Except for the Chaotic Sea, which became increasingly chaotic due to the loss of the three major powers' influence, the New World as a whole presented a fragile peace.
And on this day, countless news birds flew across the sea, causing a huge stir in the world.
New World, Chaotic Sea, Meteorite Archipelago.
In a lively tavern, many pirates were drinking.
Just then, someone suddenly stood up. He held a newly delivered wanted poster in his hand, his face filled with horror as he exclaimed, "Is the World Government crazy!?"
Several companions at the same table looked on curiously. Upon seeing it, they too fell into a daze.
"How is this possible! This bounty is higher than Roger's back then!"
"What did this guy do to force the government to issue such a wanted poster!?"
"Is the Phantom Pirate Group going to war with the World Government?"
In the person's hand, this special wanted poster was different from the others.
It was a bounty poster with black borders and red text, marked with a number that made one tremble at first sight.
"Emperor Vladimir" Vladimir.
World's Most Heinous Criminal!
Cannot be approached, cannot be contacted, must be reported!
Extremely Dangerous, Life or Death Regardless!
Bounty: 3,000,000,000!
"3 billion!!" The man gasped, a chill running down his spine.
The specific concept of 3 billion Berries was very clear to pirates in the New World.
Pirates with a bounty of 1 billion generally possessed combat power equivalent to an Admiral.
As for the Four Emperors, even Whitebeard's bounty didn't exceed 2 billion, and Red-Haired's was only 1.5 billion.
However, the amount on the bounty poster before them was twice that of Red-Haired, a Four Emperor!
"What did Emperor Vladimir of the Phantom Organization do to make the World Government issue such a 'kill-on-sight' bounty?!"
At this time, the other pirates in the tavern also understood the situation, and each of them was filled with shock.
A bounty of 3 billion was just a number; the World Government didn't expect anyone to actually capture Vladimir to claim the reward.
It represented an attitude, a warning!
It was likely that from today onwards, any affiliated nation or sphere of influence of the World Government, upon finding the slightest trace of the Phantom Organization, would report it to the Five Elders.
"Emperor Vladimir…"
Meanwhile, in a corner of the tavern, two men in cloaks exchanged glances, a hint of fear flashing in their eyes.
These two were survivors of the Cake Island battle, the captain and vice-captain of the Lance Pirates.
After a moment of silence, the vice-captain whispered, "I heard Andy was rescued and has been sighted near the Starting Sea. I think we could join forces with him?"
"Hmm, let me think."
Lance clasped his fingers together, staring blankly at his wine glass.
A wanted poster spread throughout the New World.
The Whitebeard Pirates, the Kaido Pirates, the Red-Haired Pirates – the three Four Emperors-level pirate crews all received the intelligence.
Looking at the photo on the bounty poster, everyone fell silent.
Especially Red-Haired, in his silence, there was a hint of confusion.
He had met Sea Dragon before. Sea Dragon's human form bore a striking resemblance to the face in the photo, with a similarity of up to 95%. The only difference was the aura.
Emperor Vladimir's aura was more ethereal.
"It's not the same person." Red-Haired shook his head, reaching his own conclusion. "If it were the same person, the aura wouldn't differ so much. But… why do they look so alike?"
He felt that this doubt might be related to the secret of the Phantom Pirate Group.
While Red-Haired made his judgment, on Amazon Lily in the Calm Belt of the Grand Line, a woman made the opposite conclusion.
Empress Boa Hancock sat on a soft bed in her palace, her delicate eyebrows furrowed as she held the wanted poster.
"It's definitely the same person!" she declared angrily. "That scoundrel… no, should I call him Emperor Vladimir now? He actually deceived me!"
She had just returned to the Kuja Kingdom with her crew this morning. A news bird had flown by on the way, which was how she got the wanted poster.
Recalling her past encounters with Sea Dragon, Empress Boa Hancock was furious. She felt she had been toyed with.
If it weren't for the approaching New Year, she would have gone to find Sea Dragon to cause trouble right now.
Suddenly, Empress Boa Hancock had an idea, and a smile played on her lips.
"Amanda, didn't we acquire a Devil Fruit on our return journey? Find a way to contact that foolish dragon and tell him… tell him that I… tell him to come and get it!"
...
While the outside world was in turmoil, inside the Shadow World, Mynogear, the prisoner, was even more shocked.
He stood beneath the dark throne, looking up at the two figures above.
One was a stranger, a young man. The other… was the old man with the sword among the Five Elders!
Perhaps sensing his surprise, Shadow Fiend spoke, "I am Shadow Fiend. I am controlling this body. And this is… our Phantom Organization's captain, Vladimir."
"Vladimir… Emperor Vladimir!?"
Mynogear's eyes widened.
"Hmm? You even know who I am?"
Vladimir sat on the throne, looking at the person below with a hint of curiosity.
Taking a deep breath, Mynogear suppressed the shock in his heart and said in a low voice, "I didn't expect you to capture a Five Elder… The World Government will likely not let this go."
Although he had known for a long time that the Phantom Organization was audacious and a bunch of fierce individuals.
Shadow Fiend dared to assassinate Celestial Dragons, so how could they not be rampant?
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