"The King of the New Era Is Born! A Sky-High Bounty!"
"The Master of Sabaody! Emperor Roldy !"
"World Government Retreats in Defeat — This Era Belongs to Roldy !"
The World Economy News Paper lived up to its reputation as the most reckless publication on the seas.
Morgans showed not the slightest concern for the trouble such headlines would bring him.
And when those papers spread across the world—
The seas exploded.
"Hey, hey… this can't be real, right? That bounty's insane!"
"It's the World Economy News Paper! The wanted poster's issued by the World Government—there's even a photo!"
"Is the world changing again? Since Pirate King Gol D. Roger died… another king has appeared!"
Across every sea, civilians stared at the paper in shock.
This edition contained only one subject:
Roldy .
He had ignited a storm across the world.
Commoners might not understand Sabaody's strategic importance.
They might not grasp how terrifying Marine Admirals truly were.
But they could count.
And that freshly printed wanted poster—
With Roldy laughing wildly in the photo—
Had an absurd number of zeros.
Fitt Roldy
(Photo)
DEAD OR ALIVE
Bounty: 6,000,000,000 Berries
…60 billion?
No.
6,000,000,000 Berries.
Six billion.
The amount alone was enough to crush a man if stacked physically.
For comparison—
Golden Lion Shiki, the current foremost Emperor, stood at 5,862,000,000 Berries.
Roldy 's bounty was unprecedented.
If not the highest in history—
It was certainly the highest of this era.
What level of danger warranted such a figure?
The entire world buzzed.
And it wasn't just him.
His four senior officers saw their bounties surge by roughly 500,000,000 Berries each.
Even the lowest among them, Gecko Moria, now exceeded 1,300,000,000 Berries.
To any discerning eye—
Though Roldy was still nominally one of the Sea Emperors—
His standing now surpassed the other four.
Under Morgans' deliberate push, the title spread rapidly:
"King of the New Era."
The power of media was terrifying.
And this—
Was Morgans' tribute.
Sabaody Archipelago — Roldy 's New Stronghold
A towering purple spire rose among the white buildings of the mangroves.
At its peak flew the wolverine flag of the Roldy Pirates.
The compound occupied nearly half of Grove 9.
"Gahahaha! The king of the underworld, president of the World Economy News Paper—Morgans himself. What brings you to me?"
Roldy 's voice echoed through the chamber.
The Den Den Mushi before him let out a strange cackle before speaking.
"Respected Mr. Roldy , before a man who terrifies the entire world, how could I dare call myself a king?"
Morgans' tone was extremely deferential.
He understood something clearly:
In this world—
Power was everything.
Money.
Status.
Reputation.
All of it depended on strength.
To act arrogantly before Roldy would be suicidal.
"Enough chatter. My time's valuable."
Roldy had little patience.
He had recently received an invitation from Big Mom—Charlotte Linlin.
A Tea Party.
He knew what those meant.
While he wasn't worried she'd slaughter his acquaintances if he declined—
He did owe her a favor.
So he intended to attend.
Preparations were already underway when Morgans' call came in.
How Morgans obtained his private Den Den Mushi contact was unclear—
But not surprising.
Journalists always had outrageous intelligence networks.
"Very well, I'll be direct."
The Den Den Mushi's bird-like expression turned solemn.
"If you do not object… allow me to join your banner."
"Oh?"
Roldy 's interest was piqued.
The Underworld was vast.
Morgans ruled information and media.
Others controlled illegal arms, black markets, and contraband trade.
The profits were immense.
Roldy didn't lack money—
But future plans required funding.
He had intended to act eventually.
Morgans simply accelerated matters.
The reason was obvious.
By publishing the Sabaody war, Morgans had cut off the World Government's ability to suppress the truth.
They would never forgive that.
Aligning under Roldy meant protection.
Roldy smiled.
"You're smart. I like smart people."
"Very well. You may fly my flag."
Morgans visibly relaxed.
"Thank you, Roldy -sama. To be honest… several friends in the Underworld wish to pay you a visit."
"After I return from Whole Cake Island," Roldy replied casually.
"Anyone who wants to come—can come."
"As for those who don't…"
"They won't need to anymore."
After the call ended, cold sweat slid down Morgans' back.
His gamble had paid off.
Roldy had already set his sights on the Underworld.
Against someone the World Government feared—
The Underworld's petty lords stood no chance.
The meaning behind "won't need to anymore" was obvious.
This domineering man intended to seize the entire Underworld.
The last man to attempt such a thing…
Was Rocks.
Morgans burst into laughter.
"Kwahahaha! Not my concern. I'm ahead of the tide!"
"Countless sensational headlines await!"
He had no intention of warning his so-called "friends."
They had pressured his most treasured subordinate before.
That grudge remained.
"Oh… and the World Government has stakes in the Underworld too, don't they?"
A wicked smile formed.
"Bell, my child. Sea Emperor Charlotte Linlin is holding a Tea Party."
"This assignment is yours."
"Don't disappoint me."
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