Reporters and editors near the Peace Dove News Agency headquarters stumbled out of nearby buildings, trembling, but they still didn't forget to snap a final shot of the ruined agency.
"The Vice Admiral has been defeated, and the president has been captured… What the hell do we do now?"
A rookie journalist looked lost. The Peace Dove News Agency was a government-backed job, something stable, yet now it was gone in an instant. He had even paid a hefty sum in bribes just to get hired!
"Everyone, calm down and stay strong! The World Government will definitely rebuild the agency. We're still part of the Peace Dove News Agency!"
A middle-aged man, who looked like the vice president, stepped up immediately, trying to reassure the employees. Now that the president was gone, he was the highest-ranking person left.
"Vice President, we need to contact Marine Headquarters immediately! Vice Admiral Dorodo isn't strong enough to deal with this alone—we have to rescue President White Peizhen!"
A young reporter spoke up with urgency. The vice president shot him a cold glance. Why would I want to rescue that old man? This is my chance to take over!
"Good, good, young man! Such loyalty is admirable! Since you're so concerned about the president, I'm ordering you to confirm his status immediately. If needed, you must show the courage to act and rescue him!"
The vice president put on a heartfelt expression and patted the young reporter on the shoulder.
The reporter's face turned pale as he realized what was happening. The other staff members exchanged glances. As journalists, they weren't fighters, but they weren't stupid either—they saw right through the vice president's plan.
"Sir, this mission is far too dangerous for a junior reporter!"
Some veteran journalists, who still had some integrity, spoke up in defense of their colleague.
"What's this? You cowards don't have the guts to fight for the president? Fine, then—you're coming along too!"
The vice president sneered and sent the outspoken journalist along with the first reporter.
"Tch, how can a power-hungry bastard like you run the Peace Dove News Agency properly?"
One of the more experienced journalists scoffed.
"Listen up, everyone! The World Economic News Agency is currently hiring a ton of special correspondents. The pay is half of what we get here, but the job is more flexible, and we can travel all over the world. I'm applying—who's coming with me?"
The moment he finished speaking, a bunch of young reporters immediately responded, eager for a change. Some reckless paparazzi, always chasing the next big scoop, followed him.
Meanwhile, the more cautious employees decided to stay put, trusting that the World Government would eventually rebuild the agency. After all, working at Peace Dove was a safer gig—they just published official reports from the Marines and government without ever needing to step into danger.
On the other hand, journalists working under Moore at the World Economic News Agency had to hunt for stories, even tailing notorious pirates!
But for some thrill-seekers, the riskier, the better. They loved the rush of danger, the adventure of uncovering secrets, and the thrill of traveling on the government's dime.
The vice president watched the defectors leave with a dark expression. After a brief moment of thought, he quickly sent a report to the World Government and Marine Headquarters.
As for Vice Admiral Dorodo, he had already regrouped with his men and immediately requested reinforcements. He didn't need the news agency to tell him that.
Seeing their commander wounded shocked the marines under his command. With his mastery of Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and the Rokushiki combat style, Dorodo had been practically unbeatable in the first half of the Grand Line for years.
His iron grip on the Sabaody Archipelago had pleased even the Celestial Dragons—he was not only strong but obedient.
---
Meanwhile, White Peizhen dangled weakly in Brook's grip, his face pale from blood loss. His shoulder wound still bled, and he looked like he was on the verge of death.
"Captain Brook, I'll give you all my money—just let me go!"
White Peizhen desperately wanted to treat his injury. He had no idea why Brook hadn't killed him yet but had instead taken him captive.
"You think I need your money? By the way, you're the one controlling those White Dove News Birds, aren't you?"
Brook recalled that Moore, who ate the Seagull-Seagull Fruit, could control large flocks of Seagull News Birds. If that was the case, then it was likely White Peizhen, with his White Dove Fruit, controlled the White Dove News Birds.
"You… You want to destroy the Peace Dove News Agency?"
White Peizhen finally realized Brook's goal.
"Who else but you controls these birds?"
Brook didn't know whether the White Dove News Birds would continue working for the World Government if White Peizhen died. Rather than taking chances, he figured it was best to force him to disband them himself.
"Hah! You underestimate the World Government! Even if the White Dove News Birds disappear, they'll just replace them with Goose News Birds or Swan News Birds! The government's news agency will never fall!"
White Peizhen wasn't bluffing. His control over the White Dove News Birds was the only reason he had held his position as president for so long.
"So you're saying you're the only one who can control them? Well, that just means there's no reason to keep you alive."
If the Peace Dove News Agency stopped publishing news, even temporarily, then Moore' Seagull News Birds would quickly dominate the information market across the Four Seas and the Grand Line.
By the time the World Government managed to roll out Goose News Birds or Swan News Birds, it would already be too late. The World Economic News Agency would have crushed the competition.
Brook wanted to help Moore establish the World Economic News Agency as the ultimate news empire. The only remaining rival, the Dark News Syndicate in the New World, would be taken down eventually.
"Captain Brook, please don't kill me! I swear, I'll cut ties with the World Government! I'll give you all my money! I'll even join you!"
White Peizhen pleaded frantically, tears and snot running down his face.
"Captain, he's lying. He's just waiting for a chance to escape and send the Marines after us."
A streak of lightning crackled, and Redfield materialized, staring at the groveling news president with cold eyes.
"No! I swear I won't! I really won't! Don't kill me!!"
White Peizhen wailed in terror as he saw Brook's deadly Seven-Star Sword gleam in the light. He was so scared that he lost control of his bladder.
"What a disgrace to the White Dove Fruit."
With a look of disgust, Brook slashed White Peizhen in half, letting his corpse drop onto the street before continuing toward Tree Island No. 50.
White Peizhen's lifeless body lay there, his eyes still bulging in shock.
How… How could I, the president of a World Government-backed news agency… die at the hands of pirates…?
Darkness swallowed his consciousness.
---
Viscount Nass, who was in the lawless zone, also caught wind of the golden spaceship. After auctioning off several slaves, he hurried to the coating factory to check it out.
"If I can just buy this golden spaceship with berries, it'll make my trips to the Sabaody Archipelago for slave auctions much easier."
"Lord Nass, please reconsider! I heard the ship belongs to a supernova pirate with a 200-million-berry bounty. Our guards wouldn't stand a chance against them!"
A wealthy merchant from the Kingdom of Valoran tried to dissuade the impulsive Viscount. Businessmen like them had no reason to get tangled up with lawless pirates—it wasn't worth risking their lives over.
"My father is the Iron Shield Earl of the Valoran Kingdom, commanding an army of 100,000. Who would dare attack me? I'm just going to see if I can buy the ship!"
Ignoring the warnings, Viscount Nass rushed off with his dozen or so guards. The other wealthy merchants had no choice but to follow, bringing their own guards along.
---
At the exclusive docking area of the World Government in Sabaody Archipelago, an enormous luxury ship sailed into the designated port. This was the landing spot for the Celestial Dragons when they visited for entertainment.
The ship's bow featured a massive golden lion head wearing a crown, and the sails bore the World Government's cross insignia. Its extravagance rivaled that of the golden spaceship—it was nothing short of magnificent.
"Oi! Where's that flying golden spaceship? Bring it to me NOW!"
A young Celestial Dragon stepped off the ship, wearing a round glass helmet, slicked-back hair, and sunglasses. Two CP agents in black suits and shades followed closely behind.
Saint Rothschild held two chains, each attached to a kneeling giant slave. He jumped onto one of them and ordered them to move toward Tree Island No. 50.
World Government officials scrambled to clear the way and ensure his safety. They had heard that Vice Admiral Dorodo had already set out to deal with the golden spaceship's captain.
After all, the source of this intel was White Peizhen, the president of the news organization. No one had expected that both Dorodo and Peizhen would be defeated so quickly—battles between supernovas and high-ranking Marines usually lasted a while.
Led by World Government personnel, Saint Rothschild and his entourage soon arrived at the coating factory on Tree Island No. 50. There, they saw the nearly finished golden spaceship.
"Heh… not bad. Almost as good as my Victory Lion. Alright, I've decided—this ship is mine now!"
Saint Rothschild smirked, clearly pleased with what he saw. He turned to his CP agents.
"Throw out the trash pirates on board and bring my new ship to me!"
The two CP agents exchanged glances, then obeyed. Using Moonwalk, they leaped onto the golden spaceship.
---
Fishman Tom and the ship's doctor, Crocus, had both spotted the arrival of the so-called "nobles of the world." Tom, in particular, harbored deep hatred for the Celestial Dragons.
His people had suffered under their rule, enslaved and treated as mere property. But he also feared them—the World Government's power was absolute, and defying them meant death.
"The noble Celestial Dragon has decided to take this ship. Leave now, or be executed without mercy!"
Hearing the CP agent's words, Fishman Tom's rage erupted. This ship wasn't just Captain Brook's—it was his masterpiece, his hard work. There was no way in hell he was giving it up to these bastards!
"Over my dead body, you World Government lapdogs!"
Tom grabbed his massive hammer and charged. Crocus, standing beside him, raised his modified harpoon. The weapon was fitted with various impact shells—Thunder Shells, Fire Shells, Water Shells, and Slash Shells.
"Hunting Harpoon—Thunder Fork!"
Crocus hadn't awakened Haki yet, so he relied on his air shells to boost his attacks. His harpoon crackled with electricity as he lunged at the CP agent, forcing the man to dodge.
But the agent, trained in the Six Powers, quickly analyzed Crocus' movement patterns. Using Shave, he closed the gap in an instant and drove a Finger Pistol into Crocus' waist.
"Hunting Harpoon—Slashing Fork!"
Crocus countered with a long-range slash, but the CP agent responded with a Tempest Kick, sending an air blade crashing into the attack. Explosions echoed across the ship.
Meanwhile, Fishman Tom wielded his hammer with ease, despite its immense weight. His Armament Haki-enhanced blows could flatten buildings, but the CP agent's agility made landing a hit near impossible.
Tom's frustration boiled over as he chased the agent around, roaring furiously. The CP agent, in turn, grimaced—his Finger Pistols couldn't pierce Tom's Haki-hardened skin.
Realizing the difficulty of taking Tom head-on, the agent made a tactical decision. He regrouped with his partner and focused on taking down Crocus first, planning to deal with the stronger opponent later.
"You ain't runnin' from me, rat!"
Tom tried to intervene, but Crocus had a plan of his own. Using his medical expertise, he tossed a few canisters onto the deck. Thick smoke erupted from them.
"Damn it! It's anesthetic gas!"
One of the CP agents inhaled by accident and immediately felt dizzy. He quickly warned his partner, holding his breath and leaping out of the smoke cloud.
"Hunting Harpoon—Flame Fork!"
Crocus sprinkled a powder onto his bleeding wound, then activated a Fire Shell in his harpoon. A jet of flames burst toward the unsteady CP agent.
The agent bit his tongue, using the pain to stay conscious, and used Moonwalk to escape the fire just in time.
"Worthless trash! Get back in there and finish the job!!"
Saint Rothschild, furious at his agents' failure, stormed over and kicked one of them several times. The dazed CP agent flinched but didn't resist—he only gritted his teeth and forced himself to keep going.
As the battle continued, World Government guards and Saint Rothschild's own men pushed back the crowd, clearing out any onlookers. The coating factory workers, under orders, boarded the golden spaceship and joined the fight against the pirates.
If Saint Rothschild hadn't ordered them not to damage the golden ship, his men would've already rained gunfire down on Tom and Crocus.
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