Above a remote hillside, a ship was silently flying through the sky.
That's right, a flying ship.
On either side of the ship, three gears spun continuously. Its bow resembled a bird's beak, its stern like a bird's tail, and steam puffed out from the back. On top of the vessel was a large balloon with the words [BIG NEWS] written on it.
Inside the cabin, Morgans sipped wine leisurely, holding a freshly printed newspaper with a satisfied smile on his face.
"Hehehehe, who says the great newsman Morgans can't fly? Look at me now—soaring through the skies! Hehehehe!"
"President, sir, is it really necessary for us to move? This is such a massive effort, and a lot of our data hasn't even been transferred yet."
A male employee wearing glasses cautiously raised a question from the side.
"You fool! We've never crossed the World Government before. But this time, right after Sengoku became Fleet Admiral, I already ignored his orders. Do you think someone as clever as Sengoku will let me off so easily? He must have anticipated that I'd report news my own way. The World Government only wants to control us, but I've never bowed to threats."
Morgans tapped the newspaper-rolled baton in his hand twice on the employee's head.
"Y-yes, you're right, President Morgans. I was thinking too simply."
The bespectacled employee quickly apologized in fear.
"As expected of the president, able to foresee future danger in advance!"
"Following the president and reporting the news is our dream!"
Morgans clearly enjoyed the flattery. His beak stretched in satisfaction as he struck a dramatic pose, eyes full of dreams about the future.
"Hehehe, I've got a strong feeling something earth-shattering is going to happen soon~ Pirate King Roger gets captured, then escapes; that mysterious guy Reid can counter Sengoku's Devil Fruit… how could all of that just be coincidence? And Admiral Kuzan still hasn't returned to Navy HQ. Ah~ everything feels so suspicious! Hehehe."
Resting his chin on his hand, Morgans spoke to himself, eyes gleaming with sly satisfaction.
"President Morgans, according to reports from the seagulls we've dispatched across the world, it seems the Whitebeard Pirates are heading toward Baterilla Island in the South Blue, likely to find the Roger Pirates."
"Hehahaha, even better! Another major scoop! Get moving, start writing sensational headlines and assign tasks. Have our branch offices print the news ASAP. This time we're gonna make a huge profit!"
"Yes, sir!!"
"Hehehe, there's been so much big news lately, heaven must be helping me! Now this is exciting. The world can't survive without the great newsman Morgans! Hahahaha!"
Baterilla Island.
A small, unremarkable boat quietly docked. Six people disembarked one after another.
Leading the group was a man wearing a red mask helmet, with a pair of long red horns on his head, flowing pink hair, and gold circular earrings. He wore a red suit with matching red pants and carried a long sword.
His name was Foz Fur, a student from the Gan Hao Island Training Program, only 16 years old but already over 2 meters tall, with a mature and composed demeanor.
The other five were also students from the same program:
Rob Lucci, only 6 years old.
Jabra, 13 years old.
Blueno, 8 years old.
Kumadori, 12 years old.
Fukuro, 7 years old.
Foz Fur scanned the surroundings and noticed no one nearby.
"You're free to move about as you like. As long as you don't blow your cover, you're just a bunch of ordinary kids."
"Yes, Big Brother Foz Fur."
The five children responded in unison, their expressions unnaturally calm—completely devoid of childlike innocence.
"Wait—if any of you are discovered, what will you do?"
Foz Fur's voice was calm. Although his face was hidden behind a mask, it was clear he wasn't joking.
"Don't worry. If we're discovered, we'll bite our tongues and commit suicide without hesitation. We'll never give perceptive Haki users a chance to catch on."
"Good. The justice of the Navy must always be remembered."
"Understood, Brother Foz Fur."
"Disperse."
As soon as he gave the order, the five children scattered and vanished in no time.
Phew...
Foz Fur exhaled.
"That coward Spandine is hiding out on Enies Lobby doing nothing, still pretending to be a big shot. And his idiotic son is just as bad, both cowards."
Foz Fur stood still, recalling the mission assigned by Commander Spandine.
"To be cautious, we're sending trainees like you to gather intel. Since your appearances are those of children, you'll blend into the island easily. The primary target is that person named Reid, you've all seen his wanted poster. Your mission is to collect as much information on him as possible."
Spandine turned to Foz Fur.
"You're the team leader—handle the planning."
"Yes, Commander Spandine."
Back in the present, Foz Fur smirked.
"Heh, not bad. If that idiot Spandam came along, he'd 100% get discovered."
With that, Foz Fur headed toward the island's center.
Meanwhile, Reid, Shanks, and Buggy were still training with Rayleigh on the small island.
"Ah... ah... ah... Rayleigh-sensei, we've been chased by those monkeys all day again! Can't we go back to the main island? We haven't slept in a real bed for days..."
Buggy panted with his tongue out, exhausted like a dog.
"Well, isn't Reid right here?"
Rayleigh smiled faintly.
"Yeah, Brother Reid, help me out, man. I'm about to collapse here."
"Hey Buggy, aren't you exaggerating a bit? You're not even hurt. Look at me—every day I'm dancing with death."
Shanks gave Buggy a sideways glance, lips pouting.
"Shanks! I'm working just as hard, okay?! If it were you, you'd have been eaten alive by those monkeys long ago! Do you even understand? They're monkeys!"
Buggy raged at Shanks, yelling so hard that spit flew everywhere.
"Hehe, here we go."
Reid walked over and placed his hand on Buggy.
"Ah... that's so much better. Thanks, Brother Reid. Having you around makes me feel so safe."
Buggy hugged Reid's arm with tears in his eyes.
"Tch, so weak."
"What did you say, Shanks?! Want to fight?!"
Buggy clung to Reid with one arm and pointed angrily at Shanks with the other.
"Buggy, if you think your training's tougher than mine, how about we switch? I'll go deal with the monkeys, and you take on the big tiger. How's that sound?"
Shanks grinned teasingly.
"Ugh... Hmph, I, the great Buggy, don't need to switch. You can keep your tiger."
"Haha! You're scared, admit it!"
"Alright, enough chit-chat. Eat quickly. Training continues after this. Don't think things are going to get any easier."
Rayleigh spoke as he refilled his bowl—he was already on another round of food.
"Ah! Rayleigh-sensei, you've already eaten so much oden!"
Buggy shouted and rushed over to scoop some from the pot.
"Leave some for me, Rayleigh-sensei, I'm still hungry!"
Shanks joined in the scramble.
"Get lost, Shanks! You already had five bowls!"
"Stupid Buggy! I only had three!"
The two started bickering, faces pressed close together, eyes locked in a standoff.
"Heh."
Rayleigh smiled faintly, amused.
"These two are something else... Red-Hair and Buggy, both future legends."
Reid watched the two with a complicated feeling. Who would've guessed that these rowdy kids would soon become giants of the world?
......
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