As for now...
The trouble on the Navy's side has been resolved. As for the colossal vessel that just arrived here, whether it's a new trouble or something else, we'll only know after having a face-to-face encounter.
Shano gestured to his companions on the Endgame to hold their positions for now, and then he used Moonwalk to fly alone towards the Queen Mother's Chant.
...
...
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Within the top office of the World Government, the atmosphere was somewhat stifling.
The Five Elders were either standing or sitting, exchanging intelligence documents just delivered by CP-0, their expressions varied for a moment.
"Fought with Sakazuki all night, without a definitive victor?"
"What a terrifying rate of growth."
"Danger level needs to be reassessed."
Wearing a flat-topped hat, Saturn narrowed his eyes and spoke: "Additionally, over at the Divine Knight Order, Figarland's son seems to have taken a liking to this kid and personally went to recruit him."
"Recruit?"
Nusjuro, dressed in a kimono, appeared somewhat surprised, "If we could make this person a Divine Knight as well, that would indeed be ideal... What was the outcome?"
"For now, it has not come to pass."
Saturn shook his head, "That kid refused directly, and then, coincidentally, Charlotte Lingling's flagship arrived. Shamrock returned to the Holy Land directly, but by the look of him, it seems he hasn't given up yet."
"Then let him continue to piddle around, after all, regarding the Divine Knight matters, we have no authority to interfere too much."
Nusjuro adjusted his glasses, "But this battle... Although Sakazuki didn't fall behind, from the overall battle situation, it did cause considerable embarrassment to the Navy."
"Suppress the hype a bit, send someone to warn Morgans, make sure he's sensible that, although Shano and Akainu had a big fight, this matter can be mentioned, but the details must not be disclosed, especially the involvement of the Divine Knights."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said indifferently, "Moreover, gentlemen, regarding Lord Yim, I think it's time to report."
"Seconded."
"Seconded."
...
Deep within Pangu City.
A place called "Flowers Room".
At the highest point, the majestic Void Throne stands tall.
And the tall figure shrouded in shadows was leisurely strolling among the flower paths, bending to pick a fresh flower and gently sniffing it under the nose.
Not far away.
Five elders, who usually stood high at the pinnacle of world power, were now almost prostrate on the ground, hardly daring to breathe.
"Are you all finished?"
Imu slightly turned his head, a voice of neutral tone echoed, with no discernable gender.
"Yes, my lord."
The middle of the Five Elders dared not lift his head and spoke respectfully, "This is everything concerning that Shano that must be reported to you. In just over half a year, he has progressed to such a degree that he can even rival a Navy Grand Admiral, which is indeed worrisome. If left to continue developing, it might..."
"Is he of the D lineage?" Imu interrupted, drawing a photo from the ones handed over and asked leisurely.
"It has been thoroughly investigated, no connection whatsoever."
"What about Fruit Ability?"
Imu's eyes, with ripple patterns, glanced at the boy's visage in the photo.
"He is not a Devil Fruit Ability User, purely relying on a powerful physique."
"Then why be concerned? At least, Yim doesn't care."
Imu let out a meaning-laden chuckle, He slowly walked towards the Void Throne, the long robe trailing over the flower petals, voice flowing like an icy spring:
"Eighteen-years-old already contending with the top-tier strong ones of the sea is rare, but there have been too many such examples in the past. He's not unique, is he?"
"As long as that wall, that barrier remains, even if such a fellow grows rapidly, there's ultimately a limit, and that level... can't really affect anything."
Seemingly wearied, Imu waved a hand:
"Alright, go. These minor matters, handle them yourselves; I have little interest. However, the power dynamics of the New World have been stable for some time, haven't they?"
"Then let the little fellow go stir it up a bit, if it brings some amusement, that wouldn't be bad..."
...
Over the next two days.
A piece of somewhat eye-catching news began spreading from the New World towards the Four Seas.
——The super rookie Shano, who stirred waves in the first half and attracted all attention, has officially led his subordinates into the New World!
And he fought a battle with Navy Grand Admiral Akainu that lasted over ten hours, ending with no clear victory.
Though the captivating battle invites speculation, specific details were not disclosed; the report didn't even make the front page but was mentioned in a sidebar on the third page.
This caused the information to be overlooked by many pirates who only read the headlines, significantly slowing down the spread of public discourse.
However, one thing was hard to ignore.
That is, the Bounty Order for the "World's No.1 Sword Master" Shano was updated again, just about ten days later.
The new bounty was set at 2.13 billion Belly!
Though the increase seems small, it surpasses the 2 billion mark, and the symbolic significance is quite thought-provoking.
It's worth noting.
Under the Four Emperors, pirates with bounties in the tens of billions aren't actually few, and if we include those old guys who have retired, there would be even more.
But pirates above 2 billion, even including those from Roger's era, are exceptionally few.
Therefore.
The shift in bounty undoubtedly announces that the Navy Headquarters regards Shano with a whole new level of importance!
And so...
Even if the World Government deliberately suppresses it, even if this time the expansion of public discourse is slower than usual.
Through deliberate boosting by interested parties, the name of "World's No.1 Sword Master" Shano still gradually resounds across the seas, becoming the hot topic heard everywhere from street corners, inns, to docks!
His presence rivals that of the Four Emperors for a time!
...
"Is the wave of the new era finally about to descend?"
Someone stood on the cliff, gazing into the stormy sea and made a remark:
"A newcomer who has just entered the New World and can fight evenly with a Navy Grand Admiral, it's rare even in the historical record."
"Hey, the last guy with such a reputation was Red-haired Shanks, wasn't it?"
"Now there's Shano also; could it be that the Four Emperors' structure, barely stable in the New World for just a few years, is soon to become a Five Emperor stand-off?"
Some people don't care about Shano's bounty but are hung up on his title.
"What's the mess, how come there's another World's No.1 Sword Master? The World's No.1 Sword Master should be Hawkeye Mihawk!"
"Tch, half a month ago he was already given that title, recognized by the Navy Headquarters. As for Mihawk... tch, he probably is quite displeased."
"Indeed, if it were me, I'd also be very frustrated. Ah, when will those two finally clash? I'm so looking forward to it..."
Of course.
There are those who missed the previous newspaper and know almost nothing about the name Shano, only now realizing from the buzz on the streets the glorious past achievements of this young powerhouse.
For example, the North Sea...
An island.
Amidst the swirling snow, a submarine slowly surfaces and docks at the shore.
"Hey, Law! It's time to leave, what are you doing there!" a white bear cupped its hands into a megaphone shape and shouted at the figure standing on the shore.
The boy wearing a leopard print plush hat remained silent, continuing to stare at the sky, lost in thought.
Only when his companions came around did he snap back to reality, rolling up the newspaper, tucking it under his arm, and lifting his head with a radiant smile that hadn't been seen in a while.
"Hey, Bebo, Shachi, Penguin," Law grinned, "Shall we leave the North Sea and formally enter the Grand Line, how about it?"
"Eh? Eh! What's going on?"
Bebo jumped in shock, "You said recently we should train a bit more before facing that guy, right? Why the sudden change of heart, and with such a scary smile, could it be...you've got a fever?"
He stretched his fluffy bear paw, placing it on Law's head, and then extended another paw to feel his own forehead...
"Your body temperature is different from humans, fool! Does this make any sense!" The others' faces turned veined with frustration, flashing their sharp teeth and shouting angrily.
"Sorry..." Bebo immediately bowed his head, apologizing with a grievance.
"No fever, no worries."
Law chuckled, patting its shoulder, looking up at the increasing snowfall, his eyes softened with a hint of nostalgia, "I... just really want to meet someone..."