Very few people knew about the clash between Kaido and Edward Newgate.
Outsiders rarely dared to step into the territories of the Four Emperors, and the World Economic Journal chose not to report it.
What should have been a world-shaking battle instead passed quietly, hidden from the public eye.
Big News Morgans, whose network of information spanned the skies, naturally knew the two Emperors had clashed for no clear reason. Still, he wisely pretended ignorance.
Reporting it was not an option.
Food and journalistic ambition mattered, but his life mattered more.
Morgans was sharp. He occasionally exposed minor scandals about the World Government and the Marines without fear, not because he was untouchable, but because he understood his value. The World Government still needed him.
He also dared to expose certain pirates at the level of the Seven Warlords, relying on his status within the underworld. Even if he could not defeat powerful enemies, escaping them was rarely a problem.
On the surface, he appeared fearless.
In reality, he was selective.
One day he could report that White Lion Sali stormed Dressrosa and defeated Donquixote Doflamingo. Another day, he might write about Wyper clashing with Boa Hancock. On yet another, he could publish a story about Dracule Mihawk cutting down a powerful opponent.
But there was one name he never dared to touch carelessly.
Ash.
Part of the reason was that Ash rarely left Gourmet Island, but the deeper reason was far simpler.
Ash's strength stood on an entirely different level.
At first, Morgans only intended to build a connection when assigning Ash his nickname.
But after the incident at Sabaody Archipelago, where Ash beat a Celestial Dragon without hesitation, Morgans realized something.
He was unpredictable.
And someone like that was not worth provoking.
This was why, although Sali and Wyper were later invited to become Warlords, they never received Morgans' personal contact. Even when Sali disliked the "White Lion" title, he had no way to confront Morgans about it.
In Morgans' eyes, they were not on the same level as Ash.
They acted within boundaries.
Ash did not.
To the outside world, Ash might appear lawful.
Morgans knew better.
From the moment Ash entered the spotlight, his actions had been decisive and ruthless.
When he was first wanted in the North Blue, he immediately retaliated by destroying a Marine branch and killing a Marine Colonel.
Upon entering the Grand Line, he went to Little Garden and cut down two giant pirate leaders who had coexisted peacefully for a century.
When invited to join the Seven Warlords, he killed Gecko Moria to elevate his own standing and seized his ship.
At Sabaody, when a Celestial Dragon targeted his crew, Ash responded by beating him without hesitation.
More importantly, Ash could fly.
And he was fast.
In Morgans' mind, a man like that possessed destructive potential comparable to the Four Emperors.
Which was exactly why Morgans avoided provoking them as well.
Because if he truly reported everything happening in the New World, the seas would never appear calm.
Kaido, constantly drunk, caused destruction wherever he went. He would fall from the sky, shattering islands with his body.
Charlotte Linlin, obsessed with sweets and children, built her empire by gathering different races through extreme means.
Even stories about Whitebeard and his massive family, or Shanks and his crew, could fill countless headlines.
Morgans was interested in all of it.
He simply did not dare to publish it.
Not only did he avoid exposing the Emperors, he actively maintained connections with them when necessary.
Like now.
He was currently speaking through a Den Den Mushi with Ash.
And frankly, he did not want to make this call.
In the past, Morgans often contacted Ash, sharing exclusive gossip for entertainment. Ash enjoyed hearing about the chaos across the seas.
But this time was different.
Not long ago, Charlotte Linlin announced a tea party.
In the underworld, such invitations were not optional.
Everyone who held influence was expected to attend and bring gifts.
Morgans assumed it would be routine.
Until someone informed Big Mom that he had a close relationship with Ash.
In their world, reputation meant everything.
And currently, no one had more attention than Ash, especially after his battle with Silvers Rayleigh.
Morgans had bragged without restraint.
He claimed they had been close long before Ash became a Warlord.
At the time, it felt good.
Now, it had consequences.
Big Mom directly ordered him to invite Ash.
The moment he received that instruction, Morgans nearly lost his composure.
Who was he to invite Ash on her behalf?
Boasting had never felt this dangerous.
He regretted it deeply, but refusing Big Mom was not an option.
Compared to her, Ash seemed more reasonable.
At least, this was just passing along a message.
It should be fine.
That thought lasted until Morgans read the contents of the invitation.
His face turned pale.
This could cost him his life.
Still, after weighing his options, he made a decision.
Offending Big Mom guaranteed consequences.
Offending Ash… might not.
That was enough.
"I was wondering why you would call me over something as trivial as Kaido and Whitebeard fighting," Ash said lazily, reclining on his personal lounge chair aboard the Dawn ship. "So this was your real purpose."
"Gwahahaha, it is all big news," Morgans replied, trying to laugh it off while avoiding a direct answer.
"Stop wasting time," Ash said, taking a sip of the lemon juice Saff handed him, his expression turning cold.
"Repeat the contents of that invitation. Word for word."