As the News Coo worked tirelessly to cross the oceans during this time, newspapers still carrying the scent of fresh ink were delivered into the hands of powers great and small across the world.
The bold, eye-catching headline on the front page announced explosive news:
Chinjao had been defeated in a one-on-one battle.
And the one who had accomplished this astonishing feat was a rookie pirate named Dawn!
The World Economy News Paper devoted an entire page to the matter, even emphasizing Dawn's grand strategy of steadily consolidating and absorbing the West Blue's underworld forces as he advanced toward Reverse Mountain.
For the first time, the names and abilities of his subordinates were presented to the world with relative clarity.
The title of "the strongest rookie pirate in history" spread like wildfire.
(PS: The World Government isn't stupid. If they carefully studied the map, the protagonist's strategy couldn't possibly be hidden. Also, news of Rocks was erased on Imu's orders, so the protagonist having a 600 million bounty before even entering the Grand Line really does make him the strongest.)
New World, Sphinx Island.
The massive Moby Dick was docked beside a picturesque bay. On the seaside cliffs, the Whitebeard Pirates were holding a lively banquet.
At the center of the crowd, Whitebeard stood as imposing as a mountain, a broad captain's cloak draped over his shoulders. His slightly grayish blond hair hung loose, while his trademark crescent-shaped white mustache trembled faintly with every deep drink.
He glanced to the side, where Marco held the newspaper carrying Dawn's news high overhead.
"A rookie who hasn't even officially set foot in the Grand Line has already taken down that old bastard Chinjao... Tsk tsk, the strongest rookie pirate in history? That title is really exaggerated."
Marco spoke with a hint of