"Isn't this the Marine brat you let go, big brother? How did it turn into him single-handedly taking back the warship?"
The newspapers delivered by News Coos were not subject to purchase limits. If it was just a small pirate crew of a dozen or so people, buying one paper to pass around was enough.
But someone like Nereus, with quite a few subordinates, would usually buy several copies for any interested crew members to read.
Although the newspaper looked more like a picture book in Babel's hands, it did not affect his ability to read what was actually written inside.
"Other than bringing the warship back to the naval port, which part of this is true?! Who is this reporter Morgans? How did he come up with something like this?"
The paper vividly described the story of a brave soldier who, after all the other Marines had died, outwitted a band of vicious pirates and ultimately reclaimed the warship.
But as one of those involved, Babel knew exactly how much of it had been fabricated.
"Still, that Marine brat apparently didn't tell the truth either. The pirates who stole this warship have become someone else too."
After Dragon returned, he had not told the truth either. He had merely found an excuse to brush them off a few times. The Marines did not care much about it and did not investigate too thoroughly, simply using it to promote their own image.
"That's just how the news is. Information doesn't travel easily across these seas. No one knows what happens on the other side of the ocean; it all depends on what the newspapers say.
"If the World Government wants to, twisting black into white isn't difficult.
"Compared to this 'Lone Wolf' Marine, the stuff about Hero Garp is even more ridiculous."
The report about Dragon was on the second page, while the front page had been entirely claimed by the destruction of the Rocks Pirates. Even then, the article glossed over the matter and did not mention where Rocks's remaining forces had gone.
The entire piece described how Hero Garp had defeated Rocks. As for Roger joining forces with Garp, or Nereus's actions, no one mentioned them at all. It was as if they had never arrived at God Valley.
"So, Dad, was everything in the newspaper fake?"
"The result is true, but don't believe the process. From now on, the name Rocks will gradually disappear from the seas as well."
Most of the newspaper was devoted to praising Garp's achievements. It barely mentioned Rocks's name a few times, and did not mention God Valley at all. The World Government had already begun covering up the very existence of this event.
If Rocks had not been so famous, that name probably would not have appeared in the paper at all.
"But... Nanamo, how many times have you counted that treasure? Why are you still counting?"
"It's my first time seeing this much treasure. There are more than ten thousand gold coins alone, and the total value has to be measured in tens of billions of Beli."
Nanamo was rereading the inventory they had compiled earlier. Then she took a gold coin from her pocket and admired its design beneath the sunlight.
Those gold coins were not merely currency minted from gold. Many bore exquisite engravings, and some had even survived from kingdoms that no longer existed. Their market value was far greater than their material worth.
The coin in Nanamo's hand was part of the share assigned to her. That was an old rule. Most of the treasure would be sealed away in storage for future development, but the subordinates could also receive a portion of their own.
Many of Nereus's subordinates had heard of his name, acted on impulse, and left Fish-Man Island to follow him.
Nereus's side was no absolutely safe haven. Battles happened from time to time, and he would not begrudge even a little Beli to those willing to risk their lives following him.
If he were really as greedy as John, wanting to keep everything for himself, he would be devoured by the backlash sooner or later.
"Come to think of it, I heard it costs a lot of money to make newspapers write what you want. This Morgans... he must have made a fortune this time, right? The newspaper revenue plus the World Government's hush money... Starting a newspaper seems pretty profitable."
Nanamo counted on her fingers as she estimated Morgans's earnings. In truth, it was not far from what she imagined.
As a newsman, Morgans had always been obsessed with major stories.
Sometimes, in order to report on a major event, he would stop at nothing. Neither bribes nor threats of death could stop Morgans from reporting the news.
But Morgans also did not mind exaggerating the truth for attention, or even fabricating parts of a story.
It was not that Morgans refused money. He was simply selective about taking it. If it was something Morgans did not want to report, then no amount of money would make him do it.
This time, Morgans's name had indirectly spread throughout the seas as well. Nereus's side did not care much about what Morgans wrote, but quite a few people who had personally experienced the incident were cursing him nonstop.
For example, in the Sorbet Kingdom of the South Blue, Ivankov and the others who had left God Valley had gathered in Kuma's former home, a somewhat dilapidated church.
"Who is Morgans? And what is this Hero Garp? This guy is way too good at making things up!"
"Forget about him. Is there any news about Mr. Nereus? Did he make it out safely?"
Kuma flipped through the paper, trying to find the news he wanted to see. After all, without Nereus, he would not have been able to save so many people.
"Stop looking. There isn't any. They didn't report it at all..."
"Hey, don't worry. If something had really happened to a Bounty target like Mr. Nereus, the World Government and the Marines would definitely publicize it for a while to celebrate their own achievements.
"Since they haven't mentioned it, Mr. Nereus must have left safely."
Ginny's reasoning was accepted by everyone. They all hoped Nereus was safe.
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters in Marineford, the atmosphere was entirely different.
As a Vice Admiral at headquarters, Garp had his own residence in Marineford. There were only three people in it now: Garp, Dragon, and Sengoku.
Because of Nereus's involvement, Garp had not been injured as badly and had already returned to his home.
The floor was covered in torn scraps of newspaper, the work of Garp and Dragon. Both father and son had plenty of complaints about the paper.
"Don't stop me! I'm going to have a good talk with this Morgans!"
"Forget it, Garp. The World Government must have spent a lot of money to get him to write that article."
Sengoku successfully stopped Garp. Otherwise, judging by Garp's expression, he really would have gone to exchange fists with Morgans. But that also successfully drew the fire onto himself.
"Sengoku, I have a question. You don't mean to tell me you know nothing at all about what happened at God Valley?"
Those words successfully caught the attention of Dragon, who had been sitting on the sofa in a daze.
Do you think the people at the top of your organization know about this?
Nereus's words echoed in Dragon's mind once more. At that moment, Dragon also wanted to know how Sengoku would answer.
Before you continue