The explosive news spread like wildfire. Even the territories of the great powers were no exception.
New World.
On the deck of the Moby Dick, the sea breeze carried the smell of salt and sake.
The Whitebeard Pirates were gathered around the morning newspaper, and the atmosphere was far livelier than usual.
"Four hundred million?"
A few division commanders stared at the bounty poster in surprise.
"That brat from Paradise already reached that number?"
"More importantly, look at the name of his crew."
"The Golden Lion Pirates…"
"That can't be a coincidence, right?"
Marco leaned against the railing, the newspaper held loosely in one hand. His half-lidded eyes scanned the article again, but the lazy look on his face had already faded a little.
"So Crocodile went down in Alabasta, yoi. And from the way they wrote it… sounds like it wasn't even close."
Jozu crossed his arms, his heavy body standing like a wall of iron.
"Crocodile wasn't weak. Even in the New World, he wasn't someone ordinary pirates could defeat that easily."
Vista stroked his mustache with a thoughtful smile.
"The interesting part isn't just Crocodile. It's the ability this young man used."
The Fuwa Fuwa no Mi.
For the younger pirates on the ship, it was only a name from the old era.
But for the older members, that name carried weight.
The Golden Lion had once stood alongside Roger and Whitebeard as a monster of the sea. He had fought Marine Headquarters alone and left scars that even time could not erase.
And now, someone carrying that same name and power had appeared again.
At the center of the deck, Edward Newgate sat on his great chair, a massive bottle of sake in one hand.
The newspaper lay open across his lap.
His eyes remained fixed on the bounty poster for a long time.
Then his mouth slowly curved.
"Gurararara…"
The deep laughter rolled across the deck like thunder.
"The sea really doesn't know how to stay quiet."
The commanders turned toward him.
"Pops?"
Whitebeard lifted the bounty poster between two fingers.
On it was Shiki's young, confident face, carrying an almost arrogant smile.
The kind of expression that belonged to someone who had not yet tasted defeat deeply enough to fear the sea.
But in those eyes, Whitebeard saw something familiar.
Not the exact same as the old lion but close enough to remind him of that era.
"The Government must be sweating," Whitebeard said, laughing again. "A Warlord tried to steal a kingdom, and another pirate cleaned up the mess before the Marines could move."
Marco's mouth curved slightly.
"So now they're offering him Crocodile's empty seat, yoi."
Jozu frowned.
"Do you think he'll accept?"
Whitebeard looked at the bounty poster again.
After a moment, he let out a low laugh.
"Who knows?"
He raised the bottle and took a drink.
"But if that brat really carries the Golden Lion's blood, then the Government picked the wrong person."
The wind swept across the deck.
The newspaper rustled in Whitebeard's hand.
"Shiki…"
Whitebeard's smile widened slightly.
"Let me see what kind of lion you are."
...
Elsewhere in the New World.
The Red Force sailed beneath a bright sky.
On the deck, laughter, music, and the smell of meat filled the air.
The Red Hair Pirates were in the middle of another carefree banquet when a News Coo dropped a newspaper directly onto Lucky Roux's head.
"Ow."
Lucky Roux rubbed his head, then picked up the paper while still holding a piece of meat in his other hand.
"What's this now?"
He opened it casually.
A second later, his chewing slowed.
"Boss."
Shanks, who had been drinking with one arm resting over a barrel, glanced over lazily and joked.
"What is it? Another Marine promotion?"
Lucky Roux turned the newspaper around.
"Golden Lion Pirates. Captain Shiki. Four hundred million."
The noise on the deck weakened at once.
Yasopp whistled.
"That name again?"
Benn Beckman, who had been smoking quietly near the mast, took the newspaper from Lucky Roux and read through the article.
His expression did not change much, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Crocodile is dead. Alabasta exposed Baroque Works. And now the World Government is considering Shiki as a Warlord candidate."
Shanks' smile slowly faded into something more thoughtful.
"Shiki, huh…"
He took the newspaper from Beckman and looked at the bounty poster.
A young man with golden hair stood there in a black kimono, the name Golden Lion written clearly above his crew.
Shanks stared at it for a while, then chuckled.
"The old era really likes leaving things behind."
Yasopp leaned against the railing.
"You think he's related to that Golden Lion?"
"Maybe," Shanks smiled, but there was a sharpness hidden behind his easygoing face.
"A name can be passed on. A ship, too. Even a Devil Fruit'll find its way back to the sea someday and end up in some other fool's hands. But a man's will… that isn't something you can hand over so easily."
Beckman exhaled smoke.
"The important part is what he does next."
Shanks laughed and raised his cup higher.
"Yeah, that's right. The sea's gonna get noisy from here on out… so you'd better remember his name."
...
Totto Land.
Whole Cake Island.
Inside the enormous castle, the sweet smell of sugar and baked cream filled the air.
Yet the mood inside the hall was far from gentle.
Charlotte Linlin sat upon her seat, her huge body surrounded by her children. In one hand, she held a newspaper. In the other, she held a piece of cake large enough to feed several ordinary people.
"Mamamama…"
Her laughter echoed through the hall.
"Crocodile was beaten?"
The newspaper crumpled slightly beneath her fingers.
"And by some little brat calling himself Shiki?"
Perospero stood to the side, licking his candy cane with a thoughtful expression.
"Perorin. Four hundred million in Paradise is quite impressive. More importantly, Mama, the article says he may possess the same ability as the Golden Lion."
The moment those words were spoken, several Charlotte children exchanged glances.
Katakuri stood silently near the front, arms crossed, scarf covering the lower half of his face. His eyes stayed fixed on the bounty poster.
Big Mom suddenly leaned forward.
Her eyes fixed on Shiki's bounty poster.
"Golden hair… Shiki… Fuwa Fuwa no Mi…"
Then her grin widened.
"Mamamama! Interesting. Very interesting."
The nearby Homies trembled slightly at the sound of her laughter.
"If he really has that power, he would be useful."
Perospero immediately understood.
"Mama, should we send an invitation?"
"Of course."
Big Mom's eyes shone with greed.
"A man who defeated a Warlord and might carry the Golden Lion's power… I want him."
A few of her children stiffened.
Smoothie's expression remained composed.
"You mean alliance?"
Big Mom slammed one hand onto the table.
"I mean marriage!"
The hall fell silent for half an awkward breath as their eyes shifted toward the old Big Mom.
It shouldn't be her, right?
"Mama" had to mean her daughter. A lot of them simply couldn't accept the idea of such a young dad.
Then Perospero smiled again as if nothing were strange.
"Perorin. Then we would need to choose a suitable daughter."
Big Mom threw the newspaper onto the table.
"Send word. I want to know where he goes after Alabasta."
"Yes, Mama."
...
Dressrosa.
The royal palace stood under the sunlight, bright and beautiful on the surface.
Inside, however, the atmosphere was filled with a dangerous kind of amusement.
Donquixote Doflamingo sat lazily on a luxurious chair, one leg crossed over the other. His pink feather coat spread around him like the plumage of some strange beast.
In his hand was the morning newspaper.
The moment he finished reading, a sharp laugh escaped his throat.
"Fufufufufu…"
Trebol leaned forward beside him, snot hanging as he spoke in his usual sticky tone.
"Doffy, Doffy, Crocodile actually died, ne?"
Diamante laughed, half-mocking and half-surprised.
"That sand bastard always acted so grand. In the end, he got buried in his own kingdom scheme."
Pica's high-pitched voice rang out strangely in the room.
"But this Shiki… four hundred million already?"
Doflamingo did not answer at once.
He looked at the bounty poster with a smile that did not reach his eyes.
"Crocodile lost because he believed too much in his own plan."
His finger tapped lightly against the newspaper.
"Build an organization. Control a kingdom. Search for an ancient weapon. Hide behind the Warlord title."
Doflamingo's smile widened.
"Not a bad idea. But he moved too slowly, and he chose the wrong stage."
Trebol tilted his head.
"Then what about this Shiki, ne?"
Doflamingo laughed again.
"That is the interesting part."
He lifted the bounty poster.
"A pirate defeats Crocodile in front of Alabasta, humiliates the Government, and now those old men want to offer him the empty seat."
Diamante grinned.
"They want to use him?"
"No."
Doflamingo's voice dropped slightly.
"They want to test him."
Doflamingo stood and walked toward the window, looking down at Dressrosa's bright streets.
"Crocodile's failure made the Warlord system look weak. If they bring in the pirate who defeated him, they can tell the world everything is still under control."
His smile sharpened.
"But that only works if Shiki plays along."
Trebol blinked.
"What if he doesn't?"
"Then the Government will know they have another problem on their hands."
Doflamingo raised the newspaper toward the sunlight.
The bounty poster cast a shadow across his sunglasses.
"Fufufufufu…"
His laughter grew louder.
Trebol laughed as well.
"Doffy, you're interested in him, ne?"
"Of course I am."
Doflamingo spread his arms slightly, his grin wild and dangerous.
"A pirate who might shake the Warlord system before even joining it…"
His voice lowered.
"That kind of person is worth my time."
Across the sea, reactions continued to spread.
Some pirates laughed at the idea of a rookie being worth four hundred million.
Some trembled at the name Golden Lion.
Some began sailing toward Alabasta, hoping to witness the man behind the bounty with their own eyes.
Others dreamed of taking his head and making a name for themselves.
...
Meanwhile, in Alabasta, while the entire sea began discussing his name, Shiki himself had only just finished breakfast.
On the table before him lay the morning newspaper.
Beside it was a fresh wanted poster.
Shiki had glanced at it once, then lost interest.
Four hundred million.
To most pirates in Paradise, that number was enough to make their legs shake. To him, it was nothing more than ink printed on paper.
Across from him, however, Nami was not nearly as calm.
She lay face-down on the table, completely drained, one finger lazily drawing circles against the wood.
Her eyes had lost their shine.
Her soul looked like it had half-left her body.
"Sixteen million…"
Her voice came out weak and hollow.
Beside Shiki's poster was another one.
[Cat Burglar Nami]
[New Bounty: 16,000,000 Berries]
Nami's expression became even more resentful as the time went on. She shifted slightly in her seat, then winced.
Her cheeks flushed at once.
Earlier, because she had made such a big deal out of the bounty, Shiki had been forced to calm her down in his own way.
The result was that she was now lying across the table, sulking with her hips still sore, looking as if the entire world had betrayed her.
Shiki finally placed his cup down and stood up.
The chair scraped softly against the floor.
Nami did not react at first.
Then she heard the rustle of his clothes and slowly lifted her head.
Shiki had already turned toward the door.
"Where are you going?"
"Leaving."
"Leaving?"
Nami blinked.
Shiki opened the door without the slightest hesitation.
He had no intention of saying goodbye to the king of this country or anyone else.
"Hey!"
The exhaustion vanished from her body in an instant.
Nami shot up from the table and hurried after him.
"Hey, hey, wait for me! Captain, at least tell me before you leave, geez!"
The two left the palace like that, with Shiki walking calmly ahead and Nami complaining all the way behind him.
By the time they reached the harbor, the Golden Lion Pirates' ship was already prepared to set sail.
But before they could board, several figures in black suits appeared at the end of the dock.
Nami immediately frowned.
"Who are they?"
Shiki stopped as well. He had already sensed them long before.
The men in black suits approached and bowed politely.
The man standing at the front wore a bowler hat and white gloves. His smile was respectful, but his eyes carried the arrogance of someone used to looking down on pirates.
"Golden Lion Pirates Captain Shiki."
His tone was smooth.
"We have been waiting for you."
Shiki looked at them without much interest.
"Move."
The agent's smile did not change.
"I am afraid we cannot do that. We are here on behalf of the World Government."
He lifted his head slightly.
"You should already know the contents of today's newspaper. The Government is willing to overlook certain… irregular actions you committed in Alabasta."
Nami's brow twitched.
Irregular actions?
They made it sound like Shiki had caused trouble instead of cleaning up Crocodile's mess.
The agent continued speaking as though bestowing mercy.
"Former Warlord Crocodile has lost his position. His seat among the Seven Warlords of the Sea is now vacant. After careful consideration, the Government has decided to give you a rare opportunity."
His smile deepened.
"Accept the invitation. Become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. In return, your crimes will be forgiven, your bounty frozen, and your crew will be granted protection under the Government's authority."
Nami stared at him with furrowed brows, growing more uncomfortable the longer she listened; his words were polite, but the meaning was clear—they were not inviting Shiki, they were expecting him to feel grateful.
The agent took one more step forward, looked at Nami, and smiled casually.
"Without the Government's shelter, a bounty of four hundred million will only bring disaster to you and those around—"
A flash of cold light passed, cutting the agent's voice short as his head slid from his neck and blood splashed across the stones.
Nami's pupils shrank in horror.
Before the remaining Cipher Pol agents could react, Shiki's sword left its sheath with a soft ring, freezing the black-suited men in place as red lines opened across their bodies and they collapsed soundlessly onto the dock.
Shiki calmly flicked the blood from his blade before sliding it back into its sheath.
Click.
The sound was quiet, but it struck harder than thunder.
He looked down at the bodies without emotion.
"Dogs should learn where they're allowed to bark."
Behind him, Nami felt as if her soul had nearly floated out of her mouth.
Hey.
Hey, hey, hey…
At least warn me first!
Who suddenly cuts people down in the middle of a conversation?!
Even if they were annoying, even if they were arrogant, even if they really did deserve to be punched a few times
Did you have to kill them right here?!
Nami's legs trembled slightly.
Her mind immediately began calculating at terrifying speed.
Cipher Pol agents were Government people.
Government people dying meant Marines.
Marines meant more trouble, more trouble meant higher bounty, higher bounty meant ship damage, ship damage meant repair costs, repair costs meant money, and money was her money!
Nami clutched her head with both hands.
It's over.
It's all over.
My peaceful sixteen-million-bounty life ended before it even started!
Shiki had already turned toward the ship as if nothing had happened.
"Nami."
"Y-Yes?!"
"We're leaving."
"Y-Yes, Captain!"
Nami answered instantly, her back straightening like a soldier.
Just as Shiki used his ability to float them back onto the ship, they had barely landed on the deck when a sound came from behind them.
Nami turned in confusion at the footsteps.
The moment she saw the figure standing at the edge of the dock, her eyes widened.
"You…"
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