After the Summit War ended, Cheng Xiaoyu immediately left Marineford.
The gains from this Summit War fully met his expectations.
Not only did his level increase to 100, but he also gained the powerful ability of Shared Shadow Library.
What satisfied him most were the shadows he obtained; both their quantity and quality reached an unprecedented high.
"Eneru, where are we going?" Cheng Xiaoyu turned and asked.
Eneru shrugged, "You're the boss, you call the shots. But I suggest we find a safe place to hide first until the storm passes."
Cheng Xiaoyu pondered for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up, "I know where to go."
As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Xiaoyu's figure vanished from where he stood.
The next second, he appeared in a hidden corner of Nine Serpent Island.
That's right, he had long ago left several ordinary Shadow Soldiers on all the islands he had visited, just in case.
"Shadow Exchange, it's really convenient," Cheng Xiaoyu scanned his surroundings with satisfaction.
Just as Cheng Xiaoyu was about to quietly sneak into the Nine Serpent Palace, a familiar voice came from behind him.
"You're finally back."
Cheng Xiaoyu turned around and saw Boa Hancock standing not far away, a hint of surprise on her stunningly beautiful face.
"Miss me?" Cheng Xiaoyu raised an eyebrow and smiled.
Hancock snorted lightly, "Who would miss a scoundrel like you?" Despite her words, her eyes sparkled with unconcealed joy.
In the following days, Cheng Xiaoyu and Hancock lived a peaceful life.
Every morning, they would take a walk on the beach together.
During the day, Cheng Xiaoyu would instruct the warriors of Nine Serpent Island in their training, while Hancock handled the island's affairs.
In the evenings, the two often lay on the rooftop, chatting while gazing at the starry sky.
However, this peace did not last long.
...
Just as Cheng Xiaoyu settled down on Nine Serpent Island, a piece of news that shocked the entire Pirate World spread across the seas.
"Did you see it? The new bounty!"
"Oh my god, that Cheng Xiaoyu of the Shadow Pirates, his bounty has actually reached 3.8 billion Berries!"
"This is insane! He's only been out at sea for a few months?"
"I heard he wreaked havoc in the Summit War, even daring to curse the Celestial Dragons!"
In various taverns, countless pirates discussed animatedly, their eyes filled with awe and envy.
This bounty amount was already close to the level of a Four Emperors!
The news swept across the entire sea like a tsunami, shocking all the Supernovas.
In a tavern on Sabaody Archipelago, Eustass Kid was chugging rum fiercely, his expression fluctuating.
"Damn it! 3.8 billion Berries? How did that scoundrel do it?" Kid slammed his mug onto the table, glass shards flying everywhere.
His partner Killer shrugged helplessly, "It seems we need to work harder, Captain."
Kid gritted his teeth and said, "I must surpass that Shadow scoundrel! Prepare the ship for me, we're leaving immediately!"
At the same time, inside his submarine, Trafalgar Law was calmly analyzing the news.
"Cheng Xiaoyu... Shadow Fruit... Interesting." Law's lips curled into a meaningful smile, "It seems the New World has gained another opponent worth paying attention to."
Bepo asked worriedly, "Captain, should we change our plans?"
Law shook his head, "No, proceed as originally planned. However... perhaps we should prepare a few more backup plans."
On Kraiigana Island in the New World, Dracule Mihawk was leisurely sipping red wine, looking at the latest bounty poster.
In the forest outside the castle, Zoro was being violently hammered by baboons.
"Oh? This Kid is quite interesting," Mihawk chuckled.
"That female swordsman's shadow is not bad, I wonder what his swordsmanship is like... Perhaps I should go meet him someday."
In Dressrosa, Doflamingo let out his characteristic "Fuffuffu" laugh after hearing the news.
"Interesting, very interesting!" Doffy licked his lips.
"Come to the New World quickly! Cheng Xiaoyu... I want to see what tricks you can pull."
Red-Haired Shanks stood at the bow of his ship, gazing at the distant horizon.
When Beckman told him the news, Shanks's expression became serious.
"That Kid... is even more dangerous than I imagined," Shanks murmured, "It seems we need to be extra careful."
Beckman exhaled a smoke ring, "Should we take action, Captain?"
Shanks shook his head, "Let's observe for now. But... tell everyone to be on high alert. That Kid is not as friendly as he seems."
On Onigashima in Wano Country, Kaido was drinking heavily, and upon hearing the news, he burst into arrogant laughter.
"Wahahaha! Another brat who doesn't know his place!"
Kaido drained a large barrel of sake in one gulp, "Let him come! I want to see how strong this so-called 'Shadow' can be!"
Finally, on Cake Island, Big Mom Charlotte Linlin was enjoying her afternoon tea.
When Katakuri told her the news, a dangerous glint flashed in her eyes.
"Ma ma ma!" Big Mom laughed, her body rippling with flesh!
"Interesting! If I hadn't already gone through menopause, I would have had ten or eight children with this Kid!"
...
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters.
"Sengoku, are you really going to step down as Fleet Admiral?" Garp looked at his old friend, puzzled.
Sengoku sighed, taking off his glasses to wipe them.
"This is the World Government's will. Although Whitebeard and Ace are dead, they are clearly not satisfied with the outcome."
"Is it because of that Kid named Cheng Xiaoyu?" Garp asked with a frown.
Sengoku nodded, "That Kid's ability is too bizarre. If he extracts more powerful shadows, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Just then, Kizaru leisurely walked in, "Oh~ that Kid sure is bold~ killing and cursing Celestial Dragons."
Akainu clenched his fist, a hint of killing intent flashing in his eyes, "He must be eliminated as soon as possible! Otherwise, he will sooner or later become a major hidden danger for the Marine!"
Just as the atmosphere in Marine Headquarters grew increasingly tense, a lazy voice broke the stalemate.
"Well, Sakazuki, do you think something like that can be done so easily? Instead of fixating on him, you should first focus on what can be done."
Garp glanced at him, half-teasing, half-approving, "Kuzan, you're still so open-minded."
Akainu, clearly displeased with Aokiji's attitude, snorted coldly,
"Your inaction will one day make us all pay a more painful price!"
Aokiji seemed completely unfazed by this, simply turning to leave.
"One day?" His tone was light and casual.
"Sakazuki, perhaps you should learn to enjoy the present, otherwise you'll find that the future you grasp is nothing more than a shadow of the past."
However, just as the Marine and the World Government were getting headaches over Cheng Xiaoyu, this man who shook the entire world seemed to have vanished into thin air.
No one knew where he was, nor what he was doing.
One thing was certain: although Red-Haired Shanks tried his best to maintain the delicate balance of power among the world's factions, the situation in the New World had already been broken!
A new storm has appeared, how can one stand still!
In this turbulent sea, no one wanted to be the swallowed shadow.