As for Heracles, the man who would later become Usopp's guide, Roy actually admired him quite a bit. He valued loyalty and had the bearing of a real man.
He also possessed firm willpower. On the nutrient-rich Boin Archipelago, he could actually maintain a fairly well-proportioned figure.
On top of that, he understood the plants and insects on the island, and in the original story, he could control insects to attack the Marines. That proved he also had quite a good capacity for learning, as well as the desire to keep improving himself.
However, since the other man's ambitions were not on the sea, then that was that.
After eating and drinking his fill, Roy clapped his hands, said farewell to Heracles, told him he would come visit often in the future, and left once again.
When he appeared again, he was at the headquarters of the World Economy News Paper, Wanka Maikeru.
"Hello there, Morgans-shachō."
Roy greeted Morgans, who was in the middle of drinking afternoon tea.
The bird in formalwear and a top hat—Morgans—was first stunned when he saw Roy suddenly appear in front of him. Then his mind instantly flipped through its records, and after confirming the identity of the visitor, he immediately put down the black tea in his hand.
With a cheerful smile, he said to Roy, "So it's Roy-san, the hero of freedom who liberated the slaves. I never expected you to appear here. Please, sit, sit."
That old bird Morgans really did know how to say exactly what each listener wanted to hear. Roy was clearly a heinous criminal with a bounty on his head, yet in Morgans's mouth, he had become a hero of freedom. As expected of someone in the news business.
Roy did not waste words with him and went straight to the point.
"Morgans-shachō, I have a piece of big news about the World Government. I wonder if you're interested."
"Hm?"
Hearing this, Morgans's eyes flickered.
"I'm all ears."
This bird was extremely dedicated to his work and had a special obsession with big news.
However, when it came to news involving the World Government, even though Morgans was the president of the World Economy News Paper, a private enterprise was ultimately no match for official power. If he truly offended the World Government, things would not end well for him.
His identity as one of the Underworld Emperors alone, along with his repeated participation in Big Mom's tea parties, would be enough to send him to Impel Down.
As a newsman, Morgans was adept at handling every side. He still had a sense of which words should be said and which should not.
Although Morgans was the president of a newspaper and had heard plenty of major information and incidents, after listening to Roy's words, he still felt somewhat shocked.
What had this man just said?
He had single-handedly pierced straight through the guard army and crippled the Army?
This was truly genuine big news!
Morgans was extremely tempted. For news like this, one only needed to inquire around Mary Geoise a little to learn the general outline.
Previously, he had focused on the Mary Geoise attack. Although he had heard some rumors, he had not paid them any attention. He had not expected to miss a piece of news like this.
This news was extremely valuable. If it were published, it would definitely shock the entire world once again.
But as for the World Government's side...
Seeing Morgans's thoughtful expression, Roy knew the other man was already tempted. So he patted Morgans on the wing and spoke in a familiar tone.
"Then let's leave it at that, Morgans-shachō. Next time I have any other big news, I'll definitely notify you first."
After saying that, Roy vanished.
Morgans pondered for a long time. Then he picked up a Den Den Mushi and dialed a number.
The next day, three world-shaking front-page headlines spread everywhere.
Roy, the heinous criminal who had attacked the Holy Land Mary Geoise and liberated the slaves, had actually defeated the Army and the guard army with his strength alone, turning the name of the three military branches into a joke!
Because of this, Roy's already high bounty rose once more, increasing to 600 million berries!
Once this news came out, some people who had originally still been watching from the sidelines, yet possessed the same ideals of freedom, began making inquiries about Roy one after another. They wanted to follow him!
At that moment, on the Grand Line, aboard a wooden ship, Fisher Tiger and the others looked at the news in the newspaper and cheered endlessly.
Fisher Tiger's face was full of worship and joy.
As Roy's accomplice and co-conspirator in freeing the slaves, he had also been given a bounty of 330 million berries.
However, because Roy had drawn most of the attention, not many people truly noticed him.
The ship they were currently using was a pirate ship that Fisher Tiger and several prisoners who had escaped with him had seized together. They were drifting across the sea.
But they still carried racial prejudice and were unwilling to stay together with Fisher Tiger, so most of them scattered and left.
Only a small number of Fish-Man slaves, along with a few people who did not care about racial differences or who carried other thoughts, continued moving together with Fisher Tiger.
News of this matter had already reached Fish-Man Island. In Fish-Man District, the Fish-Men who admired Fisher Tiger were rushing over one after another to join him. People like Jinbe and Arlong were all on their way.
"Tiger-aniki, do you think Roy-aniki will come find us and bring us along?" Some people had a stronger sense of concern.
"Roy-aniki is so strong. What if he doesn't think much of us and never comes to find us?"
"He will," Tiger shook his head, his face resolute. "Roy-aniki is a warrior of freedom. He will definitely come meet us, the people who escaped from hell."
"Even if Roy-aniki really has something to do and cannot come find us in time, we can go find him!"
Tiger's words resonated with everyone on the ship.
It had to be said that in the world of One Piece written by Eiichiro Oda, most characters were rather naive.
To put it nicely, they were innocent. To put it bluntly, they were foolish. Simple-minded joy came easily to them.
Of course Roy would come find Tiger and the others.
Tiger was the leader of Fish-Man District, and he also had very good relationships with Queen Otohime and King Neptune.
On Fish-Man Island, it could be said that he had connections on both sides of the law. With Tiger here, it ensured that in the future, there would be a steady stream of capable Fish-Men joining them.
Moreover, among this group of slaves, there were also some unusual Devil Fruit users. Naturally, Roy would not let such a force slip away.
However, it was rare that the World Government had actually allowed Morgans to publish news like this. On one hand, it proved that Morgans indeed had connections within the World Government. On the other hand, the World Government doing this also truly showed its determination to investigate matters concerning Roy.
"Looks like it's pretty lively here."
Suddenly, a calm voice rang out aboard this pirate ship.
"That voice is..."
Tiger was stunned at first, then his entire body shook with excitement.
He would absolutely never forget that voice.
Never, ever forget it!
"Roy-aniki!"
(End of Chapter)
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