Two days had passed, and the entire sea buzzed with excitement as newsbirds soared through the skies, delivering the latest headlines. The world was about to learn something shocking.
Among the many who grabbed a newspaper, Rayleigh of the Roger Pirates couldn't ignore the intrigue in Roger's voice.
"Rayleigh, has anything interesting happened lately?" Roger asked, leaning over his first mate's shoulder with curiosity.
Rayleigh, as calm and composed as ever, adjusted his glasses and opened the freshly printed paper. "Who knows? It's probably just Marine reports or some petty squabble between pirates."
But as soon as Rayleigh's eyes caught sight of the headline, his nonchalance disappeared, replaced by a stunned expression. His pupils narrowed as he read aloud the bold title dominating the front page:
**"Golden Lion Shiki Defeated—Marine Vice Admiral Aizen Emerges Victorious!"**
Underneath was a striking image of Aizen walking toward the G3 base, Golden Lion's unconscious body in tow.
Roger, noticing Rayleigh's reaction, leaned closer. "What is it? What's got you so rattled?"
Rayleigh handed the paper over. "You won't believe it... The Golden Lion—he's dead. And it was that boy, Aizen, who killed him."
Roger froze, taking in the news. Shiki, one of the most formidable pirates of their era, had been defeated. It was unthinkable. But there it was, laid out clearly by the World Economic News Agency, known for its reliable, unbiased reporting.
"He's dead..." Roger muttered. He had expected many things, but not this. He glanced back at Rayleigh, his voice heavy with disbelief. "And Aizen... that kid managed to do it?"
Rayleigh nodded. "Apparently, he used some kind of strange ability. According to the report, Shiki looked at Aizen's sword, and the next moment, he collapsed as though his mind shattered. They think it's the key to how Aizen won."
Roger clenched the paper tightly. "To think he's grown so much in such a short time... When he stood on our ship that day, I knew he'd be something special, but this? To kill Shiki..."
Rayleigh's tone grew serious. "That kind of ability—it's dangerous. If it's true that just looking at his sword and hearing a word is enough to incapacitate someone, it'll be nearly impossible to fight him without knowing the trick."
Roger grinned faintly, his admiration tinged with unease. "The young generation is shaping up to be something else. At this rate, he'll be an Admiral soon enough."
---
Meanwhile, aboard the Moby Dick, the Whitebeard Pirates had also received the news. Marco stood by Whitebeard's side, clutching the paper in disbelief.
"Pops, it's true. The Golden Lion is gone. That guy, Aizen, did it," Marco said, his voice mixed with awe and frustration.
Whitebeard read the report in silence, his expression unreadable. He finally spoke, his voice a deep rumble. "That boy... He keeps climbing higher. To think he's already at this level."
Marco clenched his fists. "He was already stronger than me before, but now... Now it feels like the gap is even wider. Even if I trained every day, I don't think I'd catch up."
Whitebeard glanced at Marco, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Don't let it bother you too much, Marco. Everyone grows at their own pace. But that boy... He's not just strong. He's dangerous. His mind is sharp, and he knows how to use it."
"But Pops, his new ability—it's terrifying. If someone doesn't know about it, they won't stand a chance," Marco argued.
Whitebeard nodded thoughtfully. "True. It's a dangerous weapon. But remember, Marco, every ability has its weakness. Someone will find it eventually."
---
Within the G3 base, Aizen stood in his personal quarters, inspecting the Adjuchas-level Hollow he had been experimenting on. The creature had grown maddened over time, despite the numerous souls he had fed it. It was clear now that the process had failed.
Stretching out his hand, Aizen whispered softly, "Hadō no Kyūjū—Kurohitsugi."
A black cube materialized, enveloping the Hollow entirely. In mere seconds, the technique obliterated it, leaving only the Hōgyoku in Aizen's hand.
Inspecting the Hōgyoku, Aizen murmured, "So that's why... The Hōgyoku consumed its consciousness. No matter how much I fed it, it was doomed to madness."
He placed the orb aside, his mind racing. Despite the minor setback, his plans were progressing well. The death of Golden Lion Shiki had already made him a central figure in the world. Admirals, pirates, and even the World Government now had their eyes on him.
Aizen's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Let them watch. For now, I'll let them think they know my strength. The real game is only just beginning."