Chapter 308: Morgans and the Inside Story
Louis's voice echoed in the grand hall, causing Yelena and Uta's expressions to shift. They vaguely remembered Louis mentioning that Morgans of the World Economic News Agency might be Mr. Momora, whom they had met in the first half of the Grand Line. Now, they were witnessing a call between them. They immediately quieted down, listening intently.
Shirahoshi, seeing this, recalled her brother's advice. She quickly created a bubble around her tail and, without making a sound, quietly floated out of the room so as not to disturb them.
On the table, the Den Den Mushi was perfectly mimicking Morgans's appearance, his signature squawking voice filling the room.
"I've received some inside information about the World Government, and I have a feeling you'll be very interested!"
At this, Louis's eyes flashed with curiosity. "Inside info on the World Government? Let's hear it."
As the president of the World Economic News Agency, Morgans had countless secrets. If he thought Louis would be interested, this news was likely significant.
On the other end of the line, Morgans, in his full bird-man form, was perched on a large rock at the edge of a forest. He looked left and right, and after confirming no one was around, he spoke excitedly, "I'm telling you, this news cost me a pretty penny to get! You're hearing this before the Marines even do!"
"Is that so? Then what's the news?" Louis wasn't in the mood for small talk. He wanted the intel so he could analyze it and respond.
Morgans, sensing his impatience, scratched his head. "Right, right. Vegapunk has created a massive batch of new weapons. They're based on the Lineage Factor of a 'certain great pirate.' My sources say they have Admiral Kizaru's laser ability, and some even have terrifying artificial Devil Fruit powers. One unit can supposedly wipe out any dangerous pirate crew with a bounty under 300 million. The World Government is calling them... 'Sheriffs'."
Morgans paused, giving Louis time to process.
"Based on a great pirate's Lineage Factor... with laser abilities and artificial Devil Fruit powers?" Louis mused, his mind racing. It was obvious. Since Kuma had never met Vegapunk, the original "Pacifista" project based on him had never happened. This was its replacement.
Louis had anticipated this. The World Government was always commissioning powerful weapons from Vegapunk. In the original timeline, Kuma was just a convenient, perfect template; the lack of him wouldn't stop the weapons from being made. The "Pacifista" was still born, just under a different name.
"He named them 'Sheriffs'?" Louis sighed. A shame. The World Government would never use them as Vegapunk intended.
He looked back at the Den Den Mushi. "And? That can't be all you have."
"So sharp!" Morgans squawked. "It's true, there's more! The first batch of 'Sheriffs' is already complete—over a hundred units. They're currently being secretly deployed to the Four Blues and Paradise for field testing."
"According to my intel, Vegapunk's plan is to eventually place one Sheriff on every inhabited island. If pirates attack, the unit will activate and annihilate them."
Morgans's voice filled with a hint of wonder. "I have to say, if he pulls that off, pirate attacks on civilians will drop by 99.9%. It's a shame..."
Louis's eyes flashed with understanding. "His plan will never succeed," he finished.
"There are countless islands in the world. The World Government's budget for Vegapunk could never cover that. Secondly, the World Government would never let weapons capable of taking down 300-million-Berry targets just sit idle on random islands. They'll be used to hunt the Government's enemies, which is what's in their best interest."
"Exactly!" Morgans agreed.
Louis filed the information away, making a mental note to have Mabo get more details.
"Besides the Sheriffs," Louis asked, "what else do you have?"
"Mary Geoise and Marine Headquarters are relocating," Morgans said. "It's rumored Marine HQ might move to the Sabaody Archipelago, to completely block the path to the New World. They've already dispatched forces to 'clean up' the islands. As for the Holy Land Mary Geoise, I've only heard that it is moving, but I don't know where."
Louis fell into thought.
In the hall, Yelena and Uta, who were still listening, also grew pensive. Marine HQ moving was understandable—half the island was gone, and the rest was unstable. Mary Geoise was an even greater ruin, its surface sheared off by several meters, crisscrossed with canyons. It was uninhabitable.
"But... where could the Celestial Dragons even move Mary Geoise?" Uta wondered, her head down.
Yelena, meanwhile, polished her war hammer. "It's irrelevant. They can't hide it. When the time comes, Avant Heim will just open a gate."
"Any other news?" Louis asked.
The snail-Morgans perked up. "Yes! The World Government has sent numerous agents to the West Blue and the South Blue, secretly gathering intelligence on the Giant Kingdoms. Many high-ranking Marines have been deployed to those seas, even Admiral Fujitora! I suspect... they intend to conscript the giants from those kingdoms into their military. The ultimate goal... is almost certainly to prepare for war with you."
"The two Giant Kingdoms..." Louis mused. Is it really as simple as conscription?
His mind went back to the recent incident—to Imu's "domination" ability that had turned the Impel Down prisoners into demons. Once someone was "flipped," their personality was twisted, their strength multiplied, and they even gained immortality. If Imu managed to convert those two kingdoms of giants into demons, he would create a terrifying, brutal, and fearless army.
Add to that the newly created Sheriffs, the future Seraphim, and... the "Mother Flame" that Louis was also waiting for. If Imu got his hands on the giants of the Four Blues, it would be another powerful card in his hand.
Uta, watching his face, offered, "Should I go? With my ability, I can control the giants and bring them all to Terra."
Yelena looked up. "I can handle Fujitora."
"..." Louis didn't answer immediately. "Not yet," he said. "Mention it to the 2nd Division, but we'll wait for Hajrudin to return before we make a move."
This wasn't urgent. It would take time for the Marines and World Government to act, and more importantly, Louis needed Mabo to get the full details of their plan.
Yelena and Uta said no more, but in their minds, they were already preparing for the mission.
Louis looked down at the Den Den Mushi and smiled. "Thanks for the intel, Momora."
On the other end, the snail-Morgans waved his wings. "It's nothing, just small..."
He froze mid-squawk.
"?? How did you know?!"
Morgans, his identity exposed, jumped back as if electrocuted, dropping the Den Den Mushi. He leaped ten meters away. "Impossible!" he shrieked. "How did you find out?!"
Being exposed, to Morgans, was like being stripped naked and thrown to a crew of... well, he just felt unsafe. Even though he knew Louis wouldn't harm him, it still made his scalp tingle.
Louis watched the snail's expression change and found it amusing. So this is the joy of 'doxxing' someone. A special feeling indeed.
He composed himself. "Your voice is completely different, but your tone when you talk to me is... familiar. Also, you once mentioned a mission from Roger that kept you from living in the sun. It fits your identity as the president of the World Economic News Agency. Mr. Momora couldn't show his face, and Morgans never turns off his Zoan transformation."
Louis looked at the snail, but he didn't say the last part. The real reason was that Morgans had always been too helpful. He never asked for payment, yet always delivered the exact intel Louis needed.
On the other end, Morgans let out a weary laugh and picked the snail back up. "You got me, Louis. I never thought you'd piece it together so quickly. I thought I could keep that hidden for a lot longer."
At this confirmation, Uta leaned in, staring at the snail. "So you really are Mr. Momora! A member of the Roger Pirates, hiding right under the World Government's nose? That's insane!"
Yelena, too, felt a sense of respect. To live under a new identity, right in the heart of the enemy's territory... the pressure must have been unimaginable. And he'd done it for over twenty years.
The snail's beak twisted into a mysterious smile. "That's why I never turn off the Zoan. Besides, it was Captain Roger's last request before he got off the ship. How could I refuse?"
As he spoke, his eyes glazed over, and he seemed to be back, twenty-odd years ago, the day before his captain disembarked.
"I'm entrusting this to you, Momora! If that 'white warrior' (Joy Boy) appears, make sure the whole world sees his free form..."
But then Morgans pulled a photo from his pocket—a photo of a holy angel and a struggling demon clashing in the sky. His expression was complex.
"But... Captain... is there really a need to wait for that 'white warrior' anymore?"
While Morgans was lost in his thoughts, the face on the Den Den Mushi suddenly changed to Uta's bright, smiling face.
"Mr. Momora! Can you share some of your experiences? You know, about living under the World Government's nose?"
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