The News King's Shocking Report

On the seas of the New World, a flock of News Coo flapped their wings and swept past Ports, taverns, and pirate ships.

The freshly printed newspapers, still smelling of ink, were scattered everywhere.

"A 19-year-old naval monster nearly severed the head of the World's Strongest man?!"

In the tavern, a pirate slammed his hand on the table and jumped up, splashing wine all over the table.

"What a joke! Whitebeard would lose to a nineteen-year-old brat?!"

"It's in the newspapers! They even shaved off his beard!"

"Can shaving a beard and beheading be the same thing?!"

The people at the table argued heatedly, their faces flushed.

Some people were misled by the headline and slammed their fists on the table, cursing Big News Morgans for spouting nonsense.

Some people frowned and turned to the inner pages, where it was reported that five naval warships returned to port with damage, and the bow of the Moby Dick was also damaged.

More importantly, that young Rear Admiral named Ron actually fought Whitebeard head-on and escaped unscathed.

No one can take this as a joke.

Inside the main hall of Onigashima, Kaido glanced at the newspaper, chuckled, and tossed it onto the table.

"He almost chopped off Newgate's head? That bastard Big News Morgans got drunk again?"

King, standing to the side with his hands at his sides, said, "Brother Kaido, I heard that Whitebeard did suffer a slight loss."

"Bullshit! Do you think I don't know what Newgate is capable of?"

"But... it looks like a section of his beard has really been shaved off."

"Beard?"

Kaido stunned. He reached out and retrieved the newspaper, staring at the photo with narrowed eyes for a long time.

That iconic crescent-shaped mustache is indeed missing a small patch.

Kaido paused for a moment, then grinned and burst into laughter, which made the hall vibrate.

"Interesting. Go and get me all the information on that kid Ron."

On the Moby Dick, Marco finished reading the newspaper and rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

"That Big News Morgans... he's just causing trouble."

Jozu snatched the newspaper, glanced at it twice, and exploded.

"What do you mean 'nearly beheading'? That's clearly a bearded man! What kind of nonsense is this news report?!"

Vista glanced at the angle of the photo and said helplessly, "He really knows how to pick the right angle."

Several young crew members immediately started cursing. "Next time we see Ron, we'll beat him to a pulp!"

Bang!

The Whitebeard slammed his hand on the armrest, causing the deck to tremble.

"What's all the noise about!"

The deck fell silent instantly.

"Is the boat repaired?"

"Not yet."

"Then get to work!"

Whitebeard swept the newspaper aside, his face grim.

"My beard was caused by you guys firing the first shot! And you still have the nerve to yell at me?"

The crew members immediately slunk away, carrying the timber with them.

In Holy Land Mary Geoise, several reports lay spread out on a long table.

Someone turned to Ron's page and paused for two seconds.

"Conqueror's Haki, spatial abilities, swordsmanship... at nineteen, he's certainly qualified to advance."

The person next to him didn't respond, but instead placed another document on top, covering Ron's page.

"The vetting process for Vice Admiral will proceed first and will not be disclosed at this time."

"The arrangements for Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino also need to be expedited."

On the seas of the New World, a small Marine warship drifted slowly.

Ron unfolded the front page of the newspaper, looked at it for three seconds, then flipped it back over, looking utterly bewildered.

"Vergo."

"Rear Admiral?"

"Tell me, when did I almost behead the Whitebeard man?"

Vergo glanced at the headline. "I don't recall ever hearing of such a thing."

"I don't remember either!"

Ron pointed to the picture in the newspaper. "I only shaved off that tiny bit of my beard!"

"He wrote 'beheading' directly? Did Big News Morgans become the News King by spreading rumors?"

Luo walked over with the medicine and peeked inside.

"Isn't this good? At least it didn't mention you getting knocked away."

"..."

Ron turned his head.

"Disciple, whose side are you really on?"

I'm telling the truth.

"Today's training will be extended by half an hour."

"Master! The Ship's Doctor said you need to rest too!"

"I'm asking you to practice, not making me practice!"

Luo was so angry he rolled his eyes.

Over the next few months, Ron submitted reports to headquarters on schedule, and during the extended cruise period, he gradually trained Ron.

They raided smuggling ships, escorted merchant fleets, and also wiped out several groups of pirates who preyed on civilians.

During one boarding operation, a Marine collapsed at the cargo hold door with a stab wound to the abdomen, blood trickling down the wooden planks.

Luo's finger stopped in mid-air.

The stench of Flevance suddenly welled up in my mind, and the image of my parents lying in a pool of blood flashed before my eyes.

"Luo! Retreat immediately!"

The pirates charged at the wounded man, swords raised.

Luo bit her lip hard.

"ROOM!"

A light blue area instantly enveloped the cargo hold!

Shambles!

Swish!

The wounded Marine instantly switched places with a nearby wooden barrel.

Click!

The pirate cleaved the wooden barrel in two with a single slash, sending splinters flying and causing him to lurch forward half an inch.

Two Marines rushed in from outside, brandishing knives, and pounced on him from the left and right.

The pirate missed his attack and was killed instantly by the two men before he could retaliate.

Without turning his head, Luo rushed to the wounded soldier's side and pressed the bleeding wound tightly with gauze.

"Look at me! Don't sleep!"

"Medical Team..."

When the Ship's Doctor arrived, his hands were covered in blood, but he didn't loosen his pressure on the wound at all.

That night, the wounded were out of danger.

Luo sat on the corridor floor, looking at his hands, which were red from washing, and remained silent for a long time.

Ron handed him a glass of warm water.

You did a good job today.

Luo asked in a low voice, "Is he really not going to die?"

"The Doctor said the situation is stable for now, but I'll need to recover gradually."

Luo nodded, gripping the water glass tightly.

That night, he slept on a bench outside the ward.

There was also an encounter battle.

As Luo Zheng evacuated with the Medical Team, a pirate officer suddenly broke through the defenses and charged forward with a sword in hand!

Damn it!

Luo gritted his teeth and stepped forward to meet him.

"ROOM: Shambles!"

He wanted to switch places with the wooden crate next to him and get behind the pirate officer.

But the man seemed to have anticipated this, and swung his knife back at you!

"Too slow, kid!"

"Pirates of the New World know Haki!"

Luo's pupils contracted sharply. He wanted to switch positions again using the ROOM, but the other person was already right in front of him.

Clang!

A bamboo stick was inserted diagonally from the side, its dark Armament Haki firmly blocking the blade.

Vergo pulled him behind him.

"Get out of the way!"

The pirate wanted to give chase, but suddenly a black line appeared beside him.

As the Spatial Door opened and closed, the person was already cut in two.

The battle ended quickly.

Luo stood with his head down by the ship's side, picking at the paint on the hull with his fingers, and peeled off a small piece.

Ron didn't scold him, he just asked, "Why didn't you change it just now?"

"I... didn't see his movements clearly."

"Do you now know where you're lacking?"

"Know."

"Also, don't rush into dangerous situations if you're not confident. Next time, call for backup first, understand?"

"Knew."

"Let's continue practicing tomorrow."

"Still practicing?!"

"What else? Do you expect the pirates to just stand there and let you cut them down?"

Luo opened his mouth, but had no choice but to obediently go back and draw the training route map.

As the days went by, his room became more and more stable, and he also began to learn to discern the subtle signs that the enemy was about to make a move.

He didn't miss any medical classes either; every time they docked for supplies, he would ask the local Ship's Doctor for a few new books.

Vergo walked across the deck carrying the documents, the secret letter in his pocket feeling uncomfortable.

[Provide Ron's recent sailing location.]

He held the crumpled paper in his hand for a long time, then finally crumpled it up and threw it into the sea.

If we give away the location now, and the family deliberately lures Whitebeard over, we'll suffer the consequences too.

I won't reply yet.

Anyway... we're already here.

It was a sunny afternoon in the year 1510 of the Sea Circle Calendar.

Ron was leaning against the captain's cabin window, flipping through the newspaper. When he got to the culture section, he suddenly stopped.

[A grand musical performance is about to be held on the island of music, Elegia.]

"Elegia..."

Why does this name sound so familiar?

He stared at the page, and an image of a little girl with Red-and-White Hair popped into his mind.

Uta.

And that Land of Music that suffered a disaster.

Ron read the report again carefully.

Performance dates, invited orchestras, music festival preparations...

"It can't be such a coincidence..."

He remained silent for a moment, then folded the newspaper and put it away.

The door was pushed open, and Luo walked in carrying medical textbooks.

"Master, are we practicing again today?"

"I'm not practicing anymore."

"Ah?"

I'll give you a few days off.

Luo's eyes lit up immediately. "Really? Where are we going?"

"Elegia."

What's in that place?

Ron waved the newspaper in his hand.

"Concert."

Luo stared at him for a long time. "... Master, when did you start liking to listen to music?"

"Stop talking nonsense and pack your things."

Ron wanted to ask more questions, Ron had already turned and walked towards the navigation room.

As he reached the door, he glanced down at the newspaper headline.

Elegia.

Hopefully... I'm just overthinking it.