Starting as a Roger Pirates Apprentice

Chapter 537: The World Conference Convenes, Just a Mere Yonko

"Another Emperor of the Sea has appeared?!!!"

As the News Coo flew across the world, countless people who received the newspaper were deeply shocked by the news printed on it.

"The achievement is... surviving under the Black Gun?"

"What does that mean???"

Some newcomers from small places, hearing about these New World stories for the first time, couldn’t help but ask curiously,

"Hey, hey, hey!!! Do you even understand the significance of this?!!!"

His companion was clearly more experienced. His eyes were bloodshot as he tightly gripped the newspaper, staring at the photo on it.

"This is the [Black Emperor] from more than ten years ago!!!"

"Black... Emperor???"

"What does that mean? One of the four Emperors of the Sea?"

News from the New World often didn’t circulate to the Four Seas, creating many ignorant super rookies who had no idea how terrifying the New World truly was. Only after entering it would their confidence be completely shattered.

"It’s different!!!"

"That [Black Emperor] is a legendary pirate who once defeated all the Yonko. In his youth, he destroyed Marine Headquarters, and even the World Government had to step back and cooperate with him!!!"

"That Whitebeard, Golden Lion... both died at his hands."

"The last person who became famous across the seas for surviving against him was Shichibukai Doflamingo—the one who nearly destroyed a World Government–affiliated nation!!!"

Under his companion’s explanation, the man gradually realized just how meaningful it was to survive against such a terrifying figure who had slain Yonko.

"This sea... is becoming more and more unstable..."

...

New World, a beautiful and peaceful small nation.

A short old man wearing royal attire was walking toward the shore. As he walked, a burly man with a crew cut and sunglasses handed him a newspaper.

"Your Majesty, this is today’s newly arrived newspaper."

"Hm? Oh, it’s Virgo. Let me take a look..."

Old Keek put on his reading glasses as he walked toward the ship and opened the newspaper.

He was already used to it. This once-every-four-years World Government conference might not be very useful in his opinion, but it still gave him a sense of participation.

After boarding the royal vessel, Old Keek sat down in his chair and began reading the newspaper through his glasses. Virgo, dressed in a black suit, stood silently beside him.

Suddenly, Old Keek seemed to see something interesting. He slapped the armrest and burst into laughter.

"Oh??? Oh... Hahahahahahaha!!!"

"That brat Straw Hat actually became an Emperor of the Sea too? And his achievement is surviving under that brat’s hands!!!"

"Hahahahahahahaha!!!"

Old Keek laughed so hard tears came out.

It wasn’t because he felt gratified at raising another Emperor of the Sea, but because he found the newspaper content extremely amusing.

"That brat... how could he possibly survive under Orin?"

Hearing this commotion, Virgo couldn’t help but glance at the newspaper. Old Keek clearly saw through the truth of the matter.

"Tell me, Virgo. That kid who defeated your former family—do you think he could survive under Orin?"

Virgo fell silent for a moment. He thought of Doflamingo being defeated by Straw Hat Luffy, and also thought of Orin standing behind everything, watching it all.

"Straw Hat Luffy’s strength is indeed impressive. But if Orin were serious, then this should be... Impossible."

"Exactly. Anyone who understands Orin knows this was purely that brat treating him like a child and playing around with him~"

Still, he was happy for Luffy—the brat he had personally taught—for achieving such a title and status.

"Emperor of the Sea... hehehehe..."

"Barely acceptable."

Having "barely raised a fifth Emperor," Keek now sat on his ship heading toward Mary Geoise.

Along the way, they encountered ships from other nations also heading to the World Conference.

For example, Dressrosa and Prodence.

"Oh??? Other royal ships heading to Mary Geoise~"

Seeing their ships, Old Keek immediately ordered his guards, unable to resist his curiosity in old age,

"Head toward those ships. Bring our vessel closer."

"Yes!!!"

As Keek, wearing his reading glasses, drew closer, he could clearly see the opposing ships and the people aboard them.

"Dressrosa? I remember it used to be ruled by a familiar young king..."

Keek walked forward casually to greet them. Meanwhile, King Riku and Elizabello II and the others had their mouths wide open in shock.

"That is..."

"The ship of the Duramos Kingdom?!!!"

"The nation known as the Absolute Peace Nation!!!"

"Called [Little Mary Geoise] across the seas!!!"

The King of Punch from the Prodence Kingdom remained relatively calm, but King Riku looked extremely serious, even breaking into a cold sweat.

He ordered his subordinates not to act rashly. King Riku clearly understood how crucial the identity of this old man was.

It could be said that killing a Celestial Dragon would not be as serious as laying a finger on this old man.

"No need to be so tense. I’m also going to attend the World Conference."

Keek clasped his hands behind his back and walked forward with a smile. Seeing the two of them playing chess, he said,

"Mind if I join?"

"N-No, not at all... please."

Elizabello II quickly stepped aside and gave up his seat to Old Keek.

Perhaps due to being retired for too long, Old Keek had developed a tendency to join in wherever there was excitement, gradually evolving into something like an "old sea wanderer."

Virgo naturally recognized this as Dressrosa’s ship, but King Riku and the others didn’t know his identity.

He simply stood silently beside Keek, staring at Dressrosa’s emblem.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, he looked toward the distant sea.

"There seems to be enemies beneath the sea surface. Likely pirates."

The stern Virgo took out his bamboo staff, clearly preparing to fulfill his guard duty.

"What?!!!"

King Riku and the others were shocked. Even Violet, who was observing the sea nearby, used her Glare-Glare Fruit ability to look underwater—and her expression changed drastically.

"Pirates!!!"

"There’s a submarine beneath the surface!!!"

King Riku immediately prepared to stand and mobilize the ship’s forces.

But Keek pressed down on his arm, making him sit back down and continue playing chess with him.

"It’s just a few pirates. No need to be nervous~"

He looked toward his own Duramos Kingdom ship.

"The Marines will help us affiliated nation kings resolve problems, won’t they?"

"Borsalino."