One Piece: Dream of Immortality

Chapter 437: News Travels Fast



Around the world, there were various reactions as the World Economy News Paper made the rounds, spreading the events that happened in Totto Land to every corner of the globe.

The families and friends of the Straw Hats in the East Blue were particularly shocked that the woman they received a visit from only a day or two earlier had only recently defeated an Emperor of the sea with a punch.

As for the rest of the world, the method that was used to defeat Big Mom was irrelevant. What mattered was that she was beaten by a rookie pirate crew.

It had to be said that the current Emperors of the sea didn't just crop up overnight. They built up their power, their territory, and their reputations over the course of decades. For a youngster who has only had a bounty for two years or so to defeat one of those monsters was insane!

It left a horrifying question in the minds of the innocent civilians around the world.

"What are the Straw Hats going to be like years from now?!"

Of course, not everyone took it as bad news. The countries that the Straw Hats have had a positive impact on as they passed through took this as a sign that the old Emperors were in decline. They weren't concerned that the Straw Hats would threaten the common people at all.

The Sakura Kingdom, Alabasta, Fishman Island, Dressrosa, and to a lesser extent even Water Seven; the citizens of these places wanted to celebrate Big Mom's defeat rather than becoming depressed.

The most surprising reaction to the news came from a particular king, however, who was currently on a ship bound for the Reverie at Mary Geoise.

"Oh, it's that nice lady who saved me. She seems to be doing quite well for herself; don't you think so, my beautiful wife?" King Wapol spoke wistfully. "Good for her."

"She didn't save you, FOOL! She kidnapped us and sold you as a slave for the revolutionary army!" Kinderella snarled at him.

"Don't be that way, my sweet. I've never been happier and more satisfied with my life after I met her. In the end, we're now free again to lead our kingdom towards a bright future," Wapol said, the silly smile never leaving his face.

"I don't care as long as you keep the money flowing, idiot," Kinderella stormed away.

After Black Beard attacked Baltigo, the marines found Wapol in the rubble of the former Revolutionary Headquarters along with Kinderella, sheltered by a dome of Wapometal. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on who you ask, which would be just about everyone, Wapol's brother Musshuru was killed during the battle.

It was a highly unusual decision by the Five Elders to spare Wapol's life in spite of the fact that he had been working to arm the Revolutionary Army. Even though he had technically been a prisoner under duress, the Five Elders did not have any mercy to give someone who had helped their enemies.

Not only had they not executed him, but they had granted the title of King of Black Drum back to him.

The reasoning was simple. For one, his experience making weapons for the revolutionaries could be used for the World Government's own forces.

Perhaps more importantly, though, was that the drastic change in his personality made him extremely easy to manipulate, so he was the perfect puppet monarch.

Coincidentally, the Revolutionary Army decided to just leave him be for now for the same reason. They had plenty of operatives in Black Drum to steer Wapol in more favorable directions. The man might be a living weapons factory, but he was only one living weapons factory; he couldn't supply the whole navy.

Elsewhere, on the Grand Line. Princess Vivi was also a ship bound for the Reverie, and similarly received the World Economy News Paper.

"They've really come a long way," Vivi smiled.

"Ma-ma-maaa~! Yes, they have. It's a shame that Big Mom appears to have survived, though," Igaram said, turning the page of his own copy of the newspaper.

He really meant that, too. Big Mom had made a nuisance of herself in Alabasta on more than one occasion. Fortunately their country had been quite strong at those times and being a major member in the World Government did have its perks, like making sure Big Mom couldn't cause too much of a ruckus without risking all out war.

Not too far away from Totto Land, aboard the Fire Tank Pirates' ship.

"What the fuck is this?! Damn that bastard Morgans, he barely mentioned us! He gave all the credit to the Straw Hats!" Bege raged, stomping on the crumbled up newspaper whilst imagining it was the seagull man's face. "My bounty didn't go up a single Beri!!!"

"There's nothing we can do about it, dear," Chiffon said with an awkward smile, though she too was a bit miffed that they had taken all that risk for effectively no reward.

"Oh, yes there is! I'll hunt that birdbrain down and make him print a retraction! Then the world will know the truth!" Bege kicked the wad of newspaper over the edge of the ship and into the ocean.

In a shadowy room that stank of booze.

"Those guys who trashed my deal with Doflamingo went and messed with the hag?" Kaido slurred the words as he tried to drink more booze at the same time as speaking.

"We might need to be more careful, Boss. Totto Land isn't too far from Wano," Queen cautioned.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Careful? Why do I need to be careful of a bunch of squirts like them?!" Kaido casually slapped his hand down on the low table, causing it to crack in half. "It seems like Lin Lin is succumbing to her old age! Good, one less obstacle in my way!"

Queen glanced at King, who just shrugged and said, "If they come here, we'll kill them."

In King's opinion, the only member of the Big Mom crew that was worthy of note was Katakuri. Everyone else was irrelevant cannon fodder.

There was one Straw Hat that King would prefer not to kill, however. A bounty poster of a winged woman that he carried on his person at all times.

The only other living Lunarian, as far as he knew. If he met her, then he would try to recruit her. If all his attempts to convince her failed, well then she would die like the rest, or live the rest of her life in a cage if she was lucky. It wasn't like he could bring back his race with her, he just wanted the company of someone like himself.

In another part of the New World, on an island with a giant carved skull.

"No wonder you lost your ear, Burgess. It seems you were lucky to have only lost that! Zehahaha!" Black Beard laughed, but inwardly he was cursing 'What kind of monster is this bitch?! I don't need this kind of competition!'

Burgess felt that he was quite lucky too, but outwardly he laughed along with his captain. It was a delicate game they were playing, keeping the escapees from Impel Down's lowest level in line. Without Whitebeard's fruit, Black Beard's inner circle had to keep up a strong front lest they rebel against them. They would win, of course, but there was no guarantee they

wouldn't lose anyone.

Fortunately, Black Beard wasn't the kind of man to give up. Whitebeard was still out there, holding onto his devil fruit until Black Beard could come and take it.