Surging

"Yo, Cifer, our new report is out. This God looks pretty good on camera, yeah hahahaha~"

Enel, already familiar with common knowledge of the Blue Sea, let out a loud laugh at Cifer the angler after receiving the latest newspaper from the news bird.

Three days had already passed since the Loguetown incident. Cifer's declaration of evil, after fermenting and with the push from Morgans and Marineford, had spread throughout the world.

Under his notification, Marineford finally learned that the other person they had been searching for, the one who fought Whitebeard in the New World and destroyed an unknown deserted island, was Cifer.

Therefore, Cifer's deeds were once again compiled and published in the newspaper:

One of the Shichibukai, the Black Winged Great Demon—Ulquiorra Cifer, issued a world-exclusive declaration of evil.

Beneath the headline were his various deeds, as embellished by the Marines: encountering one of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard, on a small island in the New World and repelling him;

Provoking and fighting to a draw with Marineford Admiral Kuzan at Sabaody Archipelago, then disappearing without a trace;

Encountering and defeating the former Shichibukai, the Tyrant—Bartholomew Kuma, on the Grand Line, instilling fear in him;

On a deserted island near the G-8 Marine Branch, he was defeated by another Marineford Admiral, Sakazuki, and then, at the latter's invitation, replaced the Tyrant as the new Shichibukai.

The events described in bold print in the newspaper were precisely Cifer's words regarding his slaughter of pirates on the Grand Line and East Blue, and the Loguetown incident.

On the back of the newspaper was Enel's photo and a brief introduction about him—one who walks with evil.

The title "Thunder God" would from now on accompany him to fame.

"As expected of the World Government, they really only say what's beneficial to them!"

Cifer, taking the newspaper from Enel, wore a disdainful smile.

As someone involved, having read the newspaper, he could only say it was utter nonsense. The events were basically correct, but the outcomes were all spun to their advantage.

"Hey Cifer, did you really lose to this guy named Sakazuki?"

Enel pointed to the report on the newspaper about the battle with Rexeno, which Sengoku had suppressed at the time.

In his understanding, if the opponent could defeat even Cifer, who stood at the pinnacle, wouldn't that make him the true strongest in the world?!

"Everything you see in this newspaper is basically just what the World Government wants you to see!"

Morgans did his best to pursue the truth of events, but the World Government had plenty of ways to make him change his tune.

Even firsthand accounts might not be true, let alone modified information?

"So, who between you two is stronger?"

Enel was curious. Although he wanted to see Cifer embarrassed, he didn't want his captain to lose to someone else.

"I will win."

Cifer was calm. The situation at the time was indeed disadvantageous for him, but if Joni hadn't come out to interfere, he would have shown Akainu what a nightmare felt like.

"Yeah hahahaha~"

Enel wouldn't doubt Cifer. Since he was on his ship, he had to have absolute trust in him.

Behind their pleasant chat, the world was in turmoil.

New World, Whole Cake Island.

"mamamama~ What do you think about arranging a marriage alliance with this brat?"

The obese woman's body trembled as she continuously stuffed pastries into her mouth, looking at the uncomfortable crowd below.

"Mother, this guy won't agree."

A man, five meters tall and with a thick scarf wrapped around his neck, looked at the newspaper and replied.

"Go and try! That guy must be from a powerful race I've never seen before!"

"mamamama~"

After that, the entire hall fell silent, with only chewing sounds remaining.

Dressrosa.

"Exclusive evil? Hahahaha~"

The man, with his legs crossed and wearing a coat as flamboyant as a flamingo, let out a wild laugh.

"Young Master, we still need to be wary of this lunatic."

A lecherous old man with a snotty nose by his side reminded him. He had a feeling this guy in the newspaper wasn't a good sort, and cooperating with him was like seeking a tiger for its skin.

"Lunatic? That's right, we want to be friends with this lunatic! Mwahahaha~"

Doflamingo let out a frenzied laugh.

To him, the stronger Cifer was, the more excited he became. That man was not someone who would stay put.

"Come on! Let's turn the world ruled by those bastards upside down!"

Reports about Cifer and Enel were everywhere, causing unrest among many pirates and those who had committed evil in the past.

That man was completely different from the other Shichibukai. He had no territory of his own, wandering the seas every day, killing people.

In just two to three months, he had set foot in the East Blue, Paradise, and the New World, his travels completely lacking any discernible pattern.

No one could predict which sea area or which small island he would appear in next.

People couldn't even fathom his definition of evil. To the weak, Cifer appeared as a devil obsessed with slaughter.

"I shouldn't go out to sea and become a pirate... No! I don't want to be a bad guy!"

Words like these frequently echoed across the four seas. For those who hadn't yet witnessed the vastness of the world, Cifer's killings were terrifying.

His battles had destroyed two isolated islands, he had wiped out several notorious pirate crews from the four seas at sea, and he had even gone on a killing spree against common villains in Loguetown.

All these actions made the weak and greedy desperately try to avoid him.

However, the slightly stronger pirates who had seen more of the world held entirely different thoughts.

On a certain ship in Paradise.

"What a joke about drawing with an Admiral and repelling Whitebeard, the World Government really likes to brag!"

A man with spiky red hair and goggles on his forehead slammed the newspaper onto the ground, his face full of disdain and disbelief.

"If this guy really had that kind of strength, he would have gone to the New World long ago to become a Sea Emperor. How could he possibly be playing house with small fry in Paradise!"

"When we meet him, we'll take down a Shichibukai for fun too!"

Since he set out to sea, he had never encountered a truly powerful opponent. Along his journey, anyone who dared to question his dream had been mercilessly killed by him.

In his eyes, he was the embodiment of evil, and an encounter with this Shichibukai was only a matter of time. He didn't believe he would lose.

He was the man who would become the Pirate King!

Marie Geoise.

"Is it really okay to continue letting this brat be a Shichibukai?"

Although they had approved the reports, an old man looked at Cifer's world-dominating gaze on the newspaper with a hint of unease.

"Let him cause trouble! As long as he stays put and guards Paradise for this year, that's all that matters!"

Another old man, wearing a white robe, bald, with glasses, and a sword tucked under his arm, didn't seem concerned.

"The problem is the D., this clan has started to become active again."

An old man in a black suit, with white curly hair, a fluffy white beard, a flat cap, and a scar on his left cheek, placed another wanted poster on the table.

Monkey D. Luffy!