While the Five Elders were plotting atop the Red Line, the latest issue of the World Economy News was stirring up waves elsewhere.
Red-Haired Pirates.
"Caelan is really bold!"
Shanks looked at the newspaper in his hand, his expression filled with amazement and a hint of regret.
It had only been few weeks since they last saw each other in the East Blue, yet Shanks hadn't expected Caelan to make such a huge commotion again.
The establishment of the Illuminati and the Neo Navy was a clear declaration against the World Government.
"Shanks, Caelan might even be stronger than you. Maybe your title of the most influential in the world is about to be taken."
Beckman exhaled a cloud of smoke from his pipe as he spoke calmly.
Shanks being known as the world's most dominant man wasn't just flattery.
That title was an acknowledgment of Shanks' Conqueror's Haki being the strongest in the world, unrivaled by anyone else.
And Beckman's comment wasn't without merit.
The strength of Conqueror's Haki reflects one's spirit and courage.
He had witnessed Caelan's power in the East Blue, and it was terrifying—strong enough to destroy an island with a single strike.
Even more than his strength, Caelan's daring to stand against the World Government that had ruled for 800 years demonstrated unrivaled resolve.
The aura he exuded was overwhelming, like a torrent that could swallow mountains and rivers. That was the highest form of courage and willpower.
If compared to Roger, the Pirate King who once ushered in a new era, Caelan's boldness surpassed even him.
Only Rocks, the pirate overlord who once tried to become King of the World, could rival Caelan in ambition.
"Let him take it! This is the new era Captain Roger always dreamed of!"
Shanks didn't mind in the slightest. In fact, he was quite happy.
The emergence of Caelan made him feel like he was witnessing the dawn of a new era.
Not just Caelan, but Luffy and his crew were also growing steadily.
Shanks had received word from Rayleigh, saying that Luffy and the others were thriving under his guidance.
Of course, compared to the towering tree that was Caelan, Luffy was still just a sapling.
It all felt surreal.
How long had it been since Caelan first appeared? Almost at the same time as Luffy.
Even if you counted his time working as a bounty hunter in the East Blue, it hadn't been more than a year.
Barely two and a half years had passed!
Yet in that short time, he had become a world-shaking figure. It was truly astonishing.
"But if Caelan wants to take that title from me, he still has to beat me first."
Shanks declared with confidence.
The biggest regret from their meeting in the East Blue was that they hadn't fought.
After all, Caelan had just saved Uta. It would've been inappropriate to fight right after that.
"Shanks, are your fists getting itchy too?"
"When the time comes, don't let the kid beat you so hard you can't even show your face!"
"Hahaha!"
Yasopp and Lucky Roux teased their captain with grins.
"How could that happen?! I'm Red-Haired Shanks!"
Shanks downed a large glass of sake, full of self-assurance.
As everyone knew, the Four Emperors represented the peak of combat strength in the world.
Shanks believed that no matter how strong Caelan was, he was at most on par with him—nothing more.
In that case, the outcome was still undecided!
Shanks was full of confidence.
However, he couldn't help but think of the God Slayer Spear Caelan had unleashed in the East Blue, and a trace of unease crept into his heart.
…
Revolutionary Army.
Or more precisely, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon, and his secretary, Koala.
The two were en route to Dressrosa.
When they heard that Caelan had killed several Celestial Dragons, they immediately set out to find him.
But Caelan had traveled from the Grand Line to the East Blue, and then back again from the East Blue to the New World.
Back and forth like that, it felt like he had left them in the dust—like they were being walked on a leash.
"Chief, are we really going to see Caelan this time?"
Koala asked with exhaustion in her voice.
After weeks of traveling without catching even a whiff of their target, she was beyond fed up.
"This time, for sure!"
"Caelan established the Illuminati and Neo Navy in Dressrosa. He won't be running around anymore."
Monkey D. Dragon responded with certainty.
He was determined to meet Caelan this time.
He had wanted to meet Caelan ever since he defeated Crocodile.
But the news that followed only got more shocking, and his desire to meet the God Slayer had only intensified.
Now that Caelan had established the Illuminati and the Neo Navy, he had to meet him.
Dragon highly respected Caelan's spirit of protecting his homeland and opposing the World Government.
However, he did feel that Caelan was moving too fast, making such a large and open move.
Rebellion should be a slow game, like his own strategy.
Enter the village quietly, don't fire a shot.
Then when the time is right, you gather your strength and overthrow the World Government in one strike!
Caelan's high-profile actions right now were bound to make him a target of the World Government.
It was unwise.
Dragon decided that he would use his experience as a revolutionary to guide Caelan.
"Chief, I think Caelan is amazing!" Koala pointed at Caelan's quote in the newspaper, her tone excited. "'Though I have no intention to compete for supremacy, I know the suffering of the people.'"
With just those words, an image of a compassionate, world-caring figure came to life.
In an instant, the image of Caelan changed from a domineering godslayer to a powerful man who carried the world in his heart.
The organization he had founded shifted from a rebellious force to a righteous one saving the world.
Such a mindset and such a statement—it was truly awe-inspiring!
Just from reading the newspaper, Koala, a long-time revolutionary herself, was overcome with admiration and eagerness to meet this great hero.
"'I only wish to cleanse a region and protect one corner of the world.'"
"Caelan's spirit is indeed admirable. He's a natural revolutionary!"
Dragon studied Caelan's quotes and wholeheartedly agreed with his ideals.
He decided to try to recruit Caelan into the Revolutionary Army.
Even if he couldn't join formally, at the very least he could be granted the status of honorary deputy leader.
As that thought crossed his mind, Dragon and Koala quickened their pace, eager to meet Caelan sooner.
…
New World.
On a warship dedicated to hunting Devil Fruit users, Zephyr was once again contributing to the sales of the World Economy News.
"Neo Navy?"
Zephyr's eyes widened as he read the term in the newspaper.
That was exactly the name he had envisioned.
Ever since the pirate attack on the Navy's training ship, he had been considering leaving the Marines. If not for his old comrades persuading him, he would've left long ago.
Still, he couldn't let go of the justice he'd upheld for so many years. So he had considered forming a new navy—and the name "Neo Navy" had popped into his head more than once.
Who would've thought the God Slayer Caelan would take it first?
"What rotten luck."
Zephyr looked annoyed.
He had no grudge against Caelan. In fact, he thought he was a decent guy.
If Caelan had joined the Navy, Zephyr might've even shared a drink with him, regardless of their age difference.
But Caelan was now an enemy of the World Government… which meant he was the Navy's enemy. That made things complicated.
And to top it off, he used the name Zephyr had come up with. That really rubbed him the wrong way.
What made it even more painful was the fact that the admiral of the Neo Navy was none other than Gion, a former admiral candidate.
In Zephyr's ideal vision of a Neo Navy, he never even dared to imagine such a lineup.
But Caelan had accomplished something he'd never dared to dream, and Zephyr couldn't help but feel envious.
Zephyr sighed in frustration.
"Teacher, will the Illuminati and Neo Navy affect the Marines negatively?"
Ain, with her long blue hair fluttering in the sea breeze, asked with concern.
Just hearing the name "Neo Navy," she immediately sensed it was in opposition to the official Navy, and it worried her.
"The Neo Navy is stealing the Navy's work, but it doesn't matter to us. We're just here to catch pirates."
Zephyr patted his beloved student on the head. He wasn't too concerned about the broader implications.
In truth, he even supported the Neo Navy's mission.
Especially after reading in the newspaper that Gion and her team were eliminating pirates around Dressrosa—it made Zephyr thrilled.
A new force, one with Yonko-level strength, that also hunted pirates? He was more than happy to see it.
All he wanted now was to kill more pirates, to get revenge.
"I understand, teacher."
Ain nodded quietly and said no more.
"Haha, Sengoku must be fuming!"
Zephyr scratched his head with his Seastone prosthetic arm and laughed.
Just thinking about his old friend Sengoku dealing with the mess gave him a bit of glee.
(To be continued.)
***
For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves
(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)