Meanwhile, on a pleasant island somewhere on the Grand Line, the headquarters of the World Economic Journal was in an uproar.
"President! President! Big news! This is the biggest story you can imagine—!!!"
A reporter stumbled into the President's office, so excited that he hit his head on the doorframe. He completely ignored the pain, clutching a freshly printed intelligence report, his voice trembling with excitement.
"What is it now?" President Morgans asked casually, not looking up. His subordinates were always making a big deal out of nothing, so he was used to it.
"It's... it's him! 'Strange Tail' Takero!" the reporter gasped, trying to catch his breath. "Our inside source with the Marines in the North Blue just sent top-secret intel! That mysterious kid has made his move again! This time... his opponent is 'Black Arm' Zephyr! The former Marineford Admiral!!!"
"What—?!!!"
The normally unflappable Morgans' huge bird beak dropped open. He shot up from his seat with a boom, knocking it over. "What did you say? He's fighting... Zephyr?!"
He snatched the report from his subordinate, his sharp eyes scanning it ten lines at a time.
Location: Unmanned sea area near Ambri Island, North Blue.
Combatants: 'Strange Tail' Takero vs. Former Marine Admiral 'Black Arm' Zephyr.
Cause: Believed to be related to CP9's secret operation to capture the 'Devil Child' Nico Robin.
Battle Status: Unknown. However, the informant described the aftershocks of the battle causing abnormal weather and localized tsunamis in the nearby sea.
"Haha… Hahahahahahaha!!!"
After a brief moment of shock, a burst of wild laughter erupted from Morgans' office. He flapped his huge wings in excitement, sending documents flying everywhere. "I knew it! I knew it!! This kid Takero is the biggest surprise of this era! He's a gold mine of news, and we've barely started digging!"
Ever since the "Ambri Island Celestial Dragons Incident," he had taken a strong interest in the name "Takero." That news had been forcibly twisted by the World Government, which gave all the credit—and the blame—to Red-Haired Shanks. Morgans had been furious. He was "Big News" Morgans! He lived to find the most real, most exciting truths that could shake the world and define an era. In his opinion, the World Government's propaganda and lies were the greatest insult to the very idea of "news."
And now, his chance had come. Only a month had passed, and that mysterious young man had caused an even bigger incident. Fighting 'Black Arm' Zephyr! That man was a living legend of the sea, from the same generation as Sengoku, Garp, Whitebeard, and Roger. A mysterious newcomer fighting a legendary hero who had retired long ago. This battle, no matter how it ended, had all the ingredients of an explosive, front-page story.
"Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!" Morgans paced excitedly around his office, his huge bird claws tapping on the floor. "Those old fools in the World Government! You were able to suppress the last story because there were no 'eyes' on the scene! Because you controlled all the information!"
His eyes gleamed with a fanatical obsession. "But this time... I won't let you get away with it!"
Morgans stopped suddenly, turned, and roared, "Send out my order! Immediately! Mobilize all our 'eyes' in that sea area! Get the closest news birds to the battlefield at top speed, no matter the cost! Tell them I don't want speculation! I don't want rumors! I want—photos! And videos! I want to see how this kid Takero fights 'Black Arm' Zephyr! I want the entire world to see this 'monster' that the World Government tried so hard to hide! This time, whether Zephyr wins or Takero dies, I will make the name 'Takero' spread to every corner of the sea! I want those bureaucrats in the World Government to know that they can't suppress the truth forever! Not in this era!"
"Yes, President!"
Receiving the order, the massive news machine known as the World Economic Journal roared to life. Countless commands were sent from the headquarters through encrypted Transponder Snail lines. Across the North Blue, news birds received the command, flapped their wings, and soared into the sky, all converging on the eye of the storm.
...
Back on the unnamed island, the fierce battle raged on. The day had turned to dusk. The island no longer looked as it did before; it was now nothing but rubble and cracked earth.
BOOM—!!!
After another earth-shattering collision, a figure was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily onto a black rock a hundred meters away.
"Cough… cough, cough..."
Zephyr knelt on one knee, gasping for air. Every breath sent waves of excruciating pain through the countless wounds covering his body. His Marine jacket, the symbol of his justice, had been torn to shreds. His entire body was covered in hideous bruises and deep cuts from which blood flowed freely. His physical strength... was almost gone.
Zephyr looked up at his opponent in the distance. Takero was also covered in bruises and wounds from the heavy blows of Armament Haki. But... unlike Zephyr's complete exhaustion, Takero's face showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, it was filled with an extreme, exhilarating excitement from the intense fight.
"Haha… Hahahahahahaha!!! So good! This is so good!"
He laughed wildly, his voice echoing across the ruined battlefield. He could feel every cell in his body cheering, rejoicing in this ultimate battle. The warlike blood of the Saiyan warrior race, buried deep in his veins, was boiling like never before.
"Come on! Let's go again, old man!" He casually wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes burning with an ever-rising battle intent. "Fighting you is the best!"
Zephyr gritted his teeth, using the last of his strength to try and stand up again. But his body, pushed far beyond its limits, could no longer respond to his iron will.
'Damn it! My body...'
Youth had triumphed over age. Time spared no one, and in that moment, Zephyr knew he couldn't keep up with the times anymore.
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