Half a month had passed since Uta formed a band with Nami and the others, and their novel musical style had already spread around the world.
These songs had all stood the test of the market in Blue Star's entertainment-driven environment. Their impact on this world was far greater than expected.
Unofficial fan groups sprang up one after another, and plenty of people were already commenting that they might eclipse Kessoku Band.
But since they catered to different niches, the two bands had not become direct competitors.
The reason people said they might eclipse the band, rather than Shining...
Was that Shining's attempt to "talk" Red-Haired into backing down a few days ago had caused far too much of a stir.
The strategic-scale supernatural phenomenon had been observed by many people from different angles and regions. It had monopolized the major newspapers' headlines for three whole days.
Some people were beginning to call "Satellite Shining" the new "strongest," though that view was still confined to a small minority.
What was almost universally accepted, however, was that "Deathly Lightning" unquestionably rivaled the admirals and emperors, cementing his title as the "strongest Shichibukai."
Not a single Shichibukai had publicly voiced any objection.
Apart from one stubborn birdman who was quietly fanning the flames, though, the other newspapers were all singing the praises of the Seven Warlords of the Sea system.
After all, the successive downfalls of several Shichibukai had damaged the World Government's reputation in that regard. It needed to salvage some dignity.
So although the Five Elders thought Shining had gone too far, they held their noses and accepted it. They were even seriously considering inviting this elusive fellow to become an honorary Celestial Dragon.
But when they called, "Shining" silenced them with a line that was distinctly his own: "A