Chapter 60: God Slayer!
"Bang!"
Sengoku slammed the day's newspaper onto the desk.
The headline on the paper had just three words.
"God Slayer"
The content described Kuke killing a Celestial Dragon.
The newspaper had given Kuke a new title: God Slayer.
The Celestial Dragons called themselves gods, and anyone who killed them would be considered a slayer of gods.
But such a title was unacceptable to both the World Government and the Marines.
Sengoku roared, "Shut down that newspaper immediately!"
"It's too late," said Chief Staff Officer Tsuru, shaking her head. "Many newspapers have already followed suit and adopted the same term."
Sengoku slumped into his chair, feeling utterly powerless.
...
"Captain Kuke, you've got a new title!" Lily, who was in charge of checking the newspapers daily, shouted in excitement. Everyone quickly gathered around her.
"Let me see! What are they calling the captain?"
Almost all pirates had a unique title: Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Kaido of the Beasts, Red-Haired Shanks... Nicknames were often more memorable than actual names.
Titles usually captured a person's defining feature or widely known abilities.
"What is it?" Kuke asked, curious about how the world now saw him.
Lily unfolded the newspaper.
"Wow!!" Belo Betty and the others gasped.
"What a powerful title," Stussy said, her eyes practically devouring Kuke. "God Slayer!"
The newspaper headline, the three bold and enlarged words, took up the entire front page.
"Captain killed a Celestial Dragon, and since they call themselves gods, the captain is being called the God Slayer!" Stussy explained.
"What a badass name! The most powerful title on the seas!"
Everyone was thrilled.
A sense of pride filled them all.
Kuke frowned. "God Slayer? Those pieces of trash dare to call themselves gods? Gion, contact the reporters and tell them to remove it. I don't like it."
"Captain, that just makes you even more impressive," Stussy said, unable to resist touching him, her hand sliding gently across his chest. She whispered softly in Kuke's ear, "Captain, I've learned a new trick. Want to try it out?"
...
The various newspaper editors, upon receiving the news, were dumbfounded.
They had spent countless hours coming up with a title they thought was the most powerful of all—more so than any other title in the seas.
And he didn't like it.
"As expected of Kuke," one editor said, "killing a Celestial Dragon means nothing to him. He doesn't even consider it an honor—more of a disgrace. Publish his exact words right away."
The new edition quickly replaced the old one.
When Sengoku got wind of it, he couldn't help but smile. "Kuke doesn't want to be called the God Slayer? Finally, some fear in that kid. A sense of self-awareness. He knows no one can truly bear that kind of title."
Tsuru interrupted, "Sengoku, don't get too happy. Read the rest of the article."
"?"
Sengoku looked down and fell silent.
"Tsuru, if the Five Elders call, tell them I'm not here," he said, making a quick escape.
Because he knew.
The Five Elders would soon be calling, full of rage, and he would be the one taking the brunt of it. No matter how loyal he was, the constant scolding was too much for Sengoku, and he needed to hide.
...
"Hahaha, Lord Kuke is truly fierce."
"He says what no one else dares to say. Those fools are nothing but pigs."
"So that's how they look in Lord Kuke's eyes—so pathetic."
"I'm tempted to go kill one myself."
Across the seas, Kuke gained even more admirers.
Whitebeard laughed heartily. "It's been years since I've seen a kid like this. I wonder how long it'll be before he makes it to the New World. Stirring up the World Government like this—the first half of the Grand Line won't be easy for him!"
"Mama... I wish I could have his perfect genes right away," Big Mom said. "Have you decided? Who's willing to go? If none of you want to, Mama will make the move herself."
Smoothie, Galette, and the other daughters exchanged glances.
They eyed one another warily.
The family couldn't escape arranged marriages, and since they were destined to contribute to the family, they naturally wanted the best man for themselves.
Everything about Kuke.
In their proud eyes, he fulfilled every one of their fantasies.
But they didn't want to share.
Their eyes had already begun to clash.
Back at the Goa Kingdom, with the Revolutionary Army.
Dragon couldn't help but sigh, "Kuke really does what he says. He constantly provokes the World Government's fragile nerves. With him around, many of our plans become much easier to execute."
The world had gotten used to the newspapers being filled with stories about Kuke.
The Radiant Eclipse sailed the East Blue.
Heading towards its next destination.
A few days later, an island appeared on the horizon.
This was the famous Isshin Dojo of the East Blue.
It was also Zoro's hometown.
"Let's go ashore," Kuke said, bringing everyone along.
With the spirit of the ship present, and with the vessel having one hour of invincibility each day, they didn't need to worry about leaving it unattended for a short while.
Walking along a rural path, they saw a small village with smoke rising from chimneys in the distance.
They heard the muffled sobs of a young girl.
About a kilometer away from them.
By a small creek.
A young girl, with a sword by her side, sat alone on a rock, curling up as she cried softly.
"Can you tell me why you're crying?"
A gentle voice.
The girl looked up abruptly, startled to see Kuke sitting beside her.
She quickly turned, using her sleeve to wipe away her tears.
Kuke looked at the stubborn young girl.
The reason they had come to this place.
Kuina.
She was about ten years old now.