I am translating a new novel (Multiverse Conquest Starting from Dragon Ball). Read it and support me.
"Exclusive Reveal! Marine Soryu is Actually..."
"Autobiography of a Marine Disgrace— The Life of Shepherd!"
"Government's Promise! Unprecedented Bounty!"
After the press conference, numerous articles titled "Setting the Record Straight" spread across the Four Seas via News Coo, somewhat curbing the raging tides of the era.
The extent of control was similar to oil heating in a pot— turning the oil temperature from a boiling ten parts down to seven parts.
It gave the chef time to stir-fry without burning everything to a crisp immediately.
Morgans' "Exclusive Reveal" series was quite eye-catching, but most people treated it as tabloid news.
Even a fool could tell it was mostly fabricated. Fans eagerly awaited it every week, while skeptics sneered at it.
This, however, was precisely Morgans' cleverness.
Due to government pressure, as the head of the World Economy News, staying silent wasn't an option. But speaking recklessly could lead to consequences, so he avoided sensitive topics, relying on gossip to dodge the issue.
The chance of being targeted by the government was almost zero...
But the involved parties were quite displeased, secretly planning to cook up some "chicken soup" for him someday!
The remaining sensitive topics were divided into two main points:
1. Jason isn't Roger's son. The real culprit behind Dragon's downfall was Lieutenant Commander Shepherd, and the evidence was laid out in detail.
The government claimed, "Don't blame us; we're victims too!"
Due to the massive impact of this revelation, the second point quickly took center stage, and widely circulated to divert public attention.
2. The Bounty on Orrick!
"Nibelung Orrick, Bounty: 10,000,000,000 Beli, ONLY ALIVE!"
This was more a statement than a bounty.
The bounty of the world's strongest pirate, Whitebeard, didn't even reach 5,000,000,000 Beli. This 10,000,000,000 bounty undoubtedly carried symbolic significance.
The Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) promised that whoever brings Orrick back to the government could have any wish granted— wealth, fame, status, you name it.
At the same time, this extreme bounty clearly demonstrated the deep and wicked animosity between the government and Orrick.
How much protection Orrick's Celestial Dragon status could offer him after his betrayal was a matter of perspective.
...
In the depths of an unknown sea in the New World, on a deserted island...
"Your name is Doflamingo?"
Orrick, exuding a scholarly aura, sat calmly in a wooden hut. In front of him was a little girl with emerald-green hair and a Flamingo-shaped plush toy.
"Fufufufu, Orrick... I never thought you'd end up like this!"
The Flamingo-version of Doflamingo stood less than thirty centimeters tall, with a pair of slanted triangle eyes.
Despite its cute appearance, it exuded a hint of menace—commonly referred to as "super fierce."
"How does it feel to be wanted by the entire world? Are you furious? After all, you're a Celestial Dragon!"
Orrick ignored the toy's rudeness and, after comparing it with the information in his files, nodded.
"It seems accurate."
"If it weren't for the records, I wouldn't believe someone as vile as you could come from the Celestial Dragons."
"Killing your father and brother, tsk tsk..."
"Bastard!"
The plush toy's head furrowed in frustration, and Doflamingo cursed angrily, "Do you want to fight? If you've got the guts, let me go!"
"Sugar, hurry and undo the effects of your Devil Fruit!"
"Well..."
Sugar hesitated, glanced at Orrick, and shook her head. "Sorry, Doflamingo... I have no memory of you. Everything is up to Lord Orrick now."
Those turned into toys by the Hobi Hobi no Mi (Toy Toy Fruit) disappear from everyone's memory. Without documented records, it's impossible to prove they ever existed.
"You... called me Doflamingo?"
Doflamingo was shocked, then quickly calmed down. He chuckled and said to Orrick, "I see, you didn't even tell her who I am?"
"It seems you've made up your mind to erase my existence entirely, turning me into an invisible ghost."
"Indeed, because who you are doesn't matter at all, Doflamingo."
Orrick leaned back in his chair calmly, ignoring the burning gaze from Doflamingo's eyes. He waved his hand dismissively. "According to the records I've left behind, I brought you along to extract a certain secret your group is hiding. But now I'm having second thoughts..."
"I can't believe you'd know anything valuable."
Orrick's most prominent trait was his inherent distrust. His domineering and unreasonable behavior was merely a facade to hide his true self.
Comparing the records, Orrick was suspicious that someone might have tampered with them behind his back.
After all, the plush toy in front of him didn't look like it held any great secrets.
"Heh, are you trying to provoke me?"
The Flamingo (yes, it's him) snorted coldly, grinning. "If you want to know, beg me for it. Provocation won't work."
"If thinking that makes you feel better, then sure..."
Orrick couldn't be bothered to argue. After confirming everything was in order with his documents, he pulled out the Den Den Mushi. "Hello, how's that task I assigned you coming along?"
"Reporting, sir, everything is in place!"
"Good. Pass the word down: everyone is to enter indefinite hiding. Until I call for you, you are all just a group of ghosts who don't exist. Understood?"
"Understood!"
After hanging up, Orrick pulled out a dark, gold-edged, eerie mask from his cloak and put it on his face. Instantly, his entire demeanor changed.
A terrifying killing intent radiated from him in a visible Haoshoku wave, making him appear as dangerous as a malevolent demon.
Just as his scholarly appearance was a façade, so too was his brash and reckless demeanor. Which one is the real him? Perhaps only Orrick knows.
"Let's go, Sugar. It's time to embrace a new life."
"The next phase of the plan needs time to brew."
"I understand, master!" Sugar replied respectfully, then glanced at the toy on the table. "Should we take Doflamingo with us?"
"No need. Even if the information is accurate, he's just another external tool..."
Orrick draped a red coat with black trim over his shoulders and, with a cold smile, took out a noble round hat, holding it elegantly in the crook of his arm. "When have I ever needed to rely on outsiders to do my work?"
A few minutes later, at the coast...
"Bastard! Come back here!"
"Come back, you wicked fool!"
The Flamingo toy tried to run after them, but a wave easily knocked it back, leaving its plush body drenched and dripping.
Watching the ship sail farther away until it disappeared over the horizon, Doflamingo collapsed on the beach and suddenly burst into hysterical laughter.
He laughed with heart-wrenching intensity, his voice hoarse and strained.
"Fufufufu!!!"
"Why? Why?!"
"Are you even going to deny my last shred of existence, Celestial Dragons?!"
...
At Marineford, in the Fleet Admiral's office.
*Knock, knock, knock!*
"Come in."
With permission granted, Rowen pushed the door open and entered.
"Reporting in! Fleet Admiral, you wanted to see me?"
"Ah, Rowen, come on in and take a seat."
Sengoku glanced up and motioned for Rowen to sit down.
This was clearly going to be a long conversation!
If it were just a simple order, he would've stayed at the door… Realizing this, Rowen thoughtfully moved to his usual seat by the window.
"Take a look at this. After reading it, tell me what you think."
Sengoku handed him a document, then pulled out a snack from the drawer...
Recently, Sengoku had seemed to adopt a sort of "letting go" attitude— almost as if he had resigned himself to things. He was paying less and less attention to his image.
Since the execution of Roger's, while Marine hadn't faced too much criticism, the pressure on Sengoku had undoubtedly been immense.
It wasn't that he didn't work hard; he just didn't catch a favorable era.
As a result, his plan to retire with a Glory Medal fell apart, and so…
This is how things are now.
Ignoring the sound of crunching snacks beside him, Rowen picked up the document and carefully read through it.
"The Straw Hat Pirates?"
...
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