Phoenix Reborn In One Piece

Diamante, Lao G, and Vigor exchanged discreet glances. 

Then, Vigor stepped toward Vice Admiral Guillotine. 

"Vice Admiral Guillotine, do you think Lord Fred will be alright?" Vigor asked with a hint of concern, though his face showed no emotion. 

"Don't worry. They wouldn't be stupid enough to harm him. If they do, then we won't need to hold back anymore. We could arrest them on the spot, and even if they escape, we'd immediately put a bounty on them," Vice Admiral Guillotine said calmly. 

"But something feels off. I can't quite figure out what the Dream Exploration Team is planning," Vigor frowned. 

"There's no need to overthink it, Rear Admiral Vigor. Unless they want to be officially marked as criminals, they won't do anything reckless," Vice Admiral Guillotine said with confidence. 

Seeing Red's firm stance, Vigor didn't push further. 

Just then, Vigor noticed a small news ship approaching at high speed. 

"A ship from the World Economy News? What is Morgans' crew doing here?" Diamante narrowed his eyes suspiciously. 

"Stop right there!" 

"Do not come any closer!" a Marine Rear Admiral shouted. 

"I... I was invited by the Dream Exploration Team for an interview..." a young journalist on the news ship nervously replied. 

"Ignore them! Dock immediately!" Hog glanced at the Marines and ordered coldly. 

The news ship then moved toward the Dream Vessel. 

"What are you trying to pull?" Vice Admiral Guillotine said icily. 

"This is an internal matter of the World Government. It has nothing to do with you, and you have no right to interfere," Hog replied before immediately letting the journalist board the ship. 

The Marines clenched their fists in anger. 

Since the Dream Exploration Team's status was still unclear, they could only stand by and watch as the journalist boarded the Dream Vessel. 

"Vice Admiral Guillotine, what should we do? The Dream Exploration Team is clearly up to something!" Rear Admiral Gogis asked anxiously. 

"Hold position. Lord Fred and the others should be out soon," Vice Admiral Guillotine said in a deep voice. 

Despite his words, the Marines slowly moved closer to the Dream Vessel. 

On the deck, Hog and Kuina shot them cold glances but didn't stop them from approaching. 

—— 

Inside the Dream Ship. 

Fred and his group no longer held their heads high. Instead, they sat obediently, sweating profusely. 

Meanwhile, Ryuen and his crew enjoyed the meal Anya had just prepared. 

Fred's heart was pounding. Their hearts had literally been removed—they were just waiting for the journalist to arrive now. 

"Fred, and the rest of you, have you memorized everything written on the notes I gave you?" Ryuen asked casually after swallowing his last bite. He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. 

"Yes! We remember!" 

"Yes, Ryuen-sama, we memorized everything!" Fred and his men hurriedly answered. 

"Ryuen, Morgans' people have arrived. We can start the interview now," Nojiko reported as she entered the dining area. 

"Alright, let's go. Fred, you guys come with us," Ryuen said. 

"Y-Yes, sir..." 

Fred and his group hunched over as they followed Ryuen like servants into a large conference room. 

—— 

Ryuen walked into the meeting room and saw the reporter. Fred and the others immediately straightened up, looking more serious. 

"Captain Ryuen, hello, hello!" The reporter was excited to see him. 

"Hello~" 

"Have a seat, no need to be so formal. Your boss should have told you everything already, right?" Ryuen gestured for him to sit. 

"Yes, my boss has briefed me. Don't worry, I'll report everything truthfully!" the reporter said seriously. 

"Good, that's what I want. You can start now. Director Fred will give you the answers you're looking for," Ryuen said with a nod. 

"Alright!" 

"Thank you, Captain Ryuen, for giving me this opportunity!" the reporter said excitedly. 

Then, he immediately began the interview with Fred and the others. Recently, there had been a lot of rumors across the sea about the Dream Crew. 

… 

"Director Fred, has the World Government's inspection of the Dream Exploration Team been completed? What were the results?" 

"It's done. The Dream Exploration Team's credentials are completely valid, with no issues at all!" 

"That's great to hear! But there are rumors going around… People say this inspection happened because of a conflict between Saint Isred and Saint Lindgas, the two Celestial Dragons. Director Fred, is that true?" 

"Slander!" 

"That's complete slander!" 

"Before I left, Saint Isred actually had a pleasant banquet with Saint Lindgas. 

And Saint Isred personally told me to make sure the Dream Exploration Team's name was cleared! 

He also said that he and Captain Ryuen of the Dream Exploration Team are very good friends. 

In fact, when the Dream Exploration Team arrives at Sabaody Archipelago, he plans to personally welcome them!" 

"Wow~" 

"So that's how it really is! That means all those rumors spreading across the sea are just lies, right?" 

"Exactly!" 

"That's why your World Economy News must publish this interview truthfully and clear the Dream Exploration Team's name!" 

"Hahaha…" 

"Of course! We'll publish it exactly as it is!" 

… 

While the interview was happening inside the Dream Explorer, things weren't quiet outside either. 

Originally, the Dream Crew had planned to wipe out everyone who came for this inspection. But when Sengoku suddenly contacted them, they had no choice but to abandon that plan. 

They had no interest in following Sengoku's orders—after all, it wouldn't benefit them at all. 

But Kuina was irritated. Since they couldn't kill them, at least she could beat them up, right? 

Without hesitation, she started fighting the Marines. A single Marine was too weak, so she told them to attack her all at once. It wasn't until a Vice Admiral stepped in that she finally felt some pressure. 

Now, Long Ring Long Land was filled with the sounds of battle. Kuina didn't use her flying sword slashes—she chose close combat instead, using this as a chance to train her melee skills. 

"Hey!" 

"You two, from the Doflamingo family, right? You're getting involved in this because you want to avenge Bellamy?" Hog smirked provocatively at Diamante and Lao G. 

Watching Kuina fight the Marines made him itch to join in too. 

Diamante glanced at Lao G without saying a word. The next moment, both of them charged straight at Hog. 

Hog grinned, looking like he had just gotten exactly what he wanted. 

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