Chapter 148: Awakening
The impact of a major event was not so easily resolved.
The World Government's investigation would continue, and at the same time, they dispatched two Vice Admirals to lead a force to hunt down and capture the escaped slaves.
Amidst this bustle, the World Conference was still scheduled to proceed as planned. The kings of various nations, who had already begun to harbor their own thoughts due to the Celestial Dragon incident, were expected to spark a new round of bickering at the conference.
As the News Coos brought the news of what had happened at Mary Geoise to every corner of the world, the resulting impact was unparalleled.
For ordinary people unaware of the inside story, the Holy Land Mary Geoise was the embodiment of the World Government's authority. Yet this sacred place had been set on fire for the second time, causing widespread anxiety.
"Are pirates becoming this rampant now?" they thought. "Even the World Government is being provoked! Can the Marines still suppress these people?"
For those in the know, however, reactions varied...
On the Grand Line's Santin Island, in the desert kingdom of Alabasta's dream city of Rainbase, there was a famous casino called "Rain Dinners." In the basement beneath this casino, a man with a cigar clenched between his teeth was staring intently at the newspaper in his hands. He wore a long coat, had slicked-back hair, and a scar ran across his nose and entire face. With such features, this man was naturally Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"Hahahaha!" After finishing reading, Crocodile suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"Boss, what's so funny?"
A mature and sensual female voice sounded from behind him, and a beautiful woman with long black hair walked in. She wore a stylish cowboy hat, her attire was elegant and sexy, and her beautiful black eyes were deep and captivating.
With graceful steps, the woman walked over and sat down on a chair next to Crocodile.
"Take a look at this! Nico Robin!" Crocodile pushed the newspaper over and tapped the section about the Mary Geoise arson news with the pirate hook on his left hand.
This black-haired beauty in the cowboy hat was Robin. She took the newspaper, glanced at Crocodile curiously, then focused on the paper and began reading.
After a moment, she put down the newspaper with some confusion and asked, "Boss, is there some inside story to this news?"
"Haha!" Crocodile laughed again. "The reports in the news are just surface-level. In reality, this was nothing less than a slave liberation movement!"
Robin was slightly startled and unconsciously covered her mouth. "You mean..."
"That's right!" Crocodile said. "After eleven years, someone has pulled off a feat similar to Fisher Tiger's back then, but this one is even more ruthless. I heard a Celestial Dragon died at his hands!"
As he spoke, Crocodile pointed to the wanted poster included in the newspaper.
Upon hearing this, Robin stood up in shock.
"Don't worry, he got away!" Crocodile looked at Robin sideways with a sneer. "You must be thrilled, right? This Mr. Black-Clad really gave the World Government a good slap!"
Under his gaze, Robin quickly calmed down. "I'm not thrilled, just shocked!"
"I don't believe that. The World Government is your enemy!" Crocodile took a puff of his cigar. "But don't worry. Though I'm a Warlord, I don't have much fondness for the World Government either. My plan can't afford any mistakes, and I need your abilities. That's why I'm sheltering you. Do you understand, Nico Robin?"
"Yes, I understand, Boss!" Robin lowered her head slightly, the brim of her cowboy hat shading her eyes, making it hard for Crocodile to read her expression.
"You can take the newspaper with you!" Crocodile nodded.
Without a word, Robin picked up the newspaper and left the basement. But after leaving, she kept staring intently at the single exposed eye on Ian's wanted poster, studying it carefully, as if she wanted to imprint that eye into her memory...
On a certain island in the Grand Line, at a secret Marine research facility, Bartholomew Kuma rose naked from a bed. A researcher in a white lab coat said to him, "The internal damage to your body has been repaired."
Kuma said nothing, only nodded slightly and put on his clothes.
After donning his black gloves and picking up his book, Kuma was about to leave when he noticed the newspaper the researcher had left on a chair. He picked it up.
As he unfolded the newspaper, Kuma saw the news report and the wanted poster tucked inside.
After a moment, Kuma put the newspaper back down. As he prepared to leave, the researcher asked him, "Are you returning to Marine Headquarters to report?"
"No," Kuma replied in a deep voice. "I have... other matters..."
With that, Kuma walked out of the research facility with heavy steps, and then his whereabouts became unknown...
Also in the New World, Sea Knight Jinbe, who had just finished a battle with Fire Fist Ace and recovered his strength, was planning to return to Fish-Man Island. He had just bought the latest newspaper from a News Coo.
"What... what is this?" Jinbe exclaimed in surprise at the newspaper's content. "While I was fighting Ace, such a huge incident happened at Mary Geoise?"
He read carefully, line by line, scanning the text. As he read, he looked at the new wanted poster.
"Five hundred million Berries?" Jinbe muttered in confusion. "That doesn't seem right. If it was just arson, how could the bounty be this high? Back then, Tiger's bounty was only a little over two hundred million."
"I need to investigate what really happened..." Jinbe put down the newspaper, dove into the water, and thought as he swam, "King Neptune is attending the World Conference this time. I wonder if he has any information..."
The Calm Belt was always a nest for large Sea Kings, but even here, there were inhabited islands.
One of them was Amazon Lily on the island of Kuja.
At that moment, a large ship pulled by two fierce sea snakes was slowly approaching the Calm Belt. This was the ship of the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, returning from an expedition to her home island.
However, a newly received newspaper disrupted her plans.
In the cabin, a snake coiled into a throne-like shape, supporting a half-naked, stunningly beautiful woman reclining on it. She had glossy black hair, delicate fair skin, exquisite features, and eyes as deep as an autumn pond. Yet this enchanting beauty, capable of captivating all, was trembling as she held a newspaper, reading its contents.
"Fire... Mary Geoise is on fire again?" Boa Hancock murmured, her voice filled with indescribable excitement. "Could this... be a coincidence!?"
"No! I don't believe it!" Boa Hancock suddenly stood up and shouted, "Someone come!"
Two female Kuja warriors entered the cabin upon hearing her call. "Snake Princess, what are your orders?"
"Immediately change course!" Boa Hancock ordered. "Cancel the return to Amazon Lily and head to Marineford instead. Also, send people to investigate. I want to know the truth behind this Mary Geoise arson!"
"But..." the two warriors hesitated. "Snake Princess, we've already sent word home that we're returning. Suddenly changing plans might not be good. The people are looking forward to your return!"
"It doesn't matter. Whatever I do, I will be forgiven!" Boa Hancock's eyes grew dreamy, and her slender, jade-like fingers lightly traced her red lips. "Because I am... just too beautiful!"
"Ah!!"
"Snake Princess!!"
The two Kuja warriors were utterly enchanted by Boa Hancock's demeanor, screaming in wild excitement...
In the East Blue's Shimotsuki Village, at the Isshin Dojo, Koushirou was squinting and stroking his chin, staring intently at the photo on the wanted poster.
"It looks so much like him!" Koushirou thought. "Though the face isn't clear, the look in that eye is very familiar. Could it really be Ian?"
Koushirou glanced at the sky outside and mused, "If Zoro were here, he might be able to tell. His intuition is usually pretty sharp. But... he's probably lost again. Looks like he won't be back until dark..."
"Never mind, I'll go check on Kuina first..." With that thought, Koushirou picked up the newspaper and left.
Meanwhile, a guy with green algae-like hair was wandering aimlessly through the mountains behind Shimotsuki Village, unable to find his way out after a long time.
"Where the hell is the path down the mountain!?" This directionally challenged individual finally lost it, clutching his head and letting out a roar...
Around a single news report and a new wanted poster, countless people reacted in countless ways. But Ian, the central figure of the incident, slowly regained consciousness on a deserted island in the New World.
As he woke up, Ian felt pain all over his body and couldn't help letting out a groan.
This groan startled a girl who had been keeping watch in his room. She looked up in surprise, and seeing Ian propping himself up, she let out a cheer.
"Benefactor! You're finally awake!" She rushed to his bedside.
"Where am I?" Ian asked curiously. "How long have I been unconscious?"
"You're in the cabin!" the girl replied. "You've been unconscious for three days. Everyone's been so worried about you! Oh, I need to go tell everyone the news and get you some food! You must be starving!"
The girl chattered on and on, then ran out before Ian could react.