"One Piece:The True Codex"Chapter 376: The Fragrant Chamber
The night was as cool as water.
The curtain at the head of the bed fluttered gently in the sea breeze. As the temperature dropped, Laura Louise awoke groggily. She got up and slammed the window shut with a "bang," then curled back into her warm, soft bed. Just as she was about to drift back to sleep, she suddenly opened her eyes and looked toward the chair in the corner opposite her bed.
In the darkness, a shadowy figure became visible on the chair. The moonlight outside was blocked by the wall, so Laura Louise couldn't see the figure's upper body hidden in the shadows, only the pair of crossed legs cast in the moonlight.
Laura Louise gasped and hurriedly turned on the bedside lamp. The dim light barely illuminated the room, dispelling the darkness in the corner and revealing a young man with blond hair and blue eyes, dressed impeccably in a suit.
The young man seemed unfazed by the light. He turned his head to look at the startled Laura Louise and, with a "click," opened the lighter in his hand, lighting the cigarette in his mouth. After exhaling a puff of smoke, he said, "Long time no see."
"Morgan William!" Laura Louise shifted uneasily, realizing she was only wearing a thin silk nightgown. She pulled the blanket up higher and asked, "What are you doing here? This is the Sabaody Archipelago. After causing such a commotion, you dare to come here? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"And another thing!" Laura Louise's face flushed with anger as she continued, "You're now a big shot with a bounty over a billion. What are you doing sneaking into a small-time journalist's bedroom in the middle of the night?"
"It seems even the World Economy News isn't planning to protect you anymore. You haven't heard a whisper about my current status," William chuckled. "But you did help me once, so I'm here to save your life this time."
"What are you talking about?" Laura Louise asked nervously.
William put his finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet. Laura Louise instinctively closed her mouth, and the room fell silent. Soon, the faint sound of a lock being picked reached their ears.
Laura Louise tightened her grip on the blanket but, after glancing at William calmly seated in the chair, relaxed a little. Regardless of William's intentions, she knew his strength well enough to feel safe from petty thieves with him around.
Yet, recalling William's earlier words, as if he knew someone would come to her house in the middle of the night, she couldn't help but feel suspicious.
"Do you know who's coming?" William asked softly, his right hand holding the cigarette. With just the strength of his index and thumb, he pulled a nail embedded in the wall for hanging pictures.
The sound of the lock had ceased, replaced by soft footsteps approaching the door. As the footsteps reached the door, William flicked the nail with his finger.
It sounded like the activation of a nail gun. The room suddenly echoed with a loud bang, and the nail vanished into the air, piercing the bedroom door in an instant.
A scream followed from the other side of the door, which was kicked open, revealing several men in black suits, wearing fedora hats and holding guns.
One of them, supported by his companions, was sweating profusely and clutching his bleeding thigh, evidently injured by the nail William had casually flicked.
As soon as they entered, they pointed their guns at Laura Louise and William.
Although Laura Louise knew she was unlikely to be in great danger with William present, she was still a regular person and felt nervous facing the gun barrels. Trying to stay calm, she asked, "Who are you?"
"They're CP agents," William answered before the intruders could respond.
"Laura Louise, your collusion with the Four Emperors and the publication of false news have been exposed. You're under arrest!" one of the CP agents declared to the bewildered Louise on the bed, then turned to William. "Who are you?"
Besides one gun aimed at Louise, the rest were pointed at William. They had been informed beforehand that Louise was powerless, and the "hidden weapon" that injured their companion was clearly launched by the young man in the room.
William flicked the ash from his cigarette. "Morgan William."
The room fell silent again, with only the slightly heavier breathing of Louise and the CP agents breaking the silence.
Louise was bewildered, assuming the CP agents were intimidated by William's billion-dollar bounty, leaving them too scared to act.
Little did she know, the CP agents were indeed frightened by William, but not because of his bounty. It was his impending public announcement as a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea that froze them in place.
"Tell your superiors that I'm taking her under my protection. According to the agreement between the government and the Warlords, the subordinates of a Warlord are granted immunity. Her actions should be pardoned by the government," William said casually, as if the CP agents were his subordinates. "You can leave now."
After speaking, William took a drag from his cigarette, the bright red glow from the cigarette tip illuminating his nonchalant face, causing the CP agents' eyes to twitch.
One of them couldn't help but challenge, "You're not a Warlord yet!"
William glanced at him and smirked dismissively. "True, but if you have the guts, try arresting her in front of me."
Louise clutched her blanket, shrinking back against the headboard, glancing between the CP agents and William. The information exchanged in their conversation was overwhelming, and she was trying to process it all.
The CP agents naturally wouldn't dare act in William's presence, especially after he had made his stance clear. They knew they weren't a match for William, and his words offered them a way out.
After hesitating for a moment, they left in disgrace, planning to report to their superiors and await further instructions.
Once the CP agents were gone, Louise nervously bombarded William with questions: "Are they really CP agents? Why are they after me? What's this about colluding with the Four Emperors and publishing false reports? And, and, have you become a Warlord?"
William briefly explained the government's intentions. Hearing that the World Government planned to scapegoat her, Louise's face gradually lost color.
"The decision for me to become a Warlord was made by the Five Elders yesterday, and they're just waiting to announce it in the newspapers. Even earlier, they've already informed many departments within the government and the military," William said, casting a sympathetic glance at Louise. "You've been stationed in the Sabaody Archipelago and successfully reported on my clash with the Golden Lion. You should have been favored by your editor-in-chief. Yet, you haven't caught wind of such significant news. It seems your newspaper has already understood the government's stance and decided to abandon you."
(End of Chapter)
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