Chapter 16 - Global Manhunt
"Hmph. I'd like to see what kind of waves that outdated relic can stir up. Onigumo, Momonga, Doberman—you three, prepare yourselves and each lead a battleship. Wait for me at the harbor of Marineford."
Sakazuki issued his orders with steely calm.
The three named Vice Admirals immediately rose and exited the meeting room without a word.
All three were powerful core figures within the Marine headquarters—undeniably among the strongest beneath the Admirals. With these three joining him, Sakazuki was making it clear that he intended to win decisively.
Meanwhile, around the world, people buzzed about the great prison break caused by Nathan.
The uproar from Impel Down had naturally drawn the attention of the underworld's most infamous information broker—Morgans.
Morgans, a Bird-Bird Fruit: Albatross Model user, was the president of the World Economy News Paper. His specialty was gathering intel and publishing explosive news stories.
As the head of the world's largest news outlet, he was widely known as the most well-informed figure in the world.
After learning of Nathan's escape, Morgans immediately bribed a surviving prison guard to obtain firsthand footage of Nathan's battle.
Upon watching the footage, Morgans was as excited as if he had discovered a new continent. In his next newspaper issue, he published a dramatic front-page headline:
"A New Emperor Rises — The World Trembles!"
Beneath this bold title, Morgans described in his signature exaggerated style how Nathan had rampaged through all levels of Impel Down within half a day and finally escaped right under the noses of Marine reinforcements—bringing Douglas Bullet along with him!
This report spread across the world like wildfire, sparking massive fear and speculation.
Everyone was talking about this mysterious figure who had suddenly emerged onto the global stage—while Nathan himself remained completely unaware.
After docking their stolen Marine ship at a port in the East Blue, Nathan and Douglas Bullet arrived in a place called Borg Town.
But the moment they stepped into town, Nathan froze.
A strange flag hung across the street.
It showed two crossed skulls with a red, sharp-mouthed shark symbol in the center.
The entire banner looked ominous and crude—certainly not something used by any legitimate faction.
"Isn't this Marine territory? Shouldn't it be flying the seagull flag representing peace?" Nathan muttered.
"Even in the East Blue, there are many islands controlled by pirate crews. Judging by that flag, this is one of them. These pirates have clearly taken over the place if they dare to fly their colors so openly," Douglas Bullet analyzed.
"Hmph, the Marines are really pathetic. They can't even control a weak sea like this. There's no way they can conquer the New World."
"You can't really blame them. It all started with that speech my former captain gave before his execution. Ever since then, people from all over have poured into the seas to become pirates. The Marines simply don't have enough manpower to station troops on every island. As soon as they leave, these roaming pirates move in to fill the vacuum."
Nathan nodded in agreement. As he examined the emblem more closely, he felt a twinge of recognition—but couldn't quite place it.
Given how weak the pirate crews in the East Blue generally were, it was no surprise he didn't remember.
"Let's go get a drink in that tavern," Bullet said after walking a short distance and spotting the town's only bar.
Pirates in this world loved drinking—and veteran pirates like Bullet even more so. After being imprisoned for twenty years, not going insane was a miracle. So now, upon stepping back on land, Bullet's first instinct was to find booze.
Nathan was also curious about what alcohol tasted like in the world of pirates.
The two walked into the tavern.
As they stepped inside, both immediately sensed something off about the atmosphere.
The place was crowded—and shockingly, all the patrons were Fishmen.
Fishmen were humanoid beings with fish-like features. They could breathe through lungs on land and gills in water.
Most Fishmen lived 10,000 meters under the sea on Fishman Island, and were rarely seen elsewhere due to the rampant discrimination they often faced from humans.
So to find so many Fishmen gathered in an obscure East Blue town was an unexpected and confusing sight for both Nathan and Bullet.
The moment the two entered, every Fishman in the tavern turned to look at them in unison.
"Something's odd here… too many Fishmen in one place," Nathan said calmly.
"No big deal. Just a bunch of small fry. If you want, I can kill them all in a flash," Bullet replied with a shrug.
"No need. They're not our target," Nathan gestured, indicating for Bullet not to kill indiscriminately. He wasn't the type to enjoy senseless bloodshed.
The two then sat down at the bar.
"What can I get for you two?" the bartender asked with a welcoming smile.
"Two rums," Bullet replied after glancing at the shelf behind the bar.
Nathan, unfamiliar with local alcohol, had no objections when Bullet ordered for him.
Just as the bartender turned to fetch their drinks, a sharp-beaked Fishman seated at a nearby table suddenly stood up—and walked straight toward them.