"Disco! You dare lay a hand on me?! Tomorrow, I'll expose you to the world—bounty hunters and the Marines will be after you in no time!"
Mortomas, a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user with the ability to transform into a seagull, was the president of the World Economy News Paper—one of the three major news agencies in the world. Currently stationed in the Sabaody Archipelago, he maintained a large number of seagulls as news birds.
Disco, on the other hand, laughed maniacally. He was more than just a pirate captain, he was secretly the head of a slave-trading ship under the Celestial Dragons' command. His newspaper, the World Peace Dove, was backed by the World Government and had been struggling against the rising dominance of the World Economy News Paper, which had taken a large share of the market.
The World Peace Dove was led by White Pigeon, another Zoan-type user who could transform into a white pigeon. His agency primarily spread propaganda for the Celestial Dragons, glorified the Marines, and promoted the achievements of affiliated nations. It was the official media mouthpiece of the World Government.
On the other hand, Mortomas's World Economy News Paper covered both legal and underground news. With compelling narratives and creative reporting, it had a broader audience and higher sales, though it lacked strong backing and had little protection.
Then there was the World Dark News, a publication jointly run by the overlords of the New World and the underground market. Its current president, Candor, was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user who could transform into a vulture. His news agency was notorious for catering to pirates and non-affiliated nations. However, due to its alignment with the pirate faction and poor management, its credibility and sales remained mediocre.
Among the three, the World Economy News Paper stood out as the most comprehensive, appealing to all audiences. Pirates could learn about Marine movements, Marines could monitor pirate activities, and civilians had access to reports from both sides.
...
Mortomas hadn't expected this ambush. He had just been on his way back home to see his wife and their newborn son, who had recently turned one. But before he could leave Sabaody, Disco had intercepted him at sea.
"The World Government… Disco… You bastards! If I make it out of here, you'll regret this!" Mortomas spat, cursing in anger. His biggest mistake had been not bringing enough security with him on this trip.
"Shh, don't cry, Morgans. Look, Daddy is going to chase away the bad guys!"
His wife gently soothed their crying son, while Mortomas, now partially transformed into his seagull-human hybrid form, shot a worried glance at the infant in her arms.
Just then, a new figure leaped onto the deck.
Hearing the name "Morgans," Brook, who had just arrived on the scene, froze for a moment. That name sounded oddly familiar.
Morgans… The future 'Big News' Morgans? The president of the World Economy News Paper? One of the six Underworld Emperors?
...
"Oi, who are you?"
Both factions turned to look at the unexpected intruder. Was he a bounty hunter?
"Brook, the 'Soul King'? Weren't you killed in the Florian Triangle?" Mortomas exclaimed in shock. He had recently heard from the Poison Gas Pirates that they had wiped out the Rumbar Pirates, which had saddened him.
After all, he had been a fan of Brook's music. It was Brook who had spread 'Binks' Sake' from the West Blue to the entire world. The Rumbar Pirates had a stellar reputation, known as true adventurers dedicated to music.
Though Brook's current appearance differed from what Mortomas remembered, he recognized him instantly.
Brook, now hatless, had tied back his signature afro in a messy knot. His suit jacket was unbuttoned, exposing his chest, and his pale skin radiated a chilling aura that made others hesitant to approach.
"You… know me?"
Brook was taken aback. He never expected that someone would recognize a minor pirate like him so quickly.
In the world of pirates, Brook was something of a celebrity—even the infamous Redfield, Patrick Redfield, was a fan of his.
"'Brook, bounty of 33 million Belly, acting captain of the Rumbar Pirates."
Disco recognized the famed pirate musician immediately, but he showed no fear. A mere 33-million-Berry pirate? He had captured plenty of those. It was only the supernovas with bounties exceeding 100 million that he'd think twice about provoking.
"Mr. Brook, please help us fend off these pirates! I, Mortomas, swear to reward you handsomely!"
Mortomas knew that the Rumbar Pirates had a reputation for being kindhearted adventurers, so he pleaded for Brook's assistance.
"Brook, I suggest you stay out of this. Otherwise, I'll cut you down where you stand and send you to reunite with your old crew."
Disco eyed Brook warily. If the rumors were true, the Toxic Smoke Pirates weren't lying—Brook was indeed the sole survivor of the Rumbar Pirates. But how had he managed to survive alone?
"Perfect. This is a good chance to test my new technique."
A chilling mist escaped from Brook's mouth as he spoke. His body was already emitting the eerie aura of the underworld—he had fully entered his Ghost Form. What surprised him even more was his newfound ability—he could sense the life force of those around him.
On the ship, the energy signatures of the crew members were starkly different, appearing like varying shades on a heat map. His own ghostly aura clashed against the life forces of the living, completely out of sync. It felt almost like a unique form of Observation Haki… Was this his hidden talent?
Brook decided to name it "Observation Haki: Life Scan." As he analyzed Disco's vibrant orange-red energy signature, he compared it to his own deep blue spectral aura. The difference was staggering.
Could he defeat this man in an instant?
Had his time in the underworld, absorbing the energies of the afterlife, turned him into a max-level powerhouse, like Ainz Ooal Gown from those fantasy tales?
Suppressing his excitement, Brook felt an irresistible urge to put his theory to the test!
In a blur, Brook unsheathed his cane sword and lunged at Disco. A frozen trail formed beneath his feet, spreading a layer of ice over the deck.
"Soru!"
To Brook's surprise, Disco executed a swift Rokushiki maneuver, narrowly evading the strike. Behind him, the ship's cabin now bore a massive, frost-rimmed hole where Brook's attack had landed.
"This is incredible! Mr. Brook is unbelievably strong!"
Mortomas flapped his wings, hovering in midair. Seeing Brook's raw power reignited his hope for survival. As the president of a news agency, he wasn't much of a fighter. He had been struggling to protect his wife and children, constantly getting ambushed by Disco's Rokushiki techniques.
"What the hell?! There's no way Brook is this strong! He's just a 33-million-Berry pirate! It's impossible!"
Disco shouted in disbelief. If he hadn't dodged at the last moment, that strike would have pierced straight through him.
"Life and death are but parts of the grand cycle… and your part in it ends here."
Brook exhaled another cloud of icy mist, his spectral eyes brimming with the chill of the afterlife. In a flash, he disappeared from sight, closing the distance between them in an instant.
"I don't believe you've gotten this strong!"
"Tekkai!"
Disco forced his blood to circulate at an intense speed, his skin turning crimson and gleaming like polished steel. Taking a firm stance, he braced himself to withstand Brook's incoming strike.
Everyone watched in breathless anticipation. The entire battlefield fell silent.