The next morning, the first rays of dawn spread across the vast, boundless sea.
Flocks of News Coo birds soared, each carrying a freshly printed World Economy Report in its beak.
After circling in the air a few times, they glided with the wind over the ocean, delivering newspapers to all corners of the world.
At that very moment, this newspaper, like a bombshell, completely shook the entire world!
— Great Shock: Water 7 Prepares to Build the World's Strongest Pirate Ship!!!
This shocking front-page news spread throughout the world within just a few hours.
Whether it was the countless pirates of the Grand Line or the Emperor-level powers of the New World,
or even the World Government hidden in the shadows, all were stunned speechless by this sudden news!
The front-page headline of the World Economy Report immediately featured two world-shaking photographs!
First photograph —
Monkey D. Luffy, in a giant form towering dozens of meters tall, held up the going merry with one hand, appearing out of nowhere.
Terrifying red lightning crackled around him, his Aura like an invincible War God between heaven and earth!
His eyes burned like flames, and his wild, untamed smile exuded absolute confidence.
That lawless, domineering Aura, even through the newspaper, made countless people feel an irresistible pressure!
"Is this the Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates?! The pirate rookie whose first bounty was as high as 100 million Berries?!"
"His growth speed is too fast!!!"
Countless powers, upon seeing this photo, had trembling hands and throats so dry they couldn't speak.
Second photograph —
At Dock Number One in Water 7, the entire Straw Hat Pirates crew stood before a small mountain of gold.
Beside them was Iceburg, the president of Galley-La Company, with Water 7's most famous giant dock as the backdrop.
Under the morning light, the mountain of gold gleamed with dazzling brilliance.
Like a legendary Treasure Trove mountain, it directly assaulted people's visual nerves!
"A mountain of gold! This is... how many hundreds of millions of Berries?!"
"Where in the world did the Straw Hat Pirates get so much gold?!"
Throughout the world, countless people were utterly astonished!
And in the side advertisement column of the newspaper, an inconspicuous commercial ad caught the attention of many discerning individuals.
Galley-La Company Major Announcement!
— "Our company is currently acquiring large quantities of adam wood and top-tier shipbuilding Materials of the same grade, with prices potentially increased to double the market rate!"
This information, like a depth charge, was quickly seized upon by various powers!
"The world's number one shipbuilding company is actually acquiring adam wood on such a large scale?!"
"This is already enough to prove that the Straw Hat Pirates are building a top-tier pirate ship that will surpass history!"
The news instantly spread across the world, and major powers plunged into a frenzy of excitement and panic!
The Four Emperors, the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the World Government... all were shaken!
Mary Geoise, Gorosei Conference Room!
In a ancient and solemn conference room in the sacred Mary Geoise.
Five elders, who wielded the highest power in the world, sat around a long table.
Each held a newspaper, their faces so grim they seemed to drip with water.
"Straw Hat Pirates... these arrogant pirates, how dare they be so high-profile?"
"Gold, Water 7, the strongest pirate ship... what exactly do they intend to do?"
"Is it related to Pluton?"
"They wouldn't actually build Pluton, would they..."
"We must stop them!"
"Let's wait and see for now. If it's truly related to Pluton, then we'll deal with it all at once!"
Their voices were low and murderous, and the entire World Government, at this moment, was completely stirred up by this news!
Marineford!
Fleet Admiral Sengoku frowned, staring at the newspaper, his expression shifting between dark and light.
"Monkey D. Luffy, Lin Ning... what exactly do you want to do?"
"If you're so high-profile, even if the Marine doesn't intervene,"
"those vicious pirates on the Grand Line won't let go of so much gold!"
"With so many pirates swarming in, can you handle it?!"
Garp, standing nearby, stared at the photo of Luffy in his giant form.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, then he suppressed his smile, his gaze becoming complex.
"You brat... have you already become this strong?"
New World, Totto Land!
Upon a massive dessert throne, Big Mama Charlotte Linlin sat regally.
She held a giant cake taller than an average person in one hand, and crushed the newly delivered World Economy Report in the other!
Her deep, terrifying eyes scanned the photos on the newspaper.
Staring at the mountain of gold piled up, a sinister smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.
"Mamamamama—!!"
Her laughter roared like thunder, shaking the very air in the room!
She extended her crimson tongue and licked her lips, her tone filled with endless greed and murderous intent:
"Gold... so much gold... Mamamama! And it all fell into the hands of that straw hat brat!"
She abruptly stood up, her oppressive Aura overwhelming, like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment.
This caused her many children in the room to lower their heads and hold their breath, not daring to make a sound.
Her gaze swept around chillingly, finally landing on Charlotte Smoothie, who was nearby.
Smoothie — one of the Big Mama Pirates' sweet commanders.
Her bounty was 932 million Berries, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit User of the "Juice-Juice Fruit," with formidable combat power!
This slender female swordswoman was leaning against the wall, her long legs crossed.
Her arms were folded across her chest, and a thoughtful expression appeared on her face.
"Smoothie!!"
Big Mama suddenly let out a furious roar, accompanied by destructive sonic impact.
This shook all the cakes, desserts, and drinks in the grand hall, shattering them into pieces.
Smoothie slowly opened her eyes and said calmly: "Mama, what are your orders?"
Big Mama grinned maniacally, revealing her stark white fangs: "I want that mountain of gold!!"
Her voice roared like a gale, echoing throughout the entire Totto Land castle!
"Since that straw hat brat plans to use gold to build the world's strongest pirate ship,"
"that means they must have even more wealth in their possession!"
The fire of insane greed burned in her eyes as she sneered:
"And, adam wood... that's a shipbuilding Material even I want!!"
She suddenly slammed her fist onto the armrest of the throne, and with a resounding crash, the entire massive throne instantly shattered!
A glint flashed in Smoothie's eyes, and the corner of her mouth curved slightly:
"Mama means... you want me to act, go to Water 7, and bring the gold back?"
Big Mama cackled: "Exactly! Take the fleet, and bring all of that straw hat brat's gold back to me!!"
"Mamamama! Water 7... should be able to give you a good stretch, shouldn't it?"
Smoothie slowly drew the greatsword from her waist, its blade glinting. She raised her head, her gaze cold and sharp.
"Understood."
"I will return with the gold."
That afternoon, the Big Mama Pirates' Second Fleet — led by Smoothie —
commanded thirty heavily armed warships, carrying the terrifying might of Totto Land, and sailed at full speed towards Water 7!
The sea wind roared, and warships advanced!
Smoothie stood at the bow of the flagship, gazing coldly into the distance, her eyes like a hunting blade.
"Straw Hat Pirates..."
A cold sneer played on her lips, full of murderous intent.
"Your gold, we, the Big Mama Pirates, will gladly accept."
"And by the way..."
Her eyes flashed with dangerous light as she murmured to herself:
"If the opportunity is right... we'll take the blueprints for the 'strongest pirate ship' as well."