Chapter 123: Morgan almost worships Byakuya

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After descending, Byakuya quickly found Lucci and his group. They had already replenished their supplies and headed straight to Water 7. 

Robin, curious, asked Byakuya, "Was recruiting new members successful this time?" 

Byakuya smiled and said, "It went smoother than expected. I only had to pierce his shoulders and hands before he agreed to join the organization." 

"It went much better than I had anticipated." The group fell silent.

Byakuya wasn't exaggerating; he had originally planned to return with a corpse. 

Compared to that, things indeed turned out much better. 

Byakuya took out a Poneglyph from his system space and placed it in front of Robin. 

"Let me be clear, you can borrow this Poneglyph to take a look, but you'd better memorize the information on it because I can't guarantee you'll ever see it again."

From Byakuya's words, Robin could sense that he needed the Poneglyph and had the means to destroy it. 

She suspected that Byakuya had already 'used' the Pygmy Glyph containing information about the 'Pluton.' 

However, Robin wasn't as angry as she had imagined; instead, she was quite grateful and bowed to Byakuya. 

She knew that without Byakuya's help, she might never have seen a single Poneglyph in her lifetime. 

Moreover, after finding the Poneglyph, Byakuya didn't immediately 'use' it but brought it back for her to record. 

This made Robin feel more gratitude toward Byakuya. 

As long as the recorded history could be spread, the importance of the Poneglyph itself would diminish.

Byakuya looked at Robin with some surprise but didn't say anything further. 

The journey back was much easier than the way there, and they soon arrived near Water 7. 

However, before returning to Water 7, Byakuya used a News Coo to contact Morgans for a meeting on Jaya Island.

After all, the information about crocodiles still needed to be spread through Morgans.

As soon as Byakuya and his group left the Kingdom of Alabasta, the news of the death of one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Crocodile, spread across the ocean at an incredible speed. 

This was undoubtedly the most attention-grabbing news in recent times. 

However, no eyewitnesses revealed who was responsible for the deed. 

So, everyone across the seas was speculating about who killed Crocodile. 

Especially the World Government, which had dispatched numerous secret agencies to investigate the matter. 

After all, the deceased was a recognized member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, an official institution acknowledged by the World Government. 

Crocodile's sudden death was undoubtedly a heavy slap to the face of the World Government. 

It was a serious challenge to their authority, so they immediately ordered that the culprit be found and captured as quickly as possible. 

Even the Marines were mobilized. 

It was rumored that Vice Admiral Mole of Marine Headquarters personally went to the Kingdom of Alabasta to investigate.

When Morgans heard the news, his first reaction was that 'Night' had succeeded. 

He didn't expect 'Night' to move so quickly. No one across the ocean knew who the culprit was, but Morgans did. 

This feeling fascinated him. 

If it weren't for the fact that he was still eager to get more crucial information about Crocodile from 'Night,' he would have already spread the news that 'Night' was the culprit. 

As the news agency's president, Morgans considered gathering information more important than his own life, and spreading information was just as important as gathering it. 

It was easy to imagine how difficult it was for him to keep this news from us until now. 

Morgans anxiously awaited daily for the News Coo to bring back information.

Until one day, a News Coo returned with a message containing the name 'Jaya Island.' 

At that moment, the excitement in Morgans' eyes was almost palpable. 

He hurriedly took some of his subordinates without hesitation and rushed to Jaya Island.

When Morgans saw Byakuya on Jaya Island, he could hardly contain his urge to hug him and give him a few kisses. 

For him, Byakuya was the kind of person who loved to stir things up in the seas. 

What made Morgans even happier was that Byakuya had only provided him with the information, allowing him to be the sole one to spread the news. 

If Morgans weren't afraid that Byakuya would refuse, he might have knelt and called Byakuya 'Master' in gratitude. 

Byakuya looked at Morgans disdainfully, then took a Transponder Snail from his pocket and tossed it to Him.

"I hope to see this information published in the newspaper tomorrow morning," Byakuya said. 

Morgans opened the Transponder Snail and quickly scanned the recorded footage. 

What he saw nearly made his heart stop from excitement. This was big news—real, earth-shaking news! 

Who could have imagined that a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, recognized by the World Government, would do something like this in the allied nation of Alabasta? 

Especially now, with the World Government unaware of the culprit, they're preparing to track down whoever killed Crocodile and make them pay. 

Once this news spreads, it will be like another slap in the face to the World Government. 

Such an event would surely cause all the allied nations to fear the Seven Warlords even more. 

Naturally, the World Government would face immense public pressure. 

But what does that have to do with me, Morgans? I'm just a happy news bird delivering the story.

However, Morgans hesitated to meet Byakuya's demand. "Getting this news out by tomorrow morning is going to be difficult," he admitted. 

Byakuya snorted, "If you can't do it, I'll find someone else to work with."

Morgans panicked, "No, no, no, if we can't manage it, it'll be even harder for anyone else." 

"But I have an idea. Simply publishing the information in text won't be convincing enough." 

"What if we make thousands of copies of this footage and sell them with the newspapers? The impact would be far greater than just a written article." 

"But this approach would take some time—about three days." 

"Don't worry. Once the copies are ready, I'll immediately distribute them across the ocean."

Fearing that this big client 'Night' might walk away, Morgans quickly laid out his plan. 

After hearing Morgans' idea, Byakuya couldn't help but be impressed. 

He thought, "As expected from someone in the news business, he's really thought this through."

"Alright, let's do it your way," Byakuya agreed. Seeing Byakuya nod, Morgans was overjoyed. 

Morgans hurried off after their deal was finalized, eager to get to work. 

On the other hand, Byakuya returns to Water 7 alone and instructs Robin to stay hidden with Lucci and the others.

When Byakuya arrived at Dock One, he saw Iceberg and Franky arguing endlessly about the ship's construction. 

The topic of their debate was whether or not more weapons should be built on Byakuya's ship. 

Franky, a weapons specialist, wanted to outfit the ship with as many cannons as possible. 

But Iceburg argued that with Byakuya's strength, such weapons would be useless and take up valuable space. 

The two were so focused on their argument that they didn't notice Byakuya's arrival. 

After listening to their debate, Byakuya suddenly spoke, "I think Iceburg has a point. There's no need to fill the ship with cannons." 

"It would be better to use that space to make the ship more comfortable."

Hearing Byakuya's voice, the two finally noticed his presence. 

Franky looked disappointed momentarily when he realized Byakuya supported Iceburg's idea. 

But then Byakuya continued, "Of course, the ship still needs a main cannon with immense power. Franky, as the weapons expert, I'll leave that to you." 

Franky's face immediately lit up with excitement and shouted, "Leave it to me!" Iceburg, seeing Franky acting like a child, couldn't help but smile as well.

At that moment, something occurred to Byakuya, and he asked, "By the way, can we power the main cannon with electricity or something like that?" 

He was thinking about how Luffy's Thousand Sunny used cola as fuel. 

Every time they fired the cannon, it consumed several barrels of cola, which Byakuya found quite wasteful. 

And since Byakuya loved drinking cola, he believed it should be enjoyed for its true purpose: bringing happiness. 

Plus, with Enel, the Goro Goro no Mi user, now under his command, he figured they could use him as a living battery. 

That's why he made this request. Franky considered the feasibility of the plan and hesitated, 

"It's possible to set it up with electricity, but are you sure you don't want to use cola? Cola is a great energy source, you know?"

Byakuya firmly replied, "No cola, electricity will do."

"Alright then," Franky conceded, seeing Byakuya's determination. After all, the ship belonged to Byakuya, and he had the final say. 

Just then, Quake, who had learned that Byakuya had returned to Dock One, approached with a serious expression. 

"Rear Admiral Byakuya, Fleet Admiral Sengoku is on the line for you."

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku? I'm on leave; why is he bothering me? That old man isn't trying to make me work overtime, is he?" 

Byakuya's casual words made Iceburg and Franky break out in a cold sweat. This guy doesn't care about even the Marine Fleet Admiral Sengoku. 

But Quake, who was used to Byakuya's attitude, replied, "I heard it's something urgent that needs your attention."

Byakuya waved dismissively, "I'm not taking the call. Just tell him I'm still out training and haven't returned yet." 

The "training" was just the excuse Byakuya gave when he left Water 7. 

Man, this guy has some nerve! Iceburg and Franky were thoroughly impressed. Quake, however, looked distraught. 

"But... I already informed Fleet Admiral Sengoku that you were back when I heard the news. If I tell him you're not back yet, he'll kill me."

Byakuya shrugged, "Then let him kill you. What does that have to do with me?"

Quake, a giant of over two meters, sat down on the ground, tears, and snot flowing as he sobbed, 

"Rear Admiral Byakuya, we've been comrades since the training camp. I've been working under you for almost a year now. You can't do this to me!"

Quake's despair was evident, his face covered in tears, looking as pitiful as possible. 

Even Iceburg and Franky, watching from the side, were moved. Imagine a giant over two meters tall crying like a child in front of you. 

Anyone would feel a mix of emotions. "Byakuya-sama, please take the call from Fleet Admiral Sengoku," they both urged.

"Yes, Byakuya-sama, please don't be too hard on Quake. He's been through a lot," Iceburg and Franky added. 

More and more shipwrights gathered around, and if this went on any longer, Quake would completely embarrass the Marines.

Finally, Byakuya sighed, "Alright, all right, give me the phone. I'll call Fleet Admiral Sengoku right now." 

As soon as Byakuya agreed, Quake sprang up from the ground, instantly pulling a Transponder Snail from his pocket—completely different from his earlier pitiful state.

Byakuya took the Transponder Snail and left Dock One, heading back to his ship to make the call. 

Meanwhile, Iceburg and Franky both gave Quake a thumbs-up, praising him, "Brother, your acting skills are top-notch!" 

Iceburg thought, "That level of shamelessness is also top-notch."

Quake brushed the dirt off his clothes and said calmly, "It couldn't be helped. Rear Admiral Byakuya is tough but soft-hearted." 

"If I want to keep my position in the Marines, I had to take drastic measures."

By that time, Byakuya had already called Sengoku. "Hello, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, why are you bothering me during my leave?" 

"Are you trying to assign me more tasks?" Byakuya grumbled.

Sengoku was used to Byakuya's complaints and just ignored them. "I have two things to tell you." 

"First, Jack was ambushed and rescued by the Beasts Pirates while transported to Impel Down."

"Rescued?" Byakuya asked in surprise.

"Yes," Sengoku replied gravely. "Kaido of the Beasts himself led the attack, with the other two All-Stars accompanying him." 

"Admiral Kizaru couldn't hold off that many opponents alone and had to watch as Jack was taken away." 

"Two Marine Vice Admirals who were in charge of the escort were killed—one dead, the other seriously injured." Byakuya took a sharp breath. 

He hadn't expected such a serious situation to arise because of Jack. 

Marine Vice Admirals are the backbone of the Marines, and casualties among them are rare. 

But this time, they suffered a devastating loss at the hands of the Beasts Pirates. 

The Marines are likely to focus much more attention on Kaido and his crew in the near future.

As Byakuya pondered this, Sengoku continued after a brief pause, "The second piece of news is good for you."

"Good news?" Byakuya asked.

"Yes, your promotion to Marine Vice Admiral has been approved. Once your leave is over, you can come to Marineford to receive your promotion."

It was indeed good news, but Sengoku's tone lacked joy. 

Clearly, the deaths of the other Vice Admirals played a part in Byakuya's swift promotion. 

"I hope you won't let me down. Promoting someone as young as you to Marine Vice Admiral is a decision that brings a lot of pressure," Sengoku added.

"Uncle Sengoku, don't worry. I'll do my best to capture Kaido!" Byakuya responded confidently.

"Uh... never mind, forget I said anything. Just try not to cause too much trouble," Sengoku replied with a sigh.

<End Chapter>

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