"Buru buru… buru buru…"
Not long after Kizaru tossed aside the intelligence uploaded by the CP agents into the "trash pile," the private transponder snail hidden in a secret compartment started buzzing.
"As expected of you, Morgans. Every time there's big news, you're always the first one rushing over…"
Kizaru didn't even need to wait for the snail to speak — he already knew who was on the other end.
Fewer than ten people knew about this private line. At this moment, the only one who would call was, without doubt, the "big news" albatross who forever chased the hottest headlines — Morgans.
"Gahaha! Looks like I guessed right! Quick, tell me — what huge event will happen at Big Mom's tea party!?"
From the other side came Morgans's shrill, excited laugh. He didn't know how Kizaru obtained such intel, but ever since their acquaintance, not a single piece of information from Kizaru had ever been wrong.
Morgans even believed that at least a third of his reputation as "Big News" was thanks to Kizaru.
Without him, Morgans wouldn't have gotten so many scoops, and would never have been able to keep The World Economic Journal thriving under the World Government's heavy censorship.
In the end, the World Government had been forced to compromise, allowing Morgans to publish some relatively tolerable negative reports, in exchange for him exercising "restraint" when smearing them.
But the Government never knew that Kizaru was always a shareholder in the World Economic Journal, and had been its first patron, financing Morgans to found it in the first place.
It's no exaggeration to say that in the early days, at least 80% of those "anti-Government" articles were Kizaru's doing.
Only after Morgans built a massive intelligence network through his news birds did that percentage slowly decline.
Even now, Kizaru still provided him with "ammunition," ensuring Morgans remained the undisputed target of blame in the press for attacking the World Government.
"As for that… I'm not exactly sure. Just heard in passing that it'll be a piece of news so big it'll send you flying sky-high on the spot."
Kizaru didn't think Morgans would ever betray him, but he also never revealed any real openings.
Even if the Government later suspected something, such vague wording could never be used as proof of any anti-Government action by Kizaru.
"Gahaha! That's really something to… no, to birdly look forward to!"
Morgans was long used to Kizaru's cryptic way of speaking. In any case, whenever Kizaru called something "big news," it was practically guaranteed.
All Morgans had to do was make sure he was there when it happened, and he'd be right on the front line of history.
As for sending gifts to Big Mom for entry, to someone who practically monopolized the news industry, that was nothing more than a trivial expense.
"Anything else? If not, it's about time for my afternoon tea. I don't exactly have the leisure to keep chatting with you."
Kizaru only leaked a hint before speaking lazily.
He was no workaholic like Sengoku or Sakazuki. A wage-earner should act like one — why risk his life for just a few million berries a month?
Even as Fleet Admiral now, Kizaru had no problem being a "salary thief."
"No, nothing more. The accounts will be tallied soon. With so many big stories this year, sales have smashed records — your dividends will definitely surprise you."
Cigar in his beak, Morgans was in high spirits. The more dividends he paid out to Kizaru, the more money he himself had earned.
Not that Morgans cared much for the pocket change from sales and ads. What he truly craved was influence — the reach of The World Economic Journal and the thrill of reporting earth-shaking news.
"Good work. Send the dividends through Tesoro, and tell him he can start preparing as well."
Kizaru was very satisfied. Morgans's propaganda and influence, Tezoro's financial empire, and the Revolutionary Army's grassroots networks were all indispensable pillars for Kizaru's plan to replace the World Government.
Of course, the most crucial element was still the Navy's strength — the military force needed to hold the world together. That was why Kizaru had long delayed making his move, content to remain a salted fish.
Fortunately, with the Dimensional Chat Group, Kizaru's strength had already surpassed its peak. If not for caution, he wouldn't even need Boros to pave the way — he could storm Mariejois himself and grind Im and the Gorosei into the dirt.
Still, this way had its advantages. If Boros played the role of the "Demon King" well, then after the World Government collapsed, Kizaru could step in with the Navy as the savior of the world.
That would make taking over the Government's eight-hundred-year foundation far smoother. For all its rot, the World Government still held plenty of valuable assets worth seizing.
"…So it's finally about to begin!? Gahaha! I can hardly wait! An unprecedented, world-shaking piece of news! If I can be the one to report it, even dying for it would be worth it!"
Morgans was so excited he almost couldn't stop himself from squawking out loud. Anyone else, upon realizing they'd been dragged into a conspiracy to overthrow the World Government, would most likely be scared out of their wits.
But Morgans's mind was overflowing with the impulse to report this earth-shattering scoop to the world. He couldn't wait for Kizaru to make his move, so much so that he even took the initiative to involve himself, not caring if it meant putting his own life on the line.
"You'd better be careful. Tezoro doesn't worry me— even if the World Government wanted to move against him, they'd have to think twice. But you're the weakest link in our plan. If anything goes wrong, you'll definitely be the first one to suffer for it."
Seeing Morgans getting a little too carried away, Kizaru raised an eyebrow and reminded him calmly.
He didn't say what would happen to himself. As long as the Gorosei still had their wits about them, they wouldn't dare move directly against the Fleet Admiral of the Navy.
If they truly wanted to act, they'd first have to strip Kizaru of his position. And once that happened, the Gorosei would come to understand the true meaning of despair.
"Don't worry. Before I report this big news, there's no way I'd let myself die!"
Morgans cackled, and even after Kizaru hung up the Den Den Mushi, he was still lost in anticipation of the world-shaking headline to come.
Meanwhile at Marineford, when Kizaru hung up his Den Den Mushi, he still had some doubts. Working with others to stir up trouble was always a pain— you constantly had to worry if your allies would screw things up.
After all, their enemy was the World Government, which had ruled the seas for eight hundred years. No one knew how many cards they still had up their sleeve. If not for the fact that the Den Den Mushi he was using had been modified by Vegapunk, Kizaru might have considered going in person to talk with Morgans face-to-face.
After all, with his Devil Fruit and his Stand, "The Flash," the trip from Navy Headquarters to the World Economy News Paper office would take no more than the blink of an eye.
"Buru buru, buru buru…"
Just then, the sound of another Den Den Mushi rang out.
At first, Kizaru thought Morgans had forgotten to say something, but he soon realized it was coming from a different Den Den Mushi on his desk.
"Moshi moshi, this is Kizaru. What's the matter?"
Even a slacker had to show some professional courtesy. Although it was almost time for his afternoon tea, the World Government had just sent the Navy a hefty sum of money, so Kizaru dutifully answered the call.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Kizaru. King Vinsmoke Judge of Germa has been insisting on meeting with you…"
On the other end was a Marine Headquarters major in charge of handling the distinguished guests. Normally, these kinds of trivial tasks would fall to Nami, but ever since Kizaru had become Fleet Admiral, Nami's position as his adjutant had risen in importance as well. With more responsibilities piling up on her, she had to delegate some of the load to other officers.
"He hasn't left yet?"
Kizaru was a little surprised. After the Fleet Admiral promotion ceremony ended, Judge had requested a private meeting with him.
But given Judge's peculiar identity and their previously unpleasant encounters, Kizaru had refused.
Yet Judge refused to leave. As the king of a World Government affiliate nation, Marine Headquarters couldn't simply throw him out by force, so he had stubbornly lingered.
"Yes, and he keeps shouting that he— ugh! What are you doing—"
The major in charge of reception explained helplessly. But before he could finish, the Den Den Mushi in front of Kizaru suddenly changed expression, clearly taken over by another hand.
"Meet with me, Fleet Admiral Kizaru! I have something very important to discuss with you!"
At this moment, the one holding the Den-Den Mushi receiver was Judge, while Yonji had the Marine major tightly restrained. No matter how hard the officer struggled, he couldn't break free.
Ignoring the vice admiral who tried to stop him, Judge spoke seriously.
Though Germa Kingdom had long since fallen in name and power, Judge had always carried himself as a king. Even in his lowest days, he never abandoned that pride.
Now, speaking in such a conciliatory tone with Borsalino was already humbling himself — proof of Judge's determination to meet him.
"...Fine. I'll wait for you in my office."
°°°
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