Chapter 148: 148: The New World Springs to Life
As the new year dawned, a sensational piece of news spread like wildfire from Fish-Man Island to the New World.
"The Wanderer, Ron, has been spotted on Fish-Man Island and is rumored to be entering the New World!"
"Reports of the Calamity from the Skies Crew were exaggerated! Neither Kuina, the female swordmaster, nor the Iron Witch has perished. They're both still traveling with Ron!"
The explosive revelation caused waves across the New World. The World Government's intelligence agencies, the Marines, various news outlets, and pirate factions turned their attention toward the most formidable sea.
Soon, photographic evidence surfaced: a ship ascending from the ocean into the skies, unmistakably the vessel of the Calamity from the Skies. The image confirmed the undeniable truth—Ron had entered the New World!
…
"He's finally here, huh?"
Former Admiral Zephyr, now leading his Neo Marine force, immediately set sail with Ain and Binz, heading toward the sea region where Ron was last spotted.
In the New World, most islands were under the control of the Four Emperors. Pirates entering this domain either sought to challenge the emperors or aimed to serve under them. Meanwhile, the Marines stationed in this territory represented the elite forces, leagues above those in the four seas.
The New World was currently under the watchful eye of Admiral Kuzan, as part of the rotational command system among the three admirals: Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji.
"Ah, so that troublemaker who's been stirring up the seas is here now?" Kuzan sighed, rubbing his temples. "I was hoping for a quiet period, but it seems things are about to get busy."
Sure enough, the World Government and Marine Headquarters issued immediate orders for Kuzan to take action and apprehend Ron's crew in the New World. Reinforcements were dispatched, including Admiral Kizaru, Vice Admirals Strawberry and Onigumo, and even the elite CP0 agents.
…
Before these events, a debate had raged within the World Government and Marine leadership about whether to extend an olive branch to Ron, offering him a position as a Warlord of the Sea. However, his brazen attack on Mary Geoise, where he hurled an island at the Holy Land, obliterated any hope for compromise.
Ron's actions had not only shattered the World Government's authority but also exceeded the threshold of their tolerance. He wasn't just a potential fifth emperor; he was a dire threat to their rule.
"This man must be eliminated at any cost!"
This was the unanimous conclusion of the Five Elders. Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Commander-in-Chief Kong agreed. Deploying two admirals and mobilizing the entire Marine force in the New World, they were determined to eliminate Ron before he could solidify his position.
…
Meanwhile, aboard the Moby Dick of the Whitebeard Pirates, the news of Ron's arrival in the New World stirred excitement.
"Ron's here too, huh?" Fire Fist Ace, now with a bounty of 1 billion berries after his recent visit to Wano Country and meeting with Red-Haired Shanks, was thrilled.
"You know him?" Marco, sipping on Wine, raised an eyebrow.
"About seven or eight years ago, we spent some time together," Ace reminisced. "He's the same age as me, but even back then, he was unbelievably strong. I've never met anyone of our age who could match him."
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard chuckled, his laugh booming even as he sat hooked up to an IV. "That's only because you were too weak back then! Even now, you're still not strong enough!"
Ace scratched his head, laughing awkwardly but unable to refute Whitebeard's teasing remarks.
The arrival of Ron in the New World was like a storm on the horizon—impossible to ignore and bound to shake the seas to their core.
…
Hearing those words, Marco, Jozu, Vista, and the others around burst into laughter.
Ace squinted his eyes, stood up, and adjusted his hat with a downward press. "I didn't set sail to be ridiculed. Even if you're Whitebeard, it's the same. I won't acknowledge you as the strongest."
Boom!
Flames erupted fiercely from Ace's right fist, blazing with astonishing intensity. He raised his head, unleashing a devastating Fire Fist straight toward Whitebeard.
Faced with this fiery onslaught, Whitebeard—holding a sake gourd in one hand and connected to his IV in the other—merely glanced with steely eyes. A terrifying aura surged forth from him, causing the air before him to tremble violently. A shockwave, like invisible shards of shattered glass, blocked Ace's fiery attack with an overwhelming force.
The next moment, the shockwave exploded outward, dispersing the flames and crashing into Ace. Before he could even react to transform into flames, he was sent flying backward in disbelief.
"Another loss. That makes it the 48th defeat," Marco remarked, crossing his arms.
"Well, it's to be expected. That's our Pops—the strongest man in this sea," Vista said with a laugh.
"Ara ara, looks like we'll need to repair the ship again…" Jozu scratched his head, looking troubled.
Whitebeard took another sip of sake, his gaze shifting slightly in the direction Ace had been flung. A faint smile appeared in his eyes.
"What a promising kid…"
…
Whole Cake Island, Totto Land
"Ma-ma-ma-ma, so he's already arrived…"
Charlotte Linlin, the Big Mom of Totto Land, looked down at her three Sweet Commanders. "The Marines and the World Government will likely act soon. We must get Nico Robin before they do."
"Leave this to me, Mama," Charlotte Cracker said confidently, cracking his knuckles. A smirk of arrogance spread across his face. "I'd like to see for myself if this 'Traveler Ron' is as strong as the rumors claim."
"Cracker, I doubt you can handle him," Katakuri interjected, casting a glance at him.
"Just being able to escape from Kizaru and the Tyrant is proof enough of his strength. That's something you can't do. Focus on retrieving Nico Robin instead of clashing head-on with him."
Cracker seemed ready to argue further.
"Katakuri's right," Linlin interrupted. "All I need is Nico Robin. Let the Marines and the World Government deal with Traveler Ron. Don't disappoint me."
"Of course, Mama," Cracker replied with unwavering confidence.
Although Katakuri felt an inexplicable sense of unease, he couldn't pinpoint the source.
…
Dressrosa.
"That guy's already in the New World? What's the Marines' response?"
Doflamingo stood amidst Dressrosa's factories, flanked by Trebol.
"Aokiji has moved, and it seems Kizaru is also heading out from Marineford," Trebol replied, his voice nasal as he clutched his staff.
With spies within the Marines, obtaining this information was a simple task.
"Hahhaha, two Admirals, huh? They're really giving that guy the VIP treatment," Doflamingo cackled. "After pulling off such a stunt and still daring to come to the New World, he really doesn't fear death. In this sea, plenty of people can deal with someone who can fly through the sky."
Doflamingo turned, a glint of malice in his eyes.
"Let's head back."
"Already?" Trebol asked.
"I have someone to contact. Let's make sure that brat is utterly crushed."
…
Wano Country.
"Governor, it's Doflamingo. He says he wants to make a deal with you."
Queen, one of the Three Disasters, handed the Den Den Mushi to a drunken Kaido.
Kaido, swaying slightly, grabbed the receiver.
"What do you want?"
"You want me to send King to help the Marines against that Traveler Ron? hah! And what do I get in return?"
After listening to Doflamingo's offer, Kaido narrowed his eyes.
"Oh? You can really pull that off?"
"Fine, then. I'll send King. This should be amusing."
…
As the currents of power converged toward the New World, The Traveler sailed into a thunderous sea of storms.
From the deck of the ship, a lone figure leaped down.
Straight and unwavering, they plunged through the thick, heavy storm clouds, descending hundreds of kilometers toward the raging tempest below.