Deep within the New World, on a remote island…
"Boss! What are you staring at over there? Come have a drink with us!"
Lucky Roux walked over carrying a massive piece of roasted meat, only to find Shanks completely absorbed in a newspaper. Curious, he leaned over to look at the front page himself.
"…!!"
"Isn't that the Marine girl?!"
"How is this possible?!"
"She actually challenged Whitebeard?!"
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Although the newspaper photograph was blurry, revealing little more than a silver-haired Marine wearing a justice coat, Lucky Roux recognized her immediately.
Saint Roselith Seraphina.
She was the Marine whose strength had forced even Shanks to fight seriously.
She was still incredibly young, possessed astonishing swordsmanship, and carried limitless potential.
Because of that encounter, Lucky Roux had memorized both her appearance and her uniform.
"That's right."
Shanks slowly folded the newspaper before smiling.
"I have to admit… she has grown incredibly fast."
He had recognized her the instant he saw the report.
Although the newspapers referred to her only by her newly announced codename…
Vice Admiral Shirayasha.
Shanks knew without a doubt that the woman in the report was Saint Roselith Seraphina.
Her silver-white hair alone was enough to identify her.
The last time they met, she had still been a Marine Colonel.
Now…
She had already become a Vice Admiral.
Sengoku certainly wasn't the type to let someone with that level of talent remain buried.
After everything she had accomplished, she had more than earned the promotion.
Among Marine Headquarters' Vice Admirals…
Aside from Garp and Tsuru…
Shanks doubted anyone else could match her in battle.
"Boss."
Lucky Roux grinned while tearing another bite from his meat.
"You beat her pretty badly last time."
"What if she comes looking for revenge?"
The surrounding Red Hair Pirates burst into laughter.
They all remembered that battle vividly.
If Seraphina ever returned for another duel…
None of them intended to interfere.
That would be a fight between captains.
"What should I do?"
Shanks shrugged before tossing the newspaper into the campfire.
The paper quickly curled into black ash.
"…"
For a brief moment…
Silence filled the camp.
Then…
"Hahaha!"
Shanks laughed loudly.
"We'll deal with that when the day comes!"
He stood up from the tree stump where he had been sitting before resting one hand on Gryphon.
"Brothers!"
"Are you ready to fight Kaido?!"
His crimson cloak fluttered behind him.
At the moment…
Saint Roselith Seraphina was a matter for the future.
Right now…
There was a far more urgent problem.
Kaido.
"Boss!"
"We've been waiting for you to say that!"
The members of the Red Hair Pirates immediately erupted with excitement.
The newly established Emperor crew was finally preparing to challenge the veteran Emperor of the Sea…
The Beasts Pirates.
Deep within the New World…
The Land of Wano.
Onigashima.
"Whitebeard has grown old."
"His era is ending."
"From now on…"
"It will be Kaido's era!!"
A towering giant rose from his throne.
His immense physique cast a shadow across the entire hall.
Long black hair flowed behind him.
Two massive horns curved from his head.
Dragon-scale tattoos covered his left arm.
His enormous kanabo rested casually on one shoulder.
The newspaper in his hand instantly crumbled into dust beneath his grip.
"Jack!"
"Gather the fleet!"
"We're taking Whitebeard's territories!"
"Yes, Governor-General!"
Jack immediately stepped forward.
However…
His expression quickly became troubled.
"Governor-General…"
"I'm afraid we can't."
Kaido frowned.
"What?"
Jack lowered his head.
"Red-Haired Shanks has been watching our movements."
"If you leave Wano now…"
"The Red Hair Pirates may attack."
Kaido clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"That red-haired brat again?"
"What a nuisance."
He rested his kanabo across his shoulder before grinning wildly.
"Fine."
"Then we'll crush Red Hair first."
"I'll personally remind that former apprentice of Roger's…"
"Exactly who rules these seas."
A savage smile spread across Kaido's face.
"Yes, Governor-General!"
New World.
Whole Cake Island.
"Mom!"
"Look at today's newspaper!"
Charlotte Katakuri respectfully handed the newspaper to the gigantic woman seated before him.
One of the Four Emperors.
Charlotte Linlin.
She casually accepted it while continuing to eat.
After briefly scanning the headline…
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"So…"
"The Marines have produced another monster."
She snorted.
"Or perhaps…"
"Newgate really is getting old."
With little interest in the rest of the article, she tossed the newspaper aside.
"Forget it."
"I'd rather eat my chiffon cake."
She immediately grabbed an enormous cake several times larger than an ordinary person and stuffed it into her mouth.
"Mama Mama Mama!"
Alabasta Kingdom.
"Vivi!"
"Come quickly!"
Koza ran toward Vivi while waving a freshly delivered newspaper.
"You have to see this!"
Although he already knew the answer…
He still wanted Vivi to confirm it herself.
The report was simply unbelievable.
The strongest pirate in the world…
Whitebeard.
And the Marine who had crossed swords with him…
Was Vivi's adopted sister.
Vivi hurriedly accepted the newspaper.
Her eyes immediately brightened.
"It's really Sister Seraphina!"
"I knew she would become someone incredible!"
She smiled proudly.
Ever since they had first met…
She had always believed her sister would one day shake the entire world.
Koza sighed deeply.
"I regret it."
"I really regret it."
"If I had known…"
"I would have insisted on becoming Sister Seraphina's disciple."
He had missed an opportunity that countless swordsmen across the world would envy.
She wasn't merely an outstanding swordswoman anymore.
She was now recognized as someone capable of standing against Whitebeard himself.
Vivi giggled.
"Too late."
"You didn't believe us back then."
Koza rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"…That's true."
After laughing for a while, Vivi spoke again.
"When Sister Seraphina comes back to Alabasta…"
"We can go visit her."
Then she tilted her head.
"But…"
"Koza."
"Do you actually have any talent for swordsmanship?"
She knew better than most that swordsmanship demanded natural talent.
Without it…
No matter how hard someone trained, they would eventually reach an insurmountable limit.
Koza puffed out his chest confidently.
"Of course I do!"
Vivi couldn't help laughing again.
"I suppose we'll find out when Sister Seraphina gets back."
East Blue.
Loguetown.
"So…"
"She's already become a Vice Admiral."
Marine Captain Smoker slowly folded the newspaper.
A lit cigar rested between his lips as smoke drifted into the air.
His expression remained calm.
Yet…
His fighting spirit burned stronger than ever.
"Looks like I need to work even harder."
To Smoker…
There was no jealousy.
Only motivation.
Saint Roselith Seraphina had earned every bit of her reputation through strength.
If she could continue climbing…
Then so could he.
Behind him…
Dozens of defeated pirates lay unconscious across the street.
Throughout the East Blue…
The name Smoker was steadily becoming synonymous with justice.
And now…
Inspired by the rise of Vice Admiral Shirayasha, Saint Roselith Seraphina, he had even greater determination to continue pursuing pirates until every last one of them was brought to justice.
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