Chapter 199: Hidden (Part 1)
"Gulugulugulu"
On Ghost Island, Kaido, with two long horns on his head, laughed upon seeing the news in his hands. "Since when did the title of Empress of the Sea become so worthless?"
"Bang!"
The massive spiked club smashed the hard mountain rocks into pieces. "Has that old lady gone blind? She couldn't even handle a rookie and let him escape. Gudu gudu."
"They are just a bunch of kids pretending to be pirates. Watch me smash them into pieces!"
"Boom!"
On Cake Island, the sky was covered with dark clouds, and purple lightning flashed through the clouds, continuously striking down.
"She actually says I fought to a draw with her?!"
BIG MOM furrowed her brows, enraged, and shouted, "Ha? You think just because you took one of my attacks, you actually fought with me? A draw?!"
Mondot: "Mom, this news article was definitely that guy's doing!"
BIG MOM raised her eyes, her tone filled with immeasurable fury, "Yes, remember this, Morgans. And you, Darren Eric !"
The news of Eric becoming the fourth Empress of the Sea spread quickly due to the manipulation of certain people.
The World Government wanted to promote their downfall, and Morgans, eager to create big news, had no problem with it. The newspaper not only sold like hotcakes but also made a lot of money.
In the New World, so-called silver-tier contenders were itching to take down the new emperor and take the throne for themselves.
However...
On the Grand Line, Sabaody Archipelago—
"Whoosh!" The sound of a ship emerging from the water drew the attention of the many citizens on the shore.
"Is that a ship from the New World?"
"Or did they get scared and retreat from the New World's horrors? Hahaha!"
Some residents, despite the influx of pirates boosting their income, still despised pirates. Seeing them return in such a disheveled state brought satisfaction to many.
Such things were nothing new. Only a few pirates survived the brutal New World trials. Many others, after encountering the harsh environment or the terrifying powers of the Emperors of the Sea, either perished or fled in disgrace.
"That's—!" Some people, seeing the flag on the ship, widened their eyes in surprise. "That's the pirate ship of 'Empress of the Sea' Eric !"
As someone in the crowd shouted, the onlookers quickly scattered in fear.
'Who is that? Lost a shoe in their panic.'
Eric was not pleased. Just because the World Government spread the word, he was now one of the feared "Four Emperors."
He hadn't even done anything wrong, yet the general public was terrified of him. This was the third time this had happened!
Irritated, Eric grabbed a Den Den Mushi and called the culprit.
"Morgans, you bastard!" Eric asked angrily, "Why did you write in the report that I'm the fourth Empress of the Sea?!"
"Mr. Eric , oh, sorry, it should be 'Lord Eric ' now." Morgans pretended to be clueless. "You're a pirate who fought evenly with BIG MOM, so naturally, you deserve this title."
"Which eye of yours saw me fighting evenly with BIG MOM?"
"In the photo, it's clearly you taking BIG MOM's 'Wigoku' by yourself. I've heard that move; it's incredibly powerful."
"But it was just that one move!"
"Isn't one move enough? Don't say you forced BIG MOM to fight; most pirates can't even get past her children."
After chatting with Morgans for a while, Eric suddenly asked, "So the World Government paid you to report me as the fourth Empress of the Sea, didn't they?"
"How did you know…" Morgans blurted out, realizing too late that he had made a mistake, but since the words were already out, he had to admit it. "As expected of Captain Eric , you figured it out."
He picked up a handkerchief and, pretending to be pitiful, said, "It was the World Government's intelligence agency that found me and forced me to write this report."
Eric wasn't buying it. It felt disgusting seeing a grown man act pitiful. Moreover, Morgans was no weakling and could easily deal with the CP agents who infiltrated his office.
"It's not just the World Government trying to help me; you also want to capitalize on the big news about becoming a fourth Emperor to boost your paper's sales, right?!"
"Ah, you figured it out," Morgans wasn't afraid of Eric . His newspaper office was mobile, constantly changing locations, and it was hard for anyone to find him.
"I should also thank Lord Eric . This issue's sales have set a historical record for the highest sales."
"Heh," Eric sneered coldly. "You write this report, and you're not worried about angering BIG MOM? When she finds you, pulls out every feather from your body, and then roasts you with her heavenly fire to eat you?"
"..." As a bigwig in the dark world, Morgans knew very well about BIG MOM's strength and influence. BIG MOM's intelligence network was also considered the best in the industry.
He would probably have to move around frequently to avoid being found by her.
"However, Mr. Eric , you haven't lost yourself in the title of the Four Emperors. That's impressive," Morgans sincerely complimented. "Many pirates, once they achieve some success, settle for the status quo."
"Like Whitebeard recruiting sons, BIG MOM relentlessly having children while occupying Totland, or Kaido, who hasn't made any big moves after conquering Wano."
"You dare say that? Aren't you afraid I'll tell them exactly what you just said?" Eric laughed, "You've offended all the Emperors of the Sea with that."
"Mr. Eric isn't like that," Morgans was confident, "I'm looking forward to you becoming the pillar of the next generation."
"By the way, let me interview you and write a column. Now that you're one of the Four Emperors, what are your thoughts? Any plans?"
When Eric heard the sound of a pen scratching paper, he couldn't help but feel speechless, 'I come here to demand an explanation, and you're conveniently turning this into an interview?'
"It doesn't matter. You probably won't see me for a long time..." Eric hung up the Den Den Mushi.
"Moshi Moshi?" Looking at the hung-up Den Den Mushi, Morgans tapped his high hat with the back of his pen, laughing softly, "After becoming famous, it's time to hide? Keeping your heart intact and not being dragged down by fame..."
The pen danced as he wrote, "Looking down on the other three Emperors of the Sea..." And he made sure to pin the words on Eric .
...
"Admiral Sengoku!" The adjutant rushed into the Navy Marshal's office.
"Cough cough cough, gurgle... What's going on? Why the hurry?" Sengoku, who had been sneaking a snack, coughed as he tried to swallow his tea.
"Citizens from Sabaody Archipelago have reported that they saw the Dawn Pirate crew near Sabaody Archipelago!"
"Poof!" Sengoku spat out his tea.
(END CHAPTER)
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