The New World, Moby Dick.
After reading the newspaper, Whitebeard tilted his head back, took a big gulp of wine, and then burst into laughter.
The laughter made the ship tremble slightly.
Marco leaned against the ship's railing, a newspaper in his hand, a helpless smile on his lips.
" Pops, what are you laughing at?"
"That brat, Laughing Roy!"
Whitebeard slammed the newspaper on the table.
He faced four Admiral in the navy and still managed to escape unscathed, stealing the Heavenly Tribute " and smashing up the auction house—he's even more arrogant than I was back in the day!
Marco picked up the wanted poster on the table. Roy's picture came into view, and the string of zeros below it made his eyes dizzy.
" Pops! Roy's bounty is now second only to yours!"
Whitebeard took another swig of wine:
The amount of the reward doesn't prove anything.
The important thing is that he dared to mess with the Celestial Dragons and take hostages in front of Marine Admiral.
That kind of courage—few people on this vast ocean possess it.
Marco stared at the photo of the collapsed auction house in the newspaper and remained silent for a moment.
Roy has grown to this level, and his pirate crew continues to expand.
Hachinosu has become an undeniable force in the New World.
Onigashima.
Kaido crumpled the newspaper into a ball and threw his head back, laughing wildly.
Laughter echoed across the Onigashima, causing stalactites in the cave to fall in a rustling sound.
" Roy! He really is a madman!"
"Hehehehe!"
"Only those who deserve to be my allies! Weaklings are unworthy to stand alongside the Beasts Pirates!"
Jin took the newspaper, quickly glanced through it, and frowned slightly.
"Boss Kaido, Roy's abduction of the Heavenly Tribute might affect our relationship with Hachinosu."
"What's there to be afraid of!"
Kaido took another swig of sake.
"Although Roy seems reckless in his actions, he has never made a mistake in anything he does."
Besides, I'd love for the World Government to fall into chaos!
The more chaotic, the better!
The more chaotic things get, the greater the chance of starting a war!
Totto Land, Whole Cake Island.
Big Mom sat on her throne, a newspaper in her hand, her eyes gleaming with greed.
"Oh my god! That brat Roy has caused such a commotion again!"
Her finger traced Roy's photo in the newspaper, a candid shot of Roy's profile at the auction.
"He stole the World Government's Heavenly Tribute this time; that guy must have a lot of good stuff hidden away!"
Perospero stood to the side, licking his lollipop, a sinister smile on his face as always.
"Mom, are you trying to make a deal with Roy?"
"Trade?"
Big Mom's smile widened.
"Wouldn't a marriage alliance be better?"
"If Roy marries one of my daughters, the treasure trove of Hachinosu will be mine. A son-in-law of Four Emperors caliber, plus his subordinates—with Hachinosu and Totto Land joining forces, the entire ocean will be ours!"
Perospero's smile deepened.
He knew his mother was up to her old tricks again.
However, he knew even better that Roy wasn't the kind of man who would easily live off a woman.
Floating islands.
The Golden Lion looked at the newspaper, his brow furrowed.
He sat by the window, clutching the crumpled newspaper in his hand, his gaze lingering on Roy's photograph for a long time.
So many years have passed since the time of Rocks, and he has never encountered such a troublesome being.
Even when facing Roger back then, he never felt this kind of apprehension.
He could foresee that in the not-too-distant future, Roy, this young man, and his Hachinosu would become the key to changing the entire landscape of the ocean.
And he, the Golden Lion, must find his place in this impending wave.
Marine Base around the Four Blues are under full martial law, and all warships are on standby.
The Heavenly Dao Emperor, with a bounty of 4.5 billion Beli, has become the most terrifying name in the hearts of all the rank-and-file soldiers in the Navy.
However, among ordinary people, the opinions are quite the opposite.
Nobles and slave owners viewed Roy as a demon, one of the most terrifying types of pirates—a desperate madman who dared to kill Celestial Dragons and steal Heavenly Tribute.
But those ordinary people oppressed by the World Government, the villages and towns enslaved by the Celestial Dragons,
The impoverished people, suffocating under the Heavenly Tribute Celestial Dragons, regarded Roy as a hero who rebelled against them.
" The Heavenly Dao Emperor actually killed Celestial Dragons!"
Finally, someone dares to touch those Celestial Dragons, the Celestial Dragons!
Of course, some people idolize Roy, while others fear Roy.
The man who caused this tremor was standing on the deck of the Ark Maxim, gazing at the azure sea below.
The Log Pose, pointing straight to the seabed— Fish-Man Island.
"All personnel prepare to descend!" Roy's voice rang out on the deck.
The Ark Maxim's hull, wrapped in bubble wrap, slowly sank into the deep sea at a depth of ten thousand meters.
Darkness surged in from all directions, and enormous Sea Kings swam in the distance, with an occasional streak of eerie blue light drifting past the ship.
Even someone as fearless as Yamato couldn't help but cling to the ship's railing, staring wide-eyed at this unprecedented deep-sea spectacle.
"Wow--that Sea Kings is huge!" Her voice held no fear, only pure excitement.
Finally, a huge double-layered sphere emerged at the edge of the deep sea.
Sunlight refracted from the sea surface, enveloping the underwater city in a hazy glow.
The coral towers of the Ryugu Palace soar into the clouds, and the massive main gate of the Dragon Palace is solemn and magnificent. Guards dressed in the traditional costumes of Fish-Man Island stand in formation on both sides of the harbor.
Jinbe was the first to jump off the ship and gave a few instructions to a messenger at the port.
The messenger paused for a second, then turned and ran off.
A moment later, a long, drawn-out horn sounded throughout the entire Ryugu Palace.
When Roy and his companions entered the main hall of the Ryugu Palace, the scene before them exceeded everyone's expectations.
King Neptune himself stood at the entrance of the palace to greet them. The Merfolk king was a tall and imposing man with a thick orange beard that reached his chest. Behind him were three princes, and on both sides were the royal guards standing in neat rows.
" Captain Roy!" Neptune's voice was deep and powerful, "Welcome to Fish-Man Island!"
Roy nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Neptune's gaze swept over Roy's companions behind him.
Yamato carried a spiked club, the Hancock Sisters followed behind Roy, and the Mink Tribe warrior Wolfgang warily surveyed their surroundings.
"Please come in! A banquet has been prepared in the Ryugu Palace. We hope you will do us the honor of attending!"
Roy smiled and led his companions through the gates of the Ryugu Palace.
He knew that the banquet had been arranged in advance by Neptune, but he didn't expose it.
Some things are more natural to discuss at a banquet than in a meeting room.
The banquet hall of the Ryugu Palace is made of coral and crystal, and the Merfolk lighting illuminates the entire hall in a dreamlike blue.
The banquet table was laden with delicacies from the deep sea. Jinbe sat at the main table with Roy and several key officers, while the others were scattered across the other tables.
Yamato had already started drinking with several Fish-Man warriors, each holding a wine bowl.
After a few rounds of drinks, Roy noticed a small figure timidly peeking out from behind Neptune.
"That is..."