Just one day later, Rob Lucci finally understood the meaning behind Oboro's meaningful glance toward Dom.
The next morning, scores of News Coos took flight across the globe, their cargo destined to shake the very foundations of the maritime world.
The Hell Pirates erupted in celebration while the world descended into chaos.
Because the Hell Pirates' captain, the enigmatic Hell King, was none other than the legendary God Slayer himself.
Upon learning of Oboro's true identity, the Hell Pirates' trainee crew members experienced a moment of paralyzing terror before their passion ignited with unprecedented intensity. Their initial fear stemmed from understanding what association with the God Slayer meant, becoming targets of the World Government's absolute wrath, facing survival challenges that made ordinary piracy seem like child's play.
But they had been granted power beyond imagination.
Now Morgans of the World News Agency was lavishing praise upon the Hell Pirates in his publications, elevating their captain to mythical status. The feathered media mogul had proclaimed himself the God Slayer's number one fan, describing Oboro as a transformative figure whose influence would reshape the Great Pirate Era itself.
This revelation instantly catapulted the Hell Pirates to unimaginable global prominence.
Power and fame, the twin pillars that every pirate dreamed of achieving.
Furthermore, their period of unrestrained rampage throughout the North Blue had intensified their collective arrogance, leaving few capable of maintaining rational perspective. Years of pirate life had conditioned them to thrive on the edge of danger, to embrace risk as naturally as breathing.
Consequently, the Hell Pirates' morale remained unshaken, if anything, their confidence had grown even more audacious.
The crew understood Oboro's strength intimately. The name "God Slayer" wielded public influence comparable to the Four Emperors themselves, though his actual power remained a mystery to the outside world. In terms of notoriety, he had undoubtedly become a pivotal figure in global maritime politics.
Boarding his ship represented tremendous risk, but also extraordinary opportunity.
If they could break through the Marine's encirclement this time, their futures would be limitless.
The Hell Pirates were now linked to the God Slayer.
The magnitude of this revelation defied comprehension. The Hell Pirates had already been the North Blue's most sensational emerging power, with even Grand Line giants adopting wait-and-see attitudes regarding their potential entry into more dangerous waters. The disclosure of their captain's true identity had transformed anticipation into obsession.
The world's attention focused on them with laser intensity, making the coming confrontation even more compelling.
The World Government and Marine had anticipated Oboro's eventual self-revelation and therefore maintained remarkable composure despite the media storm.
Lucci displayed no visible surprise at these developments.
Day after day, more vessels arrived to observe the Hell Pirates from respectful distances, though none dared approach within striking range.
Yet the Hell Pirates showed no signs of departure. They had originally agreed to remain for only a few days while completing final preparations.
However, Captain Oboro issued no orders for advancement.
This stagnation made Rob Lucci increasingly suspicious about Oboro's true intentions.
Was he... afraid?
The Hell Pirates' apparent hesitation sparked rumors throughout the observing fleets, but soon the reason for Oboro's calculated delay became clear.
The explanation was elegantly simple: information about the Hell Pirates' activities throughout the North Blue had never been secret, quite unlike the carefully guarded mystery surrounding the God Slayer's identity. His ability to grant divine power, transforming ordinary individuals into supernatural warriors, quickly dominated newspaper coverage worldwide. The publications contained detailed frontal photographs of Hell Pirates members, cataloguing their distinctive appearances and impressive enhanced physiques.
From the newspapers' comprehensive coverage, it became apparent that Morgans had long known the God Slayer had founded the Hell Pirates. He described every aspect of their North Blue operations with such vivid detail that readers might assume he'd personally witnessed each event. Moreover, the media mogul's fanatical devotion to the God Slayer remained undiminished.
He openly proclaimed his immense admiration for Oboro, calling him a "great man" who represented a turning point in the Great Pirate Era, the Pirate King who would forge a "New World Order" whose achievements would surpass even Gol D. Roger's legendary status.
His words conveyed such reverence that unfamiliar readers might mistake him for the God Slayer's personal lapdog.
Morgans' timing in releasing this bombshell proved remarkably astute.
While the media baron's knowledge of the Hell Pirates wasn't comprehensive, the information published in his newspapers represented carefully orchestrated rumors that Oboro had instructed Dom to disseminate. Given Morgans' position within the global media infrastructure, virtually every publication worldwide maintained direct or indirect ties to his news agency.
This represented his truly terrifying capability.
The News Agency's penetration throughout the industry was so profound that even Oboro, despite his unique perspective and accumulated experience, couldn't help but admire its scope.
The immediate consequence of revealing his abilities was that countless powers across the ocean mobilized their forces, converging on the Grand Line's starting point like sharks drawn to blood.
A method to strengthen and evolve human capabilities...
Such power wasn't coveted only by the World Government, but by every ambitious individual throughout the maritime world.
Because it represented a force that could overturn the ocean's established order entirely.
"This man... the government's analysis of him was absolutely correct," Lucci muttered with growing unease, studying the latest newspaper edition.
"Terrifying."
During recent days, News Coos had flown with such frequency that the entire ocean seemed blanketed by newspapers falling like snowflakes in an endless cascade of information.
He couldn't help but glance toward the figure standing casually at the railing not far away, a man who smiled while feeling the sea breeze, apparently unconcerned by the global storm his revelation had unleashed.
Lucci's eyes darkened with recognition.
This man understood how to maximize his advantages perfectly. He also comprehended his own capabilities with frightening clarity.
His strategic mind was truly terrifying.
Morgans had mobilized the News Agency's vast resources to build momentum and provide crucial support for the Hell Pirates, not merely because of the "God Slayer" mystique, but because this individual and the impending war alone could generate massive profits for media outlets worldwide. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Oboro had temporarily "fed" the entire news industry through his calculated revelations.
This development also elevated the importance and status of media organizations, a force long overlooked by traditional maritime powers.
While Morgans' feelings toward Oboro contained genuine personal admiration, ultimately this represented a mutually beneficial arrangement between two strategic minds.
A perfect win-win partnership.
The remarkable aspect was that the two had never met in person.
"We depart tonight," Oboro suddenly announced, turning to address the assembled figures on deck.
"Yes, sir!" Dolan shouted, immediately relaying the command to the pirates below. "Prepare for battle! Ready yourselves!"
"YEAH!"
The roar that erupted from hundreds of enhanced throats could have awakened the dead, hands clenching weapons with anticipatory bloodlust.
"Trouble," Lucci muttered under his breath, withdrawing from his analytical observations.
He took a deep breath while studying the newspaper's contents, his thoughts racing through implications.
The World Government had anticipated that the God Slayer would eventually reveal himself to create "public pressure," but they hadn't expected this level of orchestrated chaos.
The game had evolved far beyond their original calculations, and Rob Lucci found himself questioning whether any force, even Marine Headquarters, could contain the storm that was about to be unleashed.