Reporter

"Would you be interested in becoming a reporter?"

That was the first thing Arne heard after he opened his eyes in the White Ward.

A reporter.

That career seemed pretty far removed from piracy.

Arne couldn't think of any advantages he had as a reporter.

At most, he'd spent a few years learning from an old adventurer on a small island in his hometown of South Blue. He could read and write, and understand nautical charts.

Still, that made him highly educated by pirate standards.

But it had nothing to do with the reporting business.

Confusion filled Arne's eyes.

"Wasn't I a Navigator Candidate?"

"Candidate!" Buggy emphasized. "Well, you'd better be interested. I'm the one who bought you, after all, so whether you like it or not, you're going to become a reporter."

Buggy felt he was showing the other man plenty of respect.

At least he'd asked.

"As for whether you're suited to it, you don't need to worry about that."

Buggy casually lay back down on the hospital bed. Arne, the patient, instead stood there in a daze.

"After all... we don't need to chase the news."

"We make the news."

All right.

After leaving his iron cage, former Navigator Candidate and former pirate Arne had received an entirely new career plan.

The first step in that plan was becoming a reporter.

What did it take to be a reporter?

Wouldn't he at least have to apply to a newspaper agency?

Following Sergeant Jacques's advice, Arne headed to the Inn Town area of Sabaody Archipelago, a place he knew fairly well.

This was where sailors waiting for Passage Permits to Mary Geoise stayed temporarily.

Applying to the World Government for a permit, then crossing the Red Line in a specially designed Bubble Elevator, was the safest way to travel between the first half of the Grand Line and the second half.

The other option was Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters beneath the sea.

It was a hollow space in the Red Line deep underwater, and the Whitebeard Pirates' flag still flew there.

For a newspaper agency, the benefits of setting up shop in Inn Town were obvious, too.

As sailors traveling between the New World and the Paradise Section chatted, they spread news of events happening in various places.

Arne felt a little apprehensive.

Would the newspaper agency discriminate against someone who'd been a pirate?

As for why he was becoming a reporter...

Arne couldn't be bothered to think too much about it.

His experience aboard the warship had taught him to do as Buggy instructed. The more he thought, the sooner he'd die.

He looked up at the Circular Multi-story Building in front of him. A crude wooden sign read: World Economic News, Sabaody Archipelago Branch Office.

He steeled himself and walked right in.

At the Marine Base Sanatorium.

Buggy was now facing a rather troublesome problem.

It was a problem many people had to deal with: how to address someone.

What should he call that Major Arrow's father?

Old geezer?

Or should he tell him...

I'm really sorry, but your son was the one I tossed into the sea of fire. The voice you're hearing now belongs to the impostor who took his place.

"Have the people from District 1 come looking for you?"

While Buggy hesitated, the Anthropomorphic Den Den Mushi in front of him had already asked, his face stern.

A clear label was written on its shell.

His Excellency Baron Fyodor Lux.

As for District 1...

Buggy naturally thought of the Human Auction House in Area 1 of Sabaody Archipelago.

Strictly speaking, they were in the same business.

And everyone knew that people in the same business were rivals.

A niche exclusive was the secret to easy points!

"They were... pretty interesting," Buggy replied honestly after a moment's thought.

"Interesting?"

"Don't underestimate them, and don't trust their sweet talk! Behind the District 1 auction house is the Donquixote Family, one of the Shichibukai!"

"What does that have to do with me... with us?"

Buggy tried to remember how he'd acted as a rebellious youth toward his alcoholic, abusive father.

"Of course it has something to do with us!"

The Den Den Mushi's voice suddenly rose.

"That bastard Doflamingo thinks he can buy my auction house for a mere three hundred million Beli! As if!"

The enraged Baron Lux's voice came through as a hoarse rasp, his face twisted in fury.

"The Pirate Auction House in District 4 is a major source of income for our family! It's a precious asset handed down from my father's generation—your grandfather's!"

At the mention of inheritance, His Excellency Baron's voice faltered.

"Little Arrow, even if you can't inherit the family's wealth, you're still part of the family."

Oh, wow.

So the guy he'd tossed into the sea of fire had a rather "special" background.

No wonder the diary rarely mentioned his family.

With a connection like that, it was no wonder the Major Captain had approached him, along with Rear Admiral Sicily, who was behind him...

Buggy rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

"That's settled."

While Buggy remained silent, His Excellency Baron made the decision for him.

"Don't contact the people from the Area 1 auction house for now. After a while, I'll find a way to transfer you from the Judicial Detention Center to Sabaody Archipelago."

Arne's diary had mentioned the Judicial Detention Center. It was a prison built on a small island not far from Judicial Island.

When captured criminals were awaiting the Trial Procedure on Judicial Island—an entirely unnecessary formality—they were temporarily held at the detention center.

After some time, they would be sent to Impel Down in a group.

Arne's former duty had been escorting prisoners between the detention center and Impel Down.

That left plenty of room for maneuvering.

For instance, a pirate prisoner—or several of them—might die in the detention center because of an untreatable illness, or suddenly lose the will to live and jump into the sea during transport.

Those things were perfectly acceptable.

Pirates had no human rights organizations waving banners on their behalf.

Another reason was that almost all pirates were sentenced to life imprisonment.

That was also the greatest service Arne had once rendered His Excellency Baron.

Of course, Arne had joined the Marines and risen through the ranks thanks to His Excellency Baron's support.

But what surprised Buggy more was His Excellency Baron's influence in the Marines.

His Excellency Baron seemed certain Buggy would agree. He continued as if speaking to himself, "With you at the District 66 Base, our family's assets will be much safer..."

"Of course, of course."

His Excellency Baron got the answer he wanted.

The only odd thing was that his obedient son sounded strangely off today.

Almost like he was being sarcastic.

That couldn't be...

Baron Lux could only attribute it to the shock of the transport warship explosion a while back.

For a mere fugitive to cause such a horrifying incident...

That pirate clown really was terrifying!