The earth-shaking clash between Gern Reginald Sigmar and Kaido, which took place on a remote resort island in the New World, was never directly witnessed by ordinary civilians.
Yet the terrifying celestial phenomena it produced—
the sky torn apart, pillars of fire erupting heavenward, the bizarre ice column that pierced the island straight down to the seabed, and the completely unrestrained collision of top-tier Haoshoku Haki—
had already spread through countless channels.
Whether through the distant observations of News Coo, fleeting glimpses caught by passing ships, or the intelligence networks of every major power, information about the battle seemed to grow wings, rapidly flying to every corner of the world.
Although stories of "Hundred Beasts" Kaido losing a one-on-one fight—or even being captured and then escaping—were hardly novel on these seas,
and could practically be considered one of his recurring "signature acts,"
this time was fundamentally different.
Because the one who defeated him was not another Emperor of the Sea.
Nor was it some nameless rising pirate.
It was the Marines.
More specifically—
the true stabilizing pillar of Marine power in the New World, the highest authority of the so-called "Fifth Pole," G-10 Marine Base.
"Heaven-Shaking," Marine Admiral "White Qilin," Gern Reginald Sigmar.
That single layer of identity instantly elevated the meaning of this victory to an entirely different level.
And so, the moment the news reached him, the president of the World Economy News Paper—
"Big News" Morgans—
excitedly flapped his wings, his journalist's instincts screaming that this was a once-in-a-generation headline.
Before long, emergency-printed newspapers, accompanied by the shrill cries of News Coo, rained down across the Four Blues and every stretch of the Grand Line.
The front pages blazed with massive, bold headlines:
"'Heaven-Shaking' Suppresses 'Hundred Beasts'! Marine Admiral Gern Defeats Kaido in the New World!"
"Marine Authority Cannot Be Challenged! G-10 Base Displays Absolute Military Might!"
"The Trumpet of a New Era? Marine Power Rises Forcefully in the New World!"
In his articles, Morgans used his signature incendiary prose to vividly describe—or rather, enthusiastically imagine and exaggerate—the ferocity of the battle,
placing particular emphasis on Gern's status as a Marine Admiral and supreme commander of G-10.
He deliberately framed the clash as a violent test of Marine authority by pirate forces enraged at the Marines planting their flag in the New World,
and portrayed Gern's victory as irrefutable proof that Marine dominance there was unshakable.
As expected, the moment the paper hit circulation—
the world erupted.
At the same time—
deep within the New World, in the waters of Totto Land, inside the fairy-tale-like palace of Whole Cake Island.
The queen of Totto Land, captain of the Big Mom Pirates—
Charlotte Linlin—
was holding a freshly printed copy of the World Economy News.
Her eyes were wide, her massive mouth slightly ajar, as though she were staring at something utterly unbelievable.
"Ma… ma ma ma ma…!"Her voice was filled with shock, tinged with a trace of wariness she herself didn't even notice.
"Kaido… that brat… lost?Lost to the Marines?!"
Her gaze locked firmly onto the grainy but overwhelmingly imposing front-page photograph—
the image of Gern cleaving the dragon and sending Kaido plunging into the sea.
Her relationship with Kaido had always been complicated—old ties, favors owed, constant mutual scheming—
but she understood better than almost anyone just how terrifying his strength truly was.
That was the "Strongest Creature", an existence even she was reluctant to confront head-on.
And yet now, he had been defeated in a straight one-on-one fight—
by a Marine Admiral.
Even knowing that Kaido might have held back, indulging in the thrill of the fight…
this was still—
In any case, the strength of this "Heaven-Shaking" clearly needed to be re-evaluated.
Just as Big Mom was still digesting the shock of Kaido's defeat, her eldest son—
Charlotte Perospero—
reported another piece of bad news in his characteristically sticky, drawn-out tone.
"Mother, the news of Kaido's defeat has been confirmed…Perorin~"
He licked his long, distinctive tongue, gently tapping his ornate candy cane against the floor.
"And also… about that island we'd already finalized an agreement with—the one supplying ingredients for your premium-grade cakes…Sweetberry Town…"
He hesitated, carefully watching his mother's expression.
"Yesterday… they unilaterally tore up the contract."
His voice grew even more cautious.
"They've publicly announced that they've entered the sphere of influence of G-10 Marine Base, seeking their protection…Perorin~"
"The one who formally accepted their allegiance was 'Devil's Successor' Douglas Bullet…"
"And one of our Sweet Commanders—Charlotte Snack—went to intervene…and was defeated, fleeing in disgrace."
"So… the special cake you like so much…"He swallowed hard."I'm afraid… it won't be available anymore."
He practically forced those last words out.
The moment he finished—
the temperature inside the palace seemed to plummet.
A suffocating, tangible pressure poured out from Charlotte Linlin's enormous frame.
The newspaper in her hand crumpled instantly.
The shock in her massive eyes was replaced by pure, offended rage.
Kaido's defeat was astonishing—
but stealing her beloved, pre-ordered desserts?
That was an unforgivable crime.
"Ma… ma ma ma ma ma…"Her laughter sank low and dangerous as she slowly lowered her head from the throne.
Her immense shadow swallowed Perospero whole.
Drool streamed uncontrollably from her open mouth.
"G-10… Gern…They dared to steal my sweets?!"
"Have they decided that just because they beat Kaido…they can do whatever they want in the New World?!"
Perospero stiffened instantly.
Suppressing his instinctive fear of lifespan extraction, he maintained his composure and responded even more calmly:
"Mother, please consider this carefully… Perorin~Right now… we truly can't afford to go to war with G-10."
Mid-sentence, he licked his dry lips again, pointing his candy cane toward the vague but imposing silhouettes behind Gern in the photograph.
"G-10 isn't just backed by the man who defeated Kaido.Within Gern's 'Natural Disaster' forces, there are multiple individuals whose strength runs unfathomably deep."
"Leaving everything else aside—just the world-acknowledged greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk,is not someone we can afford to underestimate."
At the mention of Mihawk, Big Mom's explosive aura faltered slightly.
Sensing his opening, Perospero pressed on.
"And more importantly, Mother—G-10's territory borders that of Whitebeard, Edward Newgate."
"If we launch a large-scale attack on G-10, there's no guarantee that old man won't take advantage of the chaos…Perorin~"
"And above all—you are the pillar of Totto Land, its very soul."
"You cannot easily leave Whole Cake Island.What if this is a diversion…?"
He didn't say the rest aloud.
But the meaning was clear.
As an Emperor, her personal presence was as critical as her territory.
If she left the core of Totto Land, there was no telling which force—the Marines, another Emperor crew, or even newly arrived pirates like Red-Haired Shanks—
might seize the opportunity.
Especially now, with the New World's balance destabilized by Gern planting his flag.
Charlotte Linlin's massive chest rose and fell several times.
Her eyes remained fixed on Gern's photograph.
Then she looked at Perospero's tense but resolute expression.
She knew he was right.
Starting a war with a heavily fortified Marine stronghold—one that had just defeated Kaido, boasted terrifying manpower,and bordered Whitebeard—
all for the sake of a cake ingredient island—
no matter how much she loved those sweets—
while risking a strike on her home…
was simply not worth it.
"Ma… ma ma ma ma ma…"Big Mom let out a low, unreadable laugh, forcibly suppressing her rage.
"Damn Marines…Damn Gern…How dare they steal my sweets…"
She slammed herself back into her throne, crushing the crumpled newspaper into a ball and hurling it to the floor.
"Perospero! Go find them!Find cake ingredients even better than Sweetberry Town!"
"If you fail—I'll take your lifespan!!Ma ma ma ma ma ma!!"