Just as the two sisters were about to lead everyone to the royal palace, an aged voice came from behind them.
"What a terrifying man… To escape unscathed from the Navy's ironclad siege—such a thing is beyond belief."
The crowd parted as Elder Nyon hobbled forward, leaning on her snake-headed cane. Her expression was grave, her eyes filled with disbelief as she looked up at Leno.
"You must be Elder Nyon. I've long heard of you," Leno greeted her respectfully, cupping his hands.
The old woman chuckled softly. "Oh? So even an infamous 'Thunder God' like you bothers to notice an old crone like me?"
Leno smiled. "Heh… Once known as the 'Flame Flower' of the seas—who wouldn't know that name?"
Elder Nyon's pupils shrank sharply at the mention. Her voice grew solemn. "So, Shakky was right after all. You truly do know more than you let on."
"I just happen to know a few things," Leno replied casually.
Elder Nyon studied him deeply for a moment, then turned. "Come. To the palace hall. There are matters we must discuss."
Seeing the old woman's tone toward her beloved, Hancock's anger flared. She stomped forward. "That wretched old hag! How dare she speak to Lord Leno like that? I ought to kick her into the sea!"
"Please calm down, Sister," Sandersonia pleaded. "Elder Nyon is only worried about the safety of Amazon Lily."
"Yes, Sister! She means no harm," added Marigold quickly, both trying to restrain Hancock before she exploded.
"Let it go, Hancock," Leno said gently. "This whole mess started because of me. Don't worry—I'll make sure Amazon Lily comes out of this safely."
From Nyon's attitude, Leno could already guess the World Government had released its announcement. Hancock's title as a Warlord was surely gone.
Hancock's mood shifted instantly at his words. "Lord Leno~ I'll have the palace prepare a grand feast for you right away. Come, let's go."
She wrapped her arm around his and pressed close, her voice soft and sweet. Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged helpless looks, both sighing inwardly.
By the time they entered the grand hall, Elder Nyon was already there, holding a newspaper, her face grim.
"Hancock, your title as 'Warlord of the Sea' has been revoked," she said solemnly. "And the World Government has reinstated your bounty. See for yourself."
She handed the new wanted poster to Hancock, then turned to Leno with a complicated look, offering him a folded newspaper.
"The papers have been making quite the spectacle of the whole thing. You've become the talk of the entire ocean."
"1.38 billion Berries?" Hancock glanced at her new bounty, smirked proudly, and tossed it aside. "Hmph. At least it matches my worth."
Then she leaned close to Leno, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Lord Leno, quickly—let's see how they described your glorious deeds."
With a resigned sigh, Leno unfolded the newspaper. Huge headlines leapt out at him:
[Devastated! Marineford Reduced to Ruins!]
[Open Betrayal! The 'Warlords of the Sea' Stab the Navy in the Back!]
[One of the Five Elders Personally Intervene—Their Fate Unknown!]
[Shocking! The Appearance of a Triple Devil Fruit User!]
[The Admirals Crushed! Can the Navy Still Rule the Seas?]
Leno massaged his temples, exasperated. "That damned Morgans really knows how to sell a headline. No wonder he's called the king of gossip."
Each story was more exaggerated than the last—claims that he'd single-handedly crushed the Admirals, instantly slain the Five Elders, and destroyed Marineford by himself.
As for Hancock and Jinbe, the report painted them as traitors, suggesting there were even more hidden Warlords secretly allied with Leno.
It even singled out Doflamingo for "suspiciously neutral behavior," implying he was another insider—a ridiculous claim, but phrased convincingly enough to stir chaos.
Noticing the skeptical looks from Nami, Robin, and the others, Leno waved a hand quickly. "Hey, hey, that has nothing to do with me! If anything, Doflamingo's my enemy—I stole his artificial Devil Fruit, remember?"
He sighed again, irritation flickering across his face. "That damned Morgans… publishing unverified garbage like this. If I ever catch him, I'll fry him myself."
Elder Nyon's lips curled faintly. "Perhaps. But to be fair, you did destroy Marineford—and saved quite a few people along the way. Hardly surprising they're in a frenzy."
She reached into her robe and pulled out a stack of wanted posters. "Here. Your new bounties."
Chopper's eyes lit up. "Nani?! New wanted posters?! Let me see, let me see!"
He eagerly spread them out one by one.
Leno, Captain of the Adventurers, wielder of the Rumble-Rumble, Mythical Beast, and Float-Float Fruits; Grandmaster Swordsman; bounty 4.84 billion Berries — wanted dead or alive.
Kuina, Adventurer combatant, Mythical Zoan—Angel Fruit user; Swordswoman; bounty 1.11 billion Berries — dead or alive.
Nojiko, Adventurer combatant, Mythical Zoan—Bat-Bat Fruit, Vampire form; Swordswoman; bounty 1.03 billion Berries — dead or alive.
Nami, Adventurer navigator, Logia—Cloud-Cloud Fruit user; bounty 440 million Berries — dead or alive.
Carmen, Adventurer cook, Paramecia—Paper-Paper Fruit user; bounty 280 million Berries — dead or alive.
Nico Robin, Adventurer crew member, Paramecia—Flower-Flower Fruit user; bounty 530 million Berries — dead or alive.
Yamato, Adventurer crew member, Mythical Zoan—Great White Wolf Deity Fruit user; bounty 860 million Berries — dead or alive.
Chopper, Adventurer pet; bounty 1,000 Berries — capture permitted alive.
Belle-Mère and her family were mentioned in the papers as well, though no official bounties were listed.
"Hahahaha!"
Yamato clutched her poster to her chest, beaming. "Finally! My own bounty poster!"
Leno examined his own and nodded in satisfaction—before frowning. "Wait a sec. Why didn't they use a new photo? I posed for at least three different shots this time!"
Nojiko rolled her eyes. "Really, Leno? You think this is a photoshoot?"
He opened his mouth to retort—but suddenly, the mood shifted.
Chopper was kneeling in the corner, his tiny frame trembling as tears dripped onto his poster.
"1… 1,000 Berries?!"
His voice cracked in disbelief. "H-how is that possible?! I fought a Vice Admiral all by myself!"