The next morning, when Ian and the others were still resting, the World Economy News had already sent newspapers through the News Coo to every corner of the world.
The news of the Endpoint incident swept through all major forces like a sea breeze.
Especially when they saw the report that one of the current admirals, Admiral Kizaru, had actually been defeated, various factions all widened their eyes, filled with disbelief.
New World, Whitebeard's territory.
As always, the Whitebeard Pirates gathered around their father, the man known as the Strongest Man in the World, Edward Newgate, enjoying the familial atmosphere and drinking merrily.
At that moment, a News Coo flew by and dropped a newspaper.
"Why is today's newspaper so early?"
The Whitebeard Pirates' second-in-command and first division commander, the ship's doctor known as Marco the Phoenix, tossed a coin to the News Coo and picked up the newspaper.
"Could something big have happened again?"
There really has been no shortage of major events lately!
The birth of the Four Emperors of the New World, the Dressrosa incident, the Marine Headquarters' Chief Instructor being wanted by the World Government, and the removal of two Warlords in a row…
Especially the removal of Warlord, it could be said that the World Government had lost a great amount of face.
If it weren't for the fact that the pirates appointed as Warlords were all infamous big-time pirates, the system itself would nearly be a joke.
Marco pondered while opening the newspaper and looking at it with curiosity.
But the moment he unfolded the newspaper and focused his eyes on it, he froze completely and stared wide-eyed at it as if he saw something unbelievable.
This scene immediately drew the attention of the people around him, who were eating and drinking happily.
"Marco, what's with you?"
"Why did you stop drinking? What's in the newspaper?"
"Did something big happen again?"
Even Whitebeard, laughing heartily as he watched his sons, became curious and looked over.
Then he let out his bold laugh: "Marco, my son, what happened in today's newspaper to shock you this much? Could it be that another Warlord got defeated? Gurararara! If so, that'd be great news!"
"No, pops."
Hearing Whitebeard, Marco tore his gaze away from the newspaper and looked up at him. His eyes were still filled with confusion, and even his expression carried bitterness. "It's not a Warlord."
"What a pity!"
Before Whitebeard could let out his hearty laugh of disappointment, Marco spoke again, bitterness in his voice: "It's an Admiral."
"Gu… Ra… Ra… Ra?"
"...?"
Everyone stared wide-eyed at Marco as if hearing something insane.
"Marco, what did you say?"
"An Admiral? What about an Admiral?"
"Did an Admiral defect from Marine Headquarters?"
"No!"
Marco shook his head under everyone's stare. "No Admiral defected from the Marines!"
"I knew it! There's no way something that interesting—"
Just as they all exhaled in relief…
"But an Admiral..."
Marco continued bitterly: "An Admiral was defeated!"
"… !?"
…
"Pfft!"
In the New World, among the Red-Haired Pirates, another one of the Four Emperors, Red-Haired Shanks spat out a mouthful of sake while staring dumbfounded at his first mate, who was frowning at the newspaper.
"Be… Beckman… What did you say? A… An Admiral was defeated? That's impossible!"
"No, it's not impossible."
Benn Beckman flicked the ash off his cigarette, speaking seriously while shaking the newspaper. "And it already happened."
"Was an Admiral really defeated by someone?"
Seeing that Beckman wasn't joking, Shanks' expression also turned serious. "Don't tell me it was those guys declaring war on the Marine Headquarters? Was it the Whitebeard Pirates? Or Beast Pirates? Damn it, can't they stay quiet?"
"Relax. It wasn't any of them."
"It wasn't? Well, that really eases my—"
"It was a retired Lieutenant from the West Blue."
Shanks: "…?"
What?
Hearing Beckman, Shanks stared at him in confusion, then he suddenly reacted.
"Who? You're telling me some fresh guy who just went to sea defeated an Admiral? Isn't that even worse?!"
A newcomer defeating an Admiral, was this person trying to throw the world back into chaos after it just calmed down?
"He's not exactly new. Or rather, he never even intended to sail."
Beckman took a breath of his cigarette, exhaled a ring of smoke, and handed Shanks the newspaper. "He isn't a pirate. And you know him, he stirred up a huge commotion not long ago."
Shanks immediately took the newspaper, curiosity piqued. Even the surrounding crew crowded around to see what kind of monster could defeat an Admiral.
When everyone saw a familiar face, their expressions turned stunned.
"The guy who defeated Crocodile and married the survivor from Ohara? This guy is that strong?"
He had been extremely famous recently.
Especially as the husband of the Devil Child… Many people across the seas were eyeing his wife!
Then everyone snapped out of it and burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha! This is too good!"
"An Admiral was actually defeated by a retired Lieutenant, no less!"
"The Marine Headquarters is going to lose so much face!"
"And that's not even it! The Marines' Chief Instructor apparently really defected and joined that kid!"
"This is hilarious! Definitely the funniest news this year!"
"Let's drink to the Marine Headquarters' misfortune! Shanks, shall we hold a banquet?"
"Then let's have a banquet!"
Hearing the cheers, Shanks put away his earlier tension and happily raised his single arm.
"Let's drink to the Marines' misfortune!"
"Cheers!"
With Shanks' shout, all members of the Red-Haired Pirates raised their cups and celebrated, starting today's feast.
But while everyone was immersed in celebration, Shanks quietly leaned against the railing.
He looked at the newspaper lying at his feet, glanced over the photos, and finally, his gaze settled on a boy wearing a cowboy hat. His brows furrowed as he murmured, "Ace…?"
...
"Ace! It's Ace! Ace made it to the newspaper again!"
At Foosha Village in East Blue.
Foosha Village was lively once again today.
When the news that an Admiral had been defeated was confirmed, at that moment, the retired Lieutenant from West Blue truly entered the eyes of all the forces across the seas.
Everyone understood that a powerful force had been born.
Except… What was this force called?
Why didn't the newspapers mention it?