Shin'ya walked up to Hawkeye with a helpless expression. Seeing the Warlord's relaxed demeanor, he couldn't help but feel a little irritated.
"You bastard, why did you suddenly come back?" Shin'ya asked, clearly annoyed.
Hawkeye merely glanced at him, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips, seemingly indifferent to the question.
"I'm not your mortal enemy. Do you need to make such a fuss?" Hawkeye rolled his eyes and said calmly, "Do you want to see just how terrifying and unnatural those moves you just used really were?"
With that, he pulled two books from his coat and tossed them casually to Shin'ya.
"These are the Haki methods you wanted. They also include some of my own insights. Study them well."
Hawkeye stood up, dusted off his coat, and turned toward his small boat.
"I'm leaving now. See you later~" he called out without turning back, his voice fading into the sea breeze.
Shin'ya looked at the two books in his hands, a complicated expression on his face. He knew without a doubt that these books were precious gifts—not just for Luffy and the others, but for himself as well.
As Hawkeye's small boat slowly vanished on the horizon, Shin'ya turned to face Luffy and the rest, flicking his hair.
"Am I handsome or what?"
He handed the two Haki manuals to Luffy. "Take good care of these. The knowledge inside is key to becoming strong."
"Got it! I'll keep them safe. I'm gonna get Sanji to join us now, haha~!" Luffy beamed, full of excitement.
---
Elsewhere…
While Shin'ya and Hawkeye were battling, a news-coo was circling above, snapping photos like a professional journalist. Every thrilling moment was recorded at incredible speed.
These photos were immediately transmitted via fax to the desk of the World Economy News Paper's president, Morgans. Upon receiving them, Morgans' smile widened uncontrollably.
"This is big news! Earth-shattering news!" he shouted, voice echoing through the office. "Stop the presses! Halt all publications! This is front-page material!"
At his command, the entire staff jumped into action. The photos were sent to printing, and the presses roared to life, working nonstop through the night.
By morning, news-coos soared across the seas, delivering papers worldwide. On the front page, the fierce battle between Shin'ya and Hawkeye dominated the headlines:
"Shocking! Unknown Pirate Crew Emerges in East Blue—Brutally Defeats Warlord Hawkeye! Forces Haki Methods Out of Him!"
Images of the Straw Hat crew and Shin'ya's clash with Hawkeye filled the pages. Readers everywhere were left stunned.
---
Marineford, Marine Headquarters
Inside the conference room, just as Fleet Admiral Sengoku was about to begin a meeting, an intelligence officer burst in.
"Fleet Admiral! Urgent report from East Blue!"
Sengoku took the file and scanned it, eyes narrowing in disbelief.
"What the hell? Is this report serious? A Devil Fruit user this powerful?"
After a moment, he passed it down the table.
"Indeed, he's strong," Aokiji commented with a lazy smile. "Based on this, Hawkeye wouldn't stand a chance."
Kizaru raised an eyebrow. "Oh my~ What a terrifying young man. At 17, we were still messing around with fireworks and garbage… this kid's already Admiral-level."
Akainu slammed his fist on the table and stood. "This pirate cannot be allowed to enter the New World! At 17, he's already at this level. If we let him grow, the consequences will be catastrophic!"
Sengoku folded his arms, thinking. After a moment, he focused on the name: Shin'ya Kurozawa.
"For now, we won't interfere. Our priority is containing the Four Emperors in the New World. This is not the time to provoke new monsters."
Then he turned to the intelligence officer.
"Print his bounty poster. Bounty: 500 million Berries. Alias: 'Thousand-Hand Zen– Shin'ya.'"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
---
On the Moby Dick
Whitebeard sat silently, IVs connected to his body. Marco approached with a newspaper.
"Pops, today's headlines are wild."
Whitebeard took one look and burst out laughing: "Gurararara~ What a terrifying brat. He's Ace's younger brother, right? If you meet him, ask if he wants to be my son."
Marco nodded. "Yeah, Ace talks about him a lot. The one with the straw hat should be him. Still… Ace went after Teach and hasn't sent a word back. Doesn't he realize how worried we all are?"
---
In Wano Country – Beasts Pirates
A burly man sat drunkenly on the floor, weeping. None of his subordinates dared approach; any drunk interruption could mean instant death.
Outside, Queen, one of the Three Calamities, entered with a newspaper.
"Boss Kaido, a new powerhouse has surfaced in East Blue. Probably Emperor-level."
Kaido stopped crying and grabbed the paper.
"Heh heh~ What a monster. Looks like he hasn't even learned Haki yet. If he does, he could be the next Rocks. Too dangerous."
He rose and transformed into a massive blue dragon.
"I'll intercept him on the Grand Line. If he joins us, great. If not… I won't let another Rocks rise."
With that, Kaido took off into the sky.
---
Whole Cake Island – Totto Land
Big Mom stared at the newspaper, intrigued.
"What a strong man. If I had a child with him, it'd be insanely gifted… what a shame."
Turning to her son, she said, "Perospero, take a ship to the Grand Line. Give him this invitation letter. Offer him two of my daughters in marriage. If he declines, let it go. Don't provoke him."
"Yes, Mama!" Perospero replied.
---
All over the world—from the World Government to the Revolutionary Army, Dressrosa, and Gild Tesoro—various forces received the news and reacted with alarm, interest, or cautious optimism.
---
Back at Baratie
After three days of Luffy's repeated invitations—and thanks to Zeff's help, who'd seen Shin'ya's strength firsthand—Sanji finally agreed to join.
Zeff, having watched the Straw Hats closely, saw their sincerity. That night, he gathered the other chefs.
"Sanji's always wanted to go to sea, but he's held himself back because of me. You've seen those pirates—they're loyal to each other. I want Sanji to go with them."
---
The Next Morning
After breakfast, the crew stood before Sanji. Luffy stepped forward.
"Sanji, we're leaving. Nami's hometown is under control of some scumbag fish-men. Anyone who can't pay gets killed."
"I really want you to join us. But we can't stay here any longer. This is my final offer: Be our comrade, Sanji. Chase your dream."
Before Sanji could answer, all the chefs rushed out and started yelling at him—
---
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