Chapter 319: Morgans' News
Ulquiorra repeated, "Freeze—time and space?"
"Mokobato-mo!" The voice accompanying Esdeath's arrival brought silence with it.
The flow of time ceased under Mokobato-mo, and the entire space that Esdeath's gaze landed on was detached from the puzzle of the world.
It turned into a ghostly blue world, with Esdeath's white figure being the only color in the entire world.
When this paused scene began playing again, the river of time started flowing once more, and the ghostly blue world was given a brand new radiance.
Ulquiorra's skin once again felt cold, and two intense pains shot up from his bones, stabbing the cortex of his brain.
Esdeath approached Ulquiorra from behind. "Though your body is tough, as long as you wrap it with Conqueror's Haki, I can easily sever your limbs."
"What?" Ulquiorra tried to turn his body, but his balanced vision tilted to the left, as if the entire world was being turned upside down.
Following the direction where the pain came from, his left arm and left leg were now just spurting blood, with heavy air in the place where they used to be.
Forcing his body to stay steady, Ulquiorra flapped his wings and flew up.
"Don't worry, our people are quite capable. For something like severed limbs, they can help you reattach them quickly..."
Esdeath's voice stopped abruptly.
Looking in the direction of her gaze, Ulquiorra's left arm and left leg, where they had been severed, shot out a thin black liquid column, and in the blink of an eye, new left arm and left leg regenerated.
"Eh?!" The people outside were stunned.
"Such quick self-regeneration, is this guy a flatworm?!"
"Who would treat their partner as a flatworm?!" Eric knocked on Deidara's head.
Ulquiorra flexed his left fingers. "The strongest part of my ability isn't attack, but regeneration. I can rapidly regenerate all bodily structures, except for the brain and internal organs."
"Oh?" Esdeath showed a sadistic smile. "So, in other words, as long as your brain and important internal organs aren't damaged, you won't die?"
"...You could say that."
"Then that's easy." Esdeath cruelly smiled, "I was worried I might accidentally kill you."
Eric 's voice rang out, "Ulquiorra, do you still want to keep fighting?"
"..." Ulquiorra answered emotionlessly, following his own will, "I want to continue fighting."
"Is that so..." Eric smiled faintly, "Then let's make it an exciting battle, no regrets."
"Understood."
With his response, Ulquiorra spread his wings and became a black shadow as he charged at Esdeath.
◇
The island was half-destroyed from the battle between Ulquiorra and Esdeath, with remnants of glaciers and deep pits everywhere.
Wendy extended both her hands, healing blue light showering over Esdeath, making her groan with satisfaction.
Eric squatted next to her and smiled, asking, "Are you satisfied with this battle?"
"Very satisfied." Esdeath exuded a lazy aura, her torn clothes and the remaining blood didn't affect her beauty, but rather added a heroic touch.
"Hmph, power, speed, and techniques all lost to Ulquiorra. She only won because of Conqueror's Haki, and she still dares to say she's satisfied?" Kurumi mocked from the side.
Esdeath, in a good mood, ignored Kurumi's provocation.
On the other side, Ulquiorra's second return of the blade form ended, and he once again donned his half-horned helmet, wearing his white coat with black trimming, and reattached his sword to his waist. Despite such a fierce battle, he had no visible external injuries.
However, the pain still lingered on Ulquiorra's body, and the faint sense of regret wouldn't go away:
"This battle was lost the moment I couldn't see Esdeath's movements and had my left arm and left leg severed."
With the same expression, Ulquiorra turned to Esdeath, who was healing, and asked, "If I have the chance next time, I'd like to challenge you again."
"Bring it on," Esdeath's ice-blue eyes stared at the future challenger.
Eric looked at Ulquiorra in surprise. "With regret and reluctance in your heart, you're becoming more human. You're one step closer to finding the answer to the 'heart.'"
"..." Ulquiorra remained silent.
"Amazing regenerative ability. If only the brain and internal organs could regenerate too."
Kakuzu grumbled at Deidara, "That would be true immortality."
"Old man Kakuzu, your partner is super strong!"
"Hmph."
Wendy's sky magic had an incredible effect, and Eric shook the image phone in his hand. "The battle's over, the photography work is complete, let's go home together."
'Home?' This was the first time Ulquiorra heard this word. Does he have a home now?
[Ulquiorra's affection slightly increased, bond level unchanged.]
As soon as Eric boarded the "Fearless" ship, he was met with the resentful gazes of the crew members.
Law, looking exhausted, spoke up, "Captain Eric , if possible, please don't have such intense battles so close to here."
Borgqi's face was pale, with some mushy substance still at the corner of his mouth, and the faint smell of stomach acid reached Eric 's nose.
"You actually get seasick?"
'Who do you think is responsible for this?!' Borgqi weakly glared at Eric and wearily shuffled back to his room.
"The massive waves, storms, and tremors from the battle reminded me of the roller coasters, trapeze artists, and drop towers at Sabaody Archipelago," Da Vinci knocked on the table loudly.
Eric clasped his hands together, "Sorry, we'll make sure to continue next time."
Da Vinci raised an eyebrow, "Hmm?"
"Ah, I misspoke. I'll pay more attention next time."
◇
"Hey, Morgans?" Eric dialed a number he hadn't contacted in a long time.
"Oh? Is this Captain Eric ?" Morgans' voice was filled with surprise, and the phone's image bug mimicked Morgans' expression perfectly.
"Captain Eric , the center of the storm of the Four Emperors, must have some big news!" Eric could practically imagine Morgans taking off his hat to salute.
Eric asked in confusion, "What storm center?"
"The center of the big events storm!" Morgans shouted, "Killing the Seven Warlords, torturing the Celestial Dragons, battling Admirals, massacring the noble families of affiliated countries, clashing with the Four Emperors' pirate crews... One thing after another, it's giving the World Government a massive headache!"
"Recently, you've clashed with the Whitebeard Pirates, right? How did it go? Did you win? Or lose?" Morgans bombarded him with one question after another. "Another Seven Warlord has fallen, what are your thoughts? You've made the World Government look pathetic!"
"I want to give Captain Eric an exclusive interview. When will you have time?"
"Uh..." Eric was about to speak when he heard a faint rustling sound, the sound of a pen scratching paper.
Eric , on guard, sternly asked, "What are you writing?!"
"Of course, it's the exclusive interview of Captain Eric , the Four Emperor!" Morgans' enthusiasm was like oil-soaked firewood, burning fiercely.
"No, it's starting suddenly?!" Eric was caught off guard.
"It's better to do it today than later! The exclusive interview can't wait!"
Eric snapped, "You distorted my words earlier, do you think I'd still accept your exclusive interview?!"
"Help me with something first, the exclusive interview can wait."
"Hm?" Morgans squinted his eyes, the cunning media tycoon tried to dig out more secrets from Eric . "Since Captain Eric has a task for me, I'll do my best to complete it."
Despite patting his chest loudly, Eric didn't trust this greedy man. Once someone offers a better price, Morgans, the black-hearted capitalist, would sell him out without hesitation!
"I heard your company's, World Economic News, intelligence network is impressive?"
"Oh, we just have more battlefield reporters. It's not really intelligence work," Morgans denied repeatedly, then changed the topic. "But the World Government's spy organization, CP, is..."
"Enough!" Eric interrupted, "Find me a bastard..."
Eric looked at the image phone in his hand, showing a faint smile.
◇
The latest issue of the newspaper, accompanied by the news bird, spread across the world.
At the Marine Headquarters, known as the "wise general," Sengoku frowned as he looked at the newspaper. "A rookie pirate, unknown by name, fought with Esdeath from the Dawn Pirates in the New World..."
The naval officer following behind Sengoku, surprised, asked, "A rookie just set sail and managed to go toe to toe with the Ice Queen?"
"Although he was injured and fled, it seems the Dawn Pirates also took some losses," Sengoku corrected, "Have we heard of this rookie before?"
"No, Admiral Sengoku!" The aide saluted and flipped through the documents in his hand to report. "This pirate has never appeared in the newspapers, and there are no bounties on him!"
"Seems like a complete rookie..." Sengoku continued to carefully examine the images in the newspaper, a faint feeling of dissonance lingering in his mind. "But why are all these photos taken from the same place?"
"There shouldn't be any doubt about it," the aide explained, confused. "A reporter who accidentally encountered the Four Emperors' pirate group battling pirates would obviously hide and take pictures from a concealed position to avoid being discovered by the pirates."
Sengoku remained silent, still doubting: 'Is that really the case?'
◇
At the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the highest powers of the world, the Five Elder Stars, were in a meeting room.
The man with white curly hair and a fluffy white beard, wearing a flat hat and a scar on his left cheek, spoke first. "The Dawn Pirates have repeatedly defeated the Seven Warlords, and now they've suffered a loss against a rookie?"
Another Elder, wearing a white robe, bald, and with glasses, continued, "The Seven Warlords, known to be on par with the Marine Headquarters and Four Emperors, have repeatedly been bested by the Dawn Pirates. This has already affected the balance of the world. We can't let this slide."
A third Elder, bald with a pair of mustaches, a birthmark on his forehead, began, "There's still a vacancy in the Warlord of the Sea, and this newcomer's appearance just happens to fill that gap."
"Why not use this newcomer to strike at the ever more rampant Dawn Pirates?" The blonde man turned to the other Elder. "What do you think?"
The fourth Elder, with long white hair and a very long white beard, nodded decisively, "Then let's invite him to become the next Warlord of the Sea!"
Just outside the meeting room, the Marines suddenly heard an order:
"Go call Admiral Sengoku!"
◇
On the Island of Wano, Onigashima.
Kaido, who had been drunk for a long time, was drinking more wine, crushing the newspaper in his hand and tossing it aside.
"Hohohoho..." His unique laugh echoed through the cave, shaking the mountain walls and causing sand and rocks to fall.
"Just with this little bit of skill, he dares to call himself one of the Four Emperors?" Kaido, in a great mood, picked up another newspaper. "This guy must have eaten a Zoan-type Devil Fruit, right?"
"That's right," the figure standing beside him, King, answered. "It's likely a rarer Mythical Zoan, not only can he fly, but his abilities and strength are also very strong."
The photos in the news were of the huge waves and fierce winds caused by the Thunder Spear.
"Well, then we have to bring him into the Beast Pirates!" Kaido's desire flared in his eyes. "The last time I went through so much trouble to get the Inu Inu no Mi, Mythical Zoan, but it ended up being eaten by Yamato. This time, this Mythical Zoan user has to be part of my crew!"
"King, this task is yours to handle!"
"Yes, Captain Kaido." King accepted the order.
◇
Two days ago.
"What?!" Morgans' voice was full of surprise. "The Ice Queen was actually injured by a rookie pirate?"
"No, he just managed to escape," Eric quickly denied. "I hope you can provide me with information about him."
"Hm..." A thoughtful noise came from the phone, and after a while, Morgans asked, "Captain Eric , do you have a photo of him?"
"..." Eric began to improvise and reluctantly replied, "Yes, I hope you won't write nonsense in the news."
"Of course!" Morgans assured him. "We reporters will always write according to the real facts!"
"Also, this guy's strength is really strong. You just need to provide information, don't make contact with him casually."
"How strong?"
"...I'll send it to you via fax later." Eric hung up the phone.
...
"Hoho!" As soon as Morgans received the photo, his trouble- making mentality began to grow, and his yellow beak bent up in excitement. "This is really big news!"
"Captain Eric !" Borgqi ran over, holding the newspaper, flapping his arms. "That big-mouth bird is making up news again!"
"Heh." Eric raised an eyebrow, as he had expected this troublemaker.
The headline on the front page of the newspaper read in large letters:
"Ice Queen Battles with Super Newcomer, Esdeath Injured, Super Newcomer Injured and Escapes, Whereabouts Unknown!"
(END CHAPTER)
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