"A unique Den Den Mushi left behind by a mysterious organization, with countless unknown powerhouses uncovering the world's secrets?"
Brook spoke enticingly to a young Golden Lion Shiki.
"I found this on a ghost ship in the Florian Triangle. This type of Den Den Mushi is almost unheard of, and it only eats specific leaves. The people communicating through it are completely anonymous—you can't trace their identities at all."
"Something like this actually exists? But if they're strong, why hide in the shadows?"
Shiki looked skeptical, feeling like Brook might be trying to trick him.
"See for yourself."
Brook handed over the mobile Den Den Mushi to Shiki. Fortunately, he had already wiped the test messages beforehand. He had even used multiple mobile Den Den Mushi to role-play different personas, leaving Shakky and Antonio completely baffled, unsure of what to say.
Shiki curiously examined the Den Den Mushi in his hands. It was indeed a variety he had never seen before.
"This type seems to only support text-based communication, no voice calls."
Brook explained. Although the mobile Den Den Mushi was capable of voice communication, for now, new users were restricted to text chat only.
Shiki lifted the Den Den Mushi, glancing at the messages displayed on its tiny screen:
[No. 5: That old bastard Imu is trying to uncover my real identity again.]
[No. 49: Oi, what the hell is this?]
[No. 33: A newcomer? Imu doesn't even know? That guy is the king of the Celestial Dragons! Even the Five Elders kneel before him!]
[No. 9: Imu has ruled the world for 800 years. If he sets his sights on you, even the Pirate King wouldn't be safe! But with his level of power, he barely acknowledges anyone beneath him.]
[No. 49: What? Someone that terrifying exists? He's been alive for 800 years?!]
[No. 35: By the way, No. 49, who are you? Are you famous on the seas?]
[No. 8: No. 49, don't reveal your identity. A while back, No. 44 boasted about being a pirate worth 1.5 billion Belly ten years ago. Now he's mysteriously vanished. Think carefully about your next move—there are terrifying people out there, all running from Imu's hunt!]
...
Shiki's heart clenched as he read the messages. A pirate with a 1.5 billion Belly bounty just disappeared without a trace?
Still in his early twenties, Shiki immediately tried to scroll down for more history, but the mobile Den Den Mushi's screen suddenly went dark.
"What happened?" Shiki asked, growing impatient.
"This type of Den Den Mushi consumes a lot of energy. It can only stay active for about half an hour a day unless it's fed leaves from the Treasure Tree Adam or the Sunlight Tree Eve. Right now, I'm only feeding it leaves from the Yarukiman Mangrove."
Brook smirked. "So? Interested? I only have two of these."
"Brook, do you really think all of this is true? It sounds almost too incredible."
Despite his initial shock, Shiki quickly calmed down, thinking things through.
"Does it matter? As long as we don't reveal our identities, there's no danger."
Brook reassured the young rising star, knowing this was a lot to take in.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. In that case, I can use it to gather information too."
Shiki carefully put away the mobile Den Den Mushi, gazing at the now-dormant creature. He was already making plans to collect leaves from the Yarukiman Mangrove and Sunlight Tree Eve.
"Brook, don't you still have a Den Den Mushi? What's your number?"
Shiki eyed him curiously. He had already guessed that Brook must know the number of the one he gave him, and he was interested in learning Brook's own number as well.
"Mine is No. 18."
Right in front of Golden Lion Shiki, Brook took out his Den Den Mushi and began writing, making sure to demonstrate how it worked.
[No. 18: Do you all think this year's Supernova, Golden Lion Shiki, has the potential to become a top-tier powerhouse?]
After sending the message, Brook showed it to Shiki for a brief moment before putting the Den Den Mushi away. There was no immediate response—because all the accounts in the chat were his own.
This only made Shiki more eager to see what these anonymous powerhouses thought of him. He was arrogant, but that didn't mean he wasn't curious about their opinions.
"Brook, I'm going to find some leaves for this Den Den Mushi right now. Let's call our sparring session here. Thanks for the Den Den Mushi—I hope you'll really become one of my crew in the future."
Without another word, Shiki led his men off in search of leaves from the Yarukiman Mangrove and the Sun Tree Eve.
...
"Captain Brook, you really tricked Golden Lion Shiki?"
Shakky stared in disbelief. She had watched the entire exchange unfold, initially thinking Brook's one-man act was just a waste of time.
"You think Imu is fake?"
Brook replied without turning his head, his face unreadable.
"You're saying... it's real? Someone has actually lived for 800 years?"
Shakky's eyes widened in shock. When Brook gave a slight nod, her jaw nearly dropped to the floor.
"Let's go back. You've seen the so-called 'Supernova Leader' Shiki in action—your curiosity should be satisfied."
Brook took the lead, striding ahead confidently, while Shakky quickly followed after him.
As they walked, Brook mulled over how to warn those who were close to uncovering his identity. He had already planned to distribute these Den Den Mushi to specific individuals using Mortomas' News Coo during newspaper deliveries.
But everything had to be done step by step. Above all, his own strength was the key.
Back at the headquarters of the World Economy News Paper, Brook found Antonio still chatting with the Den Den Mushi, strengthening their bond.
"Antonio, register Golden Lion Shiki as No. 36. Leave the first twenty numbers open, and make sure my No. 18 can have its prefix changed at any time. From now on, you all should avoid talking too much on this channel."
Brook gave his orders to the crewmates who knew his secret.
"Understood, Captain. I'll communicate with No. 18. Make sure to feed it well!"
Antonio immediately relayed Brook's instructions and coordinated with the No. 18 Den Den Mushi until everything was in place.
Brook then went to find Mortomas, asking him to track the locations of various pirate crews. He wanted to see if the News Coo could deliver newspapers—and the Den Den Mushi—to them.
Mortomas readily agreed. He had already tied Brook to his camp, so it was in his best interest to assist him however he could.
Looking at the list of familiar names, Brook smirked. Maybe some of them could become allies.
Meanwhile, the Marine branch had captured footage of Golden Lion Shiki's battle against Brook. They had also snapped a picture of the brutal fighter, Bloody Fist Scarlet, lying defeated at Brook's feet.
-----------
+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg