Chapter 45 Exposure

After a night of frantic work by the World Economic News Paper,

the next morning, as the first rays of sunlight fell upon the sea, News Coos laden with newspapers had already flown to all corners of the world.

New World—

On the Moby Dick of the Whitebeard Pirates, Marco was leisurely sipping his morning tea.

A News Coo fluttered its wings and landed on the deck.

He casually tossed a few coins, took the newspaper, unfolded it, and his brow instantly furrowed.

“Pops, the Marines are up to something again.”

Marco handed the newspaper to Whitebeard, who was enjoying his breakfast.

Whitebeard took the newspaper, his rugged face gradually darkening.

“Gurararara…

These Marines are really getting more and more out of line.”

His massive hand slammed the newspaper onto the table, rattling the tableware.

At the same time, Red Hair Shanks was polishing gryphon on the Red Force.

Benn Beckman walked in with a cigarette in his mouth: “Boss, today’s news is really explosive.”

Shanks took the newspaper, a flicker of disgust flashing in his eyes: “These Marines are becoming more and more brazen.”

He put down the newspaper and gazed into the distance.

“It seems things are about to get turbulent in the East Blue.”

Onigashima, Cake Island, Dressrosa, Beehive Island…

This newspaper from the World Economic News Paper spread throughout the entire New World at an astonishing speed.

However, these powerful figures from around the world were more focused on the incident of the East Blue Marines taking advantage to plunder.

As for the news about Major Mouse’s entire Marine force being wiped out, they saw it too, but didn’t pay much attention.

After all, Major Mouse was just a minor character in the East Blue.

His strength was inferior to even ordinary pirates in the Grand Line, so his death was inconsequential.

Meanwhile, in the Fleet Admiral’s office at Marineford, Sengoku slammed the newspaper onto the table, causing the tea in his cup to splash out.

“Call an emergency meeting immediately!”

Sengoku roared at the messenger outside the door, the veins on his forehead clearly visible.

At the same time, in Pangaea Castle within the Holy Land Mary Geoise, the Gorosei sat around a round table, each with a terrifyingly grim expression.

“This incident must be dealt with immediately.”

Saint Pit said in a deep voice.

“Otherwise, the Marines’ prestige will be completely lost.

The World Government’s dignity will also be damaged!”

Meanwhile, in the East Blue, Nami, completely unaware of the impending storm, hummed a tune as she picked fresh oranges in the Tangerine Grove.

Hikari continued his daily training, though today his blade seemed sharper than usual.

“Dinner’s ready~”

Nojiko’s voice came from inside the house, and Hikari sheathed his sword.

Nami also returned, carrying a bamboo basket on her head.

Just then, a rapid flapping sound suddenly came from the sky.

A News Coo circled and landed on the fence of the Tangerine Grove, tilting its head to look at Hikari.

Nami put down the basket, curiously took out a few coins and stuffed them into the News Coo’s bag, retrieving a newspaper that still smelled of fresh ink.

“Huh?

Isn’t this…”

Nami’s pupils suddenly contracted.

The newspaper clearly printed a photo of Major Mouse with his chest pierced, and Hikari’s figure was clearly visible.

Her fingers trembled involuntarily.

“How is this possible…”

“What’s wrong?”

Hikari walked over curiously, glanced at the newspaper, and frowned slightly.

“How was this captured?

It seems I underestimated the methods of the World Economic News Paper.”

He looked up at the blue sky, where the cries of seagulls echoed in the distance.

“But, it’s nothing.”

“It’s nothing?”

Nami stomped her foot anxiously.

“Now the whole world knows it was us!

The Marines will definitely…”

“Send people to capture us?

We were already planning to leave.

Even if they send people, they won’t find us.

Moreover, because the Marines’ plundering of civilians has been exposed, many people’s attention will turn to the Marines.

Those Marines sent to capture us won’t dare to trouble the villagers of Cocoyasi Village.

So this doesn’t really affect us.”

After listening to Hikari’s analysis, Nami’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly, but her eyes still held worry.

Nojiko poked her head out from inside the house, holding a steaming plate of food.

“What are you talking about?

Come in and eat, it won’t taste good if it gets cold.”

The three sat around the dining table, with Nami still occasionally glancing at the newspaper placed nearby.

Nojiko noticed her odd behavior, curiously picked up the newspaper, and immediately gasped.

“This…

what’s going on?”

Hikari picked up a piece of fish and said calmly.

“We were secretly photographed, no big deal.

We were already going to leave Cocoyasi Village anyway, so these Marines can’t do anything to us.”

Meanwhile, in the conference room at Marineford, the Marine high command was embroiled in heated debate.

Vice Admiral Garp slammed his fist on the table, scattering documents everywhere.

“Those bastards in the East Blue!

How dare they do such things under the Marines’ banner!”

“Now is not the time to assign blame.”

Vice Admiral Tsuru calmly adjusted her glasses.

“The priority is to restore the Marines’ reputation.”

Fleet Admiral Sengoku’s face was dark as he flipped through intelligence reports.

“Cocoyasi Village…

that young man who killed Mouse, have we identified his background?”

“We haven’t identified his background yet.

He’s probably a villager from Cocoyasi Village.”

The Intelligence Officer wiped sweat from his forehead.

“A villager capable of killing an entire warship of Marines!

What the hell is your intelligence department doing?”

Sengoku suddenly stood up and slammed the table, and the entire conference room fell silent.

“Sengoku, now is not the time to focus on that young man.

Since he killed Marines, we’ll just handle it with a bounty.”

Vice Admiral Tsuru calmly interrupted.

“More importantly, the World Economic News Paper’s report has put the Marines in a passive position.

We must immediately issue a statement, severely punish the involved Marines, and send people to the East Blue to appease the local populace to restore the Marines’ image.”

“Let me go back.

I haven’t been back to see my kid in a long time anyway.”

Vice Admiral Garp stood up, his rugged face showing a rare serious expression.

He cracked his knuckles, making crisp sounds.

“Garp…”

Sengoku pondered for a moment.

Garp still had considerable prestige in the East Blue, so sending him back to deal with those Marines and appease the people was indeed the best choice.

“Very well, you’re the most suitable to handle this.

But remember, this operation should focus on appeasement.”

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

Garp grinned, turned, and strode out of the conference room.

“Besides dealing with those Marines, Smoker, who gave the order, is also responsible.

How do you think we should punish him?”

“Ara ara, Smoker’s intention was to quickly recover the stolen treasure from the Goa Kingdom.

But he does bear responsibility for negligence.”

Aokiji lazily leaned back in his chair.

“Why not let him atone by assisting Vice Admiral Garp with the aftermath?”

No one objected to Aokiji’s suggestion.

“Good, then it’s settled.

Meeting adjourned!”

…