The World's Uproar

Lightning Dragons continuously descended upon the waters around Mock Town.

Countless warships were struck by the Lightning Dragons and shattered into fragments. Even the high-ranking fighters, resisting with all their strength, could not prevent massive casualties among the soldiers. Even jumping into the sea to escape had become a distant hope.

At last, the dark clouds dispersed. The weather cleared, and the sun shone upon the sea once more.

The Marines had suffered devastating losses. More than a dozen surviving warships drifted alone across the sea. The Marines who had lived were either exceptionally powerful or naturally fortunate, while Mock Town, the battleground, had long since become a field of ruins.

"Report to Sengoku. The operation has failed, and the Marines have suffered grievous casualties." Vice Admiral Tsuru's hair had become an afro, but no one could laugh. Against an opponent like Yake, they had not even touched him once before suffering such enormous losses. This was almost unprecedented in Marine history.

"He is no longer someone who can be dealt with through human-wave tactics. With such terrifying mobility, unless the top fighters join forces to hunt him down, no matter how many people are sent, it will be futile." Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke numbly. This was the terrifying enemy born under the World Government's rule.

"Take the remaining men and return..."

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

"I... I understand. Sigh... Bring the remaining soldiers back to recover." Sengoku hung up the call and sighed as he slumped into the Fleet Admiral's chair, as though all the energy had been drained from him.

After a long silence, Sengoku finally chose to call the Five Elders.

"The operation to eliminate Yake has failed. The Marines suffered devastating losses. It was my poor command, and I have decided to resign as Fleet Admiral." Sengoku spoke flatly, his face seeming to age all at once.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, please don't get worked up. What happened?" The Five Elders could not accept this. Why would he resign just because the operation had failed?

Sengoku told the Five Elders everything in full detail, growing more agitated as he spoke.

"This is the enemy your World Government created! And in the end, you expect the Marines to clean up your mess? Sigh... I no longer have the face to confront the Marine officers when they return. Please select a new candidate for Fleet Admiral!" Sengoku's momentum suddenly collapsed. He no longer knew how to face Tsuru, Garp, and the others.

The Telephone Snail remained silent for a long while, with faint rustling sounds of discussion coming from the other end.

"Sengoku, this was indeed our mistake. We never expected that brat to possess such terrifying strength. Let us do this: halt all operations to capture Yake for now. Raise Yake's bounty to two billion, and you will remain Fleet Admiral for the time being. We will also consider new candidates. That will be all."

The call ended, and there was no more sound...

Sengoku stared out the window in utter exhaustion, lost in thought. Even his beloved rice crackers no longer tasted good.

"Bring the people from the news department here!" Sengoku ordered.

The next day, News Coos once again flew out in force. The battle at Mock Town was reported extensively, with the Marines naturally fanning the flames behind the scenes.

"How is that possible? The Marines lost so completely?" The residents of Loguetown stared in shock at the newspaper headline—Shocking! This man actually did such a thing to the Marines!!!

"Even the Marine Hero, five Vice Admirals, and Admiral Akainu were dispatched, yet they all returned defeated? Was it that God Yake again?" The residents of the Sabaody Archipelago understood all too well.

"Hahaha, Shakky, our boy is really incredible now!" Rayleigh laughed heartily as he read the newspaper.

"Yes, little Yake has truly grown up." Shakky's eyes narrowed into crescents as she smiled with pride.

"Shakky, give me some money. I'm buying a few bottles of liquor to celebrate properly!!"

Shakky's Rip-off Bar was plastered with Yake's wanted posters. The old poster offering one and a half billion had been replaced by a new two-billion bounty.

Wanted Criminal: God Yake

Extremely Dangerous: ONLY DEAD

Bounty: 2000000000 Beli

Achievement mission completed: A Man Worth Two Billion. Bounty exceeded two billion. Reward: ten lottery draws.

Yake had not expected his bounty to rise by more than half all at once, nor had he expected to complete an achievement mission in the process. However, Yake was already lying like a corpse aboard the ship. He was too exhausted, and Robin was feeding him spoonful after spoonful of food.

After unleashing an attack of that level, Yake's stamina had been completely drained. He was now extremely weak and had been lying aboard the ship for a long time. It was clear that showing off came at a price.

"Captain, people all over the world are talking about you." Robin could not help wanting to laugh at Yake's current state. Usually, Yake was full of confidence, even somewhat proud. When had he ever looked like this, completely at others' mercy? Even Robin dared to speak loudly to him now.

"Hm? Talking about what?" Yake asked weakly, only for Robin to feed him another spoonful of rice.

"The beginning of the Worst Generation, the Demon God of Destruction..." Robin listed Yake's titles as though reciting treasured possessions.

"Stop, stop, I said stop. What kind of titles are those? They're so embarrassingly edgy." Yake's embarrassment exploded, making his head ache.

"Don't you love calling yourself a god?" Robin covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes curving into crescents.

"Trash like the Celestial Dragons dare call themselves gods. I just couldn't stand it, that's all. Enough, enough, I want meat!!" Yake forcibly tried to salvage his dignity and dodged Robin's approaching spoon.

"Hm?" Robin frowned and used Death Glare. Yake raised his hands in surrender.

Yake obediently ate three huge bowls with tears in his eyes. He had to admit, it was delicious.

"By the way, Robin, what do you think our next crewmate should be?" Yake wanted to ask for Robin's opinion. Although it was not that important, he still had to keep up appearances.

"Hmm... I'm not sure either. Maybe a cleaner?" Robin thought for a moment, but still could not come up with an answer.

"Aren't you the cleaner? What we need is a cook. That way, Robin-chan can focus on cleaning, serving tea, and pouring water. Hahaha—ugh... mm, I'm so tired. I want to sleep for a while." Yake laughed heartlessly until Robin's murderous gaze defeated him.

The Eternal Truth had docked at the backstreets of Water 7.

"What a spectacular sight. Robin, stay close to me." Yake and Robin had already put on masks. It was currently Water 7's Mask Carnival, and wearing masks would help disguise them and avoid causing unnecessary panic. After all, Yake was currently the subject of newspaper front pages.

Riding an animal called Bulu, the two traveled through the streets of Water 7.

"Robin, I heard this water-water meat tastes great. Buy more of it." As they passed a stall, sharp-eyed Yake immediately spotted the water-water meat he had long been craving. It had looked delicious when he watched the anime, and he had to try it today.

Water 7's peace and tranquility were inseparable from the governance of its mayor, Iceburg-Franky. Pirates rarely caused trouble in this city, and the people all wore happy smiles.

After playing around for an entire day, the two still felt they had not had enough. Even the mature and aloof Robin was very happy today. Their laughter filled every corner of the city, and even Yake failed to notice when his arm naturally slipped around Robin's shoulders.

Amazon Lily.

Boa Hancock tossed and turned in bed. Seeing Yake's deeds in the newspaper today had naturally filled her with delight. She felt immensely proud that her man had accomplished something so earth-shaking. But what troubled her was that Yake had caused such a huge commotion without even telling her.

"Mmm... I really want to see Yake. I wonder how he's doing now..." Hancock murmured.

At this moment, Yake stood before Franky Family's Scrapyard. Robin had already gone to rest, while Yake had something more important to do.

Since he had come all the way to Water 7, he had to obtain Pluton's blueprints before leaving.

Although he was not interested in Pluton itself, he was interested in Pluton's technological tree. Whether for trade or building weapons himself, it would be a good choice.

"Hey! Everyone inside, listen up! You're surrounded!" Yake shouted from outside the door.