The third time-this is the current [Scholar] advancement quest. (Continued)

But the problem was...

"Obviously, [Flexible Tool Use] has a better skill effect than [Iron Fist]!"

Adrian was speechless.

"A Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit that should have developed mind, character, and body alike got used as a plain old Zoan. Even the pretty boy from Skull Island would give that a thumbs-down."

After some thought, he made his choice.

[You have gained the Specialty: Flexible Tool Use!]

Adrian casually drew the Black Blade, Nidai Kitetsu, at his side and gave it a few light swings around the room. He could vaguely sense that the Cursed Sword in his hand had grown a little stronger, and nodded in satisfaction.

The next morning.

News Coos blanketed the skies, carrying the full story of the Sabaody incident to every corner of the world.

"Celestial Dragon Slave"!

"White Ghost Scorns the Seven Warlords of the Sea System"!

"Public Auction"!

"Marine Fleet Admiral Brought Low by White Ghost, Admits Defeat!"

The news reports went on and on.

The least remarkable headline among them was "Army Admiral Dies at White Ghost's Hands"—the sort of bombshell that would have caused an uproar on any ordinary day.

Across the seas, from Paradise to the New World, from the West Blue to the East Blue, there was nowhere people failed to cheer over what had happened at the Sabaody Archipelago.

"White Ghost trampled the Celestial Dragons underfoot again!"

"Slaves? Hahaha! The Celestial Dragons can end up as someone else's slaves too?!"

“Why wasn't I there in the Field to see it for myself?!”

Still, quite a few people believed this was gossip fabricated by the World Economy News Paper. Some even thought it more likely that the paper had recycled an old story from years ago and put it back on the front page.

After all,