Rayleigh frowned as he scanned the detailed article. The newspaper laid out everything: the great battle of God Valley thirty-eight years ago, Roger adopting Shanks, and Roger's eventual surrender. It detailed how Shanks returned to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise to reclaim his status as a Celestial Dragon, only to discover the legend of Sun God Nika and the truth behind the Devil Fruit originally known as the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Nika Form.
Seeing this, Rayleigh's pupils constricted, his grip on the newspaper tightening until the paper crinkled in his hand. The article continued: Shanks traveled to Elbaf, stole this legendary fruit from the Giants, and entrusted it to a boy he met in Windmill Village named Monkey D. Luffy. Meanwhile, Red Hair himself had entered the New World, established himself as one of the Four Emperors, and quietly awaited the arrival of destiny.
The article closed with a chilling question: "Thirty-eight years ago, Roger and Garp defeated Rocks. Thirty-eight years later, the bloodlines of Roger and Garp clash once again with the bloodline of Rocks. Who does destiny point to, and who will be the true victor? Is this a cycle of destiny, or is a great black hand manipulating things from behind?"
The identity of this "black hand" was self-evident from the accompanying photo. Rayleigh certainly trusted Shanks, but the revelation of his Celestial Dragon identity would deal a devastating blow to his reputation. The sea was filled with people who harbored deep hatred for the Celestial Dragons. Furthermore, linking Luffy to the legend of Sun God Nika would grant the boy prestige, but it would also transform him into a universal target. Rayleigh knew that with this newspaper in circulation, the entire sea would spiral into chaos.
His fears were justified. Despite the World Government's desperate attempts to suppress the news, the World Economic Journal's news birds ensured it reached every corner of the ocean. Confusion and outrage spread: pirates questioned if the "Red-Haired" Emperor was truly a Celestial Dragon; others debated the nature of Sun God Nika and speculated that Big Mom's interest in Luffy was driven by the power of that very fruit.
As the world reeled, the military situation shifted. Marine forces mobilized from headquarters, with warships flooding into the New World, mirroring the movements seen before the Marineford War. Pirates from Paradise surged forward to witness the coming final war, while legendary forces like the Giant Race, the Red Hair Pirates, and the remaining Shichibukai converged on the New World.
Hidden in a misty region of the New World, the Moby Dick evaded the Blackbeard Pirates to approach Totto Land. Because the Whitebeard Pirates were using a secret route, they were isolated from the outside world and remained unaware of the unfolding news. Whitey Bay, a fleet captain known as the Ice Witch, listened intently to a Den Den Mushi report. "What? I understand. Please wait, I'll go find Ace and Marco now."
Just as she hung up and prepared to approach the main vessel, two pirate ships emerged from the mist, blocking her path. "Hey, what are you scoundrels doing? I have important matters to discuss with Ace and Marco."
Before she could react, two long, sharp blades pierced her body. She turned, looking in shock at her right-hand woman—a delicate girl she had rescued two years ago after the girl's family was killed by pirates. Whitey Bay had taken the girl into her crew, shielding her and regarding her with affection.
"How could this be? You?" Whitey Bay gasped, realization dawning as she recalled the news on the Den Den Mushi. "You are a World Government spy!"
The girl's face twisted into a cruel, wicked smile. "I'm sorry, Captain Whitey Bay, but we cannot allow you to disrupt our plan. Don't worry, the blades were poisoned. Die peacefully. The Whitebeard Pirates will soon join you."
Whitey Bay collapsed, her body weakened by the poison. After killing her, the spy withdrew a Den Den Mushi. "Our plan seems to have been discovered; we may have to act ahead of schedule."
A voice replied from the other end, "Then let us do it now. The Whitebeard Pirates are already encircled. This time, Roger's bloodline will perish here completely." A war of annihilation—World Government and Blackbeard Pirates versus the Whitebeard Pirates—had officially begun.
Secrets could not be kept forever, especially from the Beasts Pirates. Fukuro, formerly of CP9, had long ago infiltrated the CP organization through bribery. Upon receiving the news, he transmitted it to King, who remained in Wano Country.
King flew to the summit of Mount Fuji immediately. "Big Brother, it has begun!"
A deep, resonant voice echoed through the air. "Has it begun? Then we must start acting, King. According to the plan, let the children move. The coming war will make our Beasts Pirates the true masters of this sea."
"Yes, Big Brother!"
As the command was given, lightning flashed and thunder rolled across the sky. A massive, dark figure plunged into the clouds and disappeared, setting the stage for the destruction of the old world order.
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