Two days later, newsbirds soared across the sky, delivering the latest headlines. Many sailors, merchants, and pirates alike handed over a hundred Berries to the birds, receiving newspapers that carried tales from across the seas.
On the Oro Jackson, Gol D. Roger's pirate ship, the crew was in their usual relaxed state. Rayleigh, the first mate, held a fresh newspaper in his hands, skimming its pages as Roger leaned closer with his characteristic curiosity.
"Rayleigh, anything interesting today?" Roger asked, a wide grin plastered on his face.
Rayleigh adjusted his glasses, casually flipping through the pages. "Who knows? It's probably just Marine movements or another skirmish between pirate crews. Nothing too surprising."
But as his eyes landed on the front page, Rayleigh's expression changed instantly. His calm demeanor was replaced with shock as his pupils narrowed, locking onto the bold headline.
"The Flying Pirates clash with Marine Vice Admiral Aizen—Golden Lion defeated!"
Below the title was a vivid image of Aizen, standing tall and unyielding, holding the defeated Golden Lion Shiki with one hand as he walked toward the Marine G-3 Branch.
Rayleigh froze, re-reading the title to ensure his eyes weren't deceiving him. "Roger… Golden Lion is dead," he said gravely, holding the paper up for Roger to see.
Roger's playful grin vanished. "What did you say?" He snatched the newspaper and stared at the headline. His brows furrowed as he scanned the details, and when his eyes locked on the image of Aizen, his disbelief only grew.
Golden Lion Shiki, one of the most fearsome pirates of their time, a rival to Roger himself, was dead. The reality was undeniable.
"This brat…" Roger muttered, his voice carrying a mix of admiration and bewilderment. "He's the same kid who came aboard our ship not too long ago. How long has it been since then?"
Rayleigh nodded, his gaze serious. "Not long. Back then, he was strong, sure, but not on our level. Now, he's taken out someone like Shiki. His growth is terrifying."
Roger leaned back, scratching his chin as a smirk slowly returned to his face. "At this rate, Marine won't waste time. They'll want to make him Admiral as soon as possible."
Rayleigh chuckled, folding the newspaper. "If he isn't already on that path, I'd be shocked. That boy is going to shake the world."
---
Meanwhile, aboard the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's flagship, a similar reaction was unfolding.
Marco, Whitebeard's right-hand man and ship's doctor, stood next to his captain, holding the same newspaper in his hand. His usually calm expression was tinged with disbelief.
"Pops," Marco said, breaking the silence. "Golden Lion Shiki… he's dead. And it was Aizen who killed him."
Whitebeard took a long swig from his sake jug, his eyes narrowing slightly. His imposing frame didn't shift, but the gravity of the news clearly registered.
"Aizen, huh?" Whitebeard rumbled. His deep voice carried both respect and intrigue.
Marco, still holding the newspaper, clenched his fists. He hadn't forgotten his last encounter with Aizen. Back then, he had been utterly outclassed, crushed in a one-sided battle. Though Whitebeard himself hadn't taken the loss seriously, Marco had been training relentlessly since that day, hoping to narrow the gap between them.
And yet, this news was a bitter pill to swallow. The gap hadn't shrunk—it had widened. Aizen had defeated Shiki, a man whose strength rivaled even Whitebeard's.
Marco's voice faltered as he spoke. "I've been working nonstop, honing my Haki and Devil Fruit abilities, but… no matter how much I grow, he's always several steps ahead. He's already surpassed anything I could've imagined."
Whitebeard gave a low chuckle, setting his jug down. "Gurararara! Don't let it get to you, Marco. That boy's got something special. The world's shifting, and he's going to be at the center of it. But you… you've got your own path to carve."
Marco nodded, though his frustration was evident. He couldn't shake the feeling of being left behind, but his captain's words gave him a small measure of comfort.
Across the seas, from pirates to Marines, the name Aizen was on everyone's lips. His meteoric rise, his shocking strength, and his decisive victory over the Golden Lion had sent ripples through the world.
Aizen had proven himself not just a rising star, but a force capable of shaking the very foundations of the era.