Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
New World, on an uninhabited island.
Deep within the dense jungle, a hot air balloon ship, the headquarters of the World Economy Newspaper, was hidden.
Inside the ship, in the President's office.
"Two Four Emperors groups have met!"
Morgans held the mysterious photo he had just received, his eyes filled with surprise and cunning. As the President of the world's largest news agency, his sense of smell was extremely keen.
Big news!
This was the scent of big news!
He had always been paying attention to the situation on Hachinosu, but he couldn't monitor it around the clock like the Marines, so he was always a step behind.
But it didn't matter, he had special intelligence sources. In the underground world, everyone knew that intelligence could fetch a good price from him!
Just like now, enthusiastic citizens had delivered first-hand information to him!
"First, Fire Fist joined Whitebeard and became the Commander of the 2nd Division, and now Whitebeard is involved with the Beast Pirates!"
"Kwahahaha, the Marines must be in a panic right now!"
"Go investigate the Marines' movements immediately!"
Given such a terrible situation, the Marines couldn't just sit idly by. They would definitely try to stop Whitebeard and the Beast Pirates.
And an Admiral from headquarters would certainly be dispatched!
But that wasn't what Morgans wanted to see.
Justice once again stopped evil?
How could such an old-fashioned script attract public attention!
Stirring up trouble was his specialty!
"Kwahahaha~~~"
Hachinosu, newspapers were flying everywhere.
"Extra, big news!"
Just one day later, the latest issue of the newspaper was released early, and explosive news spread across the world at an extremely fast pace!
"Fire Fist Ace, appointed as the Commander of the 2nd Division of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Four Emperors joining forces to seize the world?!"
"What is hidden behind the weapon trade?!"
"Marines in panic, Admiral Kizaru dispatched!"
Fire Fist, Four Emperors, Admiral.
The events on Hachinosu occupied the entire page. Any single piece of news among them was big news enough to draw the world's attention, and the detailed situation was distorted in various ways, as if the Four Emperors were about to go to war with the Marines.
The entire world was shaken by it!
Port, Moby Dick.
"Whitebeard!"
The Commanders gathered around Whitebeard, their expressions all quite grim.
"We didn't ally with the Beast Pirates!"
"What weapon trade? Those were just some drinks and gifts!"
"That bastard Morgans!"
"Whitebeard, Admiral Kizaru's battleship has been found!"
"The whole world is watching us now!"
"Whitebeard, what should we do?"
What to do?
Whitebeard held the newspaper, silent.
A tiny matter had been blown up as if he were going to destroy the world, and he had deliberately stayed on the ship without showing his face.
He could imagine that if he appeared on the island at this moment, those excited pirates would surely clamor to follow him into battle.
"Purupurupuru~~~"
Multiple Den Den Mushi received calls from his subordinate Captains.
"Kacha!"
"Whitebeard, is there going to be a war?"
"Hahahaha, my blade is already thirsty for battle!"
"Don't forget to bring us along!"
"Let's get rid of the troublesome Admiral Kizaru first!"
The Den Den Mushi were noisy, each one more excited than the last.
"All of you stay put at home!"
Whitebeard cut off the communication with a dark expression.
"Sigh!"
Life was not easy, and the old man sighed.
He, Edward Newgate, had fought his entire life, ending up with injuries all over his body. Now, he only wished to live a peaceful and stable life with his sons.
The best way now was to drive the Beast Pirates out of Hachinosu, and then wait for this storm to slowly calm down.
No excitement to watch, and the crowd would disperse.
But he was Whitebeard!
Even in the dirty pirate world, there was a sense of righteousness. His sons had eaten and taken things. It was enough that he, as a father, didn't thank them. How could he have the face to drive them away?
Moreover, they had traveled all this way specifically to check on the safety of their younger brother Ace, which was perfectly fine.
Even if that Daichi brat truly harbored ill intentions, he would have to wait for the other party to expose himself before he could act.
Whitebeard frowned in thought.
Driving Daichi away was definitely not an option.
Wait!
Then I leave?
Whitebeard scanned the area.
"Where's Marco?"
"Marco is currently showing the Daichi brothers around the island."
Last night, Marco was so happy he couldn't sleep well. Early this morning, he found Daichi and enthusiastically offered to be a tour guide.
Hosting fans was an undeniable duty!
"Tell him to come back—never mind."
Whitebeard sighed.
If his son wanted to play, let him play.
Someone had to stay and manage the situation.
He would go hide for a few days to get some peace and quiet, and then come back once this matter calmed down!
"Lads, prepare to set sail!"
"Eh???"
Soon, the Moby Dick left the port.
Meanwhile, in the southwest waters of Hachinosu.
Several Marine ships converged.
In the operations room, Admiral Kizaru sat in the executive chair with his legs crossed, leisurely clipping his fingernails, ignoring the commotion around him.
"Bang!"
Vice Admiral Momonga angrily slapped the newspaper on the table: "That hateful Morgans, how did the intelligence leak?!"
"...."
The Marine officers remained silent.
Originally, they were on a secret mission, but the newspaper published their whereabouts, putting them in an extremely dangerous situation.
The Beast Pirates and Whitebeard!
If the two Four Emperors groups joined forces and launched a surprise attack on them, even with an Admiral present, they wouldn't be able to escape unharmed!
But they also had to thank Morgans.
The newspaper published a large amount of intelligence, including photos of the Whitebeard Pirates moving numerous crates marked with the Beast Pirates' emblem onto their ship.
"Undoubtedly, Whitebeard bought a large quantity of weapons provided by the Beast Pirates!"
Everyone knew that the Beast Pirates were the largest weapon manufacturers in the underground world, so it could be confirmed that the crates must contain weapons.
And the purpose of buying weapons could only be for war!
"And this man!"
Daichi's photo was pinned to the tactical board.
The officers looked at Daichi, their brows frowned. Before setting out, they had considered the possible leaders of the Beast Pirates.
The mysterious and powerful King!
The evil scientist Queen!
And the vanguard Commander Jack!
All three highest executives of the Beast Pirates could have been dispatched.
But who was Daichi?
They had never heard of him, there was no information about Daichi at all.
The unknown was often the most troublesome.
A certain slacking Admiral finally spoke.
"Everyone calm down. At this point, saying these things is useless. What we need to do now is observe the situation and wait for developments. Whatever Whitebeard and the Beast Pirates want to do, they will surely make a move."
Kizaru knew very well that the more clueless they were, the calmer they needed to be. Haste makes waste.
Just adapt as things unfold.
As an ordinary salaryman, why be so proactive? Fleet Admiral Sengoku sent him here precisely because he was worried that Akainu and Aokiji would act impulsively.
"By the way, have Drake and the others sent back any news?"
"Not yet."
Drake had infiltrated Hachinosu, but it had only been a short time.
"Sigh, these young people nowadays."
Kizaru shook his head helplessly.
He didn't want SWORD to take risks.
He and Drake had known each other for a long time. Drake was stationed at the Egghead research institute, and he often went there, so their relationship was quite good.
He didn't rely on SWORD. As long as they didn't cause him trouble, it was fine. But looking at the current situation, it seemed there would be problems.
Hachinosu was not a place where a bunch of inexperienced kids could just wander around.
"Report!"
Just then, a messenger arrived.
"The Whitebeard Pirates have made a move!"
"What?!"
The officers were greatly alarmed.
Oh no, they were coming for them!