Instead, he resolutely chose to join the Endgame.
Thanks to him, Shano found out quite a few details about the confrontation that took place in the Navy meeting room on the day the newspapers published the truth.
Upon hearing this, Morgans was overjoyed:
"Yamakaji, huh? He's quite the famous nice guy within the Navy! I've actually dealt with him several times; you could barely say we're acquaintances. Thank you for your consideration!"
Not only is he easy to get along with, but his strength ranks among the top batch of Navy Vice Admirals!
Additionally.
It seems that within the Endgame's territory, there is some black technology known as the "Sky Curtain Defense System."
Coupled with Yamakaji's presence, there's finally a feeling of safety!
Morgans rubbed his wings gleefully and suddenly seemed to remember something, chuckling:
"Oh, right, sir! Since you've been so upfront with me, I shouldn't keep secrets either. Actually, my subordinates recently captured some interesting things."
He opened the hidden compartment in his desk drawer, entered a password, and took out several photos from inside, handing them over.
Not sure what it was, Shano took the photos and glanced over them.
The first photo was taken from a high angle, showing the Red Hair Pirates' Redfox prominently as the central subject...
No, it should be the New Redfox.
In any case, it was anchored at sea, and in the distant corner of the photo, one could faintly see a large cluster of giant red trees.
Shampodi?
Shano furrowed his brow, saying nothing, and continued to look at the next one.
The Redfox was once again photographed, showing a figure with two horns, as large as a Demon God, landing on the deck, roaring and fighting fiercely with Red Hair and others on the ship.
In the lower left corner, there was a line of text, indicating latitude and longitude, and a note saying—"70 nautical miles from Ten Thousand Nations."
Shano squinted his eyes and continued to turn over the photos.
"You should have noticed it."
Morgans' voice rang out, "The first photo corresponds to the Shampodi Incident, the second corresponds to the Ten Thousand Nations War, and this third photo was taken during this North Sea hunting game."
"Every time the Endgame takes major action, the Red Hair Pirates go all out, trying to intervene in the war and stop your operations."
"It's just that they didn't make it in time the first occasion, the second was stopped by that lunatic Kaido, and the third…"
"Got lost and ran to Impel Down?"
Shano held the last photo up, asking with a peculiar expression.
The photo's big background was the ground portion of Impel Down, showing the Red Hair Pirates' ship at the entrance, yet there was no one on the deck, their whereabouts unknown.
Frankly, the journalists at the World Economic News Agency truly have some skills; not only can they fly, but they can even photograph scenes in the Windless Zone.
"That's exactly right!"
Afraid Shano wouldn't believe him, Morgans quickly added:
"My journalists bribed Navy Soldiers sent to aid with a hefty sum and gathered some insider information."
"It's said that Red Hair, holding a Life Card, wandered around Impel Down searching endlessly, eventually realizing he was in the wrong place. In his anger, he shouted your name on the spot and then cleaved the entire castle on the ground in half with one sword!"
Life Card?
Shano immediately thought of that source-unknown Life Card found on Jack back at Black Stone City.
Stolen quietly by Beckman and mistaken as Jack's own, could the Red Hair group use this to guide them, locking onto their position?
No issues the first two times.
That means, during the Shampodi Incident and the Ten Thousand Nations War, the Life Card's owner was nearby?
And on the third occasion, ended up being locked in Impel Down? Is this why Red Hair and others lost their way?
Strange.
Who exactly is the owner of this Life Card, anyway?
Shano frowned.
Forget it; it's not important.
He quickly cast aside this doubt, squinting his eyes as he stared at the photos in his hand.
Red Hair…
This guy keeps sticking his nose in repeatedly, trying to interfere with my operations. What exactly is his game plan?
It's really infuriating!
Recalling their conversation during drinks at the tavern, Shano snorted coldly.
This guy wouldn't still be entertaining ideas of temporary stabilization, waiting for Nika to appear, would he?
To hold onto some sort of destiny theory, to believe in liberation's drum, whatever, as long as he's happy, he doesn't care to interfere.
But if he doesn't know his limits, dares to come and obstruct him, imposes that will…
Then don't blame him for being unkind!
Shano tossed the photos back, and when he looked up again, his face was already calm, speaking lightly:
"You've done very well, Morgans; I've received your sentiment. If your subordinates find similar situations in the future, remember to report to me promptly."
This can be considered an unexpected gain.
If he hadn't been so forthcoming, this old Birdman wouldn't have willingly handed over such intelligence.
"Understood, but sir, you must take this matter seriously."
Thinking Shano wasn't paying attention, Morgans hesitated before adding:
"That Red Hair fellow may have the lowest bounty among the Four Emperors, but that's only because he's too young; his territories haven't developed yet, and his strength is unfathomable, definitely not to be underestimated. Moreover, it's said that he also has some unclear ties with the higher-ups of the World Government, and he might…"
"Cooperate with the World Government to plot against me?"
Shano shook his head, "You're overthinking it; that won't happen. As for the relationship? Well, there is indeed one. That guy comes from the Heavenly Celestial Dragon lineage."
Ha?!
What?!!!
In an instant, Morgans' eyes widened, and the coffee he had just lifted crashed to the ground.
"A-are you joking?! Red-haired Shanks is a Heavenly Celestial Dragon?!"
Realizing it, he trembled with fright, stammering his inquiry, "S-Sir, are you sure? If this news gets out, it'll blow up the entire New World!"
"From the Figarland Family, his father is the new Five Elders member. But that guy separated himself from the Holy Land long ago and is straightforward in nature, deeply ashamed of his Heavenly Celestial Dragon identity, which is why I said there's no need to worry about cooperation."
Shano glanced at Morgans casually, "As for whether you report it, that's up to you."
Will he not report it?
What a joke, as the most professional journalist here, whether out of the professional need to disclose the truth or from the capitalist boss's perspective of garnering profits.
It can be concluded that this matter will soon become the headline of the next issue, perfectly catching the global trend of extreme loathing and resentment towards the Heavenly Celestial Dragons.
Hmm, much more comfortable now.
The Red Hair's first three attempts failed without causing any real damage, so for now, he couldn't face them head-on.
Yet since the other secretly disgusts him, don't blame him for returning the favor unpleasantly.
"Alright, that's all for today."
Shano stood up, stretched, "Everything that needed to be said has been said, and everything that needed to be arranged has been arranged. You just peacefully manage the news agency. After a while, once the World Government exhausts themselves dealing with public opinion, I'll have a big gift to deliver to them and will contact you then."
More big news?!
Morgans, already pondering how to delve into Red Hair's background, instantly lit up upon hearing this.
Good, good, good!
Just sitting at home allows big news to keep arriving—it's becoming more like a blessing in disguise since being forced onto the Endgame's ship; never had such luck before!
"Safe journey, sir!"
Morgans sincerely and respectfully saw him off.
"Mm, head back."
As Shano stepped out the door and looked at the window sill, there lay a little sea otter in pajamas curled up and snoring in the sun.
Its face chubby and cute, seemed somewhat familiar. Does the World Economic News Agency Headquarters keep such pets?
Paying little mind, Shano turned his gaze back, waved his hand signaling Morgans not to see him off, and proceeded to leave the second floor.
Inside the room.
Once Shano's figure disappeared from the staircase entrance, Morgans immediately tilted his head back and exploded into a joyous laugh, swiftly activating the Radio Snail on the desk.
"Convene all department chief editors for a meeting, we're going to strike while the iron is hot and put together a massive news story related to the Heavenly Celestial Dragons!"
——————
[Note: The news agency's chief sky reporter, the pajama sea otter soaring through the sky on a Vulture, former Baroque Workshop member, code-named Mr. 13, first appearance in Chapter 113 of this book]