This Sea May Have Countless Heroes, but Only One Can Be King!
On a small island in the East Blue.
At this moment, a group of small-time pirates were holding a banquet on the beach. The pirates were having a great time, not only barbecuing but also performing acrobatics. And their flag was a Buggy and crossbones flag.
This Buggy Pirates.
Buggy and his friends were having a great time, but Buggy sat on a rock by the grove of trees on the beach, holding his daily newspaper, looking dazed and incredulous.
The Red Hair Pirates are destroyed! Red-Hair dies at the hands of Shanks Crush Strike., Smoker of the Shichibukai!
The New World Frenzy Ends, Red-Hair Fails to Escape!
Following Wang Zhi and Silver Axe, another Great Pirate has fallen! New Marine Admiral Bane Ortolan's New World conquest has achieved a major success!
Can Admiral Bane end the current Great Pirate Era?!
Looking at the news articles in the newspaper, Buggy finally came to his senses. A tear rolled down his cheek, and he abruptly crumpled the newspaper into a ball, threw it on the ground, and yelled, "Idiot! I told you to stop following New World a long time ago, but you wouldn't listen to me!"
Buggy's feelings for Shanks are complicated. On one hand, he's annoyed by Shanks's self-willed actions and constant attempts to drag him into adventures, which even forced him to eat Devil Fruit.
On the other hand, the two grew up together on Roger's ship and were the only two adults on board. They also accompanied each other in battle, and could be said to be as close as brothers.
After they parted ways in Loguetown, they never saw each other again, nor did they have any contact whatsoever, not even through Den Den Mushi.
After that, Buggy became a small-time pirate in the East Blue. And this guy was very cunning. He never provoked the Marines, but bullied the civilians.
Previously, when a pirate frenzy broke out in the East Blue and they joined forces to attack a certain kingdom, some people approached Buggy, wanting to join forces, but Buggy firmly refused.
Sure enough, his caution paid off, and all the pirates who participated in the attack were wiped out by the Marines in retaliation.
Because he didn't participate and hid very well, nothing bad has happened to him all this time.
Although he could be said to be a disappointment in the pirate world, Buggy was living a pretty good life. Occasionally, he would see news about the Red Hair Pirates in the newspaper, seeing what amazing things Shanks had done. He felt both envious and gratified.
However, he still felt worried about Shanks, fearing that Shanks would suffer greatly in that New World teeming with monsters.
As it turned out, not long ago, the Hachinosu Island incident made the news. Buggy was a little worried when he saw Shanks fleeing in a sorry state and losing an arm.
But how long has it been? Shanks is already dead in the New World?
"I told you before, the New World is too dangerous. Even Captain Roger almost got killed several times. You're so young and don't have much experience. You shouldn't have gone there, but you wouldn't listen. Now look what happened, you got killed!" Buggy wiped away tears from the corners of his eyes, cursing and complaining with disappointment.
Although Buggy was heartbroken, he had no intention of avenging Shanks. From the moment they set sail in Loguetown, they had embarked on different paths and become two independent captains.
Shanks died on his own path, which was his own choice, a choice made by fate.
This further solidified Buggy's resolve: in that monstrous New World, whoever wants to fight can fight, he's just going to stay in the East Blue and not leave!
The First Half of Grand Line ends at the Sabaody Archipelago.
Shakky Shakky's Rip-off Bar when Rayleigh was sitting on the sofa, holding a bottle of liquor in one hand and a newspaper in the other, staring blankly at the news on the page.
Seeing Rayleigh's appearance, the Shakky sighed, walked to the front of the tavern, hung up a "Temporarily Closed" sign, and locked the tavern door from the inside.
"Are you alright?" Shakky asked softly with concern.
Rayleigh seemed to snap out of his daze after hearing the voice, a forced smile appearing on his face, "What could be wrong with me? I'm just a little sad to see the little guy from the ship returning to the embrace of the sea."
Speaking of this, Rayleigh shook his head and said, "I actually used to think quite highly of Shanks, and Roger felt the same way. He even gave him his straw Straw Hat. That's how turbulent the New World's waves are. Whether it's him or anyone else, one mistake, one wrong decision, can ruin everything..."
Shakky nodded in agreement, sighing, "Yes, the New World is far too dangerous. One careless move and you could be dead. Shanks is really daring; of all people to offend, he had to go and mess with that guy..."
Rayleigh's appreciation for Shakky stemmed from his recognition of him. Because he had worked with Ortolan and had a good relationship with him, he knew better than others just how ruthless and powerful this guy was!
Even when he was a Marine Admiral, he dared to join forces with the Revolutionary Army, himself, a retired old pirate, and the Fish-Man Island gang to plot the heinous act of burning Mary Geoise, and he actually carried it out.
Now that he's Marine Admiral, Rayleigh can't even imagine how ruthless he's become. Under these circumstances, it's not surprising that Shanks would provoke him and end up like this.
Although he was saddened by Shanks' death, Rayleigh had no intention of avenging Shanks or standing up for him.
After all, he had long since given up being a pirate, and Shanks had become the captain of the Red Hair Pirates. As captain, he had to take responsibility for every decision he made.
If he becomes the ruler of the New World and the Pirate King, he won't need to care about Rayleigh.
The same applies to the other side; he died in the New World, and it doesn't matter whose hand he was killed, nor does Rayleigh need to avenge him.
These are all unwritten rules within the pirate community.
In the original story, Ace was Roger's biological son. However, after he became the disciple of Whitebeard and joined the Whitebeard Pirates, he had no further connection with the so-called remnants of Roger Pirates.
When Ace was captured and taken to Marineford for execution, Rayleigh simply sat on the Sabaody Archipelago watching the broadcast.
The same applies now; Shanks has become his own captain, so Rayleigh has no room to interfere.
Setting down the newspaper, Rayleigh shook his head and said, "This is just the beginning. That guy, Ortolan, is ambitious and possesses both strength and intelligence. Now that he's the Governor-General and Marine Admiral the New World Navy, he'll definitely carry the title of 'Governor-General' through to the very end. Just wait and see. In a few years, when Ortolan makes his move again, the New World will be thrown into chaos. What about Whitebeard, what about Kaido, and even his mother, Charlotte Linlin? They won't be able to escape Ortolan's vortex that will swallow the entire New World."
"So, when Ortolan decides to take action against those Newgate guys, who do you think will win the final battle?" Shakky asked Rayleigh.
Rayleigh seemed to have no hesitation at all, and immediately said, "In the past, I thought that Newgate could keep the situation in check. Kaido is not an easy opponent, and Charlotte Linlin is even more extraordinary. But now, I think if Ortolan chooses to make a move, then the New World will definitely become his New World."
As I said before, it was precisely because I had worked with Ortolan that Rayleigh knew even better just how terrifying this guy was!
Shakky nodded upon hearing this and said, "That's what I think too."
In the New World, on the territory of the Whitebeard Pirates, aboard the Whale Moby Dick.
Newgate looked at Kozuki Oden, who was sitting alone on the edge of the deck, staring blankly at the sea, sighed softly, shook his head, and said nothing.
He knew who Kozuki Oden was grieving for today—that Red-Hair brat.
Newgate hadn't expected that the Red-Hair brat would be killed so quickly. He vaguely sensed the overwhelming power and threat emanating from Ortolan in the New World.
At his command, the entire New World seemed to stir. It was as if everyone except the Whitebeard Pirates were eager to pursue his 'Ortolan'.
Thinking about this, Newgate couldn't help but sigh softly.
Marco, who happened to be standing next to him, noticed Newgate's change in mood and asked with concern, "Dad, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing..." Newgate waved his hand, and after a moment of silence, he said softly, "I'm just a little worried."
"Worried? Worried about what?" Marco asked curiously.
"I'm worried that this New World is too small, and that guy Ortolan is too ambitious..." Newgate sighed.
On this vast sea, there may be countless heroes, but only one can reign supreme!