Kong Tai ignored his subordinate and turned to look behind him.
"What's wrong?"
Gui Na's gaze had been on Kong Tai the entire time. Sensing his unusual demeanor, she quickly asked.
"Nothing, just some flies and a reporter."
"Reporter?"
Gui Na understood what "flies" meant – likely some pirates. But she didn't know about reporters.
"Yes!"
Kong Tai turned back to look at Gui Na, a smile on his face, and paid little attention to the people behind them. He had sensed this reporter at the dock; he was the only one not knocked out by his Conqueror's Haki.
"Every year, Supernovas appear in the Grand Line, and behind these pirates are always reporters. Only these reporters can spread news about these Supernovas across the seas at the fastest speed. You could say that each year's Supernovas are a war among reporters. Whichever Supernova they follow is the most newsworthy, and that reporter will naturally receive the most attention and anticipation."
"Is that so?"
Gui Na nodded, then her eyes brightened. She looked at Kong Tai and asked, "Then, does that mean we are also Supernovas?"
"Us?"
"If we're talking about newcomers, then yes. If we're talking about popularity, probably not yet!"
Kong Tai touched his chin and thought. "We should be considered, hmm..."
"I don't know how to describe it."
"If you want to know, we can ask that reporter later."
"Oh..."
"Let's go see how the people of the Bas Kingdom are hiding. My Observation Haki can't sense a thing."
As they spoke, their gazes all turned towards Bada. Behind them, beyond a snow-capped mountain.
Wearing a fiery red coat and sporting a pink chicken-like hairstyle, the reporter for the World Economy News, "Firebird Vance," was leaning against a snowdrift with an excited expression. He had spotted Kong Tai as soon as they entered the port. Seeing Kong Tai in person almost made him jump with excitement. It was indeed great that Supernovas appeared every year, but not every reporter was lucky enough to encounter one on their very first island. Especially not someone his boss called the "Silver-haired Kong Tai," a new generation legend. His boss had already issued an order: whoever could get the first scoop on Kong Tai's news would get a promotion and a raise. It was no wonder he was so thrilled. When he saw Kong Tai use Conqueror's Haki to knock out everyone on the dock, he felt as if Lady Luck herself had favored him. Truly, as expected of the man his boss designated for focused attention, he had delivered such significant news right from the start. And from Kong Tai's movements, it was clear this was not over yet. He was a reporter for the World Economy News, and he knew about the Bas Kingdom. Although the World Government forbade widespread reporting, he could report on Kong Tai, and through him, report on the Bas Kingdom. This was another huge scoop. The thought made him want to laugh aloud.
"Hehehe!"
Thinking of Kong Tai ahead, he quickly covered his mouth and chuckled stealthily. He raised his telescope and camera, propped himself on the snowy slope, and began taking numerous photos of Kong Tai and his crew.
"Uh!"
Just then, he froze. In his lens, Kong Tai was looking directly at him. The cold glint in his azure pupils made his breath hitch. If he hadn't known that Kong Tai and his crew weren't gratuitously murderous pirates, he would have turned and fled. This was his second reason for excitement. While Supernovas appeared annually, not many reporters dared to photograph them. If their stealthy photography was discovered, and they happened to encounter a relatively easy-going Supernova, it might be manageable. But if they encountered a ruthless Supernova, they could only blame their own bad luck. Whether they lived or died would depend entirely on the Supernova's mood. Every year, a few unfortunate reporters died directly or indirectly at the hands of Supernovas. Reporters, what a high-risk profession! Yet he had the good fortune to encounter a pirate who, unusually among pirates, pursued adventure. Such pirates generally posed no life-threatening danger. Of course, one couldn't provoke them either. After all, pirates were pirates. He had seen many pirates who, with their dreams suddenly extinguished, had turned into extremely wicked individuals. On the Grand Line, the best way to stay alive was to keep a far distance, avoid contact, ask no questions, say nothing, and remain silent. His years of experience in journalistic stealth photography culminated now. Only when Kong Tai turned away and his gaze disappeared did he pat his wildly beating chest and breathe a sigh of relief.
"Is this the 500 million man?"
"The mental pressure is too intense!" He hadn't seen many powerful pirates before, being a reporter, he had seen and photographed several Supernovas. Yet, among those Supernovas, none had given him as much pressure as Kong Tai. Once his heart rate stabilized, he excitedly raised the small Den Den Mushi on his wrist and made a call.
World News Agency, Headquarters.
*Clang—!*
The president's office door was abruptly pushed open from the outside. The sudden noise caused the president, Morgans, to tremble, nearly dropping his cup of black tea. He steadied his hand, took a sip, and then looked at his subordinate holding a Den Den Mushi. "What's so urgent?" He didn't blame his subordinate, as he knew they wouldn't rush to him unless there was major news.
"President, that's a call from Firebird. He says he has news about Silver-haired Kong Tai."
"Oh..."
Morgans quickly set down his teacup and reached out to take the Den Den Mushi from his subordinate, placing it on the table. He picked up the receiver and said, "Moshi moshi! This is Morgans, respond if you hear me!"
As Morgans picked up the receiver, the Den Den Mushi's head transformed into the likeness of Firebird Vance, and it spoke. "President, I'm on Bas Island now."
"Bas Island?"
Morgans blinked upon hearing Firebird's voice, then a glint flashed in his eyes. "Bas Island, where the former Bas Kingdom was located?"
"Yes! It's the Bas Kingdom."
"That's interesting." Morgans' eyes lit up, and he continued, "Since you're in Bas, Kong Tai and his crew are sure to cause a sensation. Make sure to get the best shots and send them over immediately."
"Understood."
"Don't worry! Once this scoop is finished, I'll definitely give you a promotion and a raise," Morgans encouraged, then hung up.
"Bas Kingdom..." His thoughts were the same as Firebird's. The World Government forbade widespread reporting, but reporting on Kong Tai should be fine. Furthermore, judging by the actions of Kong Tai's crew, they seemed to have a sense of justice and would likely not abandon the remaining people of the Bas Kingdom. They would surely clash with the World Government. Thinking of this, he stood up excitedly, pacing back and forth behind his desk.
"Big news, more big news."
"Gya ha ha!!"
"Gya ha ha ha ha..."