At the beginning of the year 1518 in the Sea Circle Calendar, two months had passed since the Summit War at Marineford. Chaos in the New World was gradually spreading, yet neither Shiki nor Charlotte Linlin—two of the most crucial figures—had made their moves.

  The Revolutionary Army had taken center stage, the Seven Warlords of the Sea were scavenging for opportunities, and even some up-and-coming pirate crews had begun to show promise. Among them was "Fire Fist" Portgas D. Ace, who was steadily making a name for himself.

  Near the Red Line, a ship adorned with a bird-shaped figurehead and a curved horn sailed toward the port of Mariejois.

  Onboard was a man well-known in the underworld— Morgans, the one who controlled the world's media narrative.

  This birdman had started his career by clinging to the World Government's coattails, but over time, the World Economy News Paper had grown powerful enough to dominate the information industry.

  Eventually, Morgans' ambition swelled—he wanted to be the "King of News." He published whatever he wanted, whether it should or shouldn't be reported. The World Government had tried to suppress him multiple times, but after ying low for a while, Morgans would always bounce back.

  However, at this moment, Morgans' eyes were dull, and his expression was somber, as if he had encountered a difficult problem.

  He hadn't originally pnned to visit Mariejois. Despite being the president of the world's leading newspaper, Morgans preferred to keep a low profile and rarely set foot in pces like this.

  But this time, he had no choice.

  He had been summoned by a major figure, someone who made even him, a self-procimed "big shot of the underworld," feel insignificant.

  That man was none other than Saint Donquixote Cudius.

  Morgans had no idea why Cudius was looking for him. Over the years, the two had barely interacted. The only person from Cudius' circle who had any dealings with him was Stussy.

  She and Morgans were both influential figures in the underworld, and in a sense, they were also in the same line of work.

  One ran Happy Street, and the other ran a global news network. But at their core, both were in the intelligence business.

  "President, we're almost there," one of Morgans' subordinates approached him and reported.

  Hearing this, Morgans lifted his head slightly, nodded, and remained silent, his face still clouded with worry.

  "President? What's on your mind?" The subordinate, sensing an opportunity to curry favor, asked with concern.

  Morgans gnced at him, sighed, and muttered, "I'm wondering if I've offended that Highness over the years..."

  Then, without expining further, he waved a wing dismissively, signaling that he didn't want to be disturbed.

  Despite his appearance, Morgans wasn't actually a birdman, he was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user.

  This revetion had initially surprised Cudius, who had assumed Morgans was a mutated Mink or some other bird-like race. But in reality, Morgans was human.

  It was Stussy who had shared this information with Cudius. Morgans had consumed a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit, the Albatross-Albatross Fruit, Model: Albatross.

  Not only was he a Zoan-type user, but he had also awakened his abilities, allowing him to stay in his hybrid form permanently. Unlike the failed Awakenings seen in Impel Down's Jailer Beasts, Morgans retained full intelligence, making him a perfectly Awakened Zoan user.

  As for his combat strength, Stussy hadn't tested him, but she suspected he wasn't weak. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to pull off so many major scoops and travel to so many dangerous pces for firsthand reports.

  That said, he clearly wasn't that strong either, if he were, he wouldn't have bowed to Big Mom in the past, nor would he be afraid of Cudius now.

  If this were Kaido, would he obediently come to Mariejois just because Cudius summoned him?

  Well… maybe.

  But if Kaido did show up, it would most likely be for a fight, not a conversation.

  At this moment, Morgans was deeply unsettled.

  Although he had never personally interacted with Saint Cudius, he had gathered enough intelligence over the years to form a clear image of him.

  The first impression Morgans had of Cudius was "always victorious."

  Since his rise to power, there had never been a single instance of defeat under his name.

  An ordinary person might assume this was due to media control or propaganda, but Morgans, as a journalist, had extensive intelligence networks. He knew better—Cudius' winning streak was real.

  The second impression was that Cudius thrived on chaos, a trait that resonated with Morgans.

  Cudius hated calm seas. The moment stability threatened to settle in, he would stir things up again.

  This was evident in how he disrupted the Big Mom Pirates, and more recently, how he orchestrated the destruction of the Whitebeard Pirates.

  The third impression was that Cudius had an insatiable ambition and an iron will—his actions always reflected boldness and dominance.

  And the final point—Morgans simply could not predict what Cudius was thinking.

  For the entire journey, Morgans had been racking his brain, trying to figure out if he had done anything to provoke His Highness.

  If not, then why had Cudius suddenly summoned him to Mariejois?

  Was there some big news Cudius wanted leaked?

  Or… was he trying to take control of the World Economy News Paper?

  This seemed like the most pusible expnation.

  And if that were the case, Morgans had spent the entire trip agonizing over how to reject him without offending him.

  Eventually, Morgans' ship docked at the port of Mariejois. As he disembarked, he spotted a familiar face, his "old friend" Stussy approaching him with a graceful stride.

  Seeing Stussy, Morgans hurried over, eager to speak with someone he knew.

  "Stussy, it's been a while," he greeted with a forced smile.

  "President Morgans, it has indeed been some time," Stussy replied, smiling.

  Just as Morgans was about to say more, Stussy added, "Come with me. His Highness is waiting for you."

  Hearing this, Morgans swallowed nervously, then followed beside Stussy.

  After a brief moment of silence, he couldn't help but ask, "Stussy, we've known each other for years, can you give me a hint? Why is Cudius Saint looking for me?"

  Stussy chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Are you scared?" she asked teasingly.

  Morgans forced a grin and nodded. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. That Highness' name alone carries a lot of weight—after all, he's the one who took down the entire Whitebeard Pirates."

  "You, of all people, afraid? That surprises me. I always thought you were the type of birdman who feared nothing," Stussy said pyfully.

  "Hahaha…" Morgans ughed stiffly, still eyeing her expectantly.

  As they walked, Stussy finally spoke in a softer tone, "Rex. His Highness isn't summoning you to hold you accountable for anything. Over the years, you haven't done anything to offend him."

  Hearing this, Morgans let out a huge sigh of relief, straightened his posture, and finally rexed.

  Smiling, he asked, "Then what does His Highness want from me?"

  "You'll have to hear that from him personally. I wouldn't dare speak on his behalf," Stussy replied mysteriously.

  Morgans' relief was short-lived. His anxiety returned.

  But seeing that Stussy wouldn't say more, he decided not to press further.

  He knew better than to provoke Stussy in her own territory.

  "Only someone like Saint Cudius can keep her in check," Morgans thought to himself.

  ***

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