On the very night of the Kano incident, the reporter quickly organized the news and sent it at the fastest speed to his boss, Morgans.
Far away in the New World, Morgans burst out in excited laughter after watching the footage of Arima battling against the nearly ten-thousand-strong Kano navy.
"Big news, big news! I didn't expect such a mysterious figure to appear, someone with power on par with the Four Emperors!
The balance of the seas is about to be shattered, and the world will once again be swept by a new tide… Wahahaha! I must expose this news before the World Government makes its move!"
In his secret base, Morgans quickly issued orders to his subordinates: tomorrow's morning paper would feature the Kano incident as the headline, spreading to every corner of the world.
Thanks to his efforts, the explosive news indeed spread across the seas by the following morning.
The headline read: "The Mysterious Man with Power Equal to a Fifth Emperor."
The front page carried a photograph of Arima, standing high atop his giant wooden construct wrapped in Armament Haki, gazing down at the world below.
That morning, Arima stepped onto the deck to begin teaching Tsunade, Nawaki, and Natsuka the practice of Sage Arts.
Just then, a News Coo dropped a copy of the World Economic Times directly onto Nawaki's head.
After paying the usual fee, Nawaki opened it and immediately spotted the explosive front-page report.
"Brother-in-law, come look at this newspaper!"
Nawaki excitedly held out the paper, showing everyone the coverage of yesterday's battle.
Arima and the others quickly gathered around.
The most eye-catching image on the front page was the photo of Arima, imposing atop his giant wooden warrior.
The article claimed that he was the most likely candidate to become the "Fifth Emperor of the New World."
It also mentioned, for the first time, the mysterious organization known as "Konoha."
"Brother, do you think the World Government will put a bounty on you now? How much would it be?"
Natsuka looked at him with a teasing smile.
"If it's his first bounty, brother-in-law would probably get at least two billion Berries!"
Nawaki seemed more interested in the potential bounty than anything else.
He even began brainstorming flashy titles for himself, like "Konoha's Divine Might, the Fifth Hokage Whose Power Shakes the Seas."
"So Arima is about to become a Fifth Emperor? Then doesn't that make me the wife of a Fifth Emperor?!
I heard the seas are filled with casinos across many islands, when that happens, I'll finally be able to gamble to my heart's content!"
Tsunade, as always, cared more about the gambling scene. To her, Arima was already a top-tier powerhouse of this world; the report was simply stating facts, nothing surprising.
"Arima is the strongest! I will also make a name for myself across the seas!"
Kushina was eager to earn a title worthy of Arima.
"My, Arima really is amazing. Perhaps it's time for your grandmother here to stretch her legs and spread the renown of the Uzumaki Clan as well!"
Mito joined in the fun, laughing alongside the younger generation. With them, she felt that same carefree joy she'd once known in her youth.
"…"
The group chattered endlessly, each one more animated than the last.
Meanwhile, word of the news spread across the world.
At Marine Headquarters in Marineford, Fleet Admiral Sengoku convened a meeting of high-ranking officers to discuss the incident caused by Arima.
"This man launched an unrestrained attack on a World Government affiliate nation. It's a blatant insult to Marine authority. What 'Fifth Emperor'?
He only defeated a bunch of third-rate pirates, yet dares to boast like this. For the sake of justice, this dangerous seed must be eradicated at once!"
Admiral Akainu's disgust for Arima ran deep. To him, Arima was no different from Monkey D. Dragon, a scourge sowing chaos in the world who had to be eliminated.
"I disagree. That man is incredibly powerful. According to follow-up investigations from Branch 80, he severely injured Chinjao, the pillar of the Happo Navy, with a single punch.
That level of strength already rivals a Vice Admiral at Headquarters.
If he fought one of us three Admirals, the outcome would still be uncertain. His rise to the title of Fifth Emperor is not impossible."
Admiral Aokiji opposed Akainu's hardline stance. Such recklessness would only create a formidable enemy for the Marines.
"Indeed. That hundred-meter wooden giant of his was completely coated in Armament Haki, proof of his extraordinary mastery.
On top of that, he possesses Conqueror's Haki, no weaker than the Four Emperors'. I suggest we watch from the sidelines.
Let him clash with the existing Emperors first.
We can then gauge his true strength and, in the process, investigate this so-called 'Konoha.' Who knows how many other powerhouses this mysterious organization holds?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru carefully analyzed the intelligence.
To her, Morgans hadn't exaggerated: Arima's strength was real, and the shadowy "Konoha" behind him warranted extreme caution. She couldn't support Akainu's rashness.
"Then we'll follow Tsuru's suggestion. For now, we won't announce a bounty on Arima. The Emperors themselves will surely test him.
Besides, the World Government has asked us to let this incident rest, it was apparently a strong demand from Kano itself."
Sengoku settled the matter. Since Kano, the one attacked, wasn't pursuing it, there was no need for the Marines to complicate things.
Elsewhere, in the Red-Haired Pirates' territory in the New World, the Red Force had just docked at port when the crew received the news about Arima.
"Heh, I didn't think he'd make a name for himself so quickly. His rise really is fast! To think he injured all of Kano's navy elites in one strike, not bad at all!"
Shanks read the report with interest, though he felt a twinge of regret. He'd forgotten to cross blades with Arima before parting ways.
Beckman lit a cigarette, took a long drag, exhaled a thick stream of smoke, then said calmly, "That man doesn't have the air of a pirate. He's never been the same as us."
"So what? Are we really proper pirates ourselves?"
Shanks chuckled, still intrigued as he studied the massive wooden warrior in the paper.
"Do you think he's eaten a Devil Fruit? If he had the chance, which one would he choose?"
Shanks grew curious.
"My guess would be one of the top-tier Logia Fruits. But for him, a Devil Fruit wouldn't be a blessing, it would be a shackle."
"True. He can literally stand on the sea itself. Who could ever catch him then? Not even the Golden Lion could match such freedom."
"I'm more curious about this 'Konoha' organization. Who else might be hiding there? Captain, do you think the other Emperors will go after him?"
Beckman was more interested in the shifting balance of power. To him, Arima's rise meant a new era of reshuffling among the great forces.
Whitebeard's health was declining, Big Mom was busy bearing children to build her "Totto Land," and Kaido was the most aggressive, he'd likely be the first Emperor to collide with Arima.
"Hard to say. That lunatic Kaido probably finds him the most intriguing."
As Shanks and Beckman spoke, Shanks unexpectedly received a call from his former first mate, the Dark King, Rayleigh.
"Well, well. Vice Captain, what makes you call me today?"
Shanks grinned as he picked up the Den Den Mushi.
"I heard you just got back from the West Blue. Did you meet that young man named Arima?"
Rayleigh's steady voice carried through the line, stirring memories in Shanks. Since the Captain's death, the two hadn't spoken in years, but their bond remained unchanged.
"Heh, Vice Captain, you're asking the right person. I happened to be his 'guide.' I've passed on the proud tradition of the Roger Pirates!"
"So you taught him Haki? You little brat, you've raised a monster!"
"Haha, we hit it off, so I gave him a push. As for the title of 'Fifth Emperor,' he himself said he wasn't interested. I'd wager he'll walk a path similar to Dragon's."
"Good enough. With that intel, I have a clearer picture now. Alright, Shakky's calling me to work. Hanging up!"
With that, Rayleigh abruptly ended the call, leaving Shanks a bit dissatisfied, he hadn't had enough of the conversation.
Shanks set down the Den Den Mushi with a regretful sigh. "Ah, love really is terrifying. The Captain was already trapped, now even the Vice Captain is shackled by Shakky.
And that Arima guy, he's married too, and completely henpecked! I swear, I'd rather die than ever get married!"
"Heh."
Beckman shot him a sidelong glance, chuckled quietly, and continued smoking.
'Who are you trying to fool, Captain? My eyes don't lie. I clearly saw you getting cozy with the tavern lady in Foosha Village.'
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