Chapter 133

"Oh?"

…………

New World, Thousand Nations Seas.

"Mamamama, that Golden Lion Shi Ji is already ancient and useless—got killed by some sudden newcomer."

Bigmom laughed loudly as she stuffed cake into her mouth.

"After Golden Lion Shi Ji cut off his own legs to escape that underwater prison, he vanished from the seas for over twenty years; his strength inevitably declined—but this fellow named Luo En actually killed him. His power truly cannot be underestimated."

One of her Three Star Generals, her eldest son Xia Luote Katatsumuri, stood before her with arms crossed.

"Brother is right."

Xia Luote Krieger nodded in agreement: "I never expected such a powerful figure would emerge from the weak Four Seas."

"Mom, if we can recruit him to our Thousand Nations side, it would greatly boost our combat strength."

"He isn't even a pirate. He possesses immense power yet lingers in the Four Seas—I don't think he'll agree to join our Bigmom Pirates."

Katatsumuri shook his head.

"Mamamama, why think so much now? Wait until he enters the Grand Line. Has my pinecone cake been made yet?"

…………

New World, Red-Haired Pirates.

"Killed Golden Lion Shi Ji… quite an impressive feat."

Red-Haired Shanks, missing an arm, smiled at the newspaper in his hand. "There are more and more strong ones on this sea."

"Captain, do you still remember that navy recruit from five or six years ago?"

Beckman, chewing a cigar, looked at Shanks.

"Hmm… was there such a thing?"

Shanks thought for a moment, but had no recollection.

Laki Lu ate a chicken leg: "That navy recruit who was picked at age eleven? His name was… what was it again?"

"Luo En."

Beckman exhaled smoke.

"Yeah, that sounds right."

Laki Lu nodded, then froze: "Huh?"

Shanks and his companions stared at Beckman in surprise:

"Could this traveler Luo En be…?"

Ben Beckman, with his gray long hair, nodded: "Likely the same person."

"I kept an eye on him and investigated—he left the navy three years ago. Since then, both Moonlight Morya and Kroc Dahl suffered heavy losses at the hands of a mysterious teenager calling himself Traveler Luo En."

"Huh…"

Beckman blew a smoke ring: "I think it's him."

"By now, he should be about seventeen."

"Seventeen…"

Hearing his analysis and judgment, Jesusbo and Laki Lu exchanged glances, each seeing astonishment in the other's eyes.

"At seventeen, he possesses strength enough to kill Golden Lion Shi Ji… I'd really like to meet him."

Shanks' eyes held anticipation.

…………

New World, Wano Country, Beasts Pirates.

"So Shi Ji has become this weak? Vanished for so long, and suddenly the news is he was killed by some newcomer? How ridiculous!"

Kaido laughed loudly, drinking heavily from a giant gourd.

"If I'd known, he should've just joined me."

"Luo En… that name sounds familiar."

"Blaze" Jin spoke up.

Jack, arms crossed, sneered: "That old relic should've faded long ago—become ash of generations."

"What traveler Luo En? What mysterious strongman lurking between justice and evil in the Four Seas? Hah! I say he's just a coward too scared to enter the New World! He probably used some trick to kill that old man. If he dares come to the New World, I'll crush him into dust!"

Jack was as arrogant and volatile as ever today.

…………

Dressrosa.

Doflamingo, wearing flashy sunglasses and a pink feathered coat, sat cross-legged on a high throne, reading the newspaper.

"He even killed Golden Lion Shi Ji… this kid… has grown this strong already?"

Doflamingo's mind flashed back to the black-haired boy's gaze on that naval ship years ago.

A cruel, arrogant smile slowly curled his lips.

"That look… was it a promise to come settle accounts with me someday? Kid."

"Heheheheh, then I'll wait right here in this country for you to come."

As he let out his wild, arrogant laugh,

shadowed figures stood motionless in the great hall.

…………

First Half of the Grand Line, Devil's Triangle.

"That guy… actually killed the legendary pirate, Golden Lion Shi Ji?!!"

Gecko Moria held the newspaper, utterly horrified.

Perona recalled that figure seared into her heart by fear, cold sweat breaking out all over as well: "Moria, my lord, m-maybe we should just forget about revenge."

"W-what nonsense are you spouting! He nearly destroyed our ship!" Moria's voice came out sharp and rapid.

"B-but…"

"Revenge is definitely going to happen, but now is not the time." Moria spread his hands, grinding his teeth:

"Once I find a shadow suited for the demon Oars, and gather more corpses of the strong, I will definitely be able to take revenge on that guy, and on Kaidou too!"

"Oh right, Moria, my lord, aren't we going to go collect the Golden Lion's corpse?"

"Uh… that guy is still in the North Sea right now. Let's wait until he leaves the North Sea before we go look for Golden Lion Shi Ji's corpse."

…………

The first half of the Grand Line, Alabasta.

Crocodile, cigar clamped between his teeth and a black fur coat draped over his shoulders, clenched the newspaper in his hand, veins bulging on his forehead.

"That bastard…"

………………

The first half of the Grand Line, Sabaody Archipelago.

Inside Xia Qi's Bamboo-Cudgel Bar.

"After seven days of fierce battle, he actually killed that Golden Lion Shi Ji… I had guessed he would soon set the seas ablaze with his name, but I never imagined it would happen in this way…"

Rayleigh, sitting at the counter, gazed at the newspaper in his hand, a reminiscent smile crossing his face. Three years — it seems that kid has gotten a lot stronger again.

If he were to fight that kid again now, he'd probably have to take it seriously himself.

The only question is exactly how much strength he'd have to bring out — seventy percent, or eighty?

"Treading over the bones of the old generation's legends to open a brand-new chapter of legend."

Xia Qi blew out a smoke ring. "I rather like the sound of that. Now it all depends on how he composes his own legend."

"Xia Qi, what do you think that kid will choose — accepting his chains, or breaking them?"

Rayleigh asked with a smile, setting down the newspaper in his hand.

Xia Qi shook her head: "I don't know."

"We won't have to wait much longer to find out."

Rayleigh laughed and took a sip of his drink.

"A good show is about to begin on the seas."

………………

On this day, before the News Coo had even begun scattering this news across the world.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.