Chapter 300: Just a Little News
"The String-String Fruit?"
The officers on deck were surprised, their gazes instinctively turning to their captain. If they remembered correctly, wasn't the previous owner of this fruit, that arrogant Warlord, killed by their captain?
In the corner, Law, who had just finished his medical duties and was resting against the railing, stiffened and his eyes snapped open.
Shane was also a little surprised. "The String-String Fruit, all things considered, is pretty average," he remarked, looking at the white, pear-shaped fruit. "Among Paramecia fruits, it's nothing special. It's just that Doflamingo developed it very well. Why would the Celestial Dragons offer this as a prize?"
The String-String Fruit had a high ceiling, but it was too dependent on the user's development. Compared to Mythical Zoans or Logias, which granted incredible power immediately, it wasn't on the same level.
"We can glean some insight from the conversations of those Celestial Dragons," Victor explained. "The older generation of Celestial Dragons didn't seem to think much of Doflamingo, but the younger generation held him in high regard. In their eyes, a fellow Celestial Dragon who had lost his status due to his foolish father not only dared to kill his own father and demand his status back in the Holy Land, but also, after being rejected, managed to build a vast underworld empire with an ordinary ability like the String-String Fruit, even becoming a Warlord and going head-to-head with the World Government. Some Celestial Dragons even called Doflamingo a 'wasted generational talent,' saying that if he hadn't left Mary Geoise and had received an elite education and a stronger fruit, his achievements would have far surpassed his current ones. He would have at least been qualified to be one of the Holy Knights. Some Celestial Dragons had even expressed their support for Doflamingo in the past, pressuring Marine Headquarters not to send an Admiral to arrest him, and to give him the highest level of preferential treatment even if he was imprisoned."
No wonder he got to read the newspaper every day in Impel Down…
"So, for the Celestial Dragons, this fruit is more of a collector's item. They have no intention of eating it. Just owning it is enough for them," Victor said, pushing up his glasses. "It's like how Sanji stuffs his kitchen cabinets with adult magazines. He doesn't have time to look at them, but he enjoys the sense of security that comes from having the cabinets full."
"Hey! Don't slander me!" Sanji's indignant roar came from the crowd.
Everyone burst out laughing, and Shane joined in. As for what the Celestial Dragons thought, no one cared. Scum liked to praise scum. Doflamingo was a pirate kingpin, and a genius at developing his fruit, but that was it.
"So who wants this fruit?" Shane asked, looking around.
"Not me."
"Not interested."
"I really don't have that many! Look at me, believe me!"
After asking around, no one was interested.
"In that case, this fruit will…" Shane was about to put it away to be distributed to the other corps when he noticed the complex look in Law's eyes. He understood.
"Hey, Law," Shane said, picking up the String-String Fruit and walking over to him. "I'll leave this fruit for you to handle."
Law was stunned. "For me? But Captain, I'm already an ability user…"
"Yeah, I know that," Shane grinned. "But you, more than anyone, have the right to decide its fate, don't you?"
Law was silent for a moment, then he solemnly took the fruit and said in a low voice, "Thank you, Captain." It was both a thank you for the fruit and a thank you for settling his old grudge.
Corazon, is this what they call fate? His nemesis was dead, and now, the fruit that symbolized his enemy's power had, by a strange twist of fate, fallen into his hands. "I'll keep it safe," Law said softly, carefully putting the fruit away. He had already decided. He would find a suitable successor and pass this fruit on to them, just as Corazon had passed the Op-Op Fruit on to him.
"Alright, the spoils have been distributed," Shane said, clapping his hands. "Now, let's discuss more important matters." His expression grew serious. "This time, we not only slaughtered over three hundred Celestial Dragons, but we also killed two of the Five Elders. The World Government has never suffered such a huge loss of face. They will not let this go!"
"So, send out my orders!"
"All divisions on missions are to be recalled immediately. All territories in the New World are to go on high alert. The Garrison Corps' patrol teams… there are twenty-five of them, right? Temporarily triple that number. It's a large area to cover, so they'll have to work extra hard for a while."
"Yes, my lord!"
"What's the situation with the public opinion in the Lvneel Kingdom?" Shane asked, turning to Victor.
"We've completed the survey, my lord," Victor bowed respectfully. "Ever since they were stripped of their status for being late with the Heavenly Tribute, the people of this island have been constantly exploited. They've endured too much struggle and helplessness. They've long since grown to despise the World Government. With the broadcast of the recording, over 95% of the residents wish to be placed under our protection. A small minority are unwilling to join and are worried about retaliation from the World Government, so they plan to leave as soon as possible."
"Very good," Shane nodded. "Then, as usual, arrange for an administrative team to take over this broken country and help with the reconstruction. Also, establish a military base and station the necessary defensive forces. As for those who wish to leave, don't make it difficult for them. Let them go."
"Yes, my lord!" Since he was now in a direct confrontation with the World Government, and he had the three magic items to ensure the safety of his territory, he couldn't just confine himself to the New World! To hit and run, to abandon the people, was not his style. This vast and populous Lvneel Kingdom, with its 360,000 people, would be the first foothold of the Curtain Call in the four seas!
"Captain, what about the Marines?" Fujitora asked. "I've checked the statistics. This massive Marine fleet has a total of over eight thousand men, including nearly a hundred high-ranking officers."
"There's no need to hesitate. Interrogate them first and deal with them separately," Shane said, a cold glint in his eyes. "For those high-ranking officers who knew what the Celestial Dragons were up to but continued to act as their bodyguards without any resistance—"
"—execute them all. Leave no survivors!" A chilling killing intent! The officers present all felt a shiver. The crew members of the main ship, who had been with Shane from the beginning, knew that their captain was often lenient with the Marines he captured, and rarely killed them all. But this time… for those who had aided and abetted such evil, the boss was truly furious!
"As for the rest, who were kept in the dark, whether they are high-ranking officers or ordinary soldiers, tell them the truth. After that, they are free to stay or go. We will welcome those who wish to join us. We will not force those who insist on leaving, but they will have to bear the consequences."
"Understood!" Fujitora nodded solemnly. "I will arrange for the interrogations and screening immediately."
"Take me with you!" Shiryu's voice suddenly rang out. Everyone turned to see him limping over, clutching his stomach. He had clearly exhausted himself in the bathroom earlier… Seeing everyone looking at him, he grinned. "My lord, Mr. Issho, no one is better at interrogations than me. In my years at Impel Down, I've made countless hard nuts crack. And now that I have this ability…"
The Nue fruit had given him the ability to distinguish between good and evil. Combined with Fujitora's powerful Observation Haki, no one among the Marine officers would be able to lie to them.
"Indeed, you have experience in this area," Fujitora nodded. "Then I'll be counting on your assistance. But your body… do you need a hand?"
"Nah, it's fine. I can fly," Shiryu said, unconcerned. He activated his ability and transformed into his beast form. POP! His body twisted and swelled, and in a flash, he had become a massive, grotesque bird. Its head was hideous, its powerful body was covered in bizarre patterns, and its snake-like tail twitched restlessly behind it.
Many of the people were taken aback.
"Ew! He wasn't kidding, it really is ugly!"
"But it can fly! The ability to fly is rare on this sea. I'm so jealous!"
"Are you guys even listening to me?! I really don't have that many!"
"Then it's settled," Shane said. He also found it a bit hard to look at, but if Shiryu didn't mind, he wouldn't say anything. "Go."
"Yes, my lord!"
After watching Shiryu and Fujitora leave, Shane turned back. "Alright, that's all. Dismissed," he waved a hand. "Those who are injured, get treated. Those who need rest, get some rest. We have a lot to do tomorrow. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can return to the New World and have a grand victory banquet."
"Understood!" the officers replied and dispersed, and the deck quickly quieted down.
Shane stood alone at the prow, looking out at the horizon. The sun had completely set, and night had fallen, the sky dotted with stars. This battle was, without a doubt, a resounding victory for the Curtain Call! Not only had they achieved their initial objectives—annihilating the Marine fleet, slaughtering the Celestial Dragons, and saving the lives of 360,000 people—but they had also achieved two more glorious feats: seriously injuring Admiral Akainu and killing two of the Five Elders!
When the sun rose again, if this news were to spread, it would shake the entire world! Of course, the World Government would not allow that to happen. They would do everything in their power to cover it up, to erase all traces of the truth! This was something they had done countless times over the past 800 years, and they had rarely failed.
But now, things were different. Now there was him, Shane, and the Curtain Call, a force that could stand against the World Government! The truth was not so easily hidden!
Shane poured himself a cup of coffee, then went to his cabin and took out a secure Den Den Mushi, dialing a number.
"Purupurupuru~~"
After a brief wait, the Den Den Mushi's eyes went wide, and it mimicked an excited bird's face with a cigar in its beak. "Hello! This is the World Economic Journal! Oh! This secure line… could it be… that lord?!"
"It's me," Shane said with a light laugh into the sea breeze. "Morgans, come and see me. There are some things we need to discuss in person."
In person? The white-headed eagle on the other end was stunned. The last time they had met in person was at the tea party last year. Even their major collaboration on the Sabaody broadcast had been done over the phone. What was so important this time that it required a face-to-face meeting?
Morgans let out a nervous laugh. "Could you give me a little hint, my lord? As you know, in our line of work, we generally don't show our faces…"
"Don't worry, you'll see when you get here. It's nothing major," Shane said, taking a sip of his coffee with a slight smile. "I just want you to help me publish a little news story."
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
The Chamber of Authority in Pangea Castle was dead silent. Saint Nusjuro sat on the sofa, his face grim as he wiped the Shodai Kitetsu. Though the blade was as clean as a mirror, with no trace of blood, he just kept wiping, over and over again.
"Saturn and Mars's presences have completely vanished," the Houki, Warcury, said, his face dark, breaking the silence. "They didn't make it back. For the first time in centuries, a 'Star' has fallen in the lower world. And not just one… but two." What a devastating blow! Even now, the three of them could not accept it!
"That Shane's power, the Curtain Call's power… is even greater than we anticipated," Ju Peter said in a hoarse voice. "What's more concerning is that angel-like creature that suddenly appeared. It possesses a holy power that is a counter to us. The immortality granted by our lord is useless against her."
"We must report to our lord," Warcury said, standing up. "Our lord should be awake from his nap by now. I will go now. You two should come as well!"
"No, I will not go," Nusjuro finally stopped wiping his cursed sword and looked up, his face grim. "And I advise you not to go either. After losing two Stars, going now will only anger him. It would be better to wait until tomorrow, after we have come up with a concrete plan, and report everything at once."
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