The world, and its people, didn't have to wait long.
Suddenly, the entire world was thrown into upheaval by a series of news reports about Kong Tai.
It was as if a meteorite had been thrown into the still waters of the world, creating immense waves and unprecedented excitement.
Several news articles, with Kong Tai gracing their covers, were instantly disseminated across the globe by the World Economic News Agency.
This was not like last time when he defeated the Golden Lion.
For the younger generation of pirates, the Golden Lion was practically a forgotten figure.
The world is forgetful; even some powerful factions had forgotten the old man's existence, let alone the common folk.
But this time was different. Kong Tai had successively slain members of CP0, a terrifying organization in the eyes of both pirates and nations, and then he had severely wounded four elite Marine Vice Admirals with a single strike.
Furthermore, he had fought Yellow Monkey for an entire night and emerged unscathed, while Yellow Monkey himself had been struck three times.
It could be said that during the Battle of Ore Island, Kong Tai, single-handedly facing a Buster Call from the Marines, an Admiral, the veteran Vice Admiral Melasen, and a grueling battle against four CP0 members, achieved a terrifying record of four deaths, four injuries, and his own safe withdrawal.
While not many newcomers knew of Vice Admiral Melasen, veteran pirates were acutely aware of his strength!
For newcomers and pirates venturing through the Grand Line, the significance of the five active Vice Admirals and Admiral Yellow Monkey in the New World and the Grand Line was clear.
These formidable forces combined could even contend with a Yonko's crew!
And now...
They had been defeated by this newcomer named Silver Hair, who had managed to escape completely unscathed.
What kind of terrifying existence was this person?
The entire world, whether old pirates or new, under the bombardment of these news reports, had thoroughly remembered "Silver Hair · Kong Tai" and the windmill flag of the Silver Hair Pirates.
...
In the New World, on Dressrosa, a wild and arrogant burst of laughter erupted from the royal palace atop the central plateau.
"Fufufufufu!!"
Donquixote Doflamingo, one of the "Shichibukai," clad in a pink feathered coat and sunglasses, lay on a sofa, roaring with laughter as he looked at the newspaper featuring Kong Tai's image.
"The world truly never fails to be interesting!"
"Let it be chaotic!"
He threw aside the newspaper in his hand, walked to the window, and gazing at the bustling street below the plateau where pedestrians looked like ants, he spread his arms and shouted madly, "Let it be chaotic! The tide of the era has begun to churn; let this colossal wave become even more ferocious!"
"Fufufufufufu..."
Onigashima.
Kaido stared at the newspaper before him, his brow furrowed at the glaring headline "Fifth Emperor." He then tossed the newspaper aside and grabbed his sake gourd, taking a long drink.
Gulp gulp gulp!!
"Hoo~"
Kaido exhaled a breath of alcohol and slammed the gourd onto the nearby coffee table.
"Fifth Emperor, you say?"
"Aspiring to be an Emperor? You brat still have a long way to go!"
"Worororo!!"
With a laugh, he stood up and walked outside.
"Boring! Too boring!"
He wanted to find some amusement. He'd heard that new pirates had recently entered the New World and were making waves near Wano Country. He intended to test these pirates and see if they were worth recruiting.
...
In the grand castle of the ruined kingdom on the island of Marie Geoise, a middle-aged man with black hair, wearing a white shirt, black trousers, and a gold cross around his neck, was drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.
"Hmm!"
At this moment, the hand holding his coffee cup paused slightly. He then gently set down the cup, picked up the newspaper with both hands, and began to read it intently.
Upon seeing the news that Kong Tai had wounded four Vice Admirals with a single strike, and later wounded Yellow Monkey with another, a flicker of excitement flashed in his hawk-like pupils.
"Great Swordsman, a world-class Great Swordsman."
The last time he saw news of Kong Tai, he had become interested in this sudden appearance of a Great Swordsman. He had planned to seek Kong Tai out for a spar, but he was delayed by other matters and couldn't go.
Now, seeing news of Kong Tai again, and this time an even more powerful Kong Tai than before.
He... couldn't resist any longer.
With that thought, he tossed aside the newspaper, slowly stood up, walked to a nearby coat rack, picked up a wine-red patterned cape, and draped it over himself. He then took a black top hat adorned with white fur from the side and put it on.
Turning, he slung a giant black cross-shaped sword over his back and strode out of the castle.
The last person who had excited him so much, so eagerly, was "Red-Haired" Shanks, before he lost his arm and became one of the Yonko.
But ever since that arm was lost, he had been unable to find a sword-wielding opponent who could excite him.
...
In the New World, in a certain stretch of sea.
On a deserted island, the Red-Haired Pirates were holding a feast.
In the center of the island, on a broken tree, sat a middle-aged man with only one arm.
The man had red hair and three vertical scars on his left eye, indicating it had been scratched.
He had a light stubble around his mouth, wore a white shirt, a black cape, and a rapier at his waist.
This was the captain of the Red-Haired Pirates, one of the Yonko of the New World, "Shanks," also known as "Red-Haired," renowned throughout the world.
He was also the youngest Yonko.
Despite being a pirate, Shanks maintained contact with the Five Elders, the supreme leaders of the World Government, making him a man full of unknowns.
He could also be said to be the pirate who most embodied "freedom" in this world. If the definition of "Pirate King" was "the freest person on the seas," then Shanks was arguably the closest to that throne.
He was also the only Yonko who had ascended to the pinnacle of the world solely through Haki, without the aid of a Devil Fruit.
At this moment, Shanks was holding a sake bottle with one hand, looking down at the unfolded newspaper on his lap.
The more he read, the tighter his brow furrowed.
Beside him, his Vice-Captain, "Benn Beckman," wearing a black V-neck t-shirt, olive green cargo pants, and black combat boots, with a flintlock rifle secured to his waist by a yellow belt, his hair slicked back in a grey pompadour, and a dark blue cloak with a spiral pattern draped over him, noticed Shanks' unusual state and asked softly.
"What's wrong, Shanks?"
"Nothing."
Shanks dispelled the seriousness in his eyes, turned to Beckman, and chuckled, "A newly emerged pirate has the strength to wound that yellow-skinned monkey."
"Oh..."
A flicker of surprise flashed in Beckman's eyes. He held the cigarette he had between his lips, took the newspaper from Shanks, and began to read.
As he read, his expression gradually turned serious. He looked at Shanks and said, "Isn't this the brat who defeated the Golden Lion?"
Shock flashed in his eyes.
"I never expected his strength to have reached this level!"
A single Admiral and five Vice Admirals. His pirate crew wouldn't be afraid of them, but facing them individually was another matter.
Even Shanks would find it troublesome to face them, wouldn't he? Of course, that meant it would be troublesome, not impossible to defeat.
Shanks didn't answer Beckman, instead turning his gaze to the distant sea.
"The balance of the New World is about to be shattered again!"
With that thought, he took a few more gulps of sake, then shook his head, pushed these matters aside, and his face regained its smile as he cheerfully rejoined the feast with his crew.
From the news about Kong Tai, he could infer Kong Tai's character and methods. This person was at least not a vicious villain, and that was enough.
What he feared most were those incredibly mad, yet powerful pirates.
Because when these individuals entered the New World, they would inevitably turn it upside down in pursuit of their ambitions.
This would break the balance that had been painstakingly established between the Yonko, the Marines, and the Shichibukai.
This would plunge the world into chaos once more, something he did not wish to see.
Of course, neither did the Marines nor the World Government.
He surmised that if Kong Tai was a pirate whose primary motivation was adventure, he wouldn't be too bad.
He wondered if he would still be so cheerful when he truly met Kong Tai.
After all, Kong Tai's first target upon entering the Grand Line was the Shichibukai!
And his future goal in the New World was to become the world's strongest.
This meant he would inevitably clash with Whitebeard. While he might not necessarily conflict with the entire Whitebeard Pirates, the change in the strongest title would surely disrupt the existing balance.
He mused that when they finally met, it would be quite interesting.