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Sengoku was once again stunned speechless.
He'd heard reports before—tales of their terrifying strength, of how these men fought like monsters—but hearing two Marine Admirals personally confirm it was a different story altogether.
"Admiral-level… stronger than Redfield?"
The implications sent a chill through him.
That meant these people possessed enough power to take on all three Admirals of Marine Headquarters head-on—and possibly win.
That was unthinkable.
If even a crew like this was beyond the Navy's control, how were they supposed to compete with the monstrous powers ruling the New World?
It was a terrible thought.
But Sengoku wasn't the kind of man to hesitate in the face of disaster.
He slammed his palm against the table, voice like thunder.
"Effective immediately—set a 500 million berry bounty on the escaped convict Arthur!
Reinstate the original bounties for Crocodile and Waldo!
As for Redfield… leave him off the record for now."
He wasn't stupid.
The name Redfield alone carried weight enough to shake the world.
If word got out that the legendary Red the Aloof had escaped Impel Down and returned to the seas, it would ignite the pirate era all over again.
That kind of panic—even the World Government couldn't afford.
Just as Sengoku was about to adjourn the meeting, a thought struck him.
He glared at Garp.
"And while you're at it—raise the bounties on the Straw Hat Crew as well!"
Garp's face twitched, the corners of his mouth tugging downward.
"Hmph! That brat… serves him right!"
Night Falls – Water 7
The City of Water was a changed place.
After the great battle and the wrath of Aqua Laguna, it was scarred but alive—its people rebuilding, spirits unbroken.
And nothing—not even the devastation—could stop them from throwing a massive victory party.
Laughter echoed across the docks.
People ate meat by the slab, drank from barrels, sang, danced, and reveled under the moonlight.
Among them, Iceburg raised his glass high, ready to toast to Franky's safe return, when—
A voice cut through the merriment.
"Iceburg. I've fulfilled my promise. Now—about our payment."
The words came from a tall, sharp-eyed man with violet hair—Arthur.
Iceburg turned toward him, curiosity gleaming behind his calm demeanor.
He couldn't help but wonder—who exactly was this man?
Someone who could fight on equal footing with Admirals… and win?
As Iceburg's gaze lingered a bit too long, Arthur frowned.
"What are you staring at? I'm not a woman."
His tone was flat, but the impatience behind it was clear.
Iceburg coughed awkwardly and quickly regained his composure.
"No problem! You saved my brother's life—I'd give everything I own if that's what it takes!
In fact, take our best ship. The largest and finest vessel in Dock One—it's yours."
He gestured grandly, voice full of pride.
But Arthur only shook his head.
"I don't want one of yours. I want you to build one for me."
"Build one?" Iceburg blinked, momentarily taken aback.
"That might be difficult… Water 7 is still recovering. Finding the right materials so soon—"
"Use mine," came a new voice.
Franky stepped forward, grin wide.
"Use the trunk of the Adam Tree I've been storing. It's yours, bro! Build their ship out of that!"
Arthur's brow twitched.
Clearly, they'd misunderstood his intent.
"Keep your precious tree for your coffin lid," he said dryly.
"I don't need your wood—or your charity. I've got my own materials.
You just build it. I'll handle the rest."
His blunt words made both Iceburg and Franky wince.
But considering how easily this man could level an island, neither dared to argue.
"Alright, fine. Bring the materials—we'll get started right away."
Arthur's expression softened slightly.
"Good. Gather your craftsmen and tools, then meet me at the shipyard.
I've already delivered the materials."
Though puzzled, the brothers nodded.
They had a feeling arguing wouldn't change his mind.
Soon after, Arthur left his companions to keep partying and made his way toward the shipyard alone.
He didn't want an audience when pulling massive materials out of his system storage—the last thing he needed was to give them all a heart attack.
Before long, Iceburg and Franky arrived with more than a dozen of their best shipwrights.
And when they saw the colossal tree trunk beside him—
they froze.
"What in the world… is this?"
The wood gleamed faintly under the moonlight, its texture smooth yet impossibly dense.
Even the legendary Treasure Tree Adam seemed ordinary in comparison.
For master shipwrights like Iceburg and Franky, one glance was enough.
This was no normal timber.
This was a miracle of nature—perhaps even divine.
Arthur didn't bother to explain.
He simply touched the trunk, murmuring softly to the ship spirit bound within, then gestured toward the stunned craftsmen.
"Build me a ship worthy of the sea."
Without another word, he turned and left—
back to the laughter and music of the party.
Behind him, the shipwrights stared at each other in disbelief.
"He's serious…"
"That material… it's like building with the essence of the world itself!"
But awe soon turned to excitement.
For a craftsman, being able to work with such divine materials was an honor beyond measure.
Their eyes gleamed as they surrounded the trunk, hands trembling with reverence.
They touched it as delicately as if it were a lover—
their expressions filled with both passion and pride.
Though exhilarated, they moved with care.
Every cut, every hammer strike was executed with precision and respect.
To any outsider, it didn't look like shipbuilding—
it looked like the creation of a masterpiece.
Back at the party, Arthur sipped his drink, smiling faintly.
Using Observation Haki, he could sense the shipwrights hard at work, their focus sharp and steady.
"Good," he murmured, satisfied.
"My ship will be a beauty. One that'll shine across the Grand Line."
After days of nonstop fighting and travel, the four finally enjoyed a peaceful night's rest.
Even for monsters like Redfield, Waldo, and Crocodile,
sleeping under the stars of freedom after years in Impel Down felt like a luxury beyond price.
For a few days, life was blissfully calm—
until one morning, the peace shattered with a frantic knock.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Boss! Big news! Your bounties are out!"
Arthur blinked, then grinned.
"Oh?"
He hadn't expected to hear those words directed at him so soon.
He'd read about bounty posters all his life—but to actually have one?
It was almost thrilling.
The young messenger panted as he handed over several freshly printed bounty posters.
"Here you go, Boss! I've still got to deliver the Straw Hats' copies!"
"Go on, then."
Arthur waved him off casually.
The kid bolted like his life depended on it.
He'd seen these monsters in action—he wasn't sticking around any longer than necessary.
Arthur spread the posters out on the table before his crew,
a sharp glint of amusement in his eyes.
"Alright, boys—"
"Let's see what we're worth."
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