Chapter 3: The News Agency and the Slave Ship
"Disco! You dare lay a hand on me?! Tomorrow, I'll expose you to the world—bounty hunters and the Marines will be after you in no time!"
Mortomas, a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user with the ability to transform into a seagull, was the president of the World Economy News Paper—one of the three major news agencies in the world. Currently stationed in the Sabaody Archipelago, he maintained a large number of seagulls as news birds.
Disco, on the other hand, laughed maniacally. He was more than just a pirate captain, he was secretly the head of a slave-trading ship under the Celestial Dragons' command. His newspaper, the World Peace Dove, was backed by the World Government and had been struggling against the rising dominance of the World Economy News Paper, which had taken a large share of the market.
The World Peace Dove was led by White Pigeon, another Zoan-type user who could transform into a white pigeon. His agency primarily spread propaganda for the Celestial Dragons, glorified the Marines, and promoted the achievements of affiliated nations. It was the official media mouthpiece of the World Government.
On the other hand, Mortomas's World Economy News Paper covered both legal and underground news. With compelling narratives and creative reporting, it had a broader audience and higher sales, though it lacked strong backing and had little protection.
Then there was the World Dark News, a publication jointly run by the overlords of the New World and the underground market. Its current president, Candor, was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user who could transform into a vulture. His news agency was notorious for catering to pirates and non-affiliated nations. However, due to its alignment with the pirate faction and poor management, its credibility and sales remained mediocre.
Among the three, the World Economy News Paper stood out as the most comprehensive, appealing to all audiences. Pirates could learn about Marine movements, Marines could monitor pirate activities, and civilians had access to reports from both sides.
...
Mortomas hadn't expected this ambush. He had just been on his way back home to see his wife and their newborn son, who had recently turned one. But before he could leave Sabaody, Disco had intercepted him at sea.
"The World Government... Disco... You bastards! If I make it out of here, you'll regret this!" Mortomas spat, cursing in anger. His biggest mistake had been not bringing enough security with him on this trip.
"Shh, don't cry, Morgans. Look, Daddy is going to chase away the bad guys!"