Chapter 265: Identity Shift
Let’s set aside the news that Konenai brought for now and turn our gaze elsewhere.
In the early morning, as the first rays of sunlight began to reveal themselves on the horizon, flocks of news birds flew out from newspaper conglomerates scattered across the world. These news birds, wearing hats and carrying satchels over their shoulders, flapped their powerful wings as they soared through the sky, radiating outward in all directions. They would deliver stacks of newspapers from their satchels to everyone in need, exchanging them for Berry coins.
On the sea, a pirate ship was slowly sailing. The people on board hadn’t woken up yet, and even the lookout on duty had dozed off while slacking in the railing at the top of the mast. However, as per routine, he had placed a 100-Berry coin on the railing.
A news bird flew over and landed on the mast railing. It noticed the coin at its feet, picked it up with its long beak, and took off. Then, a newspaper dropped with a thud onto the railing.
The lookout was startled awake by the noise. Seeing the newspaper beside him, he didn’t think much of it. Yawning and stretching, he grabbed the paper and started reading. But soon, after seeing the headline, all remaining drowsiness vanished.
“Captain!” The lookout slid down the mast quickly, clutching the newspaper as he rushed toward the cabin. “Big news!”
………………
This scene wasn’t unique; it played out in various places around the world.
On that day, the World Government and the Marines published a news article announcing that Ian, captain of the Dragon Hunter Pirates, with a bounty of 650 million Berry and nicknames “Burning Blade” and “Black Dragon,” had been invited to become a new Warlord of the Sea. At the same time, the former Warlord, Bartholomew Kuma the Tyrant, stepped down to join the Marine Science Unit.
As soon as this news broke, the entire world was in an uproar!
The great battle on Salamis Island not only made the intern reporter Pritz famous but also revealed to the world the two great pirates in the Dragon Hunter Pirates: Captain Ian and First Mate Fujitora. The battle between Marine Admirals Kizaru and Zephyr and the Dragon Hunter Pirates had been broadcast live across the world, making it clear that the Marines’ attempt to capture the Dragon Hunter Pirates had failed.
This failure terrified many ordinary citizens. When Pirate King Gol D. Roger’s dying words sparked the Great Pirate Era, endless pirates emerged, causing widespread unease among residents worldwide. With increasingly powerful pirates that even Marine Admirals couldn’t handle, what would become of the world?
However, when the news of Ian joining the Warlords broke, these ordinary citizens breathed a sigh of relief. Counting on their fingers, they realized that Bartholomew Kuma the Tyrant had joined the Marine Science Unit, and Ian had taken his place as a Warlord. This meant the Marines now had eight Warlord-level combatants. They praised the World Government and Marines for their wisdom, believing that not only had a major pirate threat been neutralized, but it could now be used by the World Government.
Thus, citizens in many countries celebrated joyfully, cheering the Marines’ increased strength.
Of course, those celebrating were mostly citizens of World Government member nations, especially those who supported and believed in the World Government. Only they felt inspired by this news.
But others reacted differently.
These were people living in war-torn countries. In some cases, their kings’ extravagance and oppressive taxation had sparked popular uprisings aimed at overthrowing the ruling class. In others, foreign invasions had ignited wars between nations, plunging entire countries into misery. Such people paid little attention to outside news. When they saw the newspapers delivered by news birds, their eyes were filled only with numbness and indifference.
Since there was support and indifference, there was naturally also hostility.
The World Government and Marines wielded too much power, and their actions naturally favored their own interests. Combined with the privileges granted to the Celestial Dragons, this had caused countless injustices and tragedies in many places and countries. Thus, there were plenty of people who hated the World Government and Marines.
In slums, streets controlled by gangs, among slaves and laborers, and among wanderers who had lost their livelihoods and could only survive by scavenging trash—these lower-class people were already deeply dissatisfied with their living conditions. Upon seeing the news, their first reaction was: “Damn it, another dog for the World Government!”
Similar curses came from pirates sailing the seas worldwide. When the Dragon Hunter Pirates were still being hunted by the Marines as pirates, these pirates hadn’t felt much—after all, they were all pirates and could be seen as comrades. But when news of Ian becoming a Warlord appeared, they erupted in profanity.
This cursing stemmed more from intense jealousy. Twenty years into the Great Pirate Era, Gol D. Roger’s so-called One Piece remained elusive. Many pirates, even those who had set out with dreams of becoming Pirate King, had seen their passion eroded over the years. They had fully degenerated into pirates, only wanting to plunder and pillage for wealth to enjoy life, or to surrender to the World Government and Marines to end their hunted existence.
Every pirate knew about the privileges of the Warlords. These seven positions were coveted by many pirates. Now, a young pirate like Ian had surpassed them to become one of the Warlords. How could this not make some pirates burn with envy?
Yet, they could only curse verbally. Actually challenging a Warlord? They wouldn’t dare…
Ian’s photo spread across the world once again with the news. In recent years, no one had been more in the spotlight than him. First, he caused a ruckus in Mary Geoise, setting fire to the Holy Land and walking away with a group of slaves. Then, entering the New World, he fought a major battle with the Marines, pushing his bounty higher and higher. Finally, the World Government had no choice but to invite him to join the Warlords to neutralize the threat. This series of events left those in the know utterly stunned.
The other six Warlords showed little reaction upon seeing the newspaper. In fact, they had anticipated this when Sengoku’s inquiry letter arrived. So, Ian becoming a Warlord came as no surprise to them. Although Ian, as a young man among Warlords averaging over thirty, stood out conspicuously, the Warlords generally operated independently with little connection, so no one paid much attention.
However, Doflamingo was quite pleased. Things had unfolded as he predicted: the Celestial Dragons couldn’t hold out first and pushed for Ian’s appointment as a Warlord to retrieve the identity chip.
In other words, Doflamingo had achieved his alliance agreement with Ian without lifting a finger.
Just then, Baby-5 returned, bringing news that Ian wanted to do arms deals with him.
“It seems our new Warlord ally is restless and wants to start a war,” Doflamingo laughed, “Fufufufufu.” He said to Baby-5, “Make another trip. Hand over the weapons, bring back the money, and tell him that since the agreement is reached, it’s time to fulfill his promise—bring back that identity chip!”
“Yes, young master!” Baby-5 nodded, but inside, she felt a pang of disappointment. After returning, no one in the family had asked if she was doing well with the Dragon Hunter Pirates. And Doflamingo, her young master, acted as if nothing had happened, sending her out again.
To them, was she really just a useful woman?
Doflamingo waved his hand, and Trebol handed over an exquisite box, which was passed to Baby-5. “Give this to him. He’ll know what to do!”
Inside the box was, of course, a fake identity chip made by Doflamingo.
In a sense, the identity chip Ian had obtained was indeed a hot potato. The Celestial Dragons wanted it back, the Revolutionary Army wanted to unlock its secrets, and even Doflamingo, a veteran Warlord, had his eyes on it…
But none of this concerned Baby-5. She didn’t ask further and set off with the fake chip and a ship full of weapons.
During Baby-5’s departure, the people on Gemstone Island also saw the news.
Unlike elsewhere, the people on this island were the most shocked because they knew that the new Warlord in the newspaper was right on their island!
The fourteen hired pirate crews were the most at a loss. These days, they had been careful not to provoke the Dragon Hunter Pirates, but due to a sense of camaraderie among pirates, they had vaguely looked up to the Dragon Hunter Pirates as leaders.
However, when this news came, all the pirates on the island felt like they had been betrayed.
It was like a pair of sworn brothers who had promised to stay together forever, only to find one of them suddenly getting a girlfriend!
Damn it, where was the trust between pirates!?
This feeling arose because of the Dragon Hunter Pirates’ massive identity shift. Remember, Warlords could legally hunt other pirates, and even turn them in to the Marines for bounties!