When countless News Coo delivered the reports about Caelan across the world, the entire sea was in an uproar.
No one could believe so many events had taken place in just two days.
Caelan defeated Silvers Rayleigh, attacked the Celestial Dragons, fought Borsalino, Sakazuki, and Garp, and even kidnapped a Marine Admiral candidate.
Each of these events alone would be enough for a pirate to boast about for a lifetime.
Yet, all of these feats were accomplished by a single bounty hunter in just two days.
No, he was no longer a bounty hunter. He was now the number one enemy of the World Government — the God Slayer!
No one could believe that someone would actually dare to attack and kill the Celestial Dragons.
The Celestial Dragons enjoy absolute privilege and cannot be offended!
Once offended, the Marines will respond with full force, even dispatching an Admiral personally.
This is a widely held understanding throughout the sea regarding the so-called "descendants of the Creator," the Celestial Dragons, who are known as the world's nobles.
But no one expected that Caelan, who had previously hunted pirates, would ignore the World Government and ruthlessly kill the Celestial Dragons.
Even more unexpected, despite the Marine Headquarters dispatching three top-tier fighters, Caelan escaped unscathed and even abducted a Rear Admiral candidate, dealing a heavy blow.
"Those Celestial Dragons are arrogant and commit all kinds of evil every day. Finally, someone has the guts to deal with them!"
"Creatures like the Celestial Dragons should've been wiped out long ago!"
"They deserved it!"
Countless people across the world cheered for Caelan's actions.
The slave trade worldwide is backed by the Celestial Dragons, and they monopolize most of the world's wealth.
For fun, they slaughter civilians without a second thought and take whatever they want.
Celestial Dragons can almost be called the root of all evil in this world, alongside the pirates that plague the seas. Together, they're seen as the two cancers of this era.
Now that Caelan has struck down the Celestial Dragons, it was a breath of relief for the common people.
...
Revolutionary Army.
Monkey D. Dragon looked down at the newspaper in his hands, visibly excited.
"Good, good kill!"
Dragon slapped his thigh, thrilled.
His friends, including Bartholomew Kuma and Ginny, had suffered under the Celestial Dragons.
For the sake of the Revolutionary Army's growth, he had been unable to make a move against them.
Now that Caelan had taken down two Celestial Dragons, it was as if someone had avenged them on his behalf.
"It really was a good kill! Caelan attacked the Celestial Dragons, and the World Government couldn't do a thing."
Sabo was just as fired up.
The Celestial Dragons were a form of spiritual shackle hanging over the world. Though countless people hated them, no one dared lift a hand against them.
"Now that Caelan has drawn most of the World Government's attention, it's the perfect time for the Revolutionary Army to act."
Dragon issued the order and turned to leave.
"Aren't you staying to keep watch?"
Sabo couldn't help but ask.
"You're enough. I'm going to meet the God Slayer."
Dragon rolled up the newspaper and tucked it under his arm, placing it beside the one covering Caelan's liberation of Alabasta.
He had wanted to meet Caelan after the Alabasta incident, but various delays got in the way.
Now that Caelan had taken down two Celestial Dragons and fought Garp and two Admirals without falling behind, the time had come.
Caelan, now an enemy of the World Government, had to be invited to join the Revolutionary Army.
...
New World, Totto Land.
After finishing a massive cake, Charlotte Linlin was handed a newspaper by Katakuri.
"Mom, another emperor has emerged on the seas!"
Katakuri reported solemnly, his tone serious.
"Really? I don't recall any new force in the New World being worthy of the title 'Emperor'."
Charlotte Linlin popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth, her tone indifferent.
Not just anyone could become an Emperor of the Sea. In her eyes, most so-called powerful pirates in the New World weren't qualified.
"It's not someone from the New World. It's Caelan, who's still in Paradise."
Katakuri handed over the newspaper, his expression skeptical.
Caelan, who hadn't even entered the New World, was already being hailed as a new Emperor of the Sea.
The first half of the Grand Line is nicknamed "Paradise" because of its relative safety. It's filled with weaker pirates.
The second half of the Grand Line — the New World — is the true graveyard of pirates, teeming with real powerhouses.
To be declared an Emperor while still in Paradise was absolutely unprecedented.
"Oh?"
Charlotte Linlin took the newspaper with interest, ready to laugh it off.
But as she read Caelan's feats, her expression quickly turned grave.
"Fought Akainu, Kizaru, and Garp, and even managed to kidnap an Admiral candidate without being caught?!"
Charlotte Linlin's eyes widened in disbelief.
But the newspaper included various photos, confirming the story and shocking her deeply.
Each of those three men was a force she had to take seriously individually. Together, they made for an overwhelming lineup.
Even she couldn't guarantee coming out unscathed from such an encounter, let alone pulling off such a stunning victory like Caelan had.
"Caelan? With strength like that, he deserves to be called an Emperor."
Charlotte Linlin spoke with admiration.
With such a record, if he wasn't worthy of the title, then what right did the rest of the Four Emperors have?
"Katakuri, keep an eye on Caelan. If the chance arises, invite him to Totto Land."
Charlotte Linlin sat back on her throne and issued the order.
"Mom, are you trying to recruit him?"
Katakuri asked, somewhat uncertain.
A man of such strength wouldn't be easy to win over.
"Your sister isn't married yet. I think he'd be perfect."
Charlotte Linlin looked down at the newspaper, feeling it was a good match.
If she could bring someone like Caelan into the Charlotte family, it would be a huge win.
If Caelan was willing, she wouldn't mind going herself to bear the most powerful offspring imaginable.
...
Red-Haired Pirates.
"The Fifth Emperor? With strength like that, there's really no denying it."
Beckman stared at the paper in his hand, visibly moved.
He had faced off against three top-tier forces and still managed to come and go as he pleased. That fully aligned with the power level of the Four Emperors.
"He really does have what it takes to be called an Emperor."
Shanks also held a newspaper, his brow furrowed.
In one small corner of the page, it mentioned that Caelan had defeated Rayleigh and subdued the Straw Hat Pirates. There was even a photo of Luffy and Rayleigh lying on the ground.
How did it come to this?
From this point of view, Caelan, who now challenged three top-level fighters, looked far more like the real protagonist of the new era.
The news of Caelan killing two Celestial Dragons also made Shanks feel uneasy.
Though he didn't want to admit it, Celestial Dragon blood still ran in his veins.
It was an unpleasant truth.
Shanks looked up at the sky, his heart heavy.
And he wasn't the only one feeling conflicted.
The pirates across the New World were restless after hearing the news about Caelan.
Caelan used to turn pirates in for bounties, which allowed many of them to survive.
Now that the bounty system was no longer an option, and Caelan had shown he would kill Celestial Dragons without hesitation, it was clear, the fate awaiting pirates was about to become very grim.
(To be continued.)
***
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