Chapter 143

……

A distant, remote island in the No-Wind Zone: Amazon Lily.

Inside the palace of Shendao.

"The Navy heroes Karp and Admiral Akainu failed to capture him. The Traveler Luo En has officially declared his break with the Navy and announced his intention to enter the Grand Line. Will he become a pirate because of this? Will this North Blue incident become the opening chapter of a brand-new legend upon the seas?"

Old Lady Niu, leaning on her cane, read from the newspaper: "Or… will the seas welcome a fifth Emperor?"

One of the Shichibukai, the Empress Boa Hancock, lounged lazily upon the throne, listening as Old Lady Niu read aloud from the newspaper.

At this, she slightly opened her eyes—her deep blue irises held a breathtaking beauty.

"A fifth Emperor?"

Sandersonia was startled.

"That guy named Luo En only appeared recently, didn't he?"

"These newspapers are just exaggerating."

Marigold, arms crossed, flicked her serpent's tongue: "Just because some random guy shows up, you think he's qualified to compete for that position? To reach Emperor-level power, having mere personal strength is nowhere near enough."

"Snake Queen, what do you think?"

Old Lady Niu looked up at Hancock.

Sitting upon the throne, Hancock propped her cheek with one hand, half-closed her beautiful eyes, her demeanor languid, cold, and haughty—yet radiating exquisite beauty and allure.

"So what if a fifth Emperor appears upon the seas?"

Hancock said coldly. "What does it have to do with me?"

"How can it not? You're one of the Shichibukai!" Old Lady Niu thumped her cane, gazing up at Hancock with exasperation. "If the balance among the Shichibukai, the Four Emperors, and the Navy is shattered, the power structure of the seas could spiral into chaos—can Amazon Lily still maintain its peace and stability? You're the ruler of this island, Snake Queen! Show some concern for matters of this magnitude!"

"Call me Snake Queen, my lord!"

Hancock glanced at her coldly. "I don't need you to tell me how to act."

"No matter how the seas change, I will protect this island."

She rose from the throne, her long black hair cascading to her waist, her skin flawless and pale as snow. Combined with her peerless beauty and towering, statuesque figure, the title of "World's Most Beautiful Woman" was utterly deserved.

With one hand on her hip and her upper body arched backward, she pointed a single finger downward at Old Lady Niu, her tone haughty: "I am strong enough, and beautiful enough—so whatever I do, I will always be forgiven!"

"Ah~ Snake Queen, my lord, what a magnificent posture~~"

Sandersonia and Marigold gazed at her, their faces filled with rapturous adoration.

…………

Inside the gloomy castle of Kuraigana Island.

"Oh? A slash that cleaved through thousands of meters of sea, wreathed in black flame…"

Mihawk stared at the newspaper, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Luo En, the 17-year-old great swordsman… interesting."

"Can you become my opponent?"

Mihawk set down his black tea, picked up the Black Blade Yoru—one of the Eleven Supreme Grade Swords—slung it onto his back, donned his black top hat, and walked toward the door.

Bearing the title of the strongest, lonely at the summit, he had not encountered a worthy opponent in a long time.

It was truly boring.

…………

Dressrosa.

"That kid actually obtained Kizaru's power?!"

Doflamingo clenched the newspaper, his expression dark enough to drip water.

"Doflamingo?"

Tobirami, dripping snot, looked at him.

"That kid—only six years have passed, and now he's grown strong enough to withstand a single blow from Akainu, that monster…?"

Doflamingo gritted his teeth, his face dark.

"Just how terrifying is this kid's potential?!!"

For the first time, he felt a chilling threat emanating from afar.

"Master, though he's strong, he's still only one man."

Diamante growled, "If he dares come to the New World, to Dressrosa… we'll strike together and exterminate him."

All other Donquixote Family officers turned their gaze toward Doflamingo, seated upon the throne, shrouded in darkness.

Doflamingo lowered his head, then began to laugh wildly: "Fufufu."

"We don't need to act. The World Government and the Navy won't allow a fifth Emperor to arise. The Four Emperors likely won't permit it either!"

"Fufufufufu."

"A 17-year-old Emperor? Fufufu, what a joke—how could the old men in the World Government possibly allow it?"

Doflamingo raised his head, grinning wildly: "If that kid dares enter the Grand Line and the New World, unless he stays in the sky forever, he'll face a united strike from the Navy, the Shichibukai, and even the Four Emperors!"

"But what if he joins one of the Four Emperors?"

Tobirami couldn't help asking.

"Impossible. Even Whitebeard won't tolerate him now."

Doflamingo shook his head.

If a Emperor-level faction were to absorb a figure of top-tier strength, top-tier ability, who is on the verge of becoming an Emperor himself—and is so young—

It would terrify the other three Emperor factions, and the Navy would never allow it. In the end, all sides would break the balance and launch a massive joint crackdown.

Even Whitebeard's crew, currently the strongest among the Four Emperors, could not withstand it.

"That kid is simply too obnoxious! His age, his strength, his ability—even his very existence—is already making some people uneasy!"

"If those fellows at the very pinnacle of power in this world view him with such wariness and refuse to tolerate him, then there will no longer be any place for him on these seas!"

"Fufufufufufu."

Listening to Doflamingo's wild, cackling laughter, the various officers of the Donquixote family exchanged glances, looking at each other in bewilderment.

【PS: Begging for some flowers, ratings, favorites, and subscriptions】

128. The brigade that descended from the heavens, bringing calamity upon the world!

Indeed, it was exactly as Doflamingo had said.

After learning of the North Blue incident, the Five Elder Stars could not help but be enraged.

Amid their fury—

Upon learning of the deeds this 17-year-old youth named Luo En had done over the years, even the Five Elder Stars were somewhat shocked, and even more deeply wary of him.

At 11, he was only at a level comparable to a Captain of Marine Headquarters; in just six years, he had already grown capable of facing an Admiral head-on.

This kind of potential is truly far too terrifying!

And now he has also mastered the troublesome and vexing power of the Float-Float Fruit.

That possible reader of the Poneglyphs, the surviving remnant of Ohara—Nico Luo Bin—is also still aboard his ship!

It's simply a gathering of troubles all in one place!

Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Garp were both summoned by Kong and given a thorough dressing-down.

Garp, who had proposed the special-recruit intern suggestion back then, was also verbally held accountable. Originally, he was to be sent back to reflect on his conduct for a period, but considering the current situation, they could only let the matter drop.

"The World Government has already issued an order: the Traveler Luo En is to be designated as a most heinous great criminal, intending to disrupt the justice of the Government. His bounty is to be raised, and the Marines are commanded to prioritize his elimination above all else; capture is secondary."

World Government Commander-in-Chief, Steel-Bone Kong, stood with arms crossed, looking at Sengoku and Garp before him, and said in a heavy voice.

That very day, along with the news leaking out from Marine Headquarters—

Large numbers of News Coos once again took flight toward every corner of the world.

【After the North Blue Incident, the bounty on the Float-Float Fruit user, the Traveler Luo En, has been raised once again!】

【Marine Headquarters has issued bounties on all of the Traveler Luo En's companions! The Traveler Luo En's companions' information has been fully exposed!】

【Marine Headquarters has confirmed the codename for the Traveler Luo En and his companions—the Sky Calamity Brigade!】

【Now announcing the bounty amounts for all members!】

【Sky Calamity Brigade—Captain Luo En, codename "Traveler," bounty: 670,000,000 Berries!

Sky Calamity Brigade—Member, Nico Luo Bin, codename "Devil of Ohara," bounty: 130,000,000 Berries!

Sky Calamity Brigade—Member, Dual-Wielding Blue-Haired Swordswoman (name unknown), bounty: 85,000,000 Berries!

Sky Calamity Brigade—Member, Conis, codename—Iron Witch, bounty: 80,000,000 Berries!

Sky Calamity Brigade—Member, Jewelry Bonney, codename—Glutton Woman, bounty: 65,000,000 Berries!】