"Pops, these guys are way too terrifying!"
"They actually won against a lineup that included Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the hero Garp, and the three Admirals!"
"Yeah, yeah! Look at that golden light sword in the newspaper photo—just seeing it is terrifying!"
Listening to his sons' discussions beside him, Whitebeard's eyes held a hint of concern.
In Whitebeard's view, this group that suddenly appeared had killed a Celestial Dragon the moment they showed up—something no one had dared to do for centuries. Even the Four Emperors like them wouldn't casually kill a Celestial Dragon.
Moreover, their strength was such that even the Marines were no match for them. With such a force emerging, who knew what their true purpose was? The seas were likely about to become chaotic again.
Thinking this, Whitebeard's gaze fell back on the newspaper. Seeing that Aoki and the others were heading for the Grand Line, he couldn't help but worry about Ace's safety.
'Ace, please don't let anything happen to you...'
It had been a long time since Ace set out to capture Blackbeard, and there had been no news since. Whitebeard's unease grew stronger and stronger.
Wano Country, New World.
"Hahahaha! Interesting, so interesting!"
"This strength—Sengoku, Garp, and even the three Admirals are no match for them! The seas are getting more and more fascinating!"
Looking at the newspaper in his hand, Kaido laughed heartily.
Whole Cake Island, territory of Big Mom.
Big Mom, who was voraciously devouring delicacies, suddenly noticed the newspaper on the table. The photo of Aoki in particular made her eyes light up.
"Who is this?! Eyes like these must belong to a special race! Find him!! Find him!! I want him to be my 44th husband!!"
For a moment, Big Mom even felt the cake in her mouth had lost its flavor. She picked up the newspaper and began ordering her sons around.
Seeing this, everyone hurriedly agreed, trying their best to calm Big Mom's emotions. But looking at the newspaper and the fact that even the Fleet Admiral and Admirals were no match for Aoki's group, they were stunned.
With that level of strength, how were they supposed to capture him?
Exchanging glances, they decided to leave this matter for Katakuri to handle. With their own abilities, going after them would be nothing but suicide.
Kaido's eyes suddenly lit up.
Making his first appearance in The World and already achieving such terrifying feats—
This made Kaido suddenly feel the wine in his hand had lost its flavor.
King, standing beside him, was startled as he watched Kaido grow increasingly intrigued.
Although King believed Lord Kaido was the strongest,
it was clear that against these monsters,
even Kaido would stand no chance.
"Lord Kaido, please calm down!"
"What matters now isn't these people—after all, they're just a bunch who don't even dare to enter the New World!"
"If they come to the New World, we'll have plenty of chances to deal with them!"
Hearing King's persuasion,
Kaido simply continued drinking his wine on his own.
Deep down, Kaido understood clearly:
he usually sought danger and excitement,
but that was based on his own immense strength, ensuring nothing could ever go wrong.
As for Aoki's crew in the newspaper,
with achievements like those, even Kaido admitted he couldn't accomplish them himself.
Naturally, he wouldn't foolishly rush over to pick a fight with them.
He just wondered what this crew's purpose was,
suddenly appearing on the high seas.
Thinking this,
Kaido couldn't help but fall into deep contemplation.
Meanwhile, on the Grand Line,
inside a large ship flying no flags,
a group of people had gathered, eagerly reading a newspaper.
"Gotta admit, The World's intelligence work is impressive!"
"We just finished the fight, and the newspaper is already out~"
"And it's recorded in such detail!"
Looking at the newspaper,
Tobirama and the others were full of admiration.
With work ethic like this,
it truly was remarkable.
And Madara, reading the praises and records about himself in the newspaper, couldn't stop complimenting it.
Every sentence seemed to hit right where Madara felt most pleased.
"Hahahaha! I really like this newspaper!"
"Once we're back, I'll start one in Leaf!"
"Hey! That's a great idea!"
Everyone's eyes lit up at Madara's plan.
Having control of the newspaper meant controlling public opinion.
It was indeed a good approach.
However, Aoki noticed that this time,
they hadn't been issued any Bounty Notices.
He wondered if it was just a matter of timing.
As time passed,
Aoki and the others drew closer and closer to Water City.
Looking at the Log Pose in his hand,
they should reach Water City before long.
Just as they were about to arrive,
news birds appeared in the sky once more,
dropping a newspaper along with a stack of Bounty Posters from above.
"Huh?!"
The front page of the newspaper
featured the destroyed Enies Lobby and a photo of the Straw Hat crew.
In other words,
the Enies Lobby arc had already concluded.
"So fast?"
Frowning at the contents of the newspaper,
Aoki realized heading to Water City now would be a wasted trip.
The Straw Hat crew had definitely already left Water City,
and they'd departed on their new ship.
Hashirama and the others nearby picked up the newspaper to read as well.
They were naturally familiar with their mission target, the Straw Hat crew.
"So we won't be able to find the Straw Hat crew now?"
"Right, we won't run into them~"
Hearing this,
everyone couldn't help but frown.
Even Aoki hadn't expected
the Straw Hat crew to move so quickly.
They had just set out for Water City,
The Enies Lobby arc had concluded.
Fortunately, Aoki was well-versed in the subsequent plot developments of Pirate King.
Next, the Straw Hat crew would likely head to Moria's territory.
All they needed to do was make their way to the Florian Triangle.
"Adjust the course!"
Luckily, Aoki had purchased more than just the Log Pose for Water City at Sabaody Archipelago.
Soon, the ship adjusted its heading and, under Aoki's direction, headed straight for the Florian Triangle.
This time, they had no intention of wasting any time.
Tobirama even went all out, unleashing Water Release: Water Riding Strike repeatedly.
The ship sped across the sea as if equipped with a motor, its velocity astonishing.
Just as Aoki and the others were making their way to the Florian Triangle,
on Moria's territory,
the Straw Hat crew had already clashed with Moria's zombie army.
Meanwhile, Luffy was frantically absorbing the power of shadows.
A major battle was imminent.
Unbeknownst to the Straw Hat crew at the time,
they had already caught the attention of Aoki and his companions.
As time passed,
Moria was ultimately defeated by Luffy.
Countless shadows were liberated,
and the Straw Hat crew successfully gained a new comrade here—
the musician, Brook.
Just as everyone was celebrating,
outside Moria's Thriller Bark, a large ship slowly approached.
"...We've finally arrived~"
"Looks like we're not too late!"
Gazing at the Thousand Sunny in the distance,
Aoki's eyes immediately turned toward the interior of Thriller Bark.
The Straw Hat crew was now on the island.
"Everyone, let's go!"
"The first mission is about to be completed!"
Knowing the Straw Hat crew was on the island,
Aoki and the others wasted no time,
quickly racing toward the central castle.
According to the plot,
the Straw Hat crew should be holding a banquet inside the castle at this moment.
Thinking of the plot,
Aoki suddenly recalled a classic scene from Pirate King.
As they neared the castle,
he led Hashirama and the others to a spot not far from the castle's outer perimeter.
Upon arrival,
they saw a man covered in blood,
with splatters of blood everywhere on the ground.
Even so,
the man remained standing firmly in place.
If not for his faint breathing,
they would have thought he was already dead.
As a top-tier medical ninja, Tsunade took one look and remarked, "If this kid doesn't get treated soon, he'll bleed out completely!"
"People in this world are truly unbelievable. With this much blood loss, he's still alive!"
Hearing Tsunade's words,
Aoki and Kakashi Hatake exchanged strange expressions.
If you knew you could survive being cut in half, you wouldn't say something like that.
Looking at Zoro, who was at the end of his rope,
Aoki suddenly thought of something.
'Perhaps there's no need to kill them after all!'
A golden Spirit Orb suddenly appeared in Aoki's hand.
With a flash,
he swiftly appeared before Zoro.
Though Zoro was still conscious,
seeing Aoki and the others appear out of nowhere, he knew they meant no good.
But in his current state, he couldn't even move,
forced to watch helplessly as Aoki shoved the glowing orb into his body.
"Hey!!! Who are you people?!"
"Stop right there!!"
Just as Aoki withdrew his hand,
a figure suddenly descended from above,
kicking straight toward Aoki.
The newcomer was none other than Sanji, who had just regained consciousness.
Faced with Sanji's attack,
Aoki paid no heed.
Before Sanji could even get close to Aoki,
He was instantly seized by a figure who gripped his neck, rendering him completely immobile.
Seeing Sanji still struggling despite being held by Madara,
Aoki did not hesitate,
and directly inserted a Spirit Orb into Sanji's body.
At the moment it entered,
Sanji ceased all movement.
Having accomplished this, Aoki nodded with satisfaction.
"Let's go!"
"Take us to find the others!"
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