Chapter 77: Big News
"Sabaody Archipelago..." Scáthach's eyes began to glow red again. I really wish she wouldn't do that at night—it's terrifying.
"What's wrong?" Eric asked. It seemed like this was a sign she was using her clairvoyance skill, [Clairvoyance].
The red light faded from Scáthach's eyes, and she gave a rare, knowing smile—completely different from her usual expressionless demeanor. "Nothing. Something interesting will happen soon. Something worth remembering."
"...Sounds like a good thing, so I won't pry." Eric wasn't the type to ask questions to the bitter end. Everyone has their secrets, and judging by her expression, it was likely good news. He then went into the cabin. Esdeath, finding it boring outside, followed him in.
Scáthach lowered her head and murmured, "Celestial Dragons, Akainu, abandoning the sword for the spear... how interesting." She then took a sip of her drink and gazed out at the distant sea.
...
In the ship's lounge, a few people sat around a table drinking. Others were playing cards, all wearing relaxed and cheerful expressions.
However, Eric felt something was off. 'One, two, three… eight people. Isn't everyone here except for Scáthach, who's outside?!'
"Uh… who's steering the ship right now?"
Da Vinci looked up and said, "Autopilot. Little brother, you should enjoy life."
Eric silently teleported to the helm, glanced toward the bow, and checked the compass. 'We're completely off course!'
...
"Brrrrrring."
Click.
"Hello, this is the World Economic News Agency. How can we help you?"
"Is this the World Economic News Agency?" Eric asked.
"Yes, this is the World Economic News Agency. Are you submitting an article or a photo?"
"So this is the World Economic News Agency?"
"That's right! Don't make me say it a third time, you bastard!" The operator felt he was being messed with. If not for professional standards, he would've slammed the phone down.
"You're no fun. I have business with your president, Morgans. Could you connect me?"
The operator grumbled internally: 'You're messing with me and then say you have business? Seriously?!' "Apologies, our president is extremely busy. If it's important, please tell me first and I'll relay the message."
"I see... well then..." Eric sighed. As expected, he couldn't contact Morgans directly. He'd have to drop the topic of a Warlord's death and see if that piqued their interest.
"Please hold!" The operator suddenly put the phone down, ran to the president's office, burst in, and shouted, "President, we've got breaking news!"
"What is it? Don't barge in like that. As journalists, we should—" Morgans was Speaking elegantly, but the operator whispered in his ear.
"What! Take me there at once!" His previous composure vanished, replaced by the hungry eyes of a bloodthirsty wolf.
"And who are you, sir?" Morgans asked, verifying the caller's identity to avoid fake news.
"Darren Eric ."
"'The Fierce Pirate,' huh? A three-man crew... though that was last year's report. I assume your forces are much stronger now." As expected of a top journalist, Morgans instantly recalled Eric and his past coverage.
"I'd rather not say. Heh. I can provide photos. Do you pay for intel?"
"Of course. If the information is real, we're willing to pay quite well."
"However, if possible, please only print the killer's name and photo in the report. Leave me out of it. Also, how will the payment be sent?"
"Naturally. Protecting sources is part of our job. You can claim your payment—around twenty million Berries—at any World Economic News branch using facial recognition."
Morgans vaguely heard someone muttering, "So little? Oh well, even a mosquito's meat is still meat."
"Very well. Give me your fax number, and I'll also give you the killer's name. Write it down."
Morgans opened his notebook. "Go ahead."
"'Ice Queen' Esdeath. Be sure to write it exactly like that. Don't alter it."
"Understood. Our fax number is ****. Also, here's my Transponder Snail number: ****. Contact me directly if you get more news. When will you send the photos?"
"Right now." Click—the call ended.
One minute later, the fax machine began printing out several photos—images of a bloodied Gecko Moria from multiple angles.
"Impressive. Not even a year at sea and already took down a Warlord who once challenged Kaido."
"President, should we include Eric 's crew in the article?" the operator asked cautiously.
"Absolutely not! His crew either got absorbed by this Esdeath, or she joined his. I believe it's the latter. Which means… he'll likely continue feeding us exclusive, explosive news! The dead! The latest breaking news! That's what we journalists use to hook the public and earn big! Make this the front page story!"
"Oh!" A chorus of reporters raised their pens in unison.
Morgans hadn't voiced the rest of his thoughts: 'To have someone stronger than yourself willingly follow you… either you're hiding your true power and manipulating things from the shadows, or you're a full-blown ambitious mastermind. And those are the types who bring earthshaking news to the world! Show me what kind of change you'll unleash next!'
That same day, countless News Coo set out across the globe, carrying the hottest headlines.
...
"Extra! Extra! Breaking news! One of the Warlords, Gecko Moria, is dead!"
"What?! Who did it?!"
"The 'Ice Queen' Esdeath… Moria was taken down by a woman?!"
"Hey, don't say it like that. Two years ago, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock also joined the Warlords. There are plenty of powerful women on the seas."
"Looks like there's another vacancy in the Warlords."
"Guess the Warlords aren't all that. Just government lapdogs! I should go challenge one—maybe I'll become famous!"
Readers all over buzzed with discussion. Many pirates already disdained the idea of great pirates becoming government lackeys. The "Warlord System" was a method the World Government came up with when the Navy was spread too thin due to the Great Age of Piracy—using pirates to fight pirates by granting certain pirates special privileges, so they'd eliminate their own kind.
The World Government gave special authorization to the Navy Headquarters to establish the "Warlord System" and form the "Seven Warlords of the Sea." These seven were officially recognized by the World Government and possessed destructive power rivaling nations. Only pirates with high fame or terrifying strength qualified.
Once a pirate became a Warlord, their bounty would be frozen, and the World Government would no longer pursue their past crimes. Even if they engaged in piracy afterward, it would be tacitly allowed—as long as they paid tribute once discovered.
But not many pirates had both the power and willingness to respond to the government's summons. In the ten years since the system was created, only six had been recruited: Sir Crocodile, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock, Gecko Moria, "Hawk-Eye" Dracule Mihawk, "Heavenly Yaksha" Donquixote Doflamingo, and the newly joined Bartholomew Kuma.
The seventh spot had just been offered to "Sea Knight" Jinbei when news broke that one of the Warlords had died.
At Navy Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku was pulling his hair out over the headline. "'Ice Queen' Esdeath? Where did this newcomer come from?"
A subordinate stepped forward. "Reporting, Admiral: we have no intel on this individual. However… many previous reports from around Drum Island and Water 7 described numerous pirate crews being wiped out. They were attributed to Admiral Aokiji, but he denied involvement. I suspect those events were the work of this 'Ice Queen.'"
Sengoku slowly responded, "Pirates wiping out other pirates..."
"Admiral, there's no evidence or testimony proving this person is a pirate. That statement may be inappropriate."
"…"
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Johanssen10