Chapter 182: The World's Greatest Swordsman
The battle was truly over when the Whitebeard Pirates departed.
Countless spies from various secret forces rushed to transmit reports or send out battle footage.
For a time, all major factions across the world were thrown into turmoil.
---
The News Spreads
"Big news! Big news! We must make this the front page headline for tomorrow!"
The News King, Morgans, was ecstatic as he read the latest reports.
He had followed the battle from the beginning, but he never expected such an anticlimactic ending.
The newspaper headlines were quickly drafted:
"Shock! The Navy Fleet Was Dispatched Because of That Man!"
"Shock! Whitebeard and Golden Lion Stopped Fighting Because of a Man!"
"Shock! The Man Who Made Both the Navy and Pirates Halt Their Battle—It's Him!"
With urgency, newspaper seagulls were sent out, spreading the story across the world.
---
Reactions Across the Seas
The Grand Line – Public Outrage
"This means what?! The navy lost to the pirates again?!"
Across countless taverns, angry voices erupted as people read the latest newspapers.
Bottles smashed, tables flipped, and frustration boiled over among the populace.
---
Totland – Cake Island
Since the Valley of the Gods incident, Charlotte Linlin had settled in the Totland Sea, successfully claiming Cake Island as her stronghold.
At this moment, she was noticeably larger, her belly bulging—evidence that she was pregnant.
"Well, well, well! Why did Charlotte interfere in the battle between Whitebeard, Golden Lion, and the Navy?! If they both suffered heavy losses, we could've taken the New World for ourselves!"
Charlotte Linlin was furious as she read the headlines.
When she was unhappy, she ate.
"Are you going to eat me?!"
The Homie cake in her hand cried out with joy as it was lifted toward her mouth.
"Lingling, you can't think like that! If Whitebeard and Golden Lion had been defeated by the Navy, the World Government would have regained control of the New World!"
Streusen, her long-time advisor, tried to calm her down.
"If the Navy regains control, Lingling, you'll never get to enjoy delicious cakes again!"
He deliberately emphasized the last part, knowing how to manipulate her.
Charlotte Linlin's anger softened as she took a massive bite of cake.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah! You're right! If the Navy enters the New World again, we'll have to act! We can't let that brat Charlotte take all the spotlight!"
She tossed the newspaper aside.
Nearby, several of her children were also reading the headlines.
"The World's Greatest Swordsman—Rockefeller Charlotte!"
A young man with a scarf muttered, his eyes fixated on the paper.
"Brother! What does 'The World's Greatest Swordsman' mean?"
A long-nosed girl next to him asked curiously.
"It means he's the strongest swordsman in the world—no one can beat him!"
The young man, Charlotte Katakuri, explained.
"Ohh! I see!"
The little girl, Charlotte Brûlée, nodded in understanding.
---
Wano Country – Onigashima
Kaido, who had recently claimed Onigashima as his base, read the newspaper with amusement.
"Wow! The World's Greatest Swordsman! What a resounding title! Ura-ra-ra-ra!"
He laughed, drinking heavily as he overlooked his newly constructed palace.
Beside him, Albert (Jhin) remained silent, gazing at the paper.
"...It's him."
Jhin muttered.
"The man who invaded the Punk Hazard lab before—no wonder he dared to challenge the World Government!"
With a flick of his flaming hand, Jhin burned the newspaper and returned to supervising the construction of their headquarters.
---
Kurozumi Siblings' Hideout
"Sister, should we go find Kaido? Look at Charlotte—he's become the World's Greatest Swordsman! Why don't we join him instead?"
Kurozumi muramaru, who had been idly watching workers build the island, suggested excitedly.
Bang!
"Idiot!"
A harsh slap landed across his face.
Kurozumi Murasaki glared at him, her expression filled with caution.
"He's already the World's Greatest Swordsman! If we go to him now, do you think he'd care about two nobodies like us?"
She looked around to make sure no one was listening before pulling her brother closer.
"We're tied to Kaido now. It's too late to switch sides. Kaido needs us—but Charlotte doesn't need us!"
Kurozumi Chanmaru nodded quickly, realizing his mistake.
"But sister… Kaido keeps asking about the Poneglyphs and Joy Boy. What should I tell him?"
His voice was filled with anxiety.
This was all because of a drunken slip during a conversation with Kaido.
Ever since then, Kaido had been obsessed with the topic.
Murasaki's eyes darkened.
"Tell him the Poneglyph is in Wano Country! If he wants it, he'll have to take Wano for himself!"
Her voice was cold and calculated.
"Understood, sister!"
---
South Blue – Roger Pirates' Hideout
"Roger! The battle between Whitebeard and Golden Lion didn't go as expected, huh?"
Silvers Rayleigh approached with a newspaper in hand.
Roger sat at a bar counter, deep in thought as he read the headlines.
"I didn't expect Charlotte to intervene…"
Roger muttered.
He had anticipated both Whitebeard and Golden Lion suffering heavy losses, but Charlotte's involvement had completely changed the outcome.
"Yeah! I didn't expect it either! But the title of 'The World's Greatest Swordsman'—that's interesting!"
Rayleigh mused, sipping his rum.
"Charlotte deserves that title."
Roger said after a moment.
"Hmm? Roger, do you really think Charlotte is that strong?"
Rayleigh was intrigued.
"I only met him once—back during the Valley of the Gods battle. But even then, he gave me a strange mysterious feeling, like he had everything planned out in his mind.
And his strength… even back then, it was terrifying."
Roger frowned slightly.
He couldn't figure Charlotte out—his motivations, his endgame.
Why did he step in? Why now?
It didn't make sense.
"I've heard shakky mention Charlotte often. People say he's unpredictable, always moving in ways no one can understand.
People like that… are the most dangerous."
Rayleigh set his glass down.
Roger remained silent, his gaze shifting toward a figure in the bar.
Rayleigh followed his line of sight and sighed.
Roger was infatuated.
Poor Rouge—she had no idea how unlucky she was to have caught Roger's attention.
To be continued…
---
Read up to 20 Chapters ahead on patreon.com/Fanglin
[Please leave a 5 Star review and power stone for this novel]
*Thank you*