Chapter 78: 78. Sensation! The Second Existence To Destroy The World!

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- As Alex's aura surged, Charlotte Linlin, though still seething with rage, fell silent. Alex had proven himself a formidable adversary—one whose strength rivaled her own. The oppressive presence he exuded far surpassed even that of the Golden Lion. Facing him head-on, she couldn't be sure of victory. Though her decades of life, the accumulated soul reserves of Whole Cake Island, and even her children's powers gave her an edge, she understood the toll that this battle had taken on her side. Decades of nurturing her family and building her empire could be undone in a single reckless confrontation. This was why she and Whitebeard, even after rising as the double emperors of the New World, had never fought to the death. She had fought hard to reach this level of power, and risking it all was a choice she couldn't make lightly. Yet, simply allowing Alex to walk away was intolerable. As the host of the Tea Party and the ruler of Totto Land, sparing him would be a public humiliation. Alex could sense her hesitation, and his expression shifted to a sly smile. "It was a thrilling battle. Thank you for the Tea Party hospitality, Charlotte Linlin. I look forward to a... fruitful future with Totto Land." With those parting words, Alex turned and departed, undeterred, flying off into the distance over the sea. Watching his retreating figure, Charlotte Linlin felt a fiery rage simmering in her chest, a volcano with no release. Her face twisted in fury, her roar echoing across Whole Cake Island and branding Alex's name into the memory of everyone present. For a moment, the entire arena fell into a stunned silence. The onlookers—citizens, pirates, allies—could only stare in shock, a chaotic mix of fear, awe, relief, and panic in their expressions. "Ma... Mama." Katakuri, though equally unsettled, quickly took charge. He moved to reassure their guests and reestablish order on the island, knowing the Tea Party plans had now completely unraveled. The strategy to control Alex and Totto Land's influence had hinged on their mother's overwhelming power. But instead of eliminating Alex, she'd been forced into a standstill. Yet what troubled Katakuri even more was the shocking speed at which Alex's strength had grown. Not long ago, he had been a mere prison guard. Now, in just a few short years, he had risen to a level where he could challenge a Yonko. Meanwhile, Morgans' hands flew across his notebook, his face alight with excitement as he documented every detail. This story would shake the world—a headline like no other. Stussy, too, watched Alex's departure with thinly veiled alarm. She was well aware of the World Government's schemes, including the plan to pressure Alex into becoming a Warlord by wielding the threat of the sea itself. But as of today, that tactic had failed spectacularly. The prospect of a "third emperor" on the rise would send waves across the seas, rattling everyone, from pirates to government officials. The battle that erupted on Whole Cake Island quickly became the talk of the world. By dawn the next day, news of the confrontation had spread through the intelligence networks of the major powers and newspapers, reaching every corner of the seas. This time, the speed of the news hitting the papers was astonishing. After all, many key figures from the Underworld and prominent factions had attended the Tea Party. Not to mention, Big News Morgans himself had been present during the clash. On Whole Cake Island, the BIG MOM Pirates had originally planned to leverage the media and these influential guests to broadcast news of Mama's "triumph" over Alex, a strategic move to weaken his growing momentum. However, fate had flipped the script, and instead, the headlines showcased the dramatic events in excruciating detail. The papers dedicated extensive space to recounting the cause, the fierce battle, and its shocking aftermath, illustrated with vivid, high-definition photos taken on the spot. These photos were electrifying. Some captured the infamous Charlotte Linlin wounded, knocked back, and bloodied. Others showed the intensity of her battle against Alex, highlighting her massive soul-powered form, the blazing light sword, her devastating Supremacy Sea technique, and more. Meanwhile, Alex's towering swordsmanship, the immense seawater he controlled with the Float-Float Fruit, and, most astounding of all, his possession of a second Devil Fruit were prominently featured. The climax showed the two clashing in an apocalyptic exchange, accompanied by images of the devastated landscape of Whole Cake Island, underscoring the brutal nature and scale of their fight. The impact on the world was immediate. Who was Charlotte Linlin? A Yonko with decades of fearsome reputation, known as the strongest woman in the world and the notorious Pirate Empress! And Alex? A pirate who had only been at sea for a few short years, now declared the victor of this monumental battle, rising to claim the title of a new Yonko. He was now undeniably the third Emperor of the New World, a terrifying force to be reckoned with. His rumored double Devil Fruit ability had not only allowed him to slay two infamous pirates within Impel Down but had also made him the first person in history to wield such power, shattering previous understanding and propelling his reputation to unprecedented heights. Speculation even buzzed that he was the pirate most likely to replace Whitebeard as the strongest man alive. And the image of Alex's island-destroying prowess? It was said to surpass even the infamous Golden Lion's power. The newspapers proclaimed him as the second figure, after Whitebeard, capable of "world-ending" destruction, and Alex became the most talked-about figure in the New World. People far and wide focused their hopes on this new, young Emperor, seeing in him a powerful existence who could dominate and perhaps protect those under his influence. The day after the news broke, Charlotte Linlin, mostly recovered, clenched the newspaper between her teeth, seething with rage. "What is this ridiculous nonsense?! These stupid photos make it look like I lost! I'll tell you right now, if things keep going this way, the one who'll be dead is that bastard Alex!!" she snarled. "Journalists and their tricks... all for the sake of a flashy headline," Perospero muttered, trembling slightly as he quickly added, "Next time we hold a Tea Party, we'll teach that damned Morgans a lesson, Mama." Charlotte Linlin snorted coldly and, uninterested in the manipulated newspaper incident, burned it to ashes with a flicker of fire. The light from the flames danced over Katakuri and several other family members.