"A Heaven-Shattering Slash! The Marine Who 'Split the Sky'!!"'Skyquake' Gern Severely Wounds the Flying Pirate Admiral—Golden Lion Shiki! A New Era Begins!
Subheadline:"The untouchable skies are torn apart—The Flying Admiral bleeds across the heavens!"
Accompanying Photo:Gern Reginald Sigmar wielding the black blade Bahuang, tearing the sky asunder. Violet-black lightning coils around the blade as the heavens split apart.Golden Lion's eyes roll back, blood bursting from his chest in the instant of impact.
Caption beneath the image:"This single strike will change the world."
In the past, Gern's reputation had always been spread deliberately and quietly.
Scattered reports across the four seas—published in minor newspapers not yet monopolized by Morgans—had been nothing more than pebbles tossed into the ocean, their ripples vanishing almost instantly.
But fate was cruelly ironic.
This time, a single unintentional swing of his blade had ignited the full propaganda machine of the World Economic Journal.
Front-page headlines. Emergency editions. Special bulletins.Every information channel roared with the same name.
Because he had nearly slain a living legend at the peak of his power—
Golden Lion Shiki.
Within twenty-four hours, the name "Skyquake" swept across the Grand Line like a tidal wave.
From Marineford to the New World.From Mary Geoise to Fish-Man Island.
Every corner of the world echoed with the name of the man who nearly reshaped history.
New World — Moby Dick, Flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates
Four years had passed since the crew first began to take shape.
The future commanders were all aboard now, and Whitebeard greatly enjoyed the growing family he had gathered.
"Gurararara!"Whitebeard leaned back in his seat on the deck, his massive chest bare beneath his open captain's coat, scars on full display. He slapped the newspaper against the table, laughter shaking the ship itself.
"Shiki—if that brat were just a little stronger, you'd be dead by now!"
Marco, Jozu, Vista, and the others crowded around.
"Pops… is this really true?" Marco asked, eyes wide.
Whitebeard snorted."Three years ago, that brat blocked one of my blows. Now he's done this to Shiki!"
A glint of pride flashed in his eyes.
"I told you, didn't I? He said he'd make his name echo across the seas—and damn it, he did! Gurararara! I'd love to clash with him again!"
Jozu scratched his head, disbelief written across his face."But… that's Golden Lion we're talking about! He stood alongside Roger and you! And he gets beaten like this by a Marine rookie?"
Vista folded his arms thoughtfully."Still… 'Skyquake'… that title."
"Hmph!" Marco suddenly interjected. "That Marine's power is almost the same as Pops'."
The deck erupted.
"WHAT?!"
"You're kidding, Marco!"
"That guy's power is like Pops'?!"
Whitebeard could destroy the world!
Marco smirked, enjoying the reaction.He recalled the events he had once witnessed in the West Blue and began recounting everything.
When he finished—especially the moment Gern clashed directly with Whitebeard—the crew fell silent.
"Then doesn't that mean…" Jozu muttered, "…he did it using the same kind of power?"
Thunk.
Whitebeard smacked Jozu on the head with the hilt of Murakumogiri.
"Fool. His power is far more terrifying than mine."
He downed another gulp of sake, eyes narrowing.
"And this time, he didn't even rely on his Devil Fruit."
"Gern…" Whitebeard murmured."That brat… might become the most troublesome enemy we'll ever face."
Elsewhere — The Oro Jackson, Ship of the Roger Pirates
"CAPTAIN!! CAPTAIN ROGER!! THIS IS BAD!!"
Buggy came sprinting across the deck, waving a newspaper wildly.
"Golden Lion's been CUT DOWN by the Marines!!!"
"Whaaat?!"A five-year-old Shanks snatched the paper, eyes bulging."Golden Lion got slashed?!"
"I'm not lying!" Buggy shouted, grabbing his shoulder. "Look at this!"
Shanks stared at the image, swallowing hard.
"That's… Golden Lion… Even Captain Roger treats him seriously…"
"Hey, hey, what's all the fuss?"Scopper Gaban leaned over, then froze the instant he saw the photo.
"That's… impossible…"
Rayleigh stepped in, pushing up his glasses as he studied the image closely.
"That slash… Conqueror's Haki?"
At that moment, Roger turned from the stern, fishing rod still in hand.
"What's with all the shouting this early in the morning?"
"Roger," Rayleigh said gravely, handing him the paper."Shiki… took a serious hit."
Roger stared.
Then—
"Hahahahaha!!"
He burst into roaring laughter.
"So even Shiki got his turn, huh?!"
"Captain!" Gaban snapped. "This isn't funny! If that slash landed on you—"
Roger wiped tears from his eyes."I know, I know."
The deck slowly quieted as the crew dispersed.
Roger remained seated on the railing, gazing toward the horizon. Rayleigh stood beside him.
"You recognized it, didn't you?" Rayleigh asked quietly.
Roger smiled faintly, fingers brushing the worn wood.
"Of course… That was his work."
Rayleigh's eyes sharpened.
"That man… Rocks."
Roger chuckled softly.
"Never thought that blade would choose a Marine brat."
He turned toward Rayleigh, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Doesn't that make things interesting?"
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, smiling faintly."Fate, huh… You always did love that word."
Roger laughed, spreading his arms wide as the sea wind roared.
"Now this is fun! I want to meet that 'Skyquake' myself!"
He laughed again, louder.
"After all… Rocks' blade doesn't bow to just anyone."
Rayleigh looked toward the horizon, amusement flickering in his gaze.
"Shiki must be losing his mind right now."
The sea shimmered under the sun, waves rolling endlessly.
And somewhere far away—
That blade had chosen a new master.
Floating Island — The Flying Pirates
"BOOM!!!"
The palace trembled violently as Conqueror's Haki burst outward, shattering decorations into dust.
"GERN!!!"
Golden Lion roared, his upper body wrapped in blood-soaked bandages.
The gaping wound from shoulder to abdomen—left by that single slash—burned with humiliation.
"Admiral… your wound—" Indigo stammered.
"Shut up!"Golden Lion turned sharply, his haki crushing the pirates around him to their knees.
His eyes locked onto the newspaper.
On the photo—his own twisted expression, frozen in disgrace.
"That brat… must die."
"Send the order!" his voice roared like a demon crawling from the abyss."From today onward, the Flying Pirates will hunt down 'Skyquake' Gern!"
"Kill him—no matter the cost! I'll give anything!"
"I want his blood… to stain the sea red!"
Meanwhile — Aboard the Returning Marine Vessel
In the infirmary, Gern sat quietly on the edge of the bed.
Bahuang stood beside him, unwrapped, reflecting cold light.
Outside the door, Zephyr stood holding a tray of food.
"You're awake," he said calmly.
Gern turned his head slightly."Zephyr… sensei."
Zephyr exhaled softly.
"That slash of yours nearly rewrote history."
"'Skyquake'… the man who shattered the heavens."
"The era itself is trembling now."