Chapter 12: Journalist
"Are you interested in being a journalist?"
Those were the first words Arne heard when he opened his eyes in the white hospital room.
Journalist. This profession seemed very different from that of a pirate. Arne could not think of any advantage that would make him a journalist. At most, he had spent a few years as an apprentice with an old adventurer on a small island in his hometown in the South China Sea, learning to read and understand nautical charts. Even among pirates, that was considered a high level of education. But it was nothing compared to being a journalist.
Arne's eyes were full of confusion.
"Am I not a navigator?" he asked.
"Candidate!" Buggy emphasized. "Well, you'd better be interested. After all, I bought you, so whether you like it or not, you have to be a journalist."
Buggy felt he had shown great respect for the other person. At least he asked.
"As for suitability, you don't have to consider it," Buggy said.
Buggy lay back on his bed, while Arne, the patient, got up stunned.
"After all... we don't need to chase news. We create news."
Good.
Arne, former navigator candidate and former pirate, received a new career plan after leaving the iron cage. The first step was to become a reporter.
What does it mean to be a reporter? At least he has to find a job at a newspaper, right?
Following Jacques's advice, Arne, familiar with the Sabaody Archipelago, arrived at Inn District 35. This is where crews waiting for permission to travel to Marijoa temporarily stationed. Applying for permission from the World Government and then using a specially designed bubble elevator to cross the Red Earth Continent was the safest way to travel between the first and second half of the Grand Line.
Another option was to cross Fish-Man Island, a hole in the deep sea under the Red Earth Continent, where the Whitebeard Pirates' flag still flew.
For the newspaper, the advantages of settling in the Inn District were obvious. Crews traveling between the New World and Paradise spread news of events happening elsewhere while they conversed.
Arne felt a wave of unease. He wondered if the newspaper discriminated against those with a piracy background. As for why he wanted to be a reporter... Arne didn't bother to consider it. His experience on the warship taught him to simply follow Buggy's instructions. Thinking too much would only lead to his demise.
He glanced at the circular, multi-story building in front of him, a simple wooden sign proclaiming: World Economic News Agency, Sabaody Archipelago Branch. With firm resolve, he walked straight in.
At the naval base sanatorium.
Buggy now faced a rather thorny problem, one familiar to many: the question of address. How should he address Yaro-sama's father? Old Deng? Or should he say...? I am so sorry, but I threw your son into the sea of fire, and the voice you hear now is that of the impostor who replaced him.
"Did someone from Area 1 look for you?"
While Buggy hesitated, the anthropomorphic Den Den Mushi in front of him asked with a serious expression.
There were clear notes on the snail's shell.
His Excellency Baron Fyodor Lux.
As for Area 1... Buggy thought, naturally, of the human auction house in Area 1 of the Sabaody Archipelago. Strictly speaking, they are in the same industry. And as everyone knows, competition is an enemy. Unpopular exclusives are the key to stealing points!
"They are... quite interesting," Buggy thought for a moment, and then said sincerely.
"Interesting?"
"Don't underestimate them and don't be fooled by their sweet words! Behind the Area 1 auction is the Donquixote family, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!" the Den Den Mushi exclaimed.
"And what does that have to do with me... with us?" Buggy asked, remembering his alcoholic and abusive father.
"Of course it does!" the Den Den Mushi's voice suddenly rose.
"That bastard Doflamingo wants to buy my auction house for only 300 million Belly! How is that possible!" Baron Lux roared, with a hoarse voice, like an insect's grunt, and a gloomy expression.
"The Area 4 Pirate Auction House is a vital source of income for our family! It's a precious legacy that we inherited from my father and your grandfather!"
The Baron's tone stopped at the word "inheritance."
"Little Yaro, even if you can't inherit the family fortune, you are still part of it,"
Wow. It seems that the guy he had thrown into the sea of fire had a somewhat "special" identity. It's no wonder the diary rarely mentioned family matters. With such a connection, it's no wonder that Captain Major got in touch with him, and with Major General Sicily behind him... Buggy rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
"That's all."
During his silence, the Baron made the decision for him.
"For now, don't interact with anyone from Auction No. 1. In a while, I'll find a way to transfer you from the Judicial Detention Center to the Sabaody Archipelago."
The Judicial Detention Center, mentioned in Yaro's diary, was a prison built on a small island not far from Judicial Island. Captured criminals were held there temporarily while they awaited their optional trials on Judicial Island. After a while, they were collectively transported to Impel Down.
Yaro's original responsibility was to escort them between the detention center and Impel Down. This left a wide margin for maneuver.
For example, one or more pirate prisoners could die in custody due to a serious and incurable disease, or suddenly jump into the sea during transport. All of these situations were acceptable. Pirates do not have human rights organizations to defend them. Another reason is that almost all piracy convictions are permanent. This is also the most important role that Yaro played for the Baron.
Of course, Yaro's entry into the Marines and his subsequent promotion were the Baron's doing.
But what surprised Buggy even more was the Baron's influence within the Marines.
As if he were sure that Buggy would agree, the Baron told himself: "With you at Base Area 66, our family's wealth will be safer..."
"Sure, sure."
The Baron heard the answer he was looking for.
The only strange thing was that his beloved son's tone sounded a little weird today. As if he were being sarcastic. It shouldn't be like that...
Baron Lux could only attribute the incident to the shock he felt during the escort warship explosion a while ago. A fugitive could do something so horrible. That pirate clown is truly terrifying!
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