The Future King? Big News That Shocks the Four Seas!

The day after Austin escaped from Marineford, the eruption of the [Marineford Invasion Battle] was like a thunderclap out of a clear sky, completely overturning the seas that had just begun to settle!

World public opinion began to boil over!

As one of the three great powers of the New World, a powerhouse like Golden Lion Shiki daring to charge into Marine Headquarters alone—

while people might be astonished by such a major event, it didn't defy common sense.

For a Great Pirate like that, even crazier actions were normal.

But the name "[Black Spear] Dotol Austin" burst onto the scene and instantly drew the attention of countless nations and forces across the world.

Wanted poster:

[Black Spear] Dotol Austin, Former Roger Pirates crew member, proficient in all three types of Haki, suspected Paramecia Warp Fruit user, one of the masterminds of the [Marineford Invasion Battle], Bounty: 2,649,000,000 Berries, Dead or alive, heinous criminal!!!

This name—once only whispered in small circles, that of a young Roger Pirates apprentice—had, through this major incident, instantly become the hottest Supernova on the seas.

No, this was beyond what Supernovas could describe.

According to an exclusive report from the World Economic Journal, this kid from Roger's ship might already possess combat power rivaling the World Government's highest force—the Marine Admirals.

A king of the younger generation, A "monster" raised by Pirate King Roger, destined to rule the next era!

The "King" of the next generation!!!

Sabaody Archipelago, Inside the Red-Light District, which had already begun reconstruction and operations, the bustle of the old days was gradually returning.

"Madam Sammy! It's a report about Lord Austin!!!"

The Red-Light District's two mascots, Lord Austin's personal maids, Little Six and Little Seven, ran excitedly into Sammy's office.

Too worked up, they even forgot to knock, startling Sammy, who was sipping tea.

They bounced over, clutching a newspaper in their small hands, and placed it on the table, chirping excitedly:

"Look, look!"

"The paper says Lord Austin fought the Marine Admirals at Marine Headquarters and then left in style!"

"Mhm mhm~ The whole world is saying Lord Austin is the king of the next era!!"

"So cool... As expected of Lord Austin..."

Little Six and Little Seven's eyes sparkled with hearts as they read the description of Austin, feeling even prouder and more satisfied than Austin himself.

But these two naive little maids didn't understand

just how shocking this news was to Sammy, who had navigated the Dark World and seen real life.

Taking the newspaper, reading every word carefully, Sammy couldn't hide her shock and awe, her delicate pupils trembling.

She had thought Lord Austin might be strong, but she never imagined he could be this overwhelmingly strong!

"If that's really the case, then this paper might not be wrong...

Lord Austin truly has the qualifications to contend for the World's Strongest!!!"

Just as the report concluded

with its summary and evaluation:

"[Black Spear] Dotol Austin, A despair-inducing genius, a monster of a physique, an absolute master of all three types of Haki, a Devil Fruit user with total combat dominance, Suspected to be the leader of the New Era, cultivated by Roger with absolute strength, Judging by the spirit and potential he has displayed, He will likely hold absolute dominance over the world's top-tier fighters for at least the next thirty years!"

The first half of the Grand Line, On an unnamed island, a magnificent giant ship was docked. 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's group of three, heading back to the Sabaody Archipelago, had temporarily stopped to rest and resupply.

Suddenly, Buggy came running excitedly from the beach, a newspaper clutched in his hand, shouting as he ran, "There's news about Austin in the paper, a huge event!!!"

"Whoa!! Really? Let me see!"

Hearing this, Shanks leaped up from the ground, snatched the newspaper from Buggy's hands, and the more he read, the more his eyes sparkled.

"As expected of Austin! So cool, causing a ruckus at Marine Headquarters!!!"

Buggy couldn't suppress his grin either: "Right, right? The whole world's saying Captain Roger was defeated and captured by the Marines, so Austin's really given us a good payback!"

The two chatted excitedly, then turned to Rayleigh, who was still grilling meat, and hurried over to him with the paper.

Rayleigh looked at the two reckless kids, said nothing, and just took the paper with a smile.

But one glance, and a look of astonishment crossed his face.

The first page of the newspaper featured a huge picture, clearly taken by that delivery bird on the day itself.

Austin, bare-chested, long hair flowing, a long blade in hand, his body covered in wounds.

At that moment, he wore a smile, his gaze fixed straight ahead on the five Marines before him:

Marine Admiral Sengoku, Marine Hero Garp, and the three Logia-type monsters among the Marine's young officers.

Beyond the article's full-throated praise and admiration for Austin, it also included images of him fighting alone against the future Three Admirals.

In those pictures, Austin's body, wreathed in black-red lightning, clashed fiercely against the three natural disasters, holding his own without a hint of weakness!

It was easy to imagine—

As those three young Marines rose in rank and combat power over the years, the value of these images would only increase.

And to face such an overwhelming lineup, then walk away unscathed after causing chaos...

"Divine Departure, huh... brings back memories..."

Just from the moves in the photos, Rayleigh could tell it was one of Roger's signature techniques, now being carried forward and glorified by Austin.

And then there was the closing assessment of Austin...

Looking at that domineering, unmatched figure, he really did catch a glimpse of Roger in his youth.

But Roger back then wasn't fifteen—he was twenty-five.

A terrifying young man.

Rayleigh sighed.

Still, the question remained—

What was Austin's real intention behind this move?

Was it really just to vent for Roger's sake?

Meanwhile, Thousands of meters above Impel Down, Austin sat cross-legged on a cloud, casually grabbed a passing delivery bird, bought a newspaper with the Berries from its money pouch, and let it go.

After reading it carefully, "Pfft..."

Austin couldn't hold it in anymore—half speechless, half amused.

That Morgans guy, in his early entrepreneurial days, would say anything for sales.

He nearly made Austin out to be the future World King.

And the selection and layout of those photos—none of them were fake, but they deliberately misled the world, making it seem like the entire invasion of Marineford was Austin's plan alone, with Golden Lion just there for show.

Whether it was fighting the three officers alone or using Conqueror's Haki coating, he was framed as both protagonist and final boss.

But...

Austin asked himself honestly—his original intention for going to Marineford wasn't to steal the spotlight.

Even the fighting came from the heat of the moment; he wanted to test his full strength and build his spirit, but that was a later thought.

Looking at his own wanted poster, with the bold red letters "Extreme Criminal, Dead or Alive," Austin felt a bit helpless.

They'd even given him a custom-designed poster.

Being saddled with so many big titles didn't really bother him—after all, no one could truly do anything to him.

But being manipulated was still being manipulated.

When he ran into Morgans, he'd settle the score with that dumb bird.