The Radiant Eclipse burst through the ocean's surface.
Kuke had already obtained information through Violet's abilities. The Navy's elite and the World Government's powerful figures had all returned to the Holy Land and Navy Headquarters.
"This ability is so convenient," Shakky couldn't help but marvel. No matter how excellent an intelligence officer might be, they could never compare to the power of the Glare-Glare Fruit.
"Sister Shakky, is there any news in the latest newspapers?" Kuke asked, curious to see how the World Government was portraying the Sabaody Archipelago incident.
They couldn't possibly cover it up.
"Yes," Shakky replied, taking out her notebook. When they were at Fishman Island, they couldn't get a newspaper, so she had used other channels to get the information.
"This time, the World Government is behaving a little unusually. They actually reported the full details of the incident, admitting Fleet Admiral Sengoku's death, the Navy's failure, and that establishing the Shichibukai was a mistake."
"Hmm?" Kuke was slightly surprised. It was indeed out of character for them.
"The World Government is being unusually honest this time? Not concerned about public opinion?" Gion seemed puzzled. In the past, the World Government would always try to cover things up or fabricate lies to mitigate the impact.
"The Sabaody Archipelago incident was witnessed by too many people. It was impossible to hide. Instead of making up lies, they chose to report it as it happened," Stussy said with a smirk. "It's their own fault—they wanted so badly to step on the captain that they ended up being the ones humiliated."
"I bet from now on, the first thing the Navy and World Government will do when they encounter the captain is immediately shut down the visual Den Den Mushi," Nico Robin said with a laugh, covering her mouth.
She realized that the World Government, which she used to fear like a monstrous beast, wasn't actually that terrifying. Ever since joining the Sun and Moon Pirates, they even seemed a bit... pathetic.
"The newspaper also made a point of emphasizing that we used despicable tactics, ambushing and overwhelming Sengoku to kill him—claiming we were dishonorable," Shakky continued.
Kuke simply chuckled.
"Pathetic attempts to defend themselves," Stussy remarked, showing pity for her former organization.
They were cornered, forced to use such pitiful methods to maintain their facade.
"By the way, Captain, you have a new title," Shakky added.
"What name have they come up with this time?" Kuke asked, expecting something like the previous "God Slayer."
"This time, it's a new title given by the World Government in their official paper." Shakky paused for a dramatic effect.
Kuke frowned slightly.
A title given by the World Government?
He didn't have high hopes for it. What decent title could the World Government possibly give him?
"The Dawn Emperor," Shakky announced solemnly.
"What? They're directly calling the captain an 'Emperor'?" All the women looked at Shakky in shock.
Could she be mistaken?
This kind of title—even those newspapers that tried to flatter Kuke wouldn't dare to use it.
And now the World Government was helping raise their captain's fame?
How could this be?
"The Dawn Emperor?" Kuke thought for a moment. It sounded a bit better than he had expected.
He hadn't anticipated that the World Government would suddenly become so humble. Could they be trying to negotiate peace with him? Expressing goodwill?
"Oh, and you all have titles too," Shakky said, looking at Gion and the others.
"Us?"
"Yes."
Shakky looked at Gion.
"Is it 'Peach Rabbit'?" Gion asked. Back when she was in the Navy, she was already vaguely referred to by that name.
"Phoenix Empress Gion."
"Empress?" A light blush appeared on Gion's delicate face.
Empress?
In some ancient countries, the Queen was also called Empress.
And Empress meant the king's wife.
So who was the king?
The king of the Sun and Moon Pirates was naturally Kuke.
Gion's gaze avoided Kuke's, but she accidentally met his eyes.
Had everyone figured out her relationship with Kuke?
"The 'Phoenix' part is because you have the Phoenix Zoan Fruit, and as our vice-captain, it's like you're the empress of a kingdom. It's not inaccurate," Shakky explained.
"I have to say, the World Government did a decent job with these names," Kuke commented, somewhat amused.
"Phoenix Empress Gion? Not bad."
"So, I'm the Phoenix Empress from now on," Gion smiled, exchanging a knowing look with Kuke—twenty years of understanding between them. They'd meet later that night.
Stussy and Hancock couldn't help but feel envious.
"What about us?" they asked.
"Stussy, you're called the Queen—Queen Stussy. It probably has to do with you being known as the Queen of the Pleasure District," Shakky told Stussy.
Stussy sighed. "I would have preferred Empress. Why couldn't it be Empress Stussy?"
Shakky then looked at Hancock.
"Hancock, you're titled Empress—likely because of your Conqueror's Haki, your kingly disposition, and your pride."
Hancock sighed as well. "Why couldn't there be a 'Queen' for me too?"
Shakky pretended not to hear and turned to Belo Betty.
"Enchantress Belo Betty."
"What? Enchantress? How does that even relate to me? Change it, change it!" Belo Betty protested.
Shakky shrugged. "Go tell that to the World Government. It's probably because of your Op-Op Fruit's teleportation and dissection abilities—they seem eerie and mysterious to others."
The other crew members stared at Shakky with eager eyes.
"What about us?"
"You don't have titles," Shakky said, crushing their hopes.
They all pouted, looking disappointed.
"By the way, Sister Shakky, what about you?" The ones involved in the Sabaody incident all had titles, except Shakky.
"Me?" Shakky sighed. "Witch. I was hoping to be called a Lady Bandit, but instead, I'm now a Witch. Maybe because the sight of me draining someone's blood is too gruesome."
Kuke: "..."
Lady Bandit, really?
Witch sounded just fine.
"These titles are not to be underestimated," Kuke said, looking at the women.
The Sun and Moon Pirates had truly made a name for themselves in one battle.
They had all become renowned figures on the Grand Line.
Phoenix Empress, Empress, Queen, Enchantress, Witch.
Each title carried a weight that spoke volumes.
"I must work hard too! I want a title of my own," Lily said, feeling fired up.
Even Makino, usually so indifferent, showed a hint of envy. Who wouldn't want their unique title to spread across the seas?
"Our bounties have also increased," Shakky said, flipping a page. "Gion: 2.2 billion Berries, an increase of 1 billion."
"Two billion Berries?" Violet's eyes widened in shock.
Back then, Doflamingo—who brought despair to Dressrosa—was only worth 300 million. Now, there was a sevenfold difference.
"Stussy: 1 billion Berries."
"Only a billion?" Stussy pouted in dissatisfaction.
"And me: also 1 billion," Shakky added, her bounty matching Stussy's.
"Hancock: 500 million Berries."
"I still need to work harder," Hancock said, her pride not allowing her to be weaker than the others.
"Belo Betty: 400 million Berries."
"I'm worth 400 million now?" Belo Betty said proudly, patting her chest.
After announcing the bounties, Shakky turned to Kuke.
All eyes were on her. "Captain, your bounty is 3.9 billion Berries."
Other members also had some increases in their bounties.
"The total bounty for our crew exceeds 10 billion," Shakky declared.
"That much?" Violet's mouth formed an 'O'.
Her worldview had been turned upside down.
And to think she was now part of the Sun and Moon Pirates—pride filled her heart.
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DONT FORGET POWER STONE FOR EXTRA CHAPTERS
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 154+ at patreon.com/Emik01.
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