The World's Upheaval: The Worst Generation

"Has the newspaper arrived?"

As the messenger bird flapped its wings and descended towards the Sunny Merry, Roman glanced at the bag hanging on the other's chest, and then:

Splash,

It spat out a stack of fresh newspapers from its palm and began to flip through them, leaving the fallen newspaper bird bewildered.

Are you scared if they copy your newspaper to your face?

"Here you go, consider it as if we bought the newspaper."

Nami took out a thousand Beli to send away the obsequious newsbirds, then looked at the group of people surrounding Roman like a juggling act, especially Luffy perched on Roman's shoulder, and the eye on Luffy's hat, and sighed helplessly.

"Is it really worth the wait? The bounty might increase and all that..."

Nami had never cared about her bounty increasing, because it only increased her risk of being hunted down; her two years in the Navy gave her an even clearer understanding of bounties:

Although the Straw Hat crew are always doing 'just' things, other pirate crews only see the Straw Hat crew 'conquering' one country after another, causing their bounties to skyrocket, which then has a negative incentive effect.

"Hehehe, what kind of pirate doesn't care about bounties?"

Luffy has remained unchanged from beginning to end. For him, the bounty is just a fun kind of 'fame'. It would be strange if a hot-blooded young man didn't want to become famous.

"Let me see—this sensational headline is definitely in the style of that birdman Morgans."

Shocking! The Fall of Two Emperors! The Prelude to a World Collapse?

In fact, the press has been going crazy during this period! A constant stream of Big News has put them in a state of frenzy.

First, the World Government swept away the already shattered 'Shichibukai' with lightning speed! Buggy the Clown Emperor and his gang of henchmen were sent to Impel Down for a second time, while Whitebeard Jr.. was captured by former Marine Admiral Zephyr. Only Hawk Eyes and former Fleet Admiral Sengoku exchanged a few blows before stopping short of defeat.

Then came the Revolutionary Army's rampage at the Reverie! After a chaotic battle, although none of the world leaders were injured, it still caused the World Government considerable embarrassment. Most importantly, not a single high-ranking member of the Revolutionary Army was spared.

Then it is:

"The Straw Hat Pirates, in alliance with the Whitebeard Pirates, annihilated the Beasts Pirates in Wano Country! The World's Strongest Creature Kaido, was no match for the two Worst Generation brothers..."

"Breaking news! The acting captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, 'Asa,' is actually Ace, resurrected through Devil Fruit ability..."

The image shows a photo taken during the Shogun's ceremony in Wano Country. The timing of the shot was very clever; Yamato and Hiyori Kozuki had just left, while Luffy and Ace stood on the Castle Keep, one with one hand on his hip and the other with his arms crossed, seemingly looking down at the people of Wano Country as if they had already brought Wano Country under their control.

Although one was actually grinning foolishly and the other was smiling, to people who didn't know the truth, it looked like a smug grin!

Flipping through the newspaper in his hand, Roman could already imagine the scene of the entire world's jaws dropping in shock. Kaido, who had dominated the seas for decades, had suddenly fallen—the world had changed so much!

"This is..."

As Roman read the newspaper and flipped through the pages, the next picture instantly caught everyone's attention! Although Roman was prepared, when he actually faced it:

"Isn't that Blackbeard and Big Mom?"

This accompanying image is even more striking: Blackbeard, whose height has increased again, is roaring to the sky, with a black and a white light rising from his body, which even transforms into the shapes of two young girls! It's as if Blackbeard has suddenly Awakening two Stands, and what he's trampling under his feet are:

It's Big Mom lying in a pool of blood!

"The most terrifying three- Devil Fruit user in history: the Dark-Dark Fruit, the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and the Soul-Soul Fruit... Could this be a man who surpasses Whitebeard, Kaido, and even Roger?"

Reading the newspaper article aloud in a low voice, Roman had to admit that Blackbeard really did have a bit of a 'destined' feel to him.

Having spent over twenty years in hiding, managing to remain a good-natured person on Whitebeard's ship with zero bounty, requires a level of composure that few can achieve. Moreover, despite his seemingly rough and simple appearance, Teach is a rare 'intellectual' in this world, an archaeologist like Robin.

It was through archaeological discoveries that he uncovered the truth of this world, which led him to conceal his ambition and vow to remain a 'son' on Whitebeard's ship for life until he obtained the Dark-Dark Fruit. Yet, once he realized the Dark-Dark Fruit was within reach, he immediately attacked even his decades-long friend! His ruthlessness and decisiveness reached their extreme.

Patience, ruthlessness, decisiveness, ambition, greed, and strength— Blackbeard possesses almost all the virtues a 'pirate' should have, and he's also quite lucky.

If Ace hadn't stubbornly stopped him, he would have gone to Water 7 Garp's iron fist; if Luffy hadn't Luffy Impel Down from the bottom, the Blackbeard Pirates would have been wiped out by Magellan's poisonous spit; and then there's the story of stealing Roman's transoceanic transport ship to become Four Emperors, and now he's successfully seized the opportunity created by Roman to take down Big Mom...

"Flip it quickly, flip it quickly~~"

Faced with Luffy's urging from above, Roman simply pulled a stack of Bounty Poster from the newspaper. After all, most of the Straw Hat crew were focused on this; as for things like world affairs or information about other pirate crews—

"Isn't this your job, Roman?"

"Yes, yes, I never expected you, the captain, to have the concept of 'thinking'."

He shoved a stack of wanted Bounty Poster at Luffy, then waved the guy perched on his shoulder away like a fly, telling him to 'go play somewhere else.' Roman continued reading the newspaper in his hand:

"With the disintegration of the Beasts Pirates and the BIG MOM Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates have risen again, and the Straw Hat Pirates have also reached new heights. Both of these up-and-coming pirate crews, led by young captains, have bounties exceeding 3 billion. The title of Four Emperors) undoubtedly belongs to these two brothers..."

"Hahaha, 3.1 billion!!!"

Ignoring Luffy's signature laughter beside him, Roman calmly continued reading the newspaper.

"Without a doubt, this is a new era! After Marshall D. Teach absorbed the BIG MOM Pirates, his bounty has ballooned to a terrifying 4.988 billion! He is now the most powerful force on the seas, and only one step away from the throne of the strongest man..."

"Damn it, it's even lower than the Green Algae Head again..."

Sanji's new Bounty Poster has been issued, and he's wearing the iconic black Germa raid suit that's famous throughout the North Blue, giving him a domineering and sinister villainous boss vibe. His bounty has also skyrocketed to 940 million!

However, he was still outdone by Zoro's 1.1 billion bounty, which made the blond chef resentfully point fingers at the Three-Sword Style.

"Why did yours also increase so much?!"

"Hmph, maybe the funny dinosaur I killed was more valuable than the mammoth you killed."

Zoro raised an eyebrow and gave a lazy explanation.

While Queen is the 'comedic relief' of the Beasts Pirates, his strength is undeniable. He possesses a plethora of high-tech weapons, and his formidable Armament Haki and the Ancient Zoan Dragon-Dragon Fruit Brachiosaurus Form compensate for the lack of physical sturdiness often found in scientists. It's fair to say he rightfully deserves his third-place position in the Beasts Pirates, provided he doesn't go mad during battle.

Jack is no less formidable, possessing immense strength and overwhelming endurance that allows him to return to the battlefield instantly even when wounded. Had Sanji not Awakening the Germa family's Bloodline Factor through repeatedly wearing the Raid Suit, his exoskeleton, strong enough to withstand Armament Haki swords and capable of instantly regenerating fractured and severely injured bones, might not have been able to defeat Jack.

Overall, the Straw Hat crew has significantly improved after their battle with Kaido. Their bounties have also increased by several hundred million.

"Awoooooo!!!"

Chopper, his excited shouts now replaced by tears, held his bounty poster and wept.

"800 Beli! 800 Beli!! That's doubled! I've finally surpassed Bepo. I declare that I'm no longer the pirate with the lowest bounty on the high seas!!"

·······

Poor Chopper, has the bounty driven him to the brink of madness?

"Wow, that was fast!"

Nami walked over, holding the nautical chart in her hand, and sighed.

"One piece from Zou, one piece from Big Mom, and one piece from Kaido. We've obtained three-quarters of the nautical chart leading to Laugh Tale. Does that mean we'll be able to reach Laugh Tale very soon?"

In an instant, it was as if the Sunny Merry had been put on pause!

Whether it's Sanji and Zoro, who can't stand each other, Chopper in tears, or Usopp beaming with pride, everyone's expression is frozen. Although they constantly chant that Luffy become the King of the Pirates, when that day is truly upon us, doesn't it mean the Straw Hat crew's journey is almost over...?

"It's not that easy."

Roman answered casually while continuing to read the newspaper.

"The last piece of the Road Poneglyph is most likely in Teach's hands. — With Blackbeard, whose personal strength and fleet power have now expanded to an absurd level, it would be difficult even for us to make an easy enemy."

Well, Roman already has a plan.

After waking up, Roman received a call from the Five Elders. They clearly sensed the threat posed by Blackbeard, so:

Will the Navy and pirates join forces to reenact the events of 'God Valley'?

Neither Roman, the Celestial Dragons, nor Roman, the Straw Hat crew's strategist, would object to this proposal. It's clear to everyone in the world that with the fall of the two veteran Four Emperors, the Four Emperors of the seas have been replaced by a younger generation. And youth means:

Passionate, ambitious, daring, and fearless!

Soon, the throne of the King of the Pirates will be decided. And excluding Shanks, who dislikes power, and Ace, who wants to protect the Whitebeard Pirates, only:

Luffy and Teach!

Two men, both burning with an inextinguishable dream yet acting in opposite directions, are destined for a clash! The victor will undoubtedly claim the crown of King of the Pirates...

"Don't let your guard down, Blackbeard is no pushover."

Faced with Roman's ever-cautious remarks, Luffy tugged at his Straw Hat and chuckled.

"Of course, we are the strongest team!"