Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for just $7 to get early access to all upcoming chapters!
> Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations
________________________________________
Chapter 140: The 100 Million Berry Rookie
"So..." Kizaru spoke with a long, drawn-out tone, the nail clippers in his hand making a light snip sound. "We're still going to let Smoker play the 'hero'?"
"This is the best choice for world stability at the current stage." Sengoku nodded, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk. "However, Smoker can take the title of 'hero,' but we cannot ignore that rookie pirate crew who defeated Crocodile."
The Fleet Admiral's gaze fell on a report that had just been delivered to his desk.
It was supplementary intelligence urgently sent by Smoker before he hung up, detailing the Straw Hat crew's movements in Alabasta.
It contained roughly a few key points:
Straw Hat Luffy and "Frost Arrow" Ganyu teamed up to defeat Crocodile; "Frost Arrow" is suspected to be a user of a rare Mythical Zoan ability.
Straw Hat Luffy is "Fire Fist" Ace's younger brother, and their relationship is close.
"Pirate Hunter" Roronoa Zoro defeated Mr. 1, Daz Bonez, of Baroque Works.
The Straw Hat crew member named "Sanji" defeated Mr. 2, "Okama" Bon Clay, of Baroque Works.
"Their bounties need to be raised."
Sengoku said slowly. He reached out and opened the first page of the report, his gaze resting on the photo of the grinning face wearing a straw hat at the top.
The next second, his gaze snapped toward the sofa, his voice suddenly rising:
"Garp! This brat—is your grandson, right!"
"Haha, that kid Luffy, sure enough, he's caused big trouble again! As expected of my grandson!"
Garp laughed heartily, grabbing a handful of rice crackers and stuffing them into his mouth.
"Is this the time to laugh?!"
Veins popped out on Sengoku's forehead. He slammed his palm onto the table, shaking the tea cup until it jumped. "Do you know how much trouble that kid has caused?! Smoker explicitly wrote in the report that 'this group is extremely likely to become a major threat to the World Government in the future'!"
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, but his voice remained stern:
"I have made a decision. Monkey D. Luffy's bounty will be raised to at least 100 million Berries. Defeating a Warlord, subverting a country—such a battle record deserves this number."
"A 100 million pirate, huh..." Garp rubbed his chin, a rare thoughtful look actually appearing in his eyes. But soon, he grinned and laughed again: "But that kid Luffy probably doesn't deserve this price yet, right? Bwahahaha! He's still green!"
"You bastard, you're still laughing...!!"
....
A day passed quickly.
The next afternoon, after sailing for a day and a night, the Going Merry finally passed through a thin mist and arrived at the destination of this trip.
—Jaya.
Unlike other islands that usually had Marine bases or at least some order control, the port of Jaya was permeated with a savage and free atmosphere—or one could say, the "scent of pirates."
Just in the visible berthing area, dozens of ships flying various pirate flags were docked.
When the Going Merry slowly sailed into the port, many pairs of eyes cast scrutinizing glances from everywhere.
On the decks, in tavern windows, in the cargo areas of the pier. Those gazes were sharp, guarded, carrying the unique wildness and vigilance of pirates.
However, this scrutiny didn't last too long.
Those pirates observed the Straw Hat skull flag fluttering on the Merry's mast for a while.
A flag they had never seen before.
They then looked away with disinterest, continuing their own business: drinking, arguing, counting cargo, or simply sunbathing.
An unrecognized flag, an unfamiliar pirate crew logo.
On this island, there were countless pirates with bounties in the tens of millions. The highest among them, the current overlord of Jaya, "Hyena" Bellamy, had a bounty as high as 55 million Berries.
A pirate ship they had no impression of was simply beneath their notice.
"This island seems much livelier than we imagined." Zoro observed the situation on the island for a while, the corner of his mouth curving up.
"Yeah. Seeing our pirate ship, they didn't react at all. Either they don't know us, or they simply don't care that pirates have come here," Usopp analyzed, resting his chin on his hand.
________________________________________
Support this fanfict by leaving Positive Review, Comments, and Power Stones.
For Advance Chapters:
> Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations