One Piece: Reborn in God's Valley

The next morning, just as Morgans had promised via Den Den Mushi, news of the Helgrave Pirates spread like wildfire across the world.

"Pops, the paper says the Helgrave Pirates have entered the New World, and yesterday they clashed with the Maelstrom Spider Pirates… the Helgrave Pirates wiped them out completely."

Marco had barely gotten hold of the newspaper before rushing to tell Whitebeard. He knew the old man was very interested in Ashen V. Helgrave.

"Gurararara… I didn't think that brat would make it to the New World this quickly. How come the Navy hasn't responded?"

Whitebeard took the paper and started reading. Halfway through, he burst into hearty laughter.

"Gurararara…. Sengoku got a real headache. Who'd have thought Morgans would dare report even this? Hahaha."

The pirates on deck watched Whitebeard's reaction in silence, not daring to interrupt his good mood. They simply waited patiently for him to finish the article.

"Marco, I've got a job for you…"

After reading the full report, Whitebeard turned to Marco, his tone now serious.

…

Unlike the cheerful atmosphere aboard the Moby Dick, things at Marine Headquarters were far tenser, eerily so.

"Damn it. That bastard Morgans actually dared to publish this? This is an insult to the Navy."

Sengoku slammed the paper on the desk, his face dark. The report described his fruitless wait at Reverse Mountain for the Helgrave Pirates, with language that skirted mockery. 

Even someone known as the Buddha couldn't remain calm after that.

He knew this time, his humiliation had gone global.

"That's enough, Sengoku. Morgans will be… handled. What I'm more concerned about is this."

Kong pointed at a section of the article laid out like a shameless advertisement, boasting in bold letters that the Helgrave Pirates had mastered the ability to cross the Calm Belt.

"If what's written here is true, and they really can traverse the Calm Belt freely… then we're looking at another Golden Lion level threat. 

Worse still, if that technology can be replicated, the West Blue and North Blue could be linked directly to the New World."

Tsuru massaged her temples. Even she was unsettled by her own analysis.

"Tsuru is right, Fleet Admiral. We need to act quickly. Here's what I propose…"

Sengoku, regaining his composure, switched to strategist mode and began outlining his response.

…

At the same time, powerful figures across the globe reacted as the news spread.

"Hurry. Make contact with the Helgrave Pirates immediately, we must get to the bottom of this…."

"Yes, my lord."

…

"Get me Morgans. Ask him…"

"Captain, we already contacted him… but his price is outrageous."

"Pay it."

"Yes, sir."

…

As for the main figure of this entire episode, Ashen, he nearly tore the newspaper in half when he saw it.

"Son of a …. This is what you call 'satisfying'? Are you kidding me? He basically lit a fire under my ass."

Ashen slammed the paper down, fuming. 

"Morgans, you bastard… I swear I'm going to bleed you dry next time we meet. Consider that a courtesy."

Clearly, Morgans' so-called "free publicity" had only caused trouble.

"Hahahaha. Captain, we're famous now. Although… there wasn't enough about me. Next time I see Morgans, I'm gonna treat him to some honey and get him to, ow..."

"Shut up."

Walton barely got the words out before Ashen kicked him square in the rear.

"Lafitte, pick up the pace. We need to get to Fish-Man Island, fast."

Ashen knew time was tight, he needed to finish this errand and get back to Dressrosa.

"Yes, Captain."

Lafitte struggled to hold back a grin, refusing to look at Walton.

…

Three days later, the Blackthorn finally reached the sea near the Red Line, thanks to Lafitte's efforts.

Riding its momentum, the ship slipped into a jagged reef zone deep within the Calm Belt. 

The waters here were noticeably shallower. Anchored in this secluded spot, the Blackthorn was nearly impossible to detect.

Splash…

As soon as the ship settled, Ashen leapt into the sea. The crew on deck showed no surprise, they were used to this routine and waited patiently.

More than ten minutes later, a mid-sized Sea King surfaced with Ashen riding on its back. The beast had a fresh wound on its head, evidence of its "friendly negotiation" with Ashen.

"Get down here, all of you."

Tesla responded to the captain's command by lifting a large, oval-shaped iron pod and tossing it into the sea. He then jumped onto the pod and opened a hatch reinforced with thick glass.

It was a custom-built submersible Tesla had designed in Dressrosa. Due to limited materials and time, it only had a pressure resistant shell and an oxygen supply, no propulsion system.

After watching Tesla and Lafitte disappear into the pod, Ashen communicated briefly with the Sea King using his Nether Eye, then climbed in himself and sealed the hatch.

The Sea King appeared to hesitate, torn by some internal conflict. But after a few seconds, it opened its mouth and gently clamped down on the pod, diving deep into the ocean.

"Tesla, why isn't there any lighting in here?"

Lafitte was unsettled by the pitch-black interior of the submarine.

"One, we didn't have the right equipment in Dressrosa to make it. Two, if we'd added lighting, we'd have had no room left inside."

Tesla's tone was patient as he explained.

"Don't worry. Once we return from Fish-Man Island, Umit's crew should've delivered the rest of the supplies. Their logistics are top-notch.

You'll be able to continue your research while the factory is under construction. As for the lab… I was thinking…"

Ashen took the opportunity to discuss lab and factory logistics with Tesla. 

After reading the newspaper earlier, he had a sudden realization that, while the factory could safely remain in Dressrosa, the lab, being more sensitive, needed a more secure location.

The first place that came to mind was the twin islands deep in the Calm Belt where Tesla had once been stranded.

"Well… I've got a candle in my pocket. Should we maybe light it?"

Walton piped up meekly.

"Shut up."

"Shut it."

"Are you trying to get us killed?"

Thud..Thud.. Thud..

Walton got punched by all three of them in rapid succession.

"Ow… Captain, they're ganging up on me." Walton squealed like a pig.

Ashen's eyes shimmered with a faint violet glow. He looked on, mildly entertained by Walton's suffering, unsure whether to intervene or just enjoy the show.

…

In the dark, eerie deep sea, the pressure inside the sub grew more intense as the Sea King dove lower and lower.

Finally, after some time, a shaft of light broke through the Sea King's open mouth, shining into the submarine's interior.

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