Chapter 45

31st of March 1522
Alabasta

The door swung open, and "Big News" Morgans strode in with an air of authority. The imposing albatross-man, draped in a deep purple suit, commanded attention. His long beak and expressive eyes, hidden behind round spectacles, exuded both wisdom and sharp cunning. A camera hung around his neck, always ready to capture moments of intrigue, while his neatly folded wings accentuated his distinctive presence.

"Well, well, Moria," Morgans cawed deeply, his voice resonant and commanding. "Congratulations on your new crown—the one you're wearing now as Crown Prince, and the true one, evident from the fact that you're occupying the King's personal salon without Cobra himself."

Moria chuckled, his sharp teeth glinting as he extended a hand. "Morgans, it's a pleasure to see you. Your keen observation never ceases to amaze me."

Morgans shook his hand firmly. "Ah, it's my job to notice things, after all." He paused, his eyes sweeping over the opulent room before settling back on Moria. "And I must say, you wear both crowns well."

"Thank you, Morgans," Moria replied smoothly, gesturing to a chair opposite his desk. "Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss."

The two men exchanged a glance filled with shared amusement. Though they had never met in person, their reputations were well-known to each other. Morgans had penned countless articles that painted Moria in a less-than-favorable light, but both were seasoned players in the game of power and influence. Now that Moria was a Prince, the stakes had changed.

Moria moved with deliberate ease to a sideboard, pouring two glasses of rich, amber liquid. He returned to the desk, setting the glasses down with a pointed gesture, indicating Morgans could choose which one to take—a subtle yet clear assurance of his guest's safety. He would not be poisoned today.

"We both understand the value of mutual benefit," Moria began.

Morgans picked up a glass, swirling the liquid thoughtfully before taking a sip. "Indeed, Moria. But I pride myself on reporting the truth. I am, after all, a journalist first and foremost."

They held each other's gaze, then burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the opulent salon, shattering the tension like glass.

Moria leaned back, a sly smile playing on his lips. "I have some exceptionally juicy information for you."

"Oh, I probably already have a sniff of it. The impending war and the execution, perhaps?"

Moria's smile widened, appreciating the man's acumen. "I see you're as informed as ever. But what if I told you I could provide information about Monkey D. Dragon before he became the revolutionary? Also, did you know he had a son? Such information comes at a price, of course."

Morgans' eyes gleamed with intrigue. "And what do you expect in return?"

"I need some… appreciation," Moria replied, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You're a maestro in Public Relations, Morgans. I need you to craft a narrative that will make the Marines' job considerably more difficult if they ever decide to dispense with my services."

Morgans cackled, a gleeful, almost maniacal sound that echoed through the room. Uh. The Warlord was afraid of being hunted by the marines ?

Moria hesitated, swirling his glass thoughtfully. How could he avert the impending war? An idea began to crystallize, one that could dramatically shift the balance in his favor. He fixed his gaze on Morgans, his eyes gleaming with renewed determination.

"But that's not the information I'll be sharing today," Moria said, his voice laced with mystery.

Morgans raised an eyebrow, his intrigue palpable. "Oh, you won't tell me about Dragon? You know, my services aren't free, so if you truly want your little PR stunt…"

Moria's smile widened into a sly grin. "I have something even better. Much, much better."

Morgans leaned in, curiosity burning in his eyes. "Better than Dragon? This I've got to hear."

Moria leaned forward, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "What if I told you that Ace is actually the son of Gol D. Roger?"

Morgans' eyes widened, the gravity of the revelation sinking in. "Gol D. Roger's son? That's explosive news…and you do not lie? How?"

Moria smiled. He had correctly deduced that Morgans' Albatros Devilt Fruit allowed him to tap into the myths linked to Albatros and misfortune, making him able to do something akin - but not exactly similar - to detect lie by gauging the fortune a person could bring him, or to know if he would regret following someone's advice.

Morgans leaned back, a triumphant cackle escaping his lips. "This is gold, Moria. Absolute gold. The implications are staggering. The Marines, the pirates, the world governments—they'll all be in an uproar."

Moria's grin widened. "And that's where you come in. Use your influence, your narrative skills, to shift public perception. Make it impossible for the Marines to act against me without facing severe backlash."

Morgans took a deep breath, his mind already racing with possibilities. "You realize the kind of power this information holds, don't you? The leverage?"

"Of course," Moria replied smoothly. "And I trust you know how to wield it."

Morgans nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The execution is in about twenty days. I'll wait ten days before breaking the news about Ace, giving us some time to maneuver. And Moria, for giving me this scoop, I'll make you the most popular man in the world. Everyone will know your name."

Moria leaned back, satisfied. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear."

31st of March 1522
Alabasta

As Judge Vinsmoke strode into the room, the newly crowned Prince of Alabasta, Gecko Moria, rose from his seat with an elegant fluidity.

"King Vinsmoke," Moria greeted, his voice smooth and resonant. "An honor to meet you."

Judge inclined his head slightly, his eyes sharp and calculating as he assessed the man before him. "Prince Moria, congratulations on your recent union and ascension. Alabasta is fortunate to have such a formidable leader."

Moria's lips curved into a smile, though his eyes remained inscrutable. "Thank you, King Vinsmoke. Please, allow me to extend my welcome to you and your esteemed daughter."

As Judge prepared to respond, a discreet vibration in his pocket drew his attention. His hidden dourikimeter, a device he had created himself during his time at MADS and used to measure a person's combat strength, was signaling an unexpected reading. With a subtle glance, Judge noted the numbers. Eight thousand dourikis? The figure was staggering, almost unbelievable. Just yesterday, Moria's strength had registered far lower. How could this be?

Judge quickly masked his surprise, his mind racing. He had underestimated Moria, not only in political maneuvering but also in raw power. The marriage to the Princess of Alabasta was one thing, but this newfound strength also changed things. Strong-arming Moria into handing over Dr. Hogback was now a dangerous proposition. Judge's own dourikis, impressive as they were at a bit over four thousand, paled in comparison. And he could not even use the Marines, as he was now a royal. Judge's eyes flicked to his daughter, Reiju, who had accompanied him. Maybe…Seeing how the Prince was looking at his daughter…Of course, they could not marry, but he could instruct her to…

Her shoulder-length light pink hair cascaded sensuously around her face, covering her right eye and curling upwards at the tips. Her face was beautiful, with her large, visible and expressive purple eye framed by long, fluttering lashes and her spiraling eyebrow. Her lips, full and perfectly shaped, were painted a provocative shade of light pink, slightly parted as if perpetually inviting a kiss. Her skin was flawless, a smooth canvas of honeyed gold that glowed softly under the room's ambient light. Reiju's dress was an exquisite piece of haute couture, designed to accentuate her every curve. It was a daring ensemble of translucent silk, dyed a deep magenta that clung to her body like a second skin. The fabric shimmered with each movement, catching the light and casting tantalizing shadows on her form. A plunging neckline revealed the gentle swell of her breasts, adorned with a delicate lace that drew the eye without being overtly scandalous. The dress hugged her hips and flared out slightly at her thighs, the hemline teasing the viewer with glimpses of her toned legs.

Her body was a masterpiece of erotic allure, sculpted through years of rigorous training and genetic enhancement. Her legs were long and perfectly toned, leading up to hips that swayed with a natural, hypnotic grace. Her waist was slender, accentuating the hourglass curve that made her figure so captivating. The sheer dress offered a tantalizing hint of the firm, rounded contours of her backside, every step causing the fabric to dance and cling, revealing the perfection of her form. Her breasts, full and firm, moved subtly with each breath, the lace offering a tantalizing glimpse of the softness beneath.

Judge smiled, introducing his daughter with a flourish. "Prince Moria, allow me to present my daughter, Reiju Vinsmoke."

Moria's eyes gleamed with interest as he took Reiju's hand, raising it to his lips in a courtly gesture. His kiss was a whisper of warmth against her skin, his eyes never leaving hers. "Lady Reiju, the pleasure is mine," he murmured, his voice a low, seductive purr.

Reiju's cheeks flushed ever so slightly, forcing the blush as she guessed the thoughts of her father, her composure unwavering as she offered a graceful nod. "Prince Moria, it is an honor to meet you."

Judge's smile widened, the wheels of his mind turning. Perhaps there was another way to achieve his goals. "Please, let us sit," Moria invited, gesturing to the plush chairs arranged around a polished table.

They took their seats. Judge wasted no time. "As you may know, the Germa Kingdom is renowned for its scientific advancements. Our soldiers, Germa 66, are predominantly male clones of former exceptional warriors, created through our advanced technology. We constantly seek ways to enhance them."

He paused, twirling his mustache thoughtfully. "We have heard that the Genius Doctor Hogback is one of your esteemed subordinates. We wish to meet him and request his expertise in refining our soldiers. I am prepared to compensate generously for his assistance."

Moria leaned back, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Your Majesty, would you be open to an alternative suggestion?"

"What might you have in mind, Prince Moria?"

Moria's smile widened. "In addition to Hogback, I have recently acquired the services of a most extraordinary individual: Trafalgar Law."

Judge's brow furrowed, not recognizing the name. "And who, pray tell, is this Trafalgar Law?"

"He is a doctor of exceptional skill, having consumed the Ope Ope No Mi. His medical capabilities are unrivaled."

Judge's eyes widened in astonishment, and in his excitement, he crushed the armrests of his chair. "What! You find who had that fruit? I want him…I mean, I must meet with him!"

Moria's smile turned sly. "It so happens that I possess the means to transport us to him directly, utilizing my Devil Fruit powers. We can arrange a meeting immediately."

Judge hesitated for a moment, suspicion flickering in his mind. What if this was a trap? But he quickly reasoned that Moria, already stronger than him, had no need for deception.

"Very well," Judge said, nodding. "Let us proceed."

Shadows began to swirl around them, enveloping them in darkness.

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