Holy Land Mariejois.
The Five Elders wore grim expressions.
"What's the response?"
"The Navy's reputation has taken a big hit, while the Sun and Moon Pirates have reached the peak of fame. The titles of their key members have been universally acknowledged across the seas." The intelligence officer lowered his head, not daring to meet the gaze of the Five Elders.
He felt puzzled. Why were they helping to boost the fame of Kuke and the Sun and Moon Pirates?
These titles—
They were more imposing than those of Whitebeard, Kaido, or even Shiki.
"Rising fame is exactly what we want."
The Five Elders waved for the intelligence officer to leave.
Once they were alone in the office, one of them spoke up:
"Since we can't eliminate the Sun and Moon Pirates in the short term, and we can't cover up the incident, we should inflate their reputation. Elevate them to the highest level, and create friction between them and the other pirates."
The Five Elders weren't boosting Kuke's fame without reason.
Which pirate could resist the lure of fame?
"Reports say that the Sun and Moon Pirates have entered the New World. Normally, new powerhouses tend to clash with the other Emperors. We'll add fuel to the fire and make them fight each other."
"Keep spreading the news that the Sun and Moon Pirates are the strongest crew, that Kuke is the strongest man among the Emperors. Let's see if he can live up to it."
The Five Elders had temporarily dismissed the idea of sending forces to hunt down Kuke.
But they weren't ready to just let things go either.
They decided to use the other pirates, the other Emperors, to their advantage.
The attention of the world was already focused on the Sun and Moon Pirates.
With the World Government's massive influence, it would be easy to provoke some discussions.
Soon enough—
The whole sea was abuzz.
"Kuke is the strongest man. What's Whitebeard compared to that? Sengoku fought Whitebeard countless times, and Whitebeard never managed to kill him. Kuke did."
"You can't say it like that. Kuke killed Sengoku through ambush and outnumbering him. It wasn't a fair one-on-one fight."
"I admit Kuke is strong, but I don't think he's stronger than Whitebeard. The world's strongest man is still Whitebeard."
"Then tell me, who has Whitebeard killed that's as notable? Any admirals? A Fleet Admiral?"
The arguments raged on.
Roughly seventy percent still believed Whitebeard was stronger.
Whitebeard's decades-long reputation couldn't be shaken overnight.
Meanwhile, Kuke had only been on the seas for less than two years.
The fact that, in those two years, his fame nearly rivaled Whitebeard's was itself a miracle.
"The Sun and Moon Pirates are the strongest crew. Phoenix Empress Gion, Queen Stussy, Witch Shakky, Empress Hancock... Every one of them is a powerhouse. How do members of other pirate crews even compare to them? Among the Emperors, the Sun and Moon Pirates are number one."
"Not necessarily. The Whitebeard Pirates have over a dozen division commanders, each a monster, plus tens of thousands of crew members. Kaido's Beast Pirates have their three All-Stars—none of them are weak. And Big Mom's Sweet Commanders are all legendary monsters. The Sun and Moon Pirates may be strong, but they lack numbers. They aren't necessarily stronger than the others, and they're certainly not the strongest yet."
"There are four Emperors, and the Sun and Moon Pirates are the fourth. Even if they're not the weakest, they definitely aren't the strongest."
"Kuke also isn't the strongest. Each of the other Emperors has a claim to being the strongest. What does Kuke have? The strongest swordsman? But he hasn't defeated Mihawk, nor did he beat Red-Haired Shanks last time. He can't be called the strongest swordsman."
"Even in terms of bounties, Kuke's bounty is the lowest among the Emperors."
The World Government subtly fanned these discussions.
Such debates could be heard everywhere.
Many people joined in the conversation.
"The strongest pirate crew?"
Kaido of the Beasts heard the news.
He scoffed dismissively.
"I acknowledge the Sun and Moon Pirates, and I acknowledge Kuke's qualification to be an Emperor of the Sea, but he's only the fourth Emperor. He just arrived in the New World and thinks he can get on top of me? Dream on."
He didn't even recognize Whitebeard as the strongest man.
He certainly wouldn't recognize Kuke.
"Someone's trying to hype up the Sun and Moon Pirates. That bastard Kuke wants to step on us to become the King?" Kaido slowly clenched his fist.
"This is too arrogant. He's barely arrived in the New World, and he's already losing patience," King said coldly.
The King of the Seas could only be Kaido.
Not Kuke.
"I'm curious about him too. Let's see if he can keep his throne as Emperor of the Sea." Kaido couldn't stand it any longer.
After months of searching, he still hadn't obtained anything from the so-called "legacy" of the Sun and Moon Pirates.
All he had was frustration.
Now, with this provocation—
"Just because you killed Sengoku with tricks, you think you're invincible? Ridiculous. If you lack the strength, I'll take what I want." Kaido had never given up on the Phoenix Zoan Fruit or the Op-Op Fruit.
Kaido transformed into a dragon once again, soaring into the sky, leaving his lair.
He was soon spotted.
Word spread quickly that Kaido was heading toward the Sun and Moon Pirates to take their crew members.
The entire sea was shaken.
Big Mom Pirates
"Mama... It seems Kuke is aiming for the title of Pirate King," Big Mom said, after getting word of the situation.
"Mama, if Kuke's aiming for Pirate King, he will definitely come after us." The eldest son's face was grim. He felt uneasy at the thought of a confrontation between their family and the Sun and Moon Pirates.
To become Pirate King—
The first condition was obtaining all four Road Poneglyphs.
One of them was in Big Mom's possession.
None of them could be missing.
"In three months, during the tea party, invite the Sun and Moon Pirates. If he wants my Road Poneglyph, then I want his genes. If he doesn't satisfy me, and can't protect Stussy, then he better obediently join my family," Big Mom said, her eyes bloodshot with greed and malice.
Big Mom made sure that news of her invitation to Kuke spread throughout the sea.
They were both Emperors.
Big Mom was certain Kuke wouldn't refuse. If he did, it meant he was scared.
And if he was scared—
Then he had no business being an Emperor of the Sea. He should leave the New World and go back to where the rookies belonged.
Whitebeard Pirates
"Old man, Kuke is too arrogant. He's acting like we don't matter, but the title of strongest man isn't his," Diamond Jozu said, fuming with anger.
The title of strongest man could only belong to Whitebeard. It was his honor, and no one should even think of taking it away.
"Oh?"
Whitebeard was indifferent.
The moment Kuke killed Sengoku, Whitebeard knew this day would come—he knew Kuke would eventually come to challenge him.
He just hadn't expected it to be so soon.
"I don't know where he gets his confidence from. The tricks he used against Sengoku won't work on me," Whitebeard said, unafraid. He had never feared anyone.
Compared to the rumors—
Whitebeard cared about one thing: "Marco, still no news?"
Before, he hadn't been worried.
But seeing that Kuke was still alive had changed that.
Marco had gone to find the remnants of the Sun and Moon Pirates. Even if there had been conflict, Whitebeard believed Marco could escape.
But Kuke was still alive.
And Marco had mysteriously disappeared for three months.
Whitebeard couldn't help but suspect that Marco's disappearance was directly linked to Kuke and the Sun and Moon Pirates.
The Vivre Card Marco had left behind was constantly in a wounded state.
Whitebeard's eyes narrowed.
His overwhelming aura caused the very climate to react.
The winds howled, the sea surged.
It was clear now.
Something had happened to Marco, and it definitely involved Kuke.
"Father, we should go look for the Sun and Moon Pirates. How dare they hurt Marco? They must give us an explanation." The division commanders, loyal as brothers, were indignant, all pleading to Whitebeard.
"Where would we even look?"
Whitebeard retorted.
The vast ocean.
Even the World Government and Navy couldn't find them—how could they?
"Then what do we do? Marco shouldn't be wounded like this. He must be in real trouble."
Whitebeard's aura grew even fiercer.
"If he wants to be the strongest man, if he wants it—he can come and take it." Whitebeard's imposing voice echoed across the sky.
Soon, word of it spread.
His plan was simple—rather than seeking out the Sun and Moon Pirates, he would wait for Kuke to come to him.
Within just three days—
Three of the Emperors had extended invitations to the newly crowned Emperor of the Sea, Kuke.
The sea was in an uproar.
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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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