On the second day after Austin escaped Marineford,
the outbreak of the [Marineford Invasion Battle] was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, completely overturning the seas that had only just calmed down!
Public opinion across the world began to boil!
As one of the three great overlords of the New World, it was not entirely unreasonable for a powerhouse like Golden Lion Shiki to dare storm Marine Headquarters alone.
Though people were shocked by such a major event, it was still within the bounds of expectation.
It was perfectly normal for a Great Pirate like him to do something even crazier.
However, the appearance of the name [Black Spear] Dotol Austin immediately drew the attention of countless nations and forces around the world.
Wanted Poster,
[Black Spear] Dotol Austin,
Former Roger Pirates crew member, proficient in the Three types of Haki, suspected Paramecia Warp Fruit user, one of the masterminds behind the [Marineford Invasion Battle],
Bounty: 2.649 billion Beli,
Dead or alive, heinously evil!!!
This name, which had previously only circulated within a small circle as that of a young Roger Pirates apprentice, instantly became one of the hottest pirate Supernovas in the world after this major incident.
No, Supernova was no longer enough to describe him.
According to an exclusive report by the World Economic Journal, this kid from Roger's ship might already possess the strength to challenge the World Government's greatest military power—the Marine Admirals.
The king of the younger generation,
A "monster" raised by Pirate King Roger, one who would rule the next era!
The "king" of the next generation!!!
Sabaody Archipelago,
Inside the Red-Light District, which had already begun rebuilding and reopening for business,
its former prosperity was gradually returning.
"Madam Sammy! There's a report about Lord Austin!!!"
The Red-Light District's two mascots, Austin's personal maids Little Six and Little Seven, excitedly ran into Sammy's office.
They were so excited that they even forgot to knock.
They gave Sammy, who was drinking tea, quite a fright.
The two girls bounced over, clutching a newspaper in their little hands and placing it on the desk as they excitedly said,
"Look, look,"
"The newspaper says Lord Austin fought the Marines' strongest forces at Marine Headquarters, then left in style!"
"Mm-hmm~ The whole world is saying that Lord Austin is the king of the next era!!"
"So cool... just as expected of Lord Austin..."
Little Six and Little Seven had hearts in their eyes. Reading the newspaper's description of Austin, they felt even prouder and more satisfied than Austin himself.
But the two young and ignorant little maids did not understand
just how great an impact this news had on Sammy, someone who had navigated the Dark World and seen the real world.
Taking the newspaper and carefully reading every word, Sammy could not hide the horror and shock on her face. Her exquisite pupils kept trembling.
She had thought Lord Austin might truly be very strong,
but she had never expected him to be this outrageously strong!
"If that is truly the case, then perhaps this newspaper was not wrong...
Lord Austin truly has what it takes to contend for the World's Strongest!!!"
Just as the report's conclusion
summed him up:
"[Black Spear] Dotol Austin,
A despair-inducing genius, possessing a monstrous physique, absolutely formidable mastery of the Three types of Haki, and a Devil Fruit ability that grants absolute control over the flow of battle.
He is suspected to be the New Era's leading figure, cultivated by Roger and possessing absolute strength.
Judging from the spirit and potential he has displayed,
he will likely hold absolute dominion over the world's top powerhouses for at least the next thirty years!"
In the first half of the Grand Line,
on an unknown island,
a majestic, magnificent ship was docked there. In the forest not far from the pier, three people sat around a fire, roasting beasts they had hunted on the island.
"Mr. Rayleigh!! Shanks!! Big News!!!"
Rayleigh and the other two, who were returning to Sabaody Archipelago, had temporarily docked to rest.
Suddenly, Buggy came running over excitedly from the beach, clutching a newspaper and shouting as he ran,
"There's news about Austin in the paper! It's a huge event!!!"
"Whoa!! Really? Let me see!"
Upon hearing that, Shanks sprang up from the ground and hurriedly snatched the newspaper from Buggy. The more he read, the more his eyes sparkled.
"As expected of Austin! That's so cool—he caused havoc at Marine Headquarters!!!"
Hearing that, Buggy grinned so excitedly that he could barely suppress it. "Right? Right? The whole world has been saying Captain Roger was defeated and captured by the Marines. Austin really helped us vent our anger this time!"
The two discussed it excitedly, then looked toward Rayleigh, who was still grilling meat. They hurried over to him with the newspaper.
Rayleigh looked at the two reckless brats and said nothing, merely smiling as he accepted the paper.
But after just one glance, an astonished expression appeared on his face as well.
The large photograph at the very beginning of the newspaper was clearly taken by that news bird on the day of the incident.
Bare-chested and holding a long blade, Austin's long hair fluttered in the wind, his body covered in wounds.
He wore a smile at the time, his eyes fixed directly upon the five Marines before him.
Marine Admiral Sengoku,
Marine Hero Garp,
and the Marines' three Logia-Type monster vice admirals and rear admirals.
Besides the article's extensive boasting and praise for Austin, it also included several images of him fighting the future Three Admirals alone.
In the images, Austin's body crackled with black-red lightning as he fiercely battled the three natural disasters without falling behind in the slightest!
One could only imagine
that as those three young Marines gradually rose in rank and combat strength in the future, the value of this photograph would only continue to increase!
And yet, after causing havoc before such an outrageous lineup, he had still managed to retreat unscathed.
"Divine Departure... that really brings back memories..."
Just from Austin's movements in the photograph, Rayleigh could tell that it was one of Roger's signature techniques.
And now, Austin had carried it forward and made it shine anew.
There was also the evaluation of Austin at the end...
Looking at that peerlessly domineering figure, Rayleigh really could see a trace of what Roger had been like in his youth.
But Roger had not been fifteen at that time. He had been twenty-five.
What a terrifying young man.
Rayleigh sighed to himself.
But then again, he simply did not know
what Austin's true intention had been in making such a move.
Could it really have just been to vent Roger's anger?
Meanwhile,
a thousand meters above Impel Down,
Austin sat cross-legged atop the clouds and casually grabbed a passing news bird.
After using the Beli in its money pouch to buy a newspaper, he released it immediately.
After reading it carefully,
"Pfft..."
Austin could not hold it in any longer. He found it both speechless and amusing.
That guy Morgans had really dared to say anything for sales during the early days of his business.
He had nearly painted Austin as the future World King.
And the selection and layout of those photographs—while none of them were fake—were blatantly misleading the world.
They made it seem as though the invasion of Marineford had been planned entirely by Austin alone, while Golden Lion had merely come along to make an appearance.
Whether it was Austin fighting three admirals alone or using Haki infusion, it practically gave off the impression of a protagonist facing the final boss.
But...
If Austin searched his conscience, his original purpose in going to Marineford truly had not been to show off.
Even the fighting had only happened because the mood was right. He had wanted to test his full strength and build up his spirit, but that idea had only come afterward.
Looking at the bold red words on his Wanted Poster—"heinously evil, dead or alive"—Austin felt somewhat helpless as well.
They had even made a specially formatted Wanted Poster just for him.
Austin did not really care that much about being forcibly saddled with so many grand titles. After all, no one could truly do anything to him.
But being misrepresented was still being misrepresented.
When he ran into Morgans, he would naturally settle accounts with that stupid bird.
Before you continue