When he discovered that the Marine Headquarters had deployed a massive fleet, he had already smelled the scent of big news. But he hadn't expected it to be this big and not just one, but two huge stories.
The incident in the Kingdom of Dressrosa and the event of the Chief Instructor leaving the Marines, either of these alone, would have been enough to shake the seas.
But today... They happened together.
He could already imagine the shocked faces across the seas when people read tomorrow's news.
"Change the title of the second article. Emphasize the Chief Instructor of the Marines and subtly imply a possible division within the Marine Headquarters."
"President, the Chief Instructor only left the Marine Headquarters. It shouldn't be serious enough to call it a division, right?"
"Shut up, you idiot! Just do as I say. It's only a speculation."
Morgans didn't hesitate to smack the employee on the head with one wing for daring to question him. "Don't underestimate that Chief Instructor! He's the one who trained half the high-ranking officers of the Marines! Also, your bonus for this month is gone."
"Ah?!"
"Now get back to work! Otherwise, you won't get next month's bonus either!"
After kicking the still-stunned employee, Morgans continued shouting excitedly: "Everyone, focus! If you can get the papers out before dawn, your bonuses will be doubled this month!"
"That's awesome, president!"
"President, the bounty notice from the Marine Headquarters..."
Just as the employees were cheering for their generous boss, another worker rushed in while holding a stack of papers.
"A new bounty? So soon?"
Morgans looked surprised and took the papers.
When he saw the name Ian written on it, his eyes flickered. He was not unfamiliar with this guy who had caused quite a stir recently.
Looking further down, when he saw the line of numbers, Morgans narrowed his eyes. "Hahaha, a retired Marine Lieutenant from the West Blue got such a high bounty? Looks like the Marine Headquarters really values this kid!"
"And this title... Does the World Government want the entire sea to target this guy's head? What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and print the bounty poster! I want the papers done before nightfall!"
Not long after, as night descended, flocks of News Coos flew out; they would deliver the newspapers across the world by dawn.
...
Kingdom of Goa, Cocoyasi Village.
It had been some time since Ace disappeared, yet the villagers still hadn't found out where he went.
If it weren't for Garp's carefree attitude that put their hearts slightly at ease, they would have already reported Ace as missing to the local Marines Branch.
Still, after so many days without finding him, everyone remained worried.
Especially Luffy... At first, he was happy he could eat food meant for two people since Ace was gone, but soon after, he became gloomy and lifeless.
"Luffy, don't worry. Since Mr. Garp isn't worried, that means Ace must be fine."
Makino smiled helplessly as she poured Luffy a glass of juice. "Maybe Ace just set sail early."
"No way. If Ace set sail, he would tell us! And it's not even the time we agreed to go to sea yet."
Luffy dropped his head while drinking from the glass as he spoke worriedly: "Ace must've been kidnapped by some awful guy."
"Maybe it happened too suddenly, and he didn't have time to say goodbye. Mr. Garp probably knows. Let's ask him next time he comes back."
Although Makino was worried too, she smiled and stroked Luffy's head. "I'll still prepare lunch for two today. If Ace isn't back yet, you can eat his share again."
"I don't really have an appetite."
For once, even food couldn't tempt Luffy. "I can't eat when Ace is gone..."
But before Luffy could finish his sentence…
"I found Ace!!"
A loud, excited voice came from the bar's entrance. Luffy and Makino looked up to see a broad-bodied woman with curly orange hair waving a newspaper as she ran in.
Before she could reach the counter, a shadow suddenly leapt onto her, nearly knocking her down.
Seeing the figure clinging to her, she shouted in frustration: "You kid! Get off me!"
"Where's Ace, Dadan?"
Luffy clung tightly to Dadan's leg. "Tell me, where's Ace?"
"Luffy, calm down!"
Makino said helplessly, then she turned to Dadan with hopeful eyes. "Dadan, where's Ace? Luffy has been really worried."
"Ace is fine."
Dadan shook Luffy off, then spread the newspaper out on the table with a grin. "See? That kid just went out to sea."
As soon as she said that, Luffy and Makino leaned over to look. When they saw the familiar figure crouched on a ship's railing, pressing down his familiar hat, both smiled with relief.
"I found him! It's really Ace! That jerk, leave early without telling us!"
"Maybe he didn't have time."
Makino smiled, trying to calm the fuming Luffy, then looked back at the paper and said, "Now I know who took Ace that night."
"Huh? You already know? Who was it?"
"You know him, too."
Makino pointed at another figure in the paper and smiled. "Look, who's that?"
"This is... he looks so familiar..."
Makino: "..."
Makino sighed helplessly as Luffy struggled to recall who it was.
But before she could speak…
"I remember now!"
Luffy said suddenly with eyes wide open. "Mr. Ian! It was Mr. Ian who secretly kidnapped Ace! How could he do that?"
"Maybe we can't blame Mr. Ian."
Makino thought of Garp's strange smile that night and felt relieved, then frowned again as she looked at the newspaper. "But Ian and Ace... Why are they wanted?"
"Hehehe, Ace got a bounty already? That's fast!"
Luffy laughed as he held the newspaper and stared at that familiar figure. "But he secretly went to sea ahead of me, so I've decided…"
Dadan: "...?"
Makino: "...?"
Dadan and Makino both turned to him in panic.
Was this kid going to set sail early, too?
But before they could speak, Luffy put the paper down and looked at Makino seriously. "Makino, prepare Ace's food tonight. I'm going to eat his share too, for leaving without telling me!"
Makino: "..."
That's it?
...
Cocoyasi village.
Nami and the villagers were also reading today's newspaper.
"So this is Mr. Ian, who took you to Sky Island and sent that Marine to rescue us?"
Nojiko asked curiously. "Why is he being hunted by the Marines?"
"I don't know."
Nami frowned, still staring at the paper seriously. "How could this guy be wanted by the Marines?"
"...?"