Chapter 73.2 : Big News!!

At Sabaody Archipelago, the Dark King Rayleigh sighed, "What an incredible boy, Roger. Is he the one we've been waiting for? Oden, have you followed Roger into the afterlife?"

In Alabasta, Crocodile, already hailed as a hero, was seething with anger, "Damn it! Whitebeard! What the hell are you doing? This is such a mess!"

Somewhere in the world, aboard an island-sized ship, Moria felt both fury and elation, "Damn you, Kaido! Damn you, kid! Well done! Just you wait! I'll personally be the one to take your heads!"

Somewhere in the New World, on the Red-Haired Pirates' ship, Shanks sat with a little girl on his shoulder, flipping through the newspaper. He sighed, "Sister Toki, was it to stop the war? She's still so kind."

"Also, did Jozu really die?"

He recalled the battle years ago in the New World against the Whitebeard Pirates.

Marco the Phoenix, Diamond Jozu, and Vista of the Flower Swords had already showcased their power back then.

And—

Shanks instinctively touched the scar over his left eye, recognizing a familiar figure in a photograph from the newspaper.

"Teach…"

"Shanks?"

The little girl perched on his neck tilted her head.

"Hahaha, it's nothing! Let's keep playing! Ride the horse!"

"Hahahaha! Shanks! Charge!"

In the later part of the New World, on a certain island.

A row of newly built graves stood on the cliffs by the sea.

In front of each tombstone lay the favorite belongings of the deceased during their lifetime.

Whitebeard stood silently before these graves, the man known as the strongest in the world pursed his lips, his head bowed, with a hint of moisture in his eyes.

Behind him, Marco was in tears.

It was all because he returned too late, allowing everything to fall into an irretrievable abyss.

Further back, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates either shook with sobs or openly wept.

In front of one of the tombstones:

"Mother…"

The girl knelt before the grave, tears streaming down her face, her small body trembling uncontrollably. The air around her felt heavy, as if a wall of sorrow had isolated her from the surroundings.

"Hiyori…"

Whitebeard's lips moved.

He wanted to say something, but didn't know how to start.

The one he felt most sorry for was this child.

"Uncle Newgate," The girl suddenly looked up, turning her gaze to Whitebeard, "I—I want to become stronger! Strong like my father!"

Whitebeard fell silent for a moment.

He gazed down at the girl, who was fixedly staring back at him.

"Alright," 

Whitebeard nodded, "I'll teach you."

No matter how turbulent the world was, the Beast Pirates had returned to Wano Country.

They docked the fleet at the hidden port and then headed back to Onigashima.

As soon as the ship arrived at the Onigashima dock, Ian spotted two little ones cheering and waving at him.

"Ian-nii-san!!"

Ulti, with her brother, was bouncing towards Ian on the dock, "Welcome back!"

Ian noticed that both siblings had some bruises on their faces.

It seemed like their days on Onigashima hadn't been peaceful.

However, Ian said nothing and just waved back at the two, making them jump up in excitement.

Just as they steadied themselves on the dock, the siblings rushed over.

"Ian-nii-san! Quickly tell us about the battle with the Whitebeard Pirates!" 

Ulti's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

Page One was equally eager.

Ian ruffled her round little head, "Why don't you two tell me first what happened to your faces?"

From that, Ian realized that the two little ones had run into some trouble on the island.

After all, Onigashima was full of pirates, and their manners weren't exactly refined. It was all about equality among the masses—whether young or old, if they didn't like your face, they'd beat you up without hesitation.

Ulti was a fiery character and had probably irritated some pirates. They didn't care who the siblings were friends with; if you were weak, you were fair game. That was the culture of the Beast Pirates.

Fortunately, even though Ulti was young, she had some decent strength and could hold her own against those pirates.

After learning the details, Ian didn't plan to interfere since Ulti seemed to be having fun.

He had thought that after this battle, he could rest for a while.

But a few days later, another major news shook the world, instantly overshadowing the battle between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beast Pirates.

After all, this news was too significant.

So significant that Kaido himself convened a small meeting with the officers of the Beast Pirates.

The meeting kicked off with Queen's roaring laughter.

"Muahaha! No way! The Holy Land was attacked? Fisher Tiger, I have to commend him as a real madman!"

Just yesterday evening, during what should have been nighttime in Mariejois, the fish-man Fisher Tiger climbed up the Red Line with his bare hands, attacking the Celestial Dragons' slave facility and liberating a large number of slaves.

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