and a great swordsman. That kind of growth speed… it doesn't feel human."
"Yeah. I saw it."
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, studying the blurry silhouette in the picture, then grinned broadly.
"If he killed Shiki in a straight fight, that Navy kid's a real monster."
"The waves of the new era finally hit the shore, huh? Gurararara—!"
He tossed the paper to Jozu and raised his bowl again.
"Boys! Don't overthink it! The sea's huge. If the old legends are done, then let's see how big a wave this new brat can make! Until then—keep the feast going!"
"OHHHH! Long live Pops!!"
…
Wano Country — Onigashima
Inside the giant skull fortress, a wild banquet raged.
"What did you just say?!"
A furious roar exploded—followed by a massive sake jar smashing to pieces on the floor.
"Shiki that bastard… is dead?!"
"Beasts" Kaido was bare-chested, stinking of alcohol, eyes blazing with predatory menace. He stared at the report in his subordinate's hands, nostrils blasting two thick plumes of white breath.
"What a useless piece of trash! He disgraced the Rocks Pirates' name!"
Kaido seized his kanabo, Hassaikai, black-red lightning coiling around it, and slammed it into the ground.
"BOOM!!!"
Onigashima shuddered like a magnitude-ten quake. Solid rock shattered; a huge crack raced outward and flipped the long banquet table piled with food and drink.
"He mangles himself for some stupid plan, breaks out, and before he can even make a real mess—he gets butchered by a Navy kid?!"
Kaido fumed, grabbed a barrel, and chugged it dry in huge gulps—then hurled the empty barrel into the wall.
CRASH!
The thick wall caved in.
"Shiki! You really did rot with age!!"
He swayed to his feet, drunk rage glinting in his eyes. He swung his club with no technique at all, the pressure gust flinging a few unlucky pirates like leaves.
"Boring! This is too damn boring!!"
"I was hoping you'd stir this sea into an even bigger mess—then you go and die that easily?!"
Another explosive slam. Rocks and rubble rained down; the Kurozumi retainers and pirates scrambled and cowered.
After venting, Kaido finally slumped onto his ruined throne, breathing hard.
He picked up the newspaper—now smeared with alcohol and dust—and looked again.
"Rumble-Rumble Fruit, huh… That 'invincible' Logia ended up in the Navy's hands."
Kaido bared a savage grin.
"I'd love to see it—whose thunder hits harder: his lightning, or my Thunder Bagua!"
He tipped a jug and glanced lazily at a kneeling Kurozumi retainer.
"By the way—Oden, that idiot… still dancing naked in the Flower Capital today?"
The retainer trembled and bowed repeatedly. "Y-yes, Kaido-sama! Lord Oden keeps his promise—he performed at the gate again today. The people are laughing at him, and the Kozuki reputation is sinking by the day!"
"Wororororo! Moron!"
Kaido laughed, contempt dripping from his voice.
"With that kind of power, and he chooses to be a clown for a few peasants… What a waste."
"Compared to that, the Navy brat who dared kill Shiki is at least interesting. If he comes to the New World, I'll crush his bones myself!"
…
New World — Totto Land Waters
On the castle terrace of Whole Cake Island, a grand tea party was underway.
"Mama~ Mama-mama-mama! That old man Shiki finally died?"
Charlotte Linlin stuffed a massive caramel cream puff into her mouth. After Perospero's report, she let out her shrill laugh.
Though nearing fifty, Big Mom was still towering and imposing, face carefully made up—retaining the terrifying beauty and dominance of her youth.
She extended a hand with crimson nails and elegantly took the paper.
The moment she saw Rain's photo and the description of his power, her pink eyes flared with undisguised greed and desire.
"This boy 'Rain'… he's really quite handsome."
She licked her red lips, gaze turning hazy.
"Young, Rumble-Rumble Fruit, a great swordsman… Those perfect genes are a gift from the heavens!"
"Perospero!"
"Y-yes, Mama."
"Go investigate him. I don't care how—even if you have to kidnap him—bring him to Totto Land!"
Linlin rose excitedly, her pink dress fluttering.
"If it's him… he'll give me the strongest children!!"
"Mama~ Mama-mama-mama! What a perfect masterpiece that'll be!"
Perospero wiped sweat and answered quietly. "Yes, Mama. But he's Navy, so—"
"Shut up!" Big Mom's eyes flashed.
"Nothing I want has ever escaped me!"
…
East Blue — Goa Kingdom Border
A storm ravaged the coastline. At its center, a black sailship with no flag sat unmoving.
A tall figure in a deep green cloak stood at the bow, rain soaking his face.
Lightning split the sky, illuminating the red tattoo on his resolute features.
Monkey D. Dragon.
He held a rain-soaked newspaper, eyes fixed eastward—toward Loguetown, toward where Rain had risen.
"Golden Lion Shiki… an old-era remnant who tried to rule by violence and terror… has exited the stage."
Dragon's voice was low and magnetic, as if fused with the storm itself.
"The Navy has produced someone dangerous."
Behind him, Ivankov blinked dramatically.
"Hee-haw! Dragon, this kid Rain is vicious! I heard his methods in G–17 are extremely hardline. That doesn't sound like the usual puppets who just obey the Celestial Dragons."
"You sensed it too, then."
Dragon folded the paper, gaze deepening.
"Extreme power… and an unshackled will… He's like a double-edged sword."
"If he truly holds justice, he may become the world's hope. But if he becomes addicted to power and authority…"
Dragon turned to the followers gathered from across the world for freedom.
"Ever since Ohara, I've been thinking—the world needs more than a rebel group. It needs a revolution that overturns everything."
"The storm has begun. Shiki's death is just a signal. The old order is collapsing, and the World Government's shadow keeps spreading."
Dragon clenched his fist, voice firm.
"We can't wait any longer. We'll spread the flames of resistance across the world. We'll build a force that truly belongs to us—the Revolutionary Army!"
"Inform everyone. Prepare to assemble. Before the real dawn arrives, we must build enough strength."
He paused, then glanced one last time at Rain's image.
"As for Rain… keep watching him. I have a feeling we'll deal with him sooner or later."
…
Holy Land Mary Geoise — The Room of Authority
Five old men at the peak of world power sat in council.
"Golden Lion is dead."
"Hmph. Old-era trash. He should've been swept into the garbage heap long ago."
"But—"
The bald elder in a white robe, cradling Shodai Kitetsu, tossed Rain's photo onto the table, tone heavy.
"This 'blade'… isn't it a little too sharp?"
"Rumble-Rumble Fruit user, great swordsman realm, and now the feat of cutting down a legend. A sharp tool—but rebellious. According to Kong's report, he handled the Float-Float Fruit privately and gave it to Gion."
"Power that can't be controlled is always the most dangerous."
"But it's also a time we need people." Another blond elder tapped the table. "Roger is dead, yet the Great Pirate Era is spiraling out of control. The New World's monsters are becoming restless. The Navy needs a new hero—deterrence strong enough to matter."
"As long as he wears the cloak of Justice, we can use him."
"Agreed. Give him exceptional commendations. Grant him a special title. Raise him up. The higher he stands, the harder it becomes for him to leave the Navy."
"Then it's decided. But—have CP0 keep a close watch."
…
G–17 Branch — Base Commander's Office
The outside world was boiling over Shiki's death, but Rain—at the center of the storm—was calm.
He sat behind his desk, a white cloth in hand, carefully polishing a liquor flask.
Beyond the window lay an endless sea. Seagulls cried. Sunlight glittered on the waves. Everything looked peaceful.
"Ffff…"
Rain blew off a speck of dust, relaxing for once.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in."
Colonel Moore pushed the door open carefully, holding a long brocade case, his expression respectful to the point of reverence.
"Base Commander, the matter you ordered… is done."
"The two swords—our best craftsmen worked all night to clean and maintain them. The scabbards have been repaired as well."
Rain set the cloth down, accepted the case, and opened it gently.
Great Grade Blades—Twenty-One: Oto and Kogarashi.
After meticulous polishing, not a trace of blood remained. Cold light flowed along the edges like water—like they still thirsted for fresh blood.
Rain reached out and wrapped his hands around the hilts.
"Hm."
Because he had inherited Golden Lion's peak sword art, the moment he touched them, a familiar, blood-linked sensation rose in him.
They weren't dead objects anymore—more like extensions of his arms.
"Good swords."
Rain's lips curled, satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
"Base Commander…"
Moore stood to the side, watching Rain's composure, hesitating—then finally pulled a crumpled newspaper from his coat.
"Have… have you seen today's paper? Morgans went too far with what he wrote about you."
Moore wiped sweat from his brow, voice heavy with worry.
"'The rising star who cut down a legend'… He's pushed you too high."
"You're on the tip of the spear now. Those pirates who live for fame, and the monsters of the New World—everyone will be watching you."
Moore knew Rain was strong, but he also knew the rule: the tallest tree catches the most wind. In this chaotic era, fame often meant endless trouble and endless killing.
"On the tip of the spear, huh?"
Rain closed the case and rose, walking to the floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside, the steel fortress of G–17 gleamed coldly in the sun. Warships filled the harbor. Beyond them lay the golden artery of the sea.
Rain spread his arms slightly, as if welcoming the ocean that would boil because of him.
"Then let this sea learn it."
"I'm not the spearhead."
"I'm the storm."
~~~
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