The New World, a certain sea area.
Onboard the ship of the Image Pirates, the Clear-Clear Fruit ability user Absalom slammed the table angrily.
"Wan Luo, it's been days since we took those photos of Marine Admirals Aokiji and Akainu fighting on Punk Hazard. Why haven't we published them yet!"
Wan Luo took a sip of hot black tea. "Absa, a duel between two Marine Admirals is news that would shake the entire world!"
"If you know that, why not print it? With your photos and my writing, we'd be a huge hit!" Absalom was indignant.
Wan Shi looked at Absalom, then glanced at Gekko Moriah quietly drinking tea beside them, her expression rather peculiar.
Even after several days, she still couldn't quite understand how these once-renowned great pirates had become like this.
One was obsessively determined to become the world's most famous freelance writer.
The other was even more absurd—a former Warlord of the Sea, declared dead by the Marines, yet showing no extreme reaction, instead spending his days drinking tea and reading newspapers with a calm, self-cultivating demeanor.
Wan Luo held Wan Shi's hand, stopping the girl from continuing to stare at their two new companions with that strange look, and said:
"This matter isn't that simple. If we rashly publish, we could easily draw the attention of various factions. That would put us in danger."
Absalom was about to say more when Moria set down his teacup, placed his hands behind his head, and leaned back on the sofa.
"Foshishishi, little Captain, you have a clear head!"
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"Absa, with the photos in hand, the front page for this story won't be snatched away. Now we wait, for the right moment!"
Absalom frowned. "What moment?"
Wan Luo chuckled softly. "Naturally, we wait for the outcome of the duel. The victor will assume the position of Fleet Admiral."
"Foshishishi, the dead have no voice, the loser has no say. The command of the Marines will be handed to the victor."
Moria laughed heartily. "What a great battle it truly is!"
...White Earth Island, Baltigo.
The harsh and variable climate of the New World severely affected Taro's flight speed, forcing him to take a break midway.
Additionally, his Marine Vice Admiral uniform was too conspicuous, so he changed into civilian clothes as well.
A blue-and-white checkered shirt made Taro difficult to detect visually while flying through the air.
However, upon landing on the island, he was quickly discovered. A squad of Revolutionary Army soldiers in dark green overcoats regarded him warily.
Simultaneously, news of an intruder at Baltigo was relayed to the Revolutionary Army headquarters.
Taro had come by invitation, so he hadn't deliberately concealed himself.
"I am here at the invitation of your leader. I mean no harm!"
The soldiers remained vigilant, not relaxing in the slightest.
But soon, amidst the howling gale, Dragon's figure arrived in an instant.
"Leader," the soldiers saluted. "This man says..."
Dragon shook his head. "It's fine. You may go. Maintain your vigilance!"
After the soldiers left, Dragon turned to Taro. "Betty told me three days ago you had set out. I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly."
Taro smiled. "I happened to have some business to attend to in the New World!"
Dragon nodded. "Please, follow me!"
The Revolutionary Army headquarters was built amidst a desert, constructed from crushed stone and white sand.
Taro estimated this was likely the work of that Revolutionary Army commander who could alter terrain—the one who created Impel Down's Level 5.5.
The reception room on the second floor of the headquarters.
"Please, have a seat!" Dragon gestured for Taro to sit.
Taro hadn't seen many "familiar" faces along the way, which struck him as odd. "Where's Sabo?"
Dragon's gaze flickered, finding Taro even more inscrutable. It seemed Taro had a complete grasp of the Revolutionary Army's personnel structure. "He's out on a mission."
Hearing this, Taro felt a twinge of disappointment. To come all this way and not get to see "Second Brother" was a shame.
Just then, the door to the reception room opened again. Koala walked in carrying two cups of hot tea.
Taro's eyes instantly lit up. Seeing "Second Sister-in-Law" wasn't a bad consolation prize!
"Please enjoy the tea," Koala said softly, placing a cup in front of Taro.
Taro looked Koala up and down. Sabo has good taste! Tsk tsk!
Then, an idea struck him. He reached behind his waist and pulled out a small cloth pouch.
"Thank you, Sec... uh, thank you, Koala. A small meeting gift, nothing much, just a token of respect!"
Hearing Taro call out Koala's name, Dragon's eyes shifted slightly.
While serving tea, Koala had also been looking curiously at this "key of revolution."
She often saw reports about Taro in the newspapers, but this was her first time meeting him in person.
He seemed... not quite as dashing and handsome as the photos in the papers!
Taro had flown through the sky, thoroughly battered by the New World's weather along the way. Looking halfway human was an achievement; comparing him to the propaganda photos was unfair.
"Huh?" Koala looked at the small pouch held out to her, feeling a bit bewildered. A meeting gift?
She looked up at Dragon. Dragon's expression shifted for a moment, as if deep in thought, before he finally nodded.
"Thank you!"
Only then did Koala take the small pouch. Opening it, the Artificial Devil Fruit was revealed.
"This is... a Devil Fruit?" Koala's eyes widened as she asked.
Dragon took one look. "It is indeed a Devil Fruit, but... it's a bit strange."
Damn, this habit of opening gifts right in front of the giver is so Western!
According to our Eastern customs, you wait until the person leaves before opening it!
Taro instantly felt awkward. Giving a counterfeit gift? And being exposed right in front of everyone!
This feeling... he'd experienced it in his past life when buying "Kangshifu" only to get "Kangshuaifu."
"Uh, this..." Taro scratched his head. "This is an Artificial Devil Fruit, but it has no side effects. It's safe to eat, not like those made by Caesar!"
Hearing this, Dragon's expression turned serious. He waved for Koala to leave first, then said gravely, "What do you mean by that?"
Huh? Why the sudden switch to honorifics?
"Nothing else, it's just a simple meeting gift!" Taro was confused.
"But you mentioned Caesar just now?" Dragon was suspicious.
"Oh, that guy!" Taro rubbed his face. "He's collaborating with the Warlord of the Sea Donquixote Doflamingo, dealing in the Underworld arms trade and those evil Artificial Devil Fruits."
When Dragon heard "arms trade," his breath hitched, then he fell into thoughtful silence.
After a long while, he finally nodded. "I understand."
Taro also breathed a sigh of relief. Good, you understand!
I thought I'd have to explain for half the day again!
"Betty said Robin wanted to see me? Where is she?" Taro asked.
"She should be by the seaside now," Dragon said, pointing outside the second-floor balcony.
Taro stood up, walked to the balcony, and nodded to Dragon.
"Then I'll head over there first!"
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