Chapter 77: World-Shaking News, Invitation to Become a Warlord of the Sea
Although they couldn't figure out what was going on with Squard, they didn't dwell on it.
"Let's go back," Whitebeard waved his hand, and everyone followed.
"Feels a lot quieter now," Marco laughed.
"Yeah, way fewer people," Jozu chuckled.
"Big bro, what's our plan from now on?" Thatch asked.
"Keep a close eye on Newgate. Don't let him drink," Roy said.
"You bastards, are you trying to kill me or something?" Whitebeard roared in frustration.
"If you want to live a few more years and see Ace become the Pirate King, you'd better listen to us," Roy replied.
"Might as well be dead then!" Whitebeard grumbled.
"Don't worry, we won't starve you. But no more drinking like before. If you want to drink, it'll be in fixed amounts at set times. If anyone sneaks him alcohol, I'll ban them from drinking," Roy declared.
"Big bro's so heartless... looks like we can't sneak drinks to pops anymore, hahaha!!"
"Pops, we're sorry, but it's for our sake too."
"Sorry, Pops."
"You ungrateful brats, trying to drive me mad, huh?"
Whitebeard picked up his massive naginata and chased them around. After reorganizing, the crew left Egghead Island.
And in just a couple of days, everything that had happened spread across the globe like wildfire.
"EXTRA! EXTRA! MARINES CLASH WITH THE WHITEBEARD PIRATES!"
"Has the battle between the Marines and Whitebeard been decided yet? Give me a copy of that paper!"
"I want one too!"
"Me as well!"
"Hey, if there's no more, can we read it together?"
"Screw you, I didn't agree to that!"
Crowds swarmed around newspapers, hungry for the headlines.
On the front page were massive photos of Whitebeard and Roy, Garp lying unconscious on the ground, Charlotte Linlin, Buggy, Shanks, and more.
{MARINE HERO GARP DEFEATED?!}
{FIRE FIST ACE IS THE SON OF THE PIRATE KING!!!}
{THE WHITEBEARD PIRATES CLASH WITH THE BIG MOM PIRATEA. CHARLOTTE LINLIN FLED SEVERELY WOUNDED!}
{ROY, WHITEBEARD'S VICE-CAPTAIN, TAKES COMMAND AFTER DEFEATING WARLORDS AND GARP!}
{SECOND DIVISION COMMANDER FIRE FIST ACE EXPELLED—THE WHITEBEARD PIRATES SPLIT IN TWO!}
{ACE REFORMS SPPADE PIRATES TAKING 16 CAPTAINS WITH HIM!}
{RED-HAIR SHANKS JOINS THE FRAY, THEN PARTIES WITH THEM?!}
The news was explosive, so much so that it filled three entire pages:
One covered the war with the Marines. The Marines lost and retreated from the dangerous territory of the New World.
One detailed the clash with the Big Mom Pirates and the meeting with Shanks.
The third was about the Impel Down incident.
{Warlord Blackbeard captured Ace and handed him over to the Marines.}
{In an attempt to rescue Ace, his sworn brother, Straw Hat Luffy broke into Impel Down and successfully escaped with Buggy the Clown.}
Buggy's identity was revealed: a former crew member of Roger's pirate crew, sworn brother to Emperor Red-Hair Shanks, and surprisingly powerful.
He nearly fought Shanks on Egghead Island, portrayed as a man no weaker than a Yonko.
Photos of Buggy threatening Shanks were printed, declaring him a mysterious and underestimated powerhouse.
{After their failed attempt to rescue Ace, Straw Hat and Buggy broke out alongside former Warlord Crocodile, Fish-Man Jinbei, and Revolutionary Army officer Ivankov.}
{Then at the Sabaody Archipelago, Warlord Bartholomew Kuma, who had betrayed the World Government, sent them all to Egghead.}
The wave of breaking news overwhelmed the world.
"The Pirate King Roger actually has a son, and he's been protected by Whitebeard all this time?"
"Straw Hat Luffy is the son of Revolutionary Dragon? And also the grandson of Marine hero Garp? So Dragon is Garp's son?!"
"A bounty of 4.5 billion berries?! That's third only to Whitebeard!"
"Defeated Garp, heavily injured Big Mom, nearly clashed with Shanks... this guy is ridiculously strong."
"The Whitebeard Pirates' legend isn't over yet."
"The world is doomed! Why won't they just DIE?!"
Pirates around the world were thrown into despair.
The good news? Ace had left, weakening Whitebeard's forces.
The bad news? Whitebeard now had a terrifying Vice Captain.
Meanwhile, on an island, Buggy disembarked from Shanks' ship.
"Shanks, let's part ways here. Thanks for everything."
"Goodbye, Buggy."
"Next time we meet, I won't hold back!" Buggy shouted, striking a pose.
"Hahaha! I'll be waiting!" Shanks replied with a wave.
"As expected of Captain Buggy."
"Shanks, your days are numbered! Next time, Captain Buggy will take you down!"
"Long live Captain Buggy! Prepare yourselves!"
Mr. 3 stood there, speechless.
'Do they have no self-awareness?! This is exhausting…'
Just then, a bat flew by. Mr. 3 noticed it had a letter in its mouth, and he blinked in surprise as he took it.
"Buggy! Buggy!!"
Buggy was posing proudly, hands on hips. "What is it, 3?"
"Look at this…" Mr. 3 handed him the letter.
"What is it?" Buggy asked, puzzled.
Crocodile glanced over and raised an eyebrow. "An invitation to become a Warlord of the Sea," Crocodile said plainly.
Buggy opened the letter and froze.
"Hmm?! What a warlord?!" Mr. 1 was stunned.
In his mind, Warlords were supposed to be people like Crocodile. How could Buggy possibly qualify?
Buggy was weak and cowardly! Him being offered a seat among the world's most powerful pirates did not make sense.
"I... I'm being asked to become a Warlord?" Buggy sniffled.
"As expected of Captain Buggy!"
"An invitation from the World Government! They must have realized how powerful Captain Buggy truly is!"
"Captain Buggy, don't accept it! We're going to rule the New World and become the next Emperor! Forget the Warlords!"
"So great! Even the World Government acknowledges our captain!"
"Where are you guys even seeing greatness?!" Mr. 3 couldn't take it anymore.
"You're damn right! I, the great Buggy, have no need for some puny Warlord title! I'm going to be the Pirate King!"
Buggy stood tall, arms crossed.
"Captain Buggy!!!" All the ex-prisoners knelt before him, in awe.
Suddenly...
"Hey, Red Nose. Mind if we talk?" Crocodile said coldly.
Buggy jumped in shock; he had completely forgotten Crocodile was still here.
Just a "puny" Warlord?
Crocodile was a Warlord!
Instantly, cold sweat poured down Buggy's back like a waterfall.
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
p@treon.com/DaoistJinzu