Magiatsuka Kingdom.
Ryuen also put down his Den Den Mushi. The reason he gave those names to Aokiji was, of course, to help Aokiji take control of those base commanders.
His cooperation with Aokiji had already quietly begun. Slowly gaining control over Marine bases in the New World was just their first step.
With Aokiji and Fujitora working together, changing the Marine in the future and bringing it back to true justice wouldn't be too hard.
————
Two days later.
The port city once again welcomed Marine warships—five large ones this time!
As the ships got closer to the harbor, the people on shore looked on with surprise and curiosity.
After all, when the Marines suddenly pulled out before, everyone was confused and even felt uneasy.
Now, seeing those familiar figures return, all kinds of thoughts and guesses started running through people's minds.
Everyone in the kingdom already knew by now that their country had withdrawn from the World Government. The flag of the Dream Exploration Group was still flying over the port!
So why were the Marines back in the Magiatsuka Kingdom?
Could it be because of the Dream Exploration Group?
On one of the ships, Vice Admiral Tsuru and Smoker stood at the bow, looking toward the harbor.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, did you really come all this way just to meet that Morgans guy?" Smoker asked, clearly confused.
Vice Admiral Tsuru answered in a serious tone:
"Smoker, haven't you noticed?"
"There are more and more rumors going around the seas that aren't good for the World Government."
"And the reason these rumors are spreading so fast is because of the World Economic News run by Morgans!"
"That's why we have to find out where Morgans is hiding!"
"And also check Morgans's current situation—whether he truly supports the Dream Exploration Group or if we still have a chance to win him back!"
"When it comes to public opinion, we can't keep letting others control the narrative!"
Smoker didn't say anything. He wasn't sure what to say. He felt like everything happening now was the result of the World Government's own actions.
Were those really just 'rumors'?
Not everyone in the Marines is clueless. A lot of them were already unhappy with what the World Government was doing.
Smoker was one of them.
While he was deep in thought, the five warships didn't stop at the usual docking area with the merchant ships—they sailed straight into the old Marine base.
Everyone who noticed this couldn't help but feel puzzled and uneasy.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
"Those five warships… they're heading straight for the old Marine base!"
"What's going on? Are the Marines… planning to stay here again?"
"This is…"
"No way… our Magiatsuka Kingdom is under the protection of the Dream Exploration Group now!"
"That's right!"
"All those important people from the Dream Team are still here. I doubt the Marines would dare act recklessly!"
"Yeah! We've got to trust the Dream Exploration Group!"
"Hahaha, of course! Those guys are seriously strong!"
"But… why are the Marines…"
"No need to overthink it. I'm sure Lord Homura and the others will handle it!"
News of the warships entering the old Marine base quickly spread throughout the entire port city.
————
Top floor of the hotel.
Right now, the only ones still here from the Dream Team were Ryuen and Sugar. Besides the two of them, Morgans was also there.
Everyone else had already gone out—after all, the sea chart of the Magiatsuka Kingdom still wasn't finished.
Sugar stayed behind because her sister, Monet, had been released by the Marines and was arriving today.
So she was waiting here for Monet to show up.
As for Morgans, he was here because a few days ago, Ryuen had promised Vice Admiral Tsuru that she could meet him.
"Gahaha~"
"Ryuen, what do you think Vice Admiral Tsuru wants with me?" Morgans asked directly.
He wasn't too worried about what the Marines might do to him—after all, with Ryuen here, meeting the Marines wasn't a big deal.
"Hmm…"
"She probably just wants to check on you—to see if we're controlling you or if you joined us on your own."
"Or maybe she wants to track you after you show up. She could be planning to follow you back to your hideout," Ryuen said calmly after thinking for a moment.
After hearing that, Morgans' face fell. He was clearly not happy—because he knew Ryuen was probably right…
Who would've thought that in this whole ocean, there'd be someone besides him who could control the News Coo?
What made it worse was that person wasn't just stronger than him—they also had better control over the birds than he did!
So for the sake of his dream, he had no choice but to side with the Dream Exploration Group.
Unless he gave up on his dream entirely.
But in the end, he realized joining the Dream Team wasn't so bad.
Since joining, he'd gotten his hands on tons of big stories.
And nothing made him happier than that!
———
Meanwhile, at the Marine base.
The two Marine captains who had come with Smoker were directing the soldiers to clean up the mess around the base.
Both captains were from Aokiji's side.
As for Vice Admiral Tsuru, Smoker, and Tashigi, the three of them left the base directly and headed toward the tallest hotel in the area.
Suddenly, Tsuru and Smoker looked up at the sky. Seeing this, Tashigi quickly looked up too.
A black hawk flew across the sky, and on its back stood a woman.
"That's Monet—the Snow-Snow Fruit user. I can't believe they got her here so quickly…" Vice Admiral Tsuru immediately recognized the woman on the hawk's back.
Soon, the black hawk landed on the rooftop of the hotel.
"Let's go," Tsuru said, continuing to walk forward.
———
"It's the black hawk!"
"Ryuen, is my sister here?!" Sugar asked excitedly.
"Yeah, she just landed," Ryuen nodded with a smile.
"Yay!"
"Thank you, Ryuen! I'll treat you to some blueberries!" Sugar jumped up and shoved her bowl of blueberries into Ryuen's arms.
Then she ran straight for the door.
She happily pushed it open—just in time to see Monet walking out of the stairwell.
"Sis!"
As soon as she saw Monet, Sugar ran straight toward her.
"Sugar!"
"Have you been doing okay?" Monet was just as excited. She hugged Sugar tightly and asked with concern.
At that moment, the elevator doors opened, and out came Vice Admiral Tsuru, Smoker, and Tashigi.
The mood instantly turned a little awkward.
"Big sis, let's go inside and talk…" Sugar let go of Monet and pulled her into the suite.
Vice Admiral Tsuru and Smoker exchanged a glance, then walked in as well.
---
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