The World's Accelerating Course

Two days earlier! New World, Hachinosu Island!

Countless pirates were reveling across the island. This was an island where the festivities never stopped.

An island of pirates that belonged solely to pirates!

Inside a skull-shaped building on the island, in the room at its highest point.

Glug, glug! Rocks sat on the sofa, holding a bottle of liquor and drinking mouthful after mouthful.

"So? The news has already been sent around the world, right?" Rocks asked.

"Hehe! The whole world received the News Bird newspapers this morning, Lord Rocks!"

A shrill voice came from the Den Den Mushi on the table before Rocks.

"Then the World Government should know as well! What will they do? I can't wait! Ahahaha!"

Rocks rose to his feet, walked to the window, and gazed at the countless pirates celebrating on Hachinosu Island.

A thoughtful look crossed his face!

"My lord's plan is flawless. Now we only need to see how the World Government responds. But as long as Lord Rocks remains on Hachinosu Island, there's nothing they can do even if they know! Hehe!"

Hearing the shrill voice again from behind him, Rocks turned and sat back down.

"Now we just wait. Watch yourself too. Don't let CP0 catch you!" Rocks said.

"I will, Lord Rocks!" the shrill voice replied.

"Then that's all!" Rocks said.

"Farewell, Lord Rocks!"

This time, the voice was not quite as shrill.

Click! The Den Den Mushi hung up, and the room fell silent.

Rocks lay back on the sofa and closed his eyes!

Thinking of the changes in the New World over the past four years, he sneered inwardly!

The World Government really was ruthless when it came to picking up easy gains.

Four years ago, when Rocks announced that he would rule the New World, it had not been a spur-of-the-moment decision.

He had planned it long ago. Rocks found an owner eager to expand his news agency and told him of his ambition to rule the New World.

The news agency owner immediately saw an opportunity to grow his business, and the two hit it off at once.

Thus began the declaration to the New World!

But the World Government did not seem to care. As the Rocks Pirates grew stronger, the World Government merely sent new-generation Marines like Garp to the New World for training.

As though they were waiting for something!

Elsewhere, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, at the Gorosei's offices.

The old man with the curved mustache held the newspaper in his hand and frowned deeply!

"Have you noticed? Or are you trying to speed up your conquest of the New World, Rocks D. Zebek?"

Setting down the newspaper, the old man walked to the side.

"No matter the situation, observe for now. Continue monitoring the Rocks Pirates' intelligence! Be ready to report at any moment."

The blond old man stood and instructed the intelligence agent kneeling on the floor.

"Yes, Lord Gorosei!"

"You may leave!"

The intelligence agent who had delivered the report then withdrew!

The blond old man looked back at the newspaper. It carried the news that the Rocks Pirates had split their forces to conquer the New World.

"Still haven't found that rat from the news agency?"

The old man leaning on a cane looked at the newspaper, his tone hostile!

"Not yet!" the blond old man replied.

"Utter trash! Send CP0 out. We cannot let them keep using news to deceive the ordinary people of the world!"

The old man gripping a long sword was deeply dissatisfied that CP9 had still failed to find the news agency owner.

Fine! No one objected. They then ordered the guards to pass down the command.

Bang! Bang bang bang! Gunshots rang continuously over the small town.

This was an island in the West Blue. At that moment, the people of its only town were being slaughtered by pirates.

"Captain! Did you read this morning's paper?"

"The Rocks Pirates have split their forces. The king of the New World can't wait any longer."

"Captain! When are we heading to the New World?"

"I heard it's a world ruled by pirates!"

Pirates stood around casually, holding bloodstained guns and blades as they discussed the situation in the New World as if nothing had happened.

Shnk! The captain in the middle pulled out his bloodied long sword and laughed. "Haha! Once we loot this town, we'll have nearly all the supplies we need. Then we can set off for the Grand Line."

"Really, Captain? That's great!"

"Can we finally head for the New World?"

"Pirates' paradise, here we come!"

That day, pirates throughout the Four Blues went even crazier.

For a time, the number of pirates on the Grand Line surged once more.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford!

Smack! The current Fleet Admiral angrily slammed the report that yet another Marine colonel stationed in Loguetown had died in the line of duty onto the table.

Ever since Rocks ushered in the pirate era known as the New World, Loguetown—the gateway to the Grand Line—had been repeatedly struck by pirates.

No one even knew how many stationed colonels had been killed by pirates by now.

"Damn it! What are the Gorosei doing? They won't allow anyone above Rear Admiral to be sent to guard Loguetown. What kind of bullshit order is that?" the Fleet Admiral said.

Then he picked up that morning's newspaper! Splitting his forces? That didn't seem like Rocks' style!

Was there some unknown reason behind it?

That day, because of this newspaper, the world seemed to shift into high gear.

Time returned to the present!

Luo Han and the others had arrived at the next island, White Island, and finally saw the newspaper that would change the world's course.

The group sat together and ate!

Holding meat in one hand and the newspaper in the other, Luo Han sat beside the long table.

His face was full of confusion! Only now did Luo Han realize that it was Rocks himself who had the news agency report the division of forces.

What was Rocks doing? He was actively exposing his own intelligence. Wasn't he afraid that the Marines and World Government would gather their forces and hunt them down?

He didn't get it! Chomp! Luo Han bit off a chunk of meat!

Forget it. He just needed to stay alert. If things got bad, he would run.

When it came to running away, Luo Han believed he was second to none! He could go up into the sky or down into the sea.

For now, he would fill his stomach first.

"Brother Newgate, how are we supposed to pursue the Roger Pirates?"

Luo Han was puzzled. How were they supposed to chase enemies across such a vast sea?

Over the past two days, it had felt less like they were pursuing Roger and more like they were sightseeing.

They were even specifically stopping at inhabited islands!

"Haha! Luo Han, how can we pursue them when we don't know the Roger Pirates' exact location?"

"But as long as we keep landing on inhabited islands, we'll eventually run into the Roger Pirates."

Whitebeard said with a laugh.

Luo Han was still somewhat confused! Wasn't that far too casual?

So he asked, "Then who knows when we'll run into them! And don't we need to answer to Rocks?"

"Don't you understand yet, Luo Han?" At that moment, Golden Lion walked over holding a bottle of liquor.

"Rocks never told us we had to catch Roger. He only told us to pursue the Roger Pirates."

"And with Roger's personality, he won't keep hiding on deserted islands.

Besides, after seeing the newspaper three days ago, he won't keep running. For all we know, he may already be heading toward us?" Golden Lion continued.

Hearing Golden Lion's analysis, Luo Han thought it over and realized it really was possible.

In his previous life, the anime had said that Roger was the kind of man who did everything in a grand fashion.

Without Rocks suppressing him, Roger no longer needed to worry about his companions' safety. Naturally, he would not keep running.

Haha! Then it would be soon. He would finally get to meet the most charismatic man in the World of Pirates!

Luo Han thought excitedly!