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"If… if you're willing, please grant me an interview."
"Rest assured—everything about you will be reported truthfully."
Ellie spoke solemnly. She had not forgotten the last attempt: Arton had refused because he didn't trust Morgans to print the news accurately. So this time she took the initiative to wipe away any doubts.
Just then, other journalists hurried over as well, all clamoring to interview Arton.
Seeing the scene, Arton's smile only widened.
"Want to know why this World Noble died?"
"Of course you can. Even if you didn't ask, I would have told you. I'm merely curious—do you reporters actually dare publish the truth?"
"After all, this concerns the face of the Navy and the World Government."
Arms spread wide, he laughed aloud.
The words had barely fallen when those reporters, who moments ago were scrambling for a scoop, fell silent.
Yes—this was headline news about a World Noble's death.
Even if they got the story, could they really print it?
Publish, and the Navy or Government might shut their papers down that very day.
In an instant, staffers from small tabloids slipped quietly away, yet Ellie and a few brave correspondents from the big agencies remained.
"Interesting."
Arton glanced at Ellie and the others; his lips curved into a crescent.
"You're right—just as you imagine, I'm the one who killed that World Noble."
Boom!
A thunderclap rang in every ear—reporters and townsfolk alike. Though many had guessed, hearing the words come from Arton himself still stunned them.
Ellie and her colleagues snapped out of it and hurriedly raised cameras and Den-Den Mushi to capture everything.
Sadi: "Now it's over. Arton just told the whole world himself."
Gion: "In the end we can only be enemies, Arton!"
Ain: "Haha—whatever. The Navy and the Government aren't righteous anyway. Going to Arton wouldn't be worse."
Belo Betty: "Arton declared war on the World Government even before we Revolutionaries did."
Koala: "Our leader will definitely take note of Arton."
Stussy: "Fufu—events can no longer be turned back!"
Ellie, mustering courage, asked: "Arton, why did you kill a World Noble?"
"A fine question—I like you, brave reporter." He nodded to Ellie.
"I know you all want the full story. Relax—I'll explain."
"But first, I need certain people who might interfere to grasp the situation."
He lifted his eyes toward the swelling ranks of Marines.
Smoker was out cold, but Loguetown's base hadn't fainted. In the meantime hundreds had poured into the plaza; Arton could see plenty of snipers lining up rifles at his head.
"Arton!" Tashigi caught his arm, eyes full of worry.
"Haha, I know."
"I only intend to give them a warning."
He patted the back of her hand, then looked at Doll, Kujaku, and Hibari. "And warn these three as well."
Not good! The trio's hearts lurched.
A tyrannical aura crashed down from the sky, striking them and the nearby Marines.
Rumble
The earth trembled; cracks split walls and pavement around them. Red-black lightning spread outward from Arton.
Marines who had been aiming rifles rolled their eyes back and knelt on the spot. Doll and Kujaku clutched their chests and toppled. The weaker Hibari couldn't utter a sound at all.
"So… so this is high-level Conqueror's Haki."
"It really can keep a vice admiral from moving at will." Veins bulged on Doll's forehead as she forced her head up to stare at Arton.
Kujaku bit hard on her lip, fighting to stay conscious.
Ordinary townsfolk nearby wisely backed away, instinct telling them to avoid the area drenched in Arton's Haki.
Once the crowd scattered, Arton poured on even more pressure; Doll and Kujaku could barely move a limb, let alone invoke any powers, and Hibari slipped fully into darkness.
Smoothie: "Is Arton using his Haki to give those women special attention?"
Black Maria: "Interesting—are those three Marines?"
Baccarat: "Marines, huh. Couldn't say if they're lucky or unlucky: meeting Arton yet never managing to seize him."
Monet: "Ever since a World Noble raised a hand against Arton, the Navy could never recruit him. Whatever happens, we must not make him an enemy."
Perona: "Arton's scary—absolutely mustn't provoke him."
Whitey Bay: "A man who lives this decisively—rare indeed."
The journalists, not knowing what power Arton used, still perceived from his gaze and the cracked ground around Doll's trio that he was striking them. Ellie swung her lens their way.
Seeing Kujaku pass out and Doll still enduring, Arton finally withdrew the Haki. Doll exhaled, hauled up the unconscious Kujaku, and eyed Arton warily. She'd known infiltration would be difficult, but being exposed so soon still stung.
"Since we've been spotted, there's no help for it," she muttered. "We have to talk—minimize the fallout somehow."
All around were reporters; if she did nothing, the Government would surely demand answers later.
"A Headquarters vice admiral really is tough," Arton said. "I can't rely on Haki alone to shut you down, so I'll have to use cruder methods. Try not to mind."
Suddenly his voice came from right beside her.
Startled, Doll looked up—Arton had appeared before her without her noticing.
"Arton, you—"
"Shh. Don't speak."
Before she could finish, he produced a damp cloth from who-knows-where and clamped it over her nose and mouth; his other arm locked around her waist.
"You must be Vice Admiral Doll—pleased to meet you. I'd love a proper chat with a beauty like you, but sadly I lack the time and mood. So please take a nap."
"Relax, it's only a strong anesthetic my ship's doctor mixed."
"Breathe deeply—pull it into your lungs. Otherwise I'll have to use something even rougher."
Body pressed to her back, one hand sealing her face, one gripping her waist, he spoke softly. Doll's eyes widened; she struggled, twisting instinctively.
"Really now—why make this harder?" Arton sighed, then drove a thumb into the spot over her lungs.
A reflex gasp dragged the fumes deep inside.
With Transparent World eyes, he could see through flesh and control his own movements precisely; forcing Doll to inhale was child's play.
Before long she had sucked the cloth nearly dry.
"Cough—Arton, you…" she rasped, sagging against his arm.
"Mmm… Kaya's anesthetic works nicely, but the stronger the target, the larger the dose."
"A vice admiral who tanked my Conqueror's Haki needs extra."
"Kaya, if you would."
He shoved Doll toward the waiting Kaya.
"Ka…ya—mmph—"
Kaya popped the cap on a huge bottle of anesthetic and jammed it to Doll's lips. The vice admiral could only gulp like drinking water—the stuff potent enough to drop an elephant.
In moments Doll slipped into complete unconsciousness.
...
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