Colonel Roy had once told Yosolin Heller that he had written numerous reports to Marine Headquarters, including suggestions for the Seven Warlords of the Sea system. Yet, all those reports had disappeared into the void without a response.
At the time, when Colonel Roy expressed his dissatisfaction, the passionate Yosolin Heller had dismissed his concerns, believing that the officials at Marine Headquarters simply had their own ideas and that Roy should understand. (Referenced in Chapters 118 and 119.)
But now that Heller was experiencing the same treatment firsthand, he truly understood how it felt.
Being ignored—watching report after carefully written report vanish without a trace—slowly extinguished his once-burning passion and the anxiety he felt over the growing threat of crime. It was like pouring cold water over a flame, gradually dampening it until it went out completely.
Along with that flame, Heller's faith in Marine Headquarters to deliver justice for him and Colonel Roy also faded.
Having lost hope in gaining attention through his reports and prompting an investigation into the Morgan Pirates in the East Blue, Heller turned to other channels.
In a high-end restaurant on the Sabaody Archipelago, Heller frequently glanced toward the entrance. It wasn't until a young woman with short, slick black hair and striking brown eyes, dressed in a brown leather jacket and pants, entered and looked around that Heller raised his hand to signal her.
The waiter guided the woman to Heller's table. As she approached, Heller stood up, preparing to pull out her chair like a gentleman. However, the short-haired woman seemed oblivious to his gesture. She pulled the chair out herself, sat down, and then adjusted her seat forward with a quick push.
Heller gave an awkward smile and sat back down in his own chair.
"Laura Louise," the short-haired woman introduced herself confidently, extending her hand.
"Yosolin Heller," Heller replied, smiling somewhat ingratiatingly as he shook her hand.
Heller's deferential attitude wasn't because he was on a date or trying to court Louise. Rather, it was due to her identity.
Louise was a journalist for the World Economy News.
The World Economy News was one of the most widely circulated and influential newspapers in the world. Many of the most shocking global headlines were first published in its pages.
Even major announcements from the World Government and the Marines were often released through the World Economy News, a testament to its power and reach.
Heller's alternative plan was to harness the power of public opinion. He hoped to draw Marine Headquarters' attention through media coverage. At the same time, he harbored a sense of vindictive satisfaction, wanting to embarrass the Headquarters for the obstacles he had faced there.
If public opinion gained enough momentum, the Marines would be forced to take decisive action against William and Nezumi to save face, using overwhelming force to restore their image.
After much effort, Heller finally managed to establish contact with Laura Louise, a journalist under the World Economy News.
Louise carried herself with a bold and straightforward demeanor, showing no trace of hesitation or coyness. She glanced around the restaurant before turning back to Heller and saying bluntly, "You didn't need to pick such a fancy place to treat me. If you really have the 'big news' you claim, I'd treat you instead. But if you're exaggerating, no matter how high-end the restaurant, it won't make a difference—I won't use your story, and the paper won't publish it."
Heller pressed his lips together. Since arriving in the Grand Line, he had grown used to such blunt remarks. His once-proud and impulsive edges had been worn down by reality. He quickly regained his composure and smiled. "I have major news from the East Blue, and I guarantee it's exclusive."
"The East Blue?" Louise raised an elegant eyebrow.
"Yes, the East Blue." Heller glanced at her nervously, worried she would dismiss the East Blue as unimportant, just as many of his superiors at Headquarters had.
Sure enough, while Louise didn't outright scoff at the East Blue like some Headquarters officials, she still frowned and said, "Forgive me for being blunt…"
She glanced at Heller's Marine uniform. "…Captain, when you invited me here, you mentioned your story was about a major pirate. But as far as I know, East Blue pirates are insignificant—not just compared to the Grand Line, but even among the Four Seas."
"But the East Blue is the birthplace of the Pirate King Roger!" Heller corrected her earnestly.
Louise chuckled dismissively. "Do you think this so-called 'major pirate' of yours can be compared to the Pirate King?"
Heller, while convinced of Stolt—now known as William—being a significant threat, didn't truly believe William could rival the Pirate King, who had ushered in the Great Pirate Era. However, faced with Louise's question, he forced himself to say, "Not yet, but if he's allowed to grow, who knows?"
"Oh?" Louise responded absentmindedly, her attention already diverted to the menu. Clearly, she didn't believe Heller's claims.
Seeing this, Heller gritted his teeth and decided to reveal a bombshell. "He may have already seized control of a kingdom!"
Over the years, Heller had worked tirelessly to gather information from the East Blue. Despite the Calm Belt obstructing communication and the loss of contact with Roy's confidants after his death, Heller, as a native of the East Blue and a Marine officer, had managed to maintain some connections and uncover bits of intelligence.
Louise finally looked up from the menu. "A member nation of the World Government?"
"Yes, the Navia Kingdom," Heller nodded vigorously. "He's now a high-ranking official there, second only to the king."
"If he's a major pirate, he would've been wanted by the World Government and the Marines long ago, with a bounty on his head. Unless he became one of the Seven Warlords, how could he infiltrate a kingdom and rise to such a position? Even if he did, the World Government would revoke the kingdom's status as a member nation," Louise said, her interest piqued as she pressed for more details.
"Because he doesn't have a bounty at all!" Heller replied through gritted teeth.
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