The World Economy News Paper is the world's largest newspaper agency, with influence radiating across the four seas, the Grand Line, and even the New World. No matter where, the silhouette of a News Coo can be found.
Countless people rely on their newspapers to understand the full picture of the world, major events happening everywhere, and even eye-catching news. It can be said to cover everything, to the point of almost controlling the invisible power of 'public opinion'.
And the root of this power lies in the branch offices spread everywhere, thousands of reporters, and the News Coos that can be seen anywhere, as well as news of a quality far exceeding their counterparts.
When the News Coo responsible for photography flew back to the branch office, Star, the branch manager, knew he had found a major news story with a huge explosive point for the East Blue region.
He had been paying attention to that guy named Hiroto for some time now.
Well... actually not that long, since the speed of his rise was simply too fast.
But it was precisely because of this that Star found this 'potential stock' worth anticipating from the leaping changes in his bounty.
After some operations, he took out a stack of photos and placed them on the desk. The photos that met his eyes were taken from a bird's-eye view, presenting the battlefield of that time before Star's eyes.
When he saw Hiroto splitting the sea with one strike, he couldn't help but gasp, showing a shocked expression, which then turned into wild joy.
It had been a long time since such a heavyweight pirate had appeared in the East Blue. And he looked very young, clearly a guaranteed potential stock.
As long as he caught onto this person, the branch's performance for the second half of the term would be met.
'In that case, I'll let you have your moment in the spotlight.'
Star sat down with a beaming face, prepared to apply his 'journalistic' skills of 'embellishment'.
Things like being only 18 years old, splitting the sea with one strike, having the potential of the Four Emperors... he'd make it as impressive as possible.
Only by grabbing people's attention would newspaper sales do well. Their president loved this approach, and the subordinates followed suit.
But just as he was about to start writing, Star noticed something unusual in the last few photos, or rather, a point worth noting.
He picked up the photos and looked again and again. It was a man floating in the sky, and beneath his feet, many Marine Warships and Marine soldiers were floating in mid-air.
'A Devil Fruit User? He looks very strong...'
Star hesitated for a moment, then got up to rummage through various newspapers and even made phone calls to inquire. Only then did he confirm part of this man's background.
A powerhouse who had once appeared on the Grand Line and caused a regime change in a certain country.
'I'll put this information out for sale and use it as branch funding.'
Star had, after all, retired from the headquarters, so he made the decision immediately.
After thinking about it, he prepared another relatively detailed report on Hiroto and submitted it to the Marine side.
The World Economy News Paper is large, but the branch offices are small. To survive long-term and even catch various blockbuster news, a network of interpersonal relationships is indispensable.
Of course, those surviving Marines would surely report back, but it definitely wouldn't be as detailed as his side. He had pictures and the truth here, it was perfect to use as a favor.
However, his news had to be faster than the Marines'.
...
Early the next morning, a large number of News Coos flew throughout the East Blue with freshly printed newspapers.
[Big Event! A hundred-million-level bounty in the East Blue? The World Government's facade of the safest East Blue is torn open? The rise of the new generation pirate, Sea-Cleaving Swordsman Hiroto!]
The sensational headline made everyone who saw it involuntarily reach into their pockets to buy today's newspaper.
Then, discussions erupted one after another throughout the East Blue.
"Is it for real? The sea was actually split open?"
"Look at who published it, this is a newspaper from the World Economy News Paper."
"Hard to say, haven't they always been prone to exaggeration?"
"Bullshit, that's just because your horizons are too narrow. I've witnessed Fire Fist Ace in action, those flames could burn down an entire town."
"Say, both of them are from the East Blue. Between Fire Fist Ace and Sea-Cleaving Swordsman Hiroto, who do you think will be stronger in the future?"
"Fire Fist Ace."
"Sea-Cleaving Swordsman Hiroto."
Different opinions of support came from different people, and then the two groups began to trade insults.
Those supporting Fire Fist Ace believed that Ace had already entered the New World and his bounty had reached two hundred million.
Not long ago, he was even in the news for attacking the lair of Kaido of the Beasts, one of the Four Emperors, although the Marines' new bounty hadn't been announced yet. But it looked like it would see a significant leap.
But similarly, the group supporting Sea-Cleaving Swordsman Hiroto believed that Hiroto had been active for a shorter time and clearly had more momentum compared to Ace.
For a time, the two groups argued incessantly.
Of course, there were also ordinary people worrying about what kind of disaster such a powerful pirate entrenched in the East Blue would bring.
However, some people looked into his past and realized that there were no records of him attacking civilians. Instead, he had been dealing with pirates all along.
Likewise, due to either worry or anticipation, this news spread rapidly among the merchant community.
...
Binmock, who had just finished selling gold and silver jewelry and made a huge profit, excitedly found Koushirou while holding a newspaper.
"Koushirou-san, look quickly, it's Hiroto-san." Binmock seemed very excited, his face flushing red.
"Splitting the sea with a single sword strike, it's very likely the Marines will give him a hundred-million-level bounty. The East Blue hasn't seen such a big figure in a long time."
"Yes, so his future will not stop at the East Blue."
Koushirou glanced at the overly excited Binmock and, for the sake of their past relationship, poured cold water on his enthusiasm.
Binmock's expression stiffened, and after a moment of resentment, he couldn't help but ask, "Isn't the Grand Line very dangerous? What if... what if Hiroto-san stays in the East Blue..."
He seemed to realize he was being a bit reckless and then stopped talking.
Koushirou didn't respond. He took the newspaper, read it carefully, and then smiled.
With Binmock's limited perspective, he wouldn't understand that a monstrous genius like Hiroto would never stay in the East Blue. Only the Grand Line and even the New World were Hiroto's stage.