It wasn't just Miyuki... Futaro, who had a broken leg, had the same idea.
The two's eyes met, sparks seemingly flying between them—
They were determined to compete for the position of new 'top lapdog'.
However, before the two could act—
"You two." Yu suddenly pointed at Miyuki and Futaro.
"Come with me."
Could he not guess what these guys were thinking?
Trying to steal the home base while he was away?
No way.
Not just Miyuki and Futaro, Yu also demanded that Hachiman and Saika come with him.
Although everyone knew about the relationship between those two, Yu felt it was necessary to prevent problems.
After following Makoto, Yu had read a lot of history just to have more topics to discuss with him.
The story of those shrewd merchant selling off women to the princes reminded Yu.
He felt he needed to be cautious, lest Hachiman pull that trick.
Miyuki: "..."
Futaro: "..."
Hachiman: "...Alright."
Saika: "Huh? Wh-why?"
The four people's expressions varied, but none were good.
Especially Miyuki, who had just been thinking about how to become the new top lapdog, only to be drafted as a laborer.
If Makoto knew what Yu was thinking, he would be absolutely speechless.
He really had no interest in bayonet fighting.
Morgans, under Makoto's orders, boarded the Oro Jackson with Yu's team.
According to the plan, for the next long period, every time Yu's team arrived at a member country for a 'world tour performance', Morgans would be there to film and report.
Morgans stood on the ship's railing and gave Makoto a deep bow.
"Lord, Little Mo is off!"
Flap...
The sails of the Oro Jackson were raised, the sea breeze blowing the flags, the ship slowly leaving the harbor.
Yu stood at the bow, lit a cigarette, and silently vowed not to return until he had made something of himself.
Behind him were the bitter-faced Miyuki and Futaro, the embarrassed Hachiman, Saika smiling and waving goodbye,
and Imu, secured with a dog leash, along with the Four Gay Bros, grinning from ear to ear.
Makoto and his group stood on the dock, watching the ship gradually sail away.
After the Oro Jackson completely disappeared from sight, Beam scratched his head and asked Makoto:
"Chainsaw-sama, what about me?"
Now, aside from Makoto himself, he was the only male left in Makoto's team.
This made Beam a bit uncomfortable.
And he didn't want to fall too far behind Yu and the others.
"After Tom finishes our ship, I'll send you to Fish-Man Island." Makoto said.
"You'll train there for a while."
That's right. The method Makoto had prepared for Beam to get stronger was… Fish-Man Karate.
After all, the Shark Devil could also be considered a fish-man, and a supreme plus enhanced version at that.
"Fish-Man Karate?" Beam blinked.
"Yes." Makoto nodded.
"Moreover, that place is the hub connecting the first and second halves of the Grand Line. Many pirates will pass through. Taking them out will also help increase the fear of the humans in this world towards you."
Upon hearing this, Beam's back straightened abruptly.
"Yes!"
…
The next day.
The newspapers of the World Economy News Paper were delivered by news coos all over the world.
From the East Blue to the West Blue, from the South Blue to the North Blue, from the start of the Grand Line to its end… countless news coos took off at the same time, delivering that thick newspaper to every inhabited island.
Everyone who saw this newspaper was stunned for a moment.
They had never seen such a thick newspaper.
Usually, the World Economy News Paper was just a few thin pages, finished in two flips.
Today's issue was heavy in the hand, like a small booklet.
Someone curiously opened it.
And then—
Everyone was shocked.
The headline read:
The Birth of the True King of the World!
The front page featured a photograph.
On it, by the seaside of Water 7, Makoto sat on a chair with his legs crossed.
And Imu, the so-called [King of the World] who had ruled for eight hundred years, was kneeling before him, head bowed, licking his shoe.
Beside Makoto stood Yu, Beam, and the Four Gay Bros, as solemn as prison guards worshipping a god, their eyes filled with admiration for Makoto and mockery for Imu.
People all over the world who saw this photo were dumbfounded.
Many rubbed their eyes several times, wondering if they were hallucinating.
They certainly didn't know who Imu was, but there were captions: Supreme Leader of the World Government, Direct Superior of the Five Elders, One of the Initial Twenty.
People worldwide couldn't help but doubt whether the titles the newspaper had given Imu were real or fake.
If they were real, how could he be licking someone's shoes like a dog?
Many young girls who saw the photo of Makoto reacted with...
"He's so handsome!"
Male readers, on the other hand, couldn't help but pout, thinking: Isn't he just a pretty boy? What's the big deal?
However, upon seeing the content below, everyone forgot about Makoto's looks—
They were terrified by what he had accomplished in just one day.
"[Steel Bones] Kong, the current sole Admiral of the Marine, confirmed dead. Perpetrator: Makoto."
"Harald, King of Elbaf, the world's strongest nation of giants, confirmed dead. Perpetrator: Makoto."
"Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, one of the World Government's highest authority, the Five Elders, confirmed dead. Perpetrator: Makoto."
"Figarland Garling, Supreme Commander of the God's Knights, and Sommers, a main combatant, severely wounded."
"Imu, the former King of the World, confirmed captured."
"The entire Roger Pirates confirmed captured. All members except [Dark King] Rayleigh have been thrown into Impel Down."
"Holy Land Mary Geoise severely damaged. Pangaea Castle collapsed. Celestial Dragons suffered heavy casualties."
One after another, like listing dishes.
Killing a Marine Admiral.
Killing the giant's king.
Killing one of the Five Elders.
Severely wounding the God's Knights' Commander.
Capturing the King of the World.
Throwing the Roger Pirates into the underwater prison.
Storming the Holy Land.
Burning down Mary Geoise.
Everyone looking at this string of text understood why the newspaper was so thick.
Because if it weren't thicker, they couldn't fit all of Makoto's deeds.
And what was even more terrifying was that many of the things described above were done in a single day.
One day.
From the Sabaody Archipelago to Mary Geoise.
From killing Kong to capturing Imu.
From chopping down Pangaea Castle to getting away clean.
One day.
Readers worldwide were terrified.
But if the content of the report was true...
Then this Makoto truly deserved the nickname of [New King of the World].
And on the last page of this newspaper, there was a small line of text.
It couldn't be helped... there was no space left.
It read:
"Next Issue Preview: The World Tour Performance of the King of the World, Imu, is about to begin. Stay tuned."
No one knew what a 'world tour performance' meant.
But everyone vaguely felt—
The next issue of the newspaper would probably be even more explosive than this one.