"Because I need to keep a low profile now."
Reddy found it difficult to stop the curiosity of a seasoned journalist. After being pestered by Morgan several times, he finally revealed his purpose.
This trip to Whole Cake Island, the Mirror-Mirror Fruit ability was his most important target.
Next was Smoothie's Juice-Juice Fruit ability.
As for the rest, they were just bonuses.
However, Streusen's Cook-Cook Fruit ability and the dessert recipes in his memory brought Reddy a pleasant surprise.
The Cook-Cook Fruit could transform objects into food.
This was undoubtedly an ability with immense strategic value.
With this ability, even if the entire world imposed a food embargo on him, he could still feed everyone under his control.
The recipes in Streusen's memory were equally valuable to him.
These recipes were special desserts developed by Streusen after following Big Mom to cater to her Gluttony. They contained far higher calories than ordinary desserts.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to satisfy Big Mom's demands.
What was even better was that Reddy also had a huge demand for these high-calorie desserts.
Now, the Munch-Munch Fruit ability had already been obtained on the way to Whole Cake Island.
After the battle on Whole Cake Island, the Juice-Juice Fruit ability and the Cook-Cook Fruit ability were secured. Reddy had to consider taking some time to digest the spoils he had acquired.
Golden Lineage Factor fragments!
New clones!
Materializing Devil Fruit abilities from the system!
Reddy currently had many projects in hand, and all of them required energy.
Similarly, he was also short on time.
Rather than continuing to uphold an illusory reputation of being undefeated, it was more practical to take a step back and let Big Mom attract the spotlight.
"That's such a pity."
Morgan sighed regretfully.
The longer he stayed by Reddy's side, the more he realized that this man was full of countless secrets.
And each one was enough to shock the world as major news.
He had tried to persuade Reddy.
Unfortunately, Reddy refused without hesitation.
This was unbearable for someone like Morgan, who prided himself on pursuing big news.
Reddy shook his head with a smile. "Right now, you should be thinking about which island to choose as the new base for your newspaper, not interrogating me."
This was one of Morgan's conditions.
As the world's most widely circulated and authoritative newspaper, the World Economic News Agency, Morgan, as its president, faced unimaginable pressure.
He had always been trying to steer the newspaper's development.
However, it was useless.
Threats from the World Government forced him to compromise repeatedly, operating the newspaper within the boundaries set by them.
Now, Reddy had given him a new option.
A floating island!
In Reddy's long-term plan, this floating island would become the newspaper's new base, with supporting facilities like printing factories and paper mills built around it.
Once the new base was completed, the newspaper would no longer face any threats!
Then, he could freely explore and report on the major news he had previously dared not publish.
Would the World Government issue orders to completely ban it?
Do as you please!
The distribution channels of the World Economic News Agency couldn't be shut down so easily.
With an independent base, the News Coo could deliver the new World Economic News to every corner of the world.
"Let me make this clear first, I won't accept any threats."
Morgan, who often pushed the boundaries set by the World Government, wasn't afraid of Reddy and reiterated that he must maintain absolute independence.
"As you wish."
Reddy shrugged.
Punk Hazard and the Satellite Island were the territories he acknowledged.
As for Loguetown and Dressrosa, they were merely places to raise research funds and establish procurement channels.
No matter how capable Morgan was, could he secretly infiltrate Punk Hazard and the Satellite Island?
Even if he did, so what?
Reddy hadn't done anything outrageous and wasn't afraid of exposure.
"I'll take this island."
Morgan was satisfied with Reddy's attitude and pointed excitedly at the small island beneath his feet. "I can't wait to start working. Once the island is renovated, please send it to me as soon as possible. I'm counting on you."
As he spoke, he handed Reddy a small piece of Vivre Card and said confidently, "The renovation costs will naturally be covered by me. Just send me the bill later."
"Are you sure?"
Reddy was somewhat surprised and glanced around.
This small island was temporarily chosen for transportation and wasn't very large, only about 30 square kilometers, with a significant portion being mountainous areas unsuitable for development.
The actual usable area was no more than 3 square kilometers.
Morgan shrugged. "I'm only interested in the news industry. This place is more than enough to accommodate the newspaper and its supporting industries."
Reddy thought it made sense.
Although the usable area of this small island wasn't large, it was enough to build an industrial park.
Not long after, a ship suspended by a giant balloon, towed by two groups of News Coo, left the island.
This was the headquarters of the World Economic News Agency.
Reddy had visited it under Morgan's guidance. The space inside wasn't spacious, and working or living in such a place was indeed stifling.
The reason Morgan was willing to keep Reddy's secrets was this deal.
...
"Huh?"
Bartolomeo waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly. "There's no way Boss Reddy could lose. That's fake news."
Nami disagreed and slapped the newspaper in her hand. "Impossible. This is a published fact!"
"You know nothing about Boss Reddy's power."
Bartolomeo sneered, looking down at Nami with an expression that said, "You're too young to understand the dangers of society."
Nami was furious and immediately retorted, "Oh, and you do?"
"Of course I don't."
Bartolomeo gave Nami a strange look and spoke matter-of-factly.
"I'm done talking to you."
Nami was almost driven mad and couldn't wait to leave. Just then, she saw Hancock approaching and immediately went up to her.
Hancock, however, only glanced briefly and said indifferently, "This is fake news."
Nami was dumbfounded.
Bartolomeo was a die-hard fan of Reddy, so it wasn't surprising that he insisted this was fake news.
But why did even Sister Hancock trust Reddy so much?
Could the newspaper really publish lies?
At that moment, Jinbe also approached from a distance. Nami hesitated but still went up to him.
"Fake."
Jinbe took his time to read the entire article before giving a brief evaluation.
"Why?"
Nami felt her brain wasn't working properly.
How could everyone around her be so sure this was fake news?
Jinbe, being an honest man, saw Nami falling into self-doubt and kindly explained, "Reddy-sama notified me to wait for him here, so this report must be fake."
"Huh?"
Nami was stunned.
Then Hancock walked over and looked at Jinbe with a strange expression. "He notified you too?"
Jinbe chuckled. "It seems Reddy-sama has something important to discuss, otherwise he wouldn't have summoned us."
Hancock frowned. "Can you guess what it is?"
Nearby, Nami watched as the two began speculating about what big move Reddy was planning. Feeling dejected, she prepared to leave.
These two were so unlikable!
Before she could go far, Nami saw Reddy walking toward her with his hands in his pockets.
When Reddy noticed Nami was also there, he smiled and motioned for her to follow.
Soon after.
Reddy gathered Hancock and the others and got straight to the point. "There are many things to deal with recently, so... I hope to recruit personnel from Amazon Lily and the Ryugu Kingdom."
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