For the first time in eight hundred years, the three great institutions of the World Government had been breached.
Fairy Tail versus the Navy's Buster Call — led by an Admiral himself!
The Fairy Tail Guildmaster, Sugisawa Yuuto, battling Admiral Aokiji — one of the highest combat powers of Marine Headquarters!
A man with a bounty of 1.5 billion berries!
The Fifth Emperor of the Sea!
These explosive headlines, fabricated and sensationalized by News King Morgans, spread across the world on the wings of news birds.
In an instant, the entire sea was thrown into chaos — a storm fiercer than any hurricane.
The world was shaken.
"Nani?! No way!"
"Hey, hey! Is this real? Enies Lobby — that ancient fortress that's stood for eight centuries—"
"Enies Lobby, one of the three great pillars of the World Government, has fallen!"
"The attackers are Fairy Tail! What's happening here?!"
"Why would Fairy Tail suddenly strike a government island?"
"I don't know—the newspaper didn't mention any motive!"
"Idiot! Isn't it obvious? Someone must've hired them!"
"You're the idiot! Who would be crazy enough to commission the capture of a government fortress? There's no profit in it!"
"And Fairy Tail's not suicidal—they wouldn't accept something that outrageous! Do you realize that's basically a declaration of war on the entire world?!"
"It must be the World Government's fault! I heard Nico Robin—the 'Demon Child'—recently joined Fairy Tail. Could this be because of her?"
"That's ridiculous! You think Fairy Tail would declare war on the World Government over one woman?!"
Across taverns, ports, and islands, countless people argued and speculated.
A few wondered about the cause of the Enies Lobby incident.
But most cared only about one thing—the result.
"Wang defa!!! Are you serious? Fairy Tail did that?!"
"They already took down one of the Seven Warlords—Locke Dahl—and now this?"
"But this time, they fought the Navy's Buster Call—and not just any Buster Call, but one led by an Admiral!"
"That's the Navy's most destructive force—enough to wipe an island off the map!"
"And Fairy Tail escaped! Not just escaped—they beat the Admiral and the Buster Call!"
"They said Sugisawa Yuuto's bounty hit 1.5 billion berries this time—jumping a whole billion in one go!"
"No, that's Morgans' estimate. The Navy hasn't made it official yet."
"Even so… if he really stood toe-to-toe with an Admiral, then whether it's 1.5 billion or the title of Fifth Emperor—it's well-deserved!"
"Let's see how the Marines and the World Government react now…"
Across every sea, people waited breathlessly for the world's response.
Sabaody Archipelago — The 13th Grove
Shakky's Rip-Off Bar
"I'm betting the trigger was little Robin," said Shakky, the sultry, sharp-eyed woman behind the counter. She tapped the newspaper with a long, polished nail.
"The only survivor of Ohara… the only one who can read the Poneglyphs. The World Government was never going to let her join a powerful group. This clash was inevitable."
"For the sake of a new comrade… to stand against the World Government head-on. What a reckless young man."
The legendary pirate Silvers Rayleigh—the Dark King—let out a low laugh, shaking his head. "But this report sounds exaggerated. Morgans has a history of stretching the truth. It's far too early to crown a 'new Emperor.'"
"Exaggerated?" Shakky smirked. "What if I told you this report actually underplays what happened?"
Rayleigh blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know all the details yet," she said, swirling her drink. "But the Admiral involved—Aokiji—was hospitalized after the battle. Half his body's paralyzed."
Rayleigh froze mid-sip. "…What?"
New World — The Moby Dick, Whitebeard Pirates
"Gurararara! Fairy Tail, huh? What a bunch of wild kids. This story deserves a drink!"
Towering at 6.6 meters, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, the strongest man in the world, downed an enormous mug of sake.
"Don't use Fairy Tail as an excuse to drink, Pops," sighed Marco, the First Division Commander and ship's doctor.
"Oi, Ace! You're reading that paper awfully seriously," teased Blackbeard Teach, laughing.
"Still thinking about asking Fairy Tail to take your Kaido bounty request?" joked Thatch, Captain of the Fourth Division.
"They fought an Admiral and lived," said Rakuyo. "Maybe they could actually pull it off."
"If their guildmaster's truly Admiral-level, then even Kaido wouldn't be invincible," added Curiel.
"Don't get ahead of yourselves," said Vista, stroking his mustache. "Even if Yuuto's that strong, he's nowhere near Kaido's level yet."
"Ace," said Jozu, clapping him on the shoulder, "don't rush in. Wait until Fairy Tail reaches the New World."
Ace nodded silently, folding the paper.
Red Force — The Red-Haired Pirates
"Boss! Boss!" Lucky Roo shouted, waving the newspaper. "Fairy Tail's master is being called the Fifth Emperor of the Sea!"
"Ooooooh!"
"Fifth Emperor?!"
"That's huge!"
"Someone might finally rival the Captain!"
The Red-Hair crew erupted into laughter and cheers.
"Hold on," said Benn Beckman, calmly lighting a cigarette. "The report's probably exaggerated. Morgans always is. Still… if Fairy Tail really beat a Buster Call led by an Admiral, that's something."
"Two Admiral-level fighters in Fairy Tail? Besides the Guildmaster, who could the other be?" Yasopp wondered aloud.
"Don't tell me…" Beckman smirked. "The 'Fairy Queen' Erza?"
The deck fell silent.
"If even Mihawk took an interest in her, she's no ordinary fighter," Shanks said with a grin, throwing his arm over the world's greatest swordsman's shoulder.
"Ahahahaha! Come on, boys! A toast—to the Fifth Emperor of the Sea!"
Wano Country — Onigashima, Beasts Pirates
"The Fifth Emperor? What kind of joke is that?!"
Page One slammed the paper down, his face pale.
"If this Fairy Tail guild really fought an Admiral-level Buster Call, then my sister—she's in danger!"
"Mhahahaha! You're such a coward, Page One," taunted Who's Who. "Hiding behind your sister forever? No wonder you'll never make it into the Flying Six!"
"I-I'll prove you wrong!" Page One stammered, though his fists trembled. "But even my sister couldn't win against an Admiral…"
"Wororororo!"
Kaido, the Beast himself, roared with laughter, sake spilling down his chin.
"A brat wants to call himself Emperor? Twenty years too early!"
"Don't worry, Page One," Black Maria said soothingly. "Your sister will be fine. This 'Fifth Emperor' nonsense is just media hype."
"Besides," growled King, "our real concern is others targeting the Golden Bell Tower."
Whole Cake Island — Big Mom Pirates
"'Fifth Emperor Sugisawa Yuuto'? Morgans has gone mad!"
"The man's reporting gets worse every year!"
"He's making up Emperors now? No photo, no proof—it's nonsense!"
"How dare he claim to be equal to Big Mom!"
The hall of Totto Land rang with outrage.
"Mamahaha!" laughed Big Mom, delighted. "Fairy Tail may be nothing, but there are spoils worth taking! The Golden Clock Tower—and the Demon Child Nico Robin!"
"Right! This time, we'll take them both!"
"With Robin, Big Mom will become the next Pirate King!"
"I'll contact Daifuku and the others!"
The Big Mom crew roared in approval.
"Mother, I'll do my best!" said Pudding, pouting softly.
"Mamahaha! As long as we catch Robin, I won't need you!"
Pudding's face fell instantly, her loneliness hidden beneath a forced smile.
New World — Pirate Island, Hachinosu
"Hahahahaha! The Fifth Emperor? Sugisawa Yuuto?" sneered Ochoku, the old pirate known as the Five Peaks Captain.
"Do you really think you can bear the weight of an Emperor, boy?"
A veteran from the Rocks era, Ochoku had once stood among legends. But compared to giants like Roger, Whitebeard, and Golden Lion, he'd fallen short.
When Roger died and the Great Pirate Era began, the seas erupted in chaos. New legends rose—Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom. Ochoku had seen his chance…
…until Red-Haired Shanks appeared.
The rookie rose like a storm, defeated Ochoku, and claimed the title of Emperor.
Ever since, Ochoku had chased that unreachable crown.
And now, before he could even try again—this "Fifth Emperor," Sugisawa Yuuto, had appeared out of nowhere.
Grinding his teeth, Ochoku snarled, "Come to the New World, Fairy Tail. I'll show you what real power looks like!"
All across the seas, other old legends stirred—those who'd once reached for the throne but fallen short. Their pride wouldn't let this newcomer rise unchallenged.
Dressrosa — The Donquixote Family
"Morgans, that damn birdman! Sugisawa Yuuto, the Fifth Emperor?! What a joke!" shrieked Pica, his voice grating.
"There are only four Emperors above us," snarled Diamante. "This 'Fifth Emperor' talk insults the balance of the sea!"
For years, the Donquixote Family, led by the warlord Doflamingo, had stood as the strongest force beneath the Four Emperors—lords of the black market, kings of influence.
Now Fairy Tail's rise threatened to upend that order.
"Fufufufu…" Doflamingo chuckled, pushing his shades up his nose. "Let him enjoy his fame. The New World will teach him what reality is soon enough."
"Dover, the underworld contacts are calling," said Trebol.
Moments later, in a hidden port deep below Dressrosa, holographic den-den mushi flickered to life. The faces of the world's dark brokers appeared—grim, skeptical, tense.
"Morgans, what are you pulling now?!"
"The Fifth Emperor? Don't make me laugh!"
"You think we don't see through your hype?"
Morgans just smirked. "If you don't believe it, then what are you so afraid of?"
"Tch. No one's buying your lies," sneered Lufeld, the loan shark king.
"The Marines will clear this up soon enough," said Umit, the shipping tycoon.
As if on cue, a new report came through from the Marines—
—but it wasn't a denial.
It was a wanted poster.
Sugisawa Yuuto — Guildmaster of Fairy Tail
Bounty: 1.5 billion berries
Title: The Fifth Emperor of the Sea