The latest issue, personally compiled by Morgans, was soon carried across the world by countless newsbirds.
The news of the Golden Lion Shiki's defeat at the hands of Donquixote Doflamingo spread across the seas, leaving the world in shock.
Who was the Golden Lion?
Captain of the Flying Pirates. Leader of the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet. Not only was he a great pirate on par with Gol D. Roger, Edward Newgate, and the reclusive Redfield, but he was also a terrifying figure who once forced the Pirate King Roger to the brink of destruction.
And yet, a mere Doflamingo...
Because of Morgans' collusion with Doflamingo, much of the latter's achievements had been downplayed or outright concealed. Outside of the North Blue—where the Donquixote Family reigned as the true, uncrowned kings—most people still saw him as nothing more than a drug peddler.
But now, with this victory, Doflamingo's name resounded across the world!
"Hahahaha! So the Golden Lion is dead too, huh?"
Garp, unfazed, grabbed a plate of senbei and chomped down heartily as he watched Sengoku freeze in place.
"He's just... dead? Shiki?"
For once, Sengoku didn't immediately snap at Garp. Instead, he sat in deep contemplation, his gaze fixed on the World Economy News report.
The common folk could only marvel at the spectacle, but those who understood the world knew better.
Both he and Garp had once fought Shiki in Loguetown. Back then, though the Golden Lion's strength had declined due to his injuries, his dominance over the seas was undeniable.
If Shiki had chosen to escape, they wouldn't have been able to stop him.
After all, the sky was his domain.
And yet, now, he had fallen—defeated by Doflamingo in his very own battlefield.
Was this the work of time?
Or had Doflamingo already grown to such an extent?
Sengoku lifted his head just as Tsuru set down her newspaper. Their eyes met, and in that moment, they saw the same concern reflected in each other's gaze.
Shiki's death should have been good news.
But Doflamingo...
He was barely twenty years old, yet his influence stretched across all four seas. On top of that, he had formed unholy alliances with Big Mom and Kaido.
More crucially, as a former Celestial Dragon, his forces did not rely on pillaging.
That made it difficult for the Marines to act against him.
What would the future hold for a man like that?
The newspaper Tsuru had put down bore a bold, striking headline:
"A New Legend: The Celestial Demon! A New Era Has Begun!"
Beneath the title was a battlefield photo taken by the famed war journalist.
The background was filled with floating debris, seawater, and shattered islands. At the center of it all stood two men.
One of them wore what remained of an extravagant kimono, now tattered beyond recognition. His once-flawless golden hair was hacked to uneven strands, stained with blood. The arrogance that had once dominated his face had been replaced by solemn intensity and madness.
The ship's helm that had been lodged in his head for years was gone—but so was a significant portion of the right side of his skull.
In his grip, the famed swords Oto and Kogarashi remained poised for battle.
It was the fallen Golden Lion.
Opposite him stood a man with ironclad arms, gripping two black blades. His sculpted muscles bore countless slashes, his body a living testament to the battle's ferocity. He looked like a work of art—one carved from the blood of combat.
Towering, dark wings spread out behind him, their color a deep, menacing purple-black. His crimson eyes gleamed with untamed madness.
Like a nightmarish demon.
It was none other than Donquixote Doflamingo!
...
"Worororo! You did well, brat!"
Kaido's voice, tinged with drunken amusement, echoed from the other end of the call.
"Fufufufu... Old relics like him should know when to step aside for us."
"Well said, brat! When are you gonna fight me?"
"Kaido-san, I'm still recovering from the injuries Shiki left me with."
"Waaah! Shiki's dead! That's one less person to brawl with!!!"
Kaido immediately burst into exaggerated wails.
Doflamingo resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Annoying as hell. Maybe next time, he'd just blow up Onigashima.
But outwardly, his attitude remained unchanged.
"No need to rush, Kaido-san. A grand war is already on the horizon. When the time comes, you'll have your fill of battles."
"Hmm, I can't wait! Gurarararara~"
After downing another few barrels of sake, Kaido suddenly remembered something important.
"How's Yamato doing?"
Father actually remembered me?!
Yamato's eyes sparkled as she clung to Doflamingo's leg, eagerly shouting into the transponder snail.
"Father! The islands here are amazing! There are even people who can fly!"
"...People who can fly?"
Surprisingly, it wasn't Kaido who reacted first—it was King, standing beside him, visibly startled.
Could it be? Were there others of his kind out there? Was he not alone?!
"Yes, Uncle King! They have wings on their arms, and they suddenly grew bigger before taking flight! So cool!"
Yamato, who had already bonded with the village kids, practically sparkled at the thought of flying.
Wings on their arms... King's momentary hope was crushed in an instant. Even the flames behind his head seemed to dim slightly.
Kaido patted his oldest subordinate on the shoulder and turned back to the conversation.
"Then keep looking, Yamato! Go and uncover the truth of this world!"
Truth?
Yamato, an eight-year-old who had not been raised on the "Will of Fire" propaganda, tilted her head in confusion.
Meanwhile, Kaido's gaze darkened as he turned back to Doflamingo.
"How much longer until this bloodline factor transplant is ready?"
"Fufufufu, don't be impatient, Kaido-san."
Doflamingo ruffled Yamato's hair before continuing.
"The current process is still incomplete. Even though she has your bloodline, success isn't guaranteed."
Truthfully, with the right combination of Bloodline Factor, Baccarat, and IQ, Doflamingo was 98% certain Yamato could perfectly integrate Kaido's traits.
But why rush?
Yamato had yet to be molded into his vision.
Not understanding, Yamato gave up thinking altogether, rubbing her oni horns against Doflamingo's hand, enjoying the odd sensation.
"How much longer, damn it?! I'm losing patience!"
"That's exactly why I have a new proposal."
Doflamingo, ever the shrewd manipulator, smirked.
"The current process isn't fully developed, but it still has a decent success rate. Yamato is valuable, but aren't pirates in the New World as plentiful as weeds?
I'm sure many would be eager to gamble on the chance to gain abilities with no drawbacks."
"Worororo! When do we start? Where's the site?"
Kaido didn't care about failure. He only cared about results.
"The North Blue should be a good place. No one pays attention to that region.
I'll handle the passage through the Calm Belt. How about it, Kaido-san?"
"Worororo! It's settled!"
Click.
Another batch of test subjects secured.
A sinister smile spread across Doflamingo's face.
Naturally, this meant Frevance had made new progress.
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