New World Marine Headquarters.
The Fleet Admiral's Office.
At this moment, a certain someone was frantically clutching Sean's right arm, shaking it back and forth while acting spoiled.
This was none other than Sean's personal navigator, Nami.
She was doing this for one reason only: to plead for someone else. Specifically, she was pleading for Carina.
Come to think of it, Sean had almost forgotten that Nami and Carina had a history. If he remembered correctly, it was a plot point from one of the movies.
Looking at Nami, who was practically pressing her entire body against him, Sean let out a soft sigh.
As for the group they had captured, Luffy had already been designated as a tomb guardian.
The others, however, were to be handled according to Sean's original plan. Buggy and Alvida were to be executed, and their Devil Fruits extracted. After all, the two of them had been vicious pirates with too much blood on their hands.
As for Sanji, Koby, and Carina, they were to be thrown into the New World Marine's prison.
Carina...
She was a diva in the movies and seemed to have a natural flair for the spotlight. Perhaps...
"Nami, stop shaking me! I'm going to get dizzy!"
"I'll stop as soon as you agree to let Carina go!"
"Letting her go is completely out of the question. Too many Marines died during the Enies Lobby incident. Even if Luffy was the mastermind, she was still involved."
"No... she was just tricked by that Luffy!" Nami gritted her teeth, a flash of resentment in her eyes.
Indeed, it was resentment toward Luffy. That idiot had led her friend astray, resulting in this mess. It was simply unforgivable!
"I can't just let her go, but if she's willing to work for the New World Marine for the rest of her life to make up for her mistakes, I can give her a chance."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then what would Carina do?"
"Hmm... how about becoming the public spokesperson for the New World Marine?"
"Deal! I'll go convince her right now!"
Nodding enthusiastically, Nami immediately bolted out of Sean's office.
Watching her go, Sean shook his head with a wry smile.
'That girl...'
'Then again, Nami is eighteen now. She's really grown up.'
'Wait, did I agree too quickly? Maybe I should have enjoyed that a bit longer before giving in...'
Recalling the sensation from a moment ago, Sean felt a twinge of regret. He had definitely agreed too fast.
'''
The next day.
It was unclear exactly how Nami had convinced Carina, but from that day forward, a new position was created within the New World Marine: the News Spokesperson.
On that same day, the New World Marine held its first-ever press conference.
In addition to the reporters under Morgans, journalists from various tabloids were also invited.
Facing dozens of reporters from various news agencies, Carina didn't show a hint of stage fright.
"Everyone, today marks the first press conference of the New World Marine, and I am the spokesperson appointed by Fleet Admiral Sean."
"First, I will announce the proceedings of this conference..."
Carina quickly explained the process. It was essentially a replica of the press briefings Sean remembered from his previous life.
First, the spokesperson would announce the latest news, followed by a Q&A session. The questions could cover any topic, not just the events announced that day.
However, while all reporters had the opportunity to ask a question, the spokesperson decided who could speak and the order of the questions. Anyone who spoke without being called upon would be immediately escorted out by Marines. Furthermore, their news agency would be banned from the next three press conferences.
For a news agency, first-hand information was their lifeblood. A three-conference ban was a severe punishment.
This made the reporters incredibly cautious; none of them dared to shout out questions as they usually did.
"Now that the process is clear, we will begin with the announcement of major events."
"First: The Straw Hat Pirates, the masterminds of the Enies Lobby incident, have been captured by the Alabasta Kingdom's Marine and handed over to the New World Marine."
"Second: The New World Marine has established full control over the former territories of the Whitebeard Pirates. Moving forward, five fortress-type branches will be rapidly constructed in this region to expand the Marine's patrolling and pirate-hunting capabilities in the New World."
"Third: The New World Marine has designated a large island specifically for the construction of a Naval Cemetery. In the future, all Marines who sacrifice their lives in battle against pirates—whether they are from Headquarters or the New World Marine—will be buried here."
"Additionally, a massive monument will be erected on this island to record the lives of Marines who have made extraordinary contributions."
"Fourth..."
And so it went. Carina announced over thirty different items, speaking for nearly half an hour before finally stopping.
"We will now begin the Q&A session. You may start!"
Instantly, hands shot up everywhere, but no one broke the rules by shouting.
Carina was satisfied and pointed to a reporter. However, the first question was quite sharp.
"I want to ask the spokesperson: according to the bounty posters previously issued by Headquarters, you were a member of the Straw Hat Pirates. How did you suddenly become the spokesperson for the New World Marine?"
Hearing this, the other reporters became excited. This was exactly what they wanted to know.
"The answer to that is quite simple," Carina replied smoothly. "I was actually operating under the instructions of Fleet Admiral Sean, infiltrating the Straw Hat Pirates as an undercover agent."
"As for the bounty from Headquarters, it was simply a result of the New World Marine and Headquarters having just split. There were some lapses in intelligence communication, which both parties are currently working to resolve."
"Next!"
Instantly, dozens of hands shot up once again...
'''
Sean had decided to broadcast this press conference to the entire world. Naturally, he was watching.
"Where did you find such talent?"
"Also, was she really a pirate before?"
Sitting in the office with him, Robin, serving as his adjutant, asked curiously.
Regardless of who looked at her, Carina didn't seem like a pirate at all. Then again, she didn't exactly look like a Marine either. If one had to describe her, she looked more like a superstar.
What surprised Robin even more was how deftly Carina handled the most challenging questions. Even if Robin had taken the podium herself, she couldn't have done a better job.
"How about it? My eye for talent is pretty good, right?" Sean asked smugly. "Look, first I managed to trick you into being my adjutant, and now I've recruited such an excellent press spokesperson..."
Seeing Sean's triumphant expression, Robin found it difficult to argue. After all, he had included her in his praise. It wasn't as if she could simply respond, 'Actually, I'm terrible, so your judgment is garbage.'
Meanwhile, the press conference continued.
"Spokesperson!" a reporter called out. "I want to ask: does the justice proclaimed by the New World Marines include the Celestial Dragons?"
"It does," Carina replied firmly. "The justice upheld by the New World Marines is the Justice that Reigns Over All. No matter who they are, if they dare to commit evil, they are our target. Let me reiterate: no matter who they are!!!"
Boom...
With that single answer, the entire world exploded in uproar.