Liam took a deep breath and dialed the direct line to President Morgans.
The Den Den Mushi's eyes slowly opened, simulating a bird-like face.
This was precisely the image of the World Economic Journal's President, "Big News" Morgans.
"Hello, Liam?"
Morgans' hoarse, excited voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Is there anything interesting happening in the East Blue again?"
"President!" Liam's voice trembled slightly with tension.
"Just now, a man calling himself 'Invincible' broke into our branch."
"He demanded that we publish a news article claiming he is stronger than the Four Emperors and the Admirals!"
The Den Den Mushi's expression instantly became exaggerated, its eyes wide.
"Oh? Interesting! Very interesting! What does he look like? Do you have a photo?"
"Yes! The photographer has already taken one!" Liam quickly replied.
"He doesn't look very old, but his strength is unfathomable; just a single glance made all of us unable to move."
"President, I'm worried this news will cause trouble…"
"Trouble? Hahahaha!"
Morgans burst into laughter, his voice full of fanaticism.
"This is what you call big news! Whether he has that strength or not, anyone who dares to publicly challenge the Four Emperors and an Admiral."
"The whole world will remember his name! Tomorrow's headline will feature this."
"The title will be 'Invincible Strongman Appears in East Blue, Declares Supremacy Over Four Emperors!'"
Liam hesitated, "But, if he's just bluffing…"
"So what?" Morgans interrupted him, his tone filled with undeniable excitement.
"The truth of the news isn't important; what's important is whether it can attract attention!"
"This news will surely ignite the whole world! Immediately typeset and print it, I want tomorrow's newspaper to sell out!"
At the same time, Morgans excitedly flapped his wings at the headquarters, shouting to his assistant.
"Quick! Contact all branches, increase the print run!"
"Also, send people to the East Blue to keep a close eye on that Ethan; I want his every move to be a headline!"
…
New World, Totto Land Kingdom.
Inside the massive castle on Cake Island, one of the Four Emperors, Charlotte Linlin, sat on her throne.
She held a freshly delivered World Economic Journal in her hand.
Ethan's photo was prominently displayed on the front page of the newspaper, with a glaring headline.
"Invincible Strongman Appears in East Blue, Declares Supremacy Over Four Emperors!"
"Mama Mama Mama…"
Mama's laughter suddenly stopped, and her pupils sharply contracted.
The newspaper was crumpled into a ball in her hand.
"Mama, what's wrong?"
Her eldest son, Perospero, noticed the abnormality and asked cautiously.
"Perospero!" Mama's voice was low and dangerous.
"Look at this ignorant brat, daring to say he's stronger than me?!"
She violently threw the newspaper to the ground; Ethan in the photo smiled confidently, as if mocking her authority.
"Mama, this is just some unknown nobody from the East Blue trying to attract attention."
Katakuri said calmly.
"Nobody?!" Mama stood up, her massive body casting a shadow, and the atmosphere in the entire hall instantly solidified.
"Anyone who dares to publicly provoke a Four Emperor in the newspaper is either a madman."
"Or he truly has some skill! Perospero, immediately investigate this Ethan's background!"
"Yes, Mama!" Perospero quickly responded, turning and leaving swiftly.
Mama sat back on her throne, tapping her fingers on the armrest, her eyes burning with fury.
"If this kid is just bluffing."
She will make him realize the cost of insulting a Four Emperor! But if he truly is that strong…
Her lips curved into a sinister smile, "Then it's even more interesting!"
…
Kaido's massive body leaned on his throne, holding the latest issue of the World Economic Journal.
Ethan's arrogant photo, with his arms crossed, was prominently displayed on the front page of the newspaper.
The glaring headline read: "Invincible Strongman Appears in East Blue, Declares Supremacy Over Four Emperors!"
"Hahahahaha…"
Kaido's laughter was deep and dangerous.
"Lord Kaido, this…"
the Plague Queen, standing nearby, wiped cold sweat, trying to ease the atmosphere.
"It's just a clown from the East Blue trying to attract attention, not worth your anger."
"Attracting attention?" Kaido's fingers tightened slightly, and the newspaper instantly crumbled into pieces.
"Daring to compare me to those good-for-nothings… this kid has a death wish!"
The ground trembled with his anger, and fine cracks appeared on Onigashima's walls.
Kaido stood up, his shadow engulfing the entire hall, "Go find out everything about this kid."
…
New World, Red Force.
On the azure sea, the Red Hair Pirates' flagship sailed leisurely.
Shanks sat on a barrel at the bow, holding a freshly delivered World Economic Journal.
A lazy smile was on his face.
Suddenly, Shanks' gaze swept over the front-page headline, and his eyebrows slightly raised.
"Oh? This is truly…"
On the front page of the newspaper, a photo of an unfamiliar young man was prominently displayed, with a striking headline.
"Invincible Strongman Appears in East Blue, Declares Supremacy Over Four Emperors!"
Beckman walked over, smoking a cigarette, glanced at the newspaper, and scoffed.
"Another ignorant fellow?"
Lucky Roux, gnawing on a drumstick, leaned closer and mumbled.
"East Blue? Isn't that the weakest sea? What kind of 'Invincible' person could come from there?"
Yasopp whistled.
"To challenge a Four Emperor so arrogantly, he's either crazy, or… he truly has some skill."
Shanks didn't respond immediately, instead staring at Ethan in the photo, his gaze profound.
A moment later, he suddenly laughed.
"Interesting."
Beckman turned to him and asked, "You know him?"
Shanks shook his head, "No, first time seeing him. But his eyes… are very interesting."
"What's interesting about them?" Lucky Roux scratched his head, "He just looks like a normal young man."
Shanks folded the newspaper, casually tossed it to a nearby crew member, and stood up.
A smile still lingered on his lips, but his eyes had become serious.
"There's no fear in his eyes."
Beckman narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "You mean…"
Shanks looked towards the distant horizon, his tone relaxed but with a hint of playfulness.
"To publicly declare in the newspaper that he's stronger than the Four Emperors, he's either utterly foolish."
"Or… he truly possesses the strength to back up that arrogance."
"Do you think he's the latter?" Yasopp asked.
Shanks smiled and said, "Who knows? But, if he can make Mama and Kaido restless, then things will get interesting."
Beckman exhaled a smoke ring and said indifferently, "Do we need to send someone to investigate?"
Shanks waved his hand, "No need. If he truly has that ability, he'll cause an even bigger stir sooner or later. We just need to wait and watch the show."
