You can read the advance chapters here : patreon.com/Vigilante04
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"What!?"
"Oh my god..."
"Gulp! Is this real?"
"They say Mary Geoise hasn't been invaded in 800 years, but now the so-called 'Holy Land'—where the so-called 'gods' live—has actually been attacked?!"
"Unbelievable! Even the mighty World Government, which has ruled for centuries, couldn't stop these reckless pirates?"
"'The Trembling Lord'—Charlotte Wilhelm… What a bold and fearless man!"
"Hiss! This is insane! He actually snuck into Pangaea Castle, right on top of the Red Line, to steal from the Celestial Dragons!"
"Those arrogant Celestial Dragons, who think they're gods, must be losing their minds right now!"
"His bounty shot up from 550 million to a billion Berries just like that..."
"Honestly, after what he pulled, I'm not surprised he's worth a billion!"
"Wow! That's incredible~ As expected of Lord Wilhelm!"
"That's it~, I'm completely in love with him! Handsome AND ruthless—he's perfect!!"
"Nope, I've decided—I'm going to sea! I'm heading for the Grand Line!"
"Well said! I'm going too! I'll go to the New World, straight to Totto Land, and join the Big Mom Pirates! I want to be under Lord Wilhelm's command!"
Just as expected.
Right when Wilhelm and his crew were about to reach Totto Land…
A massive, earth-shaking piece of news spread like wildfire across the world, delivered by the News Coo birds soaring over the seas.
The whole world was in an uproar!
From the East Blue to the West, from the North to the South, and across the Grand Line—everyone was talking about it.
No one could believe that someone had actually broken into Mary Geoise, right on top of the Red Line, and stormed into a Celestial Dragon's mansion without fear.
Especially Wilhelm's die-hard female fans.
Seeing the bold black-and-white headline and Wilhelm's handsome, icy-cold photo, their hearts nearly exploded.
Their eyes sparkled, their faces burned red, and they couldn't stop trembling with excitement.
Some were so overwhelmed, they decided right then and there—they were going to the Grand Line!
They had to go to the New World, to Totto Land, to see Wilhelm up close.
They dreamed of meeting the handsome and powerful noble who made the world tremble.
Meanwhile, in the New World—Totto Land.
The headquarters of the Big Mom Pirates—Whole Cake Island.
"Gulp! Is this real?!"
"This is insane… Wilhelm actually did it…"
"Master Wilhelm is truly incredible!"
"To storm into heavily guarded Mary Geoise alone—that takes unbelievable guts!"
"Wow! Big Brother Wilhelm is amazing!"
"So cool! Wei-gao-gao!"
Members of the Charlotte Family and the pirates under Big Mom's banner were passing time, flipping through the latest newspapers.
The moment they saw Wilhelm's photo and the huge black headline, they froze in shock.
Their mouths fell open.
Some were completely speechless.
Others, especially the younger members of the Charlotte Family, were overwhelmed with awe and admiration.
"A billion Berries…"
"Wilhelm really stirred up a hornet's nest this time!"
Cake Castle — Top Floor, Inside the Grand Palace
Katakuri, the strongest Sweet Commander of the Charlotte Family, held the freshly delivered newspaper in his hands.
He wasn't too surprised. After all, Skie had already informed him about what had happened.
Still, even though he had been prepared, he couldn't help but feel a little shocked. It was all so sudden.
But now that it was done, there was no turning back.
"Mama Mama~, compared to the massive gains we got, offending the World Government is nothing!"
Charlotte Linlin—BIG MOM—sat on her throne, laughing loudly with a wide, toothy grin.
"Even if they dare to send a fleet after me, they better be ready! Mama Mama~! Do they think my old lady is some weakling?!"
Then, she turned to Katakuri and added, "But if Smoothie hadn't told me… I wouldn't have believed he even stole the First Generation Kitetsu from the Five Elders!"
Katakuri shrugged and said helplessly, "Even Morgans didn't dare to offend the Five Elders… He didn't even publish that part of the story."
"Still, Wilhelm might have caused a big mess, but the rewards are incredible!"
Floating in midair, the anthropomorphic sun Prometheus chuckled strangely as he descended.
"Mama Mama~, not only did he help Smoothie obtain the Logia-type Goro Goro no Mi, but he even stole over twenty Devil Fruits from Mary Geoise… Truly the work of a 'perfect' creation!"
BIG MOM shoved a handful of soul-infused Homies pastries into her mouth and laughed triumphantly.
"With Katakuri and Wilhelm by my side, sooner or later, I'll crush that old geezer Whitebeard and surpass that bastard Roger!"
"I'll become the true 'Pirate King'!"
"Mom, besides Whitebeard and the Marines…"
Katakuri remained serious, his tone steady.
"Kaido is a growing threat."
He continued, "Ever since he took over Wano, he's been building massive arsenals and using the weapons trade to recruit a powerful army. The Beasts Pirates are expanding rapidly… It's only a matter of time before they become a serious enemy."
"That brat Kaido?"
BIG MOM grinned, unbothered.
"Mama Mama~! He may have grown, but he's still far from surpassing me!"
New World — Somewhere in an Unknown Sea
A massive, whale-shaped pirate ship floated in the middle of the sea, surrounded by several smaller escort ships, like planets revolving around a star.
The Whitebeard Jolly Roger, bearing its iconic crescent-shaped mustache, fluttered in the wind.
"Gurararara~! What an incredible brat…"
A towering, muscular figure sat comfortably on deck, holding the newly delivered newspaper.
His crescent-shaped white mustache, massive physique, and unmatched presence made it impossible to mistake him for anyone else.
This was Edward Newgate—"Whitebeard."
A true living legend.
He had once rivaled Gol D. Roger and Golden Lion Shiki, and now, with Roger executed and Shiki missing after escaping from Impel Down, Whitebeard was recognized as the world's strongest pirate.
His Gura Gura no Mi made him a walking natural disaster, capable of creating earthquakes and tsunamis at will.
Even the Marines were hesitant to provoke him.
Nearby, a young man with a pineapple-shaped hairstyle and heavy eye bags grinned as he read the paper.
A Whitebeard Pirates tattoo was proudly displayed on his chest.
This was Marco the Phoenix—captain of the First Division.
"They say he's a natural-born monster, just like BIG MOM—his body as tough as steel."
Marco smirked.
"Apparently, anyone who locks eyes with him feels their heart tremble. And with that fancy clothing and sharp looks, people started calling him 'The Trembling Lord.'"
A nearby swordsman, sporting a well-groomed mustache, let out a chuckle.
This was "Flower Sword" Vista, captain of the Fifth Division.
"I heard the Navy even sent Vice Admiral 'Akainu' after him not long ago… and he came back empty-handed!"
The captain of the Fourth Division, Sage, laughed and placed his hands on his hips.
"Heh, that kid's reckless.
"Storming into Mary Geoise, the very heart of the World Government? He's just thrown the entire sea into chaos!"
"Yeah… and you think the World Government will just let this go?"
Sage shook his head.
"The Celestial Dragons see themselves as untouchable gods. No way they'll ignore this insult."
Whitebeard laughed loudly once again.
"Gurararara~! Let the Marines and the BIG MOM Pirates make as much noise as they want!"
He reached for a giant sake jug, tilted it back, and took several large gulps.
Then, he set it down with a thud, his voice carrying an undeniable authority.
"But if they dare to provoke me—
"They won't leave alive!"
"Ohhh!!!"
The Whitebeard Pirates cheered in unison.
"Well said, Pops!"
"Yeah! Dad is the rightful 'Strongest in the World'!"
"If the Marines come after us, they're asking for death!"