As Doflamingo sailed towards Drum Kingdom, a monumental event shook the world.
"Haha! Roger made it, he made it! He's become the Pirate King! Today's headline is this, all other news can move aside! I'm going to announce this huge news to the world!" At the World Economic News headquarters, the then Vice-President Morgans' eyes widened upon seeing the news. Then, he burst into laughter. "Great news, great news! Print it! Print at full throttle! I want the whole world to know about this, for the world to know about Roger's success, for them to celebrate the birth of the Pirate King!"
"This edition of the newspaper is free, no cost at all!" Morgans shouted, euphoric.
"Vice-President, if it's free, won't we lose money? How will we explain this to the president?" an editor beside him asked, confused by Morgans' words.
"Money is secondary! We are journalists! News that shocks the world like this must be disseminated as quickly as possible to everyone! What could be more exciting than reporting something so grand? Soldiers have a duty to obey orders, but for us journalists, nothing is more worthy of celebration than big news, even if it costs our lives, let alone just a little money! As for the president, I'm sure he'll agree too."
Morgans shouted with excitement. Although he was still vice-president, the former president was already in a state of semi-retirement, and part of his responsibilities had already been transferred to him. This big news, in particular, would shake the world. He believed that he would soon complete the power transition, becoming the true president.
"Yes, sir!" the editor gave a respectful salute and quickly returned to work. It was predictable that the next few days would be extremely hectic.
"Haha! These days' salaries will be doubled! Everyone, give it your all! After you finish, we'll send you in batches for vacation!" Morgans shouted.
"Yes!" all the employees shouted, euphoric, as if they had received an adrenaline shot, full of energy.
With the News Coos flying incessantly, newspapers were distributed throughout the world as if they were free. In every street and alley, newspapers fell like rain, and soon the whole world learned of this shocking news.
Since the Battle of Ed War, the Roger Pirates had already gathered the four Road Poneglyphs that indicated the location of the final island. Avoiding Marine interception, they successfully entered that dense fog, searching for the legendary mysterious island that no one had ever reached — Laugh Tale, which, according to rumors, guarded treasures that would shock the world.
All factions were attentive. The day before, the Roger Pirates had successfully emerged from that fog, having found the final island.
The Roger Pirates had accomplished an unprecedented feat: they conquered the Grand Line, successfully circumnavigating the world. The name Gol D. Roger was destined to be etched in history, and Roger was acclaimed by all as the Pirate King. The name of the Roger Pirates would certainly spread throughout the world.
Everyone called Roger the Pirate King, and the Roger Pirates solidified their reputation as the number one pirate crew in the world. However, everyone was curious: what exactly did the Roger Pirates find on that mysterious island? What did they see? Were there surprising riches and treasures, as the legend said? Everyone eagerly awaited the next steps of the Roger Pirates.
On a floating island, which was the base of one of the current rulers of the New World, Shiki, the Golden Lion, of the Flying Pirates, he looked at the newspaper in his hands. "Nothing less than Roger! Nothing less than the adversary I recognize! Zehahaha!" Shiki laughed loudly, emanating an overwhelming aura.
"Gurararara! Roger, you did it!" In Whitebeard's territory, aboard the Moby Dick, Edward Newgate, Whitebeard, laughed, taking large gulps of sake.
On Whole Cake Island, the headquarters of the Big Mom Pirates, and the center of Totto Land, the country of all races founded by the future Yonko, Charlotte Linlin, one of the greatest pirates in the New World at the time.
In the center of the imposing cake castle, "Damn Roger! The Pirate King should be me!" Charlotte Linlin furiously crushed the delicious cake in her hands. Clenching her fists, she shouted, emitting a demonic sound that shocked the soul, and the aura of her Conqueror's Haki gushed out. The citizens of Totto Land trembled with fear, terrified, not daring to speak, covering their ears with their hands and closing their eyes in pain. They knew that Mama was extremely furious and should not be provoked. Not even Big Mom's children dared to irritate her at that moment, afraid of displeasing her.
The Road Poneglyphs, which were the route stones, were no secret to many great pirates of the New World. One of them was with Big Mom. However, Roger had openly invaded Whole Cake Island, copying the route stone from her hands. How could the arrogant Big Mom tolerate this, since she herself considered herself worthy of being the Pirate King?
Furthermore, many other great pirates received the news and began to search for the traces of the Roger Pirates.
However, the Roger's crew had disappeared. They would never imagine that Roger's crew had already disbanded, and that the captain himself was the first to leave, followed by the other members, who disappeared among ordinary people. It seemed they had grown tired of pirate life, that they were exhausted. Their era had passed, and a new era had arrived.
And the new era seemed to have no more connection with them. They lived under false names, discreetly. But would it really be like this? Would they manage to escape unscathed?
On the other side, Doflamingo, still recovering, also received the news.
"Roger became the Pirate King? Fufufufu! The new era is finally coming. The madness of this world can no longer be contained. It's about to begin, the new era will ascend, and the old era will end."
Doflamingo looked at the newspaper in his hands. The main headline, in bold letters, read: "Pirate King".
"Roger was crowned King. So, what are we? After all, there is only one throne," this news was very unfavorable for rising pirates with ambitions, and also left many pirates a little confused.
No one wanted to have a king above them. Although Roger had the recognition of two other legendary pirates, Edward Newgate, Whitebeard, and Shiki, the Golden Lion, even admitting the title, it didn't mean they would follow Roger's leadership; that would be impossible. No one wanted a big shot ordering them around, shitting and pissing, and giving commands.
Although he had the grand title of Pirate King, it was nothing more than an empty, flashy name, without substance. The pirates still were a disorganized mass, fighting on their own, unable to follow the Pirate King's orders. However, Roger also didn't have that ambition. He was probably spending his last happy moments with Rouge.
In the Marine, in Marineford, in the Admiral's meeting room.
Several Marine officers were gathered, and the atmosphere was extremely serious.
"Now, the whole world is broadcasting the name of Pirate King Roger. The Marine's reputation is in ruins. Not only are the pirates mocking us, but even the people are worried if we can protect them. The pirates are all waiting for the next steps of the Roger Pirates. We need to prepare for a new storm," Fleet Admiral Kong spoke first, seriously.
"Humph, pirates are all evil! Damn Roger Pirates!" Admiral Akainu, of an inflexible character, wouldn't tolerate the slightest sign of evil. And an "evil" like the Pirate King was something he wanted to eliminate as quickly as possible.
The other Marine officers remained silent, but they were also concerned about the coming turmoil. Even Vice Admiral Garp, who was usually playful, was serious at that moment, although there was a flicker of joy in his eyes for Roger's success. The relationship between these two, enemies and friends, was indeed unusual.
The meeting ended, but a new era was about to begin. Are you ready to welcome the arrival of the Great Pirate Era?