People are sailing and synthesize the devil fruit of phantom beast sp

Kairos Flint looked calm and composed.

His reaction was so unexpectedly mild that Jinbei found it hard to believe.

But as he processed what had just happened, a wave of relief and joy swept over his face. He had been prepared to be scolded harshly by Kairos. Instead, Kairos brushed off the matter as though it were trivial.

"I'm not going to waste words. Just remember, you need to secure Roger's body within the next few days—no delays," Kairos instructed firmly. "I'm currently in the East Blue. As soon as you retrieve the body, bring it directly to me. And keep this between you and me—no one else can know."

He had no desire to carry the eternal disgrace of grave robbing. He wasn't some lunatic like Moria who made zombies out of corpses.

Jinbei listened intently, nodded seriously, and hung up without hesitation. He immediately began preparations to head to the East Blue to carry out Kairos's request.

Meanwhile, on the other end, Kairos made another call—this time to Morgans.

At the World Economic News office, things were in full swing. Reporters were rushing around, typing, editing, yelling—the usual chaos of a newsroom. Morgans himself sat behind his desk, puffing on a thick cigar, looking more anxious than usual as he stared at the Den Den Mushi in his hand.

He had already received a tip-off from Kairos and was now waiting impatiently for the final confirmation. The war was just two weeks away, and this was prime time to stir headlines and profits. If he could publish a scoop about the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, it would shake the world.

Still, doubt lingered in Morgans' mind. The whole world had watched Roger's execution in Loguetown. How could Kairos claim Roger was alive? It seemed absurd—unless he saw proof with his own eyes.

Just then, the Den Den Mushi finally rang.

Morgans jolted upright, his heart pounding as he picked up the receiver.

"The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger... he's alive. I've sent you photos and battle footage of our fight. It's him. He's strong enough to match me blow for blow. We were evenly matched in power."

Kairos's voice came through with calculated conviction.

To Morgans, the words hit like a bolt of lightning.

"No way… the Pirate King is really alive?!"

Morgans shot up from his chair, his voice rising in disbelief and excitement. The entire newsroom turned to stare. His exclamation had everyone on edge.

"You know the price we agreed on," Kairos continued coolly. "Roger and I parted ways after the battle. Be cautious. I never expected him to still be alive, but now he's back—and he's a force to be reckoned with."

He transmitted the photos and videos to Morgans immediately.

Morgans grabbed the files, eyes scanning the contents with fervor. He froze as the images came into view.

There it was—Roger's unmistakable grin, his overwhelming aura. The arrogance, the charm, the power—it was all there. In the battle footage, entire mountains collapsed under the force of their clash. The speed was almost too fast for the camera to follow. Whenever the lens panned to one location, the figures were already gone. Only blurry afterimages remained.

Explosions, shattered landscapes, and a devastating fight across an island—this was no illusion. Even with much of it blurred, the essence of Roger's might came through.

"Quick! QUICK! Save this for the front page! Everyone, get moving! Rewrite everything—our headline is THE PIRATE KING IS BACK!" Morgans roared.

Within seconds, the newsroom erupted in a frenzy.

Just moments ago, the debate over Roger's survival had been a wild rumor. Now, it was confirmed fact. This wasn't news—it was a world-shattering revelation. It was like dropping an atomic bomb on the world's psyche.

The Age of Pirates had begun with Roger's words, and now, his return would reignite everything.

Every journalist in the office was burning with energy, racing to craft headlines and stories that would grip the world. Chaos turned into calculated mania as articles were drafted with record speed.

Kairos ended the call and leaned back on the deck of the Ark of the World. Thanks to his schemes, the ship turned smoothly through the sea. For now, he could finally relax.

Later that evening, Morgans's publishing house distributed seven million newspapers. Each was picked up by messenger gulls and sent flying in every direction across the globe.

At the same time, other forces across the New World were mobilizing for the looming war.

Within the territories of Totto Land—

Charlotte Katakuri stood at the top of a towering castle, scanning the horizon.

At the port of Whole Cake Island, a warship bearing the World Government's flag slowly pulled in.

Inside the castle, Big Mom—Charlotte Linlin—was sipping tea and savoring pastries in a rare moment of peace.

"Mom," Katakuri said, turning slightly, "It looks like Kaido's returned."

"Hmph? That drunk finally patched himself up?" Linlin set her teacake down and rose, stepping out to the castle's edge.

From the balcony, she peered out and watched as Kaido's warship docked at the harbor.

The ship's hatch opened with a hiss, and a massive figure stepped out.

People nearby who caught sight of him were frozen in fear. A suffocating wave of Conqueror's Haki burst out from Kaido the moment he touched the ground.

In a flash, dozens of onlookers dropped like flies—eyes rolled back, limbs limp. They had been overwhelmed before they could even react.

"I'm back!" Kaido declared boldly.

His towering form exuded raw power. His broken arm was wrapped in thick black cloth, obscuring the extent of his injuries. But nothing could hide the overwhelming aura that radiated from him like a storm.