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Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: The Looming Threat, News from the News Coo!

Just then, a large bird appeared, circling above the ship.

Roger looked up and waved his hand. The bird swooped down and landed on the deck.

"This is… could it be a News Coo?"

[News Coo: A news agency's delivery bird, specialized in delivering newspapers. Usually doesn't fly to desolate or windless areas. Personality: timid and leaves immediately after delivery.]

Reid, full of curiosity, walked up to the News Coo and was amazed:

"Just like an albatross! It's even holding a newspaper in its beak. I wonder what intel it carries."

The News Coo, with a blank expression, gestured with its wing.

Roger looked surprised and stared at it in disbelief.

"You want 800 Berries?!"

"What? 800 Berries?! When did the price go up?! And by this much all at once?! That's daylight robbery!"

Shanks shouted from the helm, practically pointing through the air at the bird in rage.

Buggy got right in front of the News Coo, his red nose nearly touching its face.

"Hey, are you taking kickbacks? I may not read newspapers, but even I know they usually cost 100 at most. The sea conditions here are fine too. Why such a hike?!"

Frightened, the News Coo flapped its wings and moved farther away from Buggy.

"800 Berries… I thought newspapers were only around 100 or 200. Judging by Roger and Shanks' reactions, this must be a sudden price increase."

Reid was shocked too. Though he wasn't familiar with the exact value of Berries, he had a rough idea of their purchasing power.

"No problem."

Roger waved it off and stretched his hand toward Buggy.

"W-What are you doing?"

Buggy suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Give me the money."

"What?! Why me?! I'm broke, I'm poor, you know!"

Buggy protested, backing away quickly.

"I'll count to three. If you don't give it, I'll throw you into the sea and kick you out of the Roger Pirates. One. Two—"

"Aaah! Captain Roger, don't treat me like this!"

Whoosh!

Though Buggy kept complaining, his feet were already moving fast.

"Here!"

He reluctantly handed over 800 Berries, heart bleeding inside

"That's my hard-earned money…"

"Heh, Buggy, don't be such a cheapskate. Don't you want to be the Pirate King? With that attitude? Give it up and join my Red-Haired Pirates instead. I'll save a position for you as my first mate."

"Shanks, what did you say?! Who wants to join your Red-Haired Pirates?! Huh? Red-Haired?"

Buggy glanced at Shanks' red hair and instantly got annoyed.

"Hmph! I, Buggy, will be a great pirate! The Pirate King! My Buggy Pirates will be the greatest crew in the world! And my ship will be the biggest and grandest! I'll name it… ah yes! The Big Top!"

Buggy flashed a proud, cunning grin and looked at Shanks with disdain.

"Hey Shanks, my Big Top is way flashier than your shabby Red-Haired ship! Want to join my crew instead? Hahaha! If you beg, I might let you in!"

"Pfft! Buggy, you're full of it. That name what, planning to run a circus on your ship? Hahahahaha!"

Shanks clutched his stomach laughing, tears pouring out of his eyes.

"You wanna die, Shanks?!"

"Alright, enough out of you two." Roger finally spoke up, exasperated. He just wanted to read the newspaper in peace—not listen to two brats bicker.

After handing over the money, Roger took the newspaper and began to read it.

"Hmm?!"

His expression darkened like storm clouds, eyes turning ice-cold.

The News Coo shivered, trembling on the spot. Though the transaction was over, it was so scared by Roger's presence that it couldn't even flap its wings to take off.

"Roger, what's wrong?"

"Brother Reid, take a look."

Reid took the newspaper, internally frustrated. "Damn… I can't read these characters…"

Just then, the system's voice sounded in his mind:

[Newspaper – Published by the News Agency. Main contents: Roger escaped. The Navy has dispatched 2 Admirals and 4 Vice Admirals and is initiating a Buster Call to destroy anyone or any island connected to Roger.]

"What?! A Buster Call?! Isn't that what destroyed Robin's home, Ohara?! I remember, it was a guy named Spandine who authorized it…"

Reid's expression grew grim. Now that he was inside the world of One Piece, he could feel the intensity of the looming threat.

"Roger, what do we do now? The Navy will be on us soon. And there's a good chance they'll head to Baterilla in the South Blue. When that happens, the entire island will be bombarded, everyone there will die."

"These dogs of the Celestial Dragons… One day, the World Government under their control will be overthrown."

Roger said through gritted teeth, his fury about to erupt.

The News Coo trembled even harder at the dangerous aura. Its already dumb expression now looked totally terrified.

Buggy couldn't help asking, "Captain, what did the paper say?"

Reid had finished reading and handed the paper to Buggy.

Buggy took one look and screamed, tossing the paper into the air. A gust of wind carried it away.

"Hey! Buggy! What the hell?! That paper cost 800 Berries! You little money-waster! You still dream of being Pirate King looking like that? What a joke."

Shanks yelled, frustrated that the expensive paper was now gone, and making sure to mock Buggy while at it.

"A Buster Call…"

Buggy murmured, ignoring Shanks entirely.

"This isn't normal…"

Shanks frowned. He was surprised Buggy hadn't argued back like usual. Looking toward Roger, he saw the captain's face was equally grave.

"What exactly happened…"

Roger's gaze turned deep. He looked at Reid and said: "Brother Reid, we'll head to the South Blue immediately—then go to Wano as fast as possible."

"That's what I was thinking too. But getting to the South Blue might take a while, we don't have a navigator on board."

"That's simple. The creatures in the sea know the way."

Suddenly, Roger's presence exploded outward. An invisible wave of energy surged forth, churning the ocean. Violent winds howled. Everyone on board looked stunned.

"What's he doing?"

Reid grabbed the side of the ship as it rocked violently.

"Coo-coo-coo…"

The News Coo spread its legs, flopped onto the deck, and passed out with spinning eyes.

Just then, the sea erupted, and a massive creature emerged from the depths.

"Ah… a Sea King!"

Shanks gaped, staring at the monstrous figure in front of them.

Buggy screamed and hid behind Roger.

"Damn it… I'm Pirate King Buggy! You can't scare me, Aaaah, it's terrifying!"

Reid looked up. The creature's blood-red eyes and sharp teeth were terrifying.

"This thing is huge! A Sea King? Wait… we're still near Loguetown, which means this is East Blue. This creature… could it be the one that bit off Shanks' arm?! The Lord of the Coast?!"

[East Blue Sea King – Known as the "Lord of the Coast." Size: small-class Sea King. Ferocious and cruel, bullies the weak, and commonly appears throughout East Blue.]

Reid was stunned. This was the largest creature he'd ever seen, and to witness the Lord of the Coast firsthand!

"If I kill it now… would Shanks keep both his arms in the future? Or would another Sea King just show up and bite him later? Never mind. I'll stop it when the time comes."

He wasn't sure. Predicting the future was always full of variables.

"I order you to tow this ship to Baterilla Island in the South Blue. Understood?"

Roger spoke coldly.

"Mm-hmm-mm-hmm!"

The Lord of the Coast nodded rapidly, giant sweat drops flying off its head. Its huge face nodded like a drill bit spinning rapidly.

"Go."

The Sea King dove into the ocean immediately.

Reid felt the ship surge forward at an incredible speed, he was stunned.

"This speed… is like a bullet train!"

Shanks returned, having seen the Sea King.

"Hahaha! This is way faster."

Roger laughed heartily, mouth wide open.

Reid noticed the fainted News Coo nearby and gave it a gentle tap. The bird immediately woke up and flew away, flapping its wings.

"What a powerful ability…"

Roger squinted. Seeing Reid in action once again calmed his heart. No matter what unexpected twists lay ahead, as long as Reid was around, Rouge would be safe.

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