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"Look, that Marine over there!"
"That's... isn't it? How could someone like him appear here?"
"Admiral Aokiji! Is he here because of Golden Lion?"
"But Golden Lion was killed by that man with the black sword, right? Why is the Admiral still here?"
"Idiot, even if Golden Lion is dead, he was a legendary pirate. It's normal for an Admiral to investigate."
"Stop talking and let's get out of here. After barely surviving the aftermath of those battles, I don't want Admiral Aokiji to throw me into Impel Down."
The criminals in Mock Town whispered among themselves as they saw Admiral Aokiji approaching. Those with bounties on their heads quickly fled, afraid of being recognized.
What they didn't realize was that Aokiji had no interest in them at the moment.
"So Ikki defeated Golden Lion?" Aokiji murmured to himself. "As expected from someone who could challenge Gion. He's truly at this level. He must not have used his full strength against Gion. I wonder where he is now."
Aokiji looked around, extending his Observation Haki in all directions.
"Admiral Aokiji, may I interview you?" A mustached man dressed as a reporter approached him, camera in hand.
"And you are?" Aokiji frowned slightly, looking down at the reporter.
"Allow me to introduce myself," the reporter removed his hat and greeted Aokiji politely. "I work for the president of the World Economy News Paper. I wonder if you're looking for something? Perhaps I can help. And of course, if you have time on your busy schedule, I'd like to interview you."
Aokiji raised his eyebrows. "World Economy News Paper... so you work for that 'Big News' Morgans. Fine, if you can give me the information I need, I'll answer a few of your questions. Since you were here before me, did you see the battle between Ikki and Golden Lion? How is Ikki now? Do you know where he is?"
"The Admiral seems very interested in Ikki..."
"Stop the small talk and answer my questions first."
"Yes, of course!" The reporter nodded quickly. "I didn't personally see the battle between Golden Lion and Ikki, but I've heard everything. After defeating Golden Lion, Ikki had some injuries, but nothing serious. Later, people saw his ship being carried into the sky by a giant one-eyed manta ray. Some say he went to Sky Island."
Aokiji immediately frowned. "Sky Island? So he went there... this complicates matters."
As a Marine Admiral, Aokiji knew about Sky Island's existence. But with Ikki there, their search would become much more difficult. Finding the Explorer would be nearly impossible until Ikki returned to the Blue Sea.
'I need to tell Vice Admiral Tsuru about this,' Aokiji thought, turning to head back to the Marine warship.
"Wait, Admiral Aokiji!" The reporter hurried after him. "Can you tell me why a Marine Admiral is looking for Ikki? Is he a wanted criminal? I haven't seen any bounty posters for him."
"He's not a wanted criminal," Aokiji replied. "As for why I'm looking for him, he has some friends in the Marines. I'm just checking on him."
With that, Aokiji quickened his pace, soon leaving the reporter behind. Matters concerning Gion were classified Marine information, and he wouldn't share them with reporters.
"Just checking? That can't be the real reason," the reporter muttered. "Well, I should report what happened here to the president. Golden Lion's death is already breaking news."
He smiled brightly as he looked at the photo he'd purchased at a high price—an image of Ikki piercing Golden Lion's heart. He could already imagine his promotion and raise.
Back on the Marine warship, Tsuru stood up sharply when Aokiji delivered the news.
"What? You say Ikki went to Sky Island?"
"There should be no mistake. The man definitely went to Sky Island," Aokiji nodded firmly. "This information came from a World Economy News Paper reporter, and I confirmed it with others. Several people saw Ikki and his crew heading to Sky Island."
"But Vice Admiral Tsuru, you needn't worry too much. If we keep watch on the islands near Jaya, we'll find Ikki as soon as he returns to the Blue Sea."
Tsuru sighed, glancing at Gion lying nearby. "That's all we can do for now..."
Little did Tsuru know that by the time Ikki and his crew would return to the Blue Sea, three days would have already passed.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
"Are you serious, Captain? You're saying Burgess and Van Augur are dead?"
Laffitte, a member of the Blackbeard Pirates, stared at Blackbeard in shock. Learning what had happened in Mock Town surprised him even more than seeing Ace unconscious at Blackbeard's feet.
"They're all dead," Blackbeard confirmed grimly. "Killed by that bounty hunter's companions. But I will definitely have my revenge."
Blackbeard clenched his fists and looked at Laffitte. "How's the situation with the Marines? Have they agreed to my terms? I have a strong bargaining chip now." He glanced at the unconscious Ace.
"While Fleet Admiral Sengoku hasn't officially agreed, he's bound to accept if we offer a pirate with a bounty of hundreds of millions of Berries," Laffitte replied. "In exchange for the Warlord position, he has no reason to refuse Fire Fist Ace."
"Good!" Blackbeard stood up. "Let's go, Laffitte. It's time to meet the Marines. Even without Van Augur and the others, our plan continues. No... it must continue."
Laffitte nodded, lifting the unconscious Fire Fist Ace and following Blackbeard.
Hours later, News Coos took flight from various World Economy News Paper Agency branches, delivering newspapers throughout the world.
Soon, two shocking stories spread like wildfire: Golden Lion had been defeated by a bounty hunter, and Fire Fist Ace of the Whitebeard Pirates had been captured.