The year 1509 of the Sea Circle Calendar is coming to a close.
The widely watched Battle of the New World has concluded, with Kaido being captured by the Marines. This marks Kaido's ninth encounter with arrest.
On the front page of the World Economic News, a hazy photo takes the spotlight.
The sky was filled with ominous clouds as Atlas and Kaido's silhouettes could be faintly discerned. A nearly piercing sword wound stood out on Kaido's chest. Atlas, donned in a cloak of justice, gripped the Kaminari in his hand. Kaido's blood emphasized the Marine's heroic stance from any perspective.
Morgans lamented that despite his careful approach to the battlefield, the intensity of the duel between the two was overwhelming. The photo, taken at the safest distance, was the clearest he could manage, but for someone striving for perfection, he couldn't fully accept it.
With the publication of this newspaper, Atlas, recently appointed as the Marine's new Candidate Admiral, gained fame once again!
From the Four Blues to the New World, pirates and Marines alike are buzzing about this event. The Marines in Logue Town, in particular, take great pride in it.
After all, this formidable Marine, who made waves, emerged from their base.
....
In East Blue, at Foosha Village.
The Partys Tavern, typically quiet with only a handful of patrons, was now alive with activity. Laughter, banter, and the sound of clinking glasses filled the air, and almost everyone seemed like strangers at first glance.
The residents were aware that a band of pirates had recently arrived, gathering at Makino's tavern. To prevent any trouble or harm to the village, they instinctively steered clear of it.
"Hey! Boss, today's new newspaper is here! Interested in giving it a read?"
A man with a Western-style sword at his waist, missing two front teeth, grinned and proudly lifted the newspaper to catch the attention of the red-haired man at the bar.
"I'm not in the mood to read. How about you read it aloud for me?"
The red-haired man waved his hand dismissively and spoke wearily without turning around.
Initially, he lingered in East Blue multiple times based on the captain's prophecy before departure. However, he failed to encounter the person the captain mentioned he was waiting for. A sense of frustration and doubt started to creep in.
'Could the captain have remembered it incorrectly? Never mind, let's stick around East Blue for a while.'
"Well, boss, what happened? You seemed pretty excited when you first got here."
The man with missing teeth felt a bit perplexed. It was his boss who wanted to explore the region, yet he appeared somewhat let down after chatting with the green-haired landlady.
"Ah, no worries. Just fill me in on what the newspaper says, alright?"
Sensing an awkward atmosphere, the red-haired man swiftly changed the subject with a smile.
"It's that Marine who frequently makes headlines. Quite a fearsome beast."
"Hey, what monumental feat did that fellow pull off this time?"
A portly man in a green and white striped shirt, donning a green hat, asked with curiosity as he chomped on a chicken leg.
Regarding the Marine mentioned by the Toothless Pirate, he had a vivid recollection, especially from the recent event of defeating Shiki the Golden Lion, one of the three legendary pirates from the old era. The Marines went all out to broadcast it, and it left a lasting impression worldwide. They were quite impressed with the rising Marine star.
"It's nothing remarkable. Just had a three-day, three-night brawl with Kaido, and then teamed up with Garp to apprehend him."
Puff!!
"What did you just say!?"
"Hey! Are you pulling our legs!?"
Panic ensued, with some even spewing wine from their mouths onto their companions' faces, but that wasn't enough to convey their astonishment.
Even if Shiki was a pirate from the old era with legendary status, he is a old guy.
But Kaido is different. As a Sanko, posing a threat in the New World, even though they've never ventured there, occasional legends from the first half of the Grand Line have made them acutely aware of the dread associated with the Sanko.
"Dahahaha! Canos Atlas? What a complete monster."
The red-haired man also sighed, being quite familiar with Shiki. Since the last report of the old guy being defeated by a young Marine, he had kept a closer eye on Atlas.
But when he discovered that the guy was actually several years younger than him, the red-haired man was filled with emotions. Growing up on Roger's ship since childhood, aside from a few individuals, he had never witnessed someone becoming such a monster before his eyes.
Snapped!
Suddenly, a man in black at the corner lit a cigarette for himself and spoke slowly.
"It's not surprising. Having the strength to defeat a pirate like Shiki head-on, it's only natural!"
"Brother Atlas? Is he the Marine you're discussing?"
Makino, behind the bar, overheard the pirates' open conversation and couldn't help but inquire.
"Eh? Do you guys know each other?"
The red-haired man lifted the straw hat on his head, a bit surprised.
"Yeah, Brother Atlas has visited Windmill Village twice. He's a really respectable Marine."
Makino smiled gently and then went back to her duties.
Atlas left a positive impression on Makino both times. Whether he was dealing with bandits or jesting with Luffy, it was evident that Atlas possessed decency and resilience.
"Yeah?"
The red-haired man grinned, growing increasingly curious about the young Marine. However, he hadn't entertained the thought of provoking him yet. Knowing that the guy had a disdain for pirates, he didn't want to stir up trouble.
"Boss, feeling a bit jealous, huh? Hahahaha!"
"Boss, no need to worry. Let's take down that Marine together, and Miss Makino will be yours!"
"Yes, yes, boss, you've been single for so many years, hahahaha!"
The pirates, caught up in the excitement, didn't pay much mind and shouted and cheered one after another.
At that moment.
Bang-dang!
"Excuse me!"
A slender and wiry figure entered the tavern. Higuma, a bandit loitering near Windmill Village, had been feeling quite uneasy lately. Despite having control over the nearby bandits, he found himself unable to extend his influence to Colubo Mountain. The Dadan family, who didn't appear much like pirates, had been a hindrance to his plans.
"Eh?" Higuma raised his eyebrows, grinning slightly. "Hey, hey, hey, so this is a pirate. First time seeing one. He looks pretty dumb!"
"Um!!?"
The pirates who were jesting moments ago suddenly went silent, observing Higuma quietly as he advanced toward their boss.
"We're bandits. We're not here to rob anyone today. Sell us ten barrels of your booze!"
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