Colleague or not, Nezumi wasn't worried in the least. The money he handed up every year and the network he cultivated were no bluff.
Layers upon layers were invested in him—if anything happened, plenty of people would move to protect him.
The sea isn't just fighting and killing, it's also about favors and face.
Bode's face darkened. Everyone knew Nezumi had pull inside the Marine Bureau of Investigation.
Report him?
File a report today, get a phone call that night telling you to shut up.
"Enough!"
Brannew rapped the table. "We're in a meeting. Keep side issues out of it."
"The strategy's been set by Headquarters: Vice Admiral Tsuru has ordered Captain Smoker, stationed at Loguetown, to lead the hunt for Beheader Swordsman Hiroto."
"Every Marine branch along the route must cooperate—supply men, material, even mount a full-scale encirclement if necessary."
"But until Smoker requests it, any unit that spots Beheader Swordsman Hiroto will only tail and report him."
"Avoid engagement whenever possible to reduce losses—not one Marine dies for nothing."
As he spoke, Brannew looked toward a corner of the room. "You'll deliver this to Smoker personally, Sergeant Tashigi."
"Yes, sir!"
Tashigi, standing in for Smoker, snapped to attention and saluted.
Branniu added, "And remind him not to hang up on senior officers!"
"Understood!"
"Smoker?"
Bode narrowed his eyes. "He's a Logia type. Against a swordsman without Haki, he's a solid choice."
Come to think of it, Smoker had been banished to the East Blue quite a while. Maybe the top brass wanted to see if the unruly Captain had cooled his head.
And if so, haul him back to Headquarters?
"No objection." Nezumi exhaled in relief.
He'd clawed his way to his position to make money, not chase justice.
What did that monthly pittance pay, risking his life for ideals?
The other officers exchanged looks, no one challenged the decision.
"The bounty for Beheader Swordsman Hiroto has been drafted by Vice Admiral Tsuru as well."
Brannew produced a fresh bounty poster and pinned it to the wall. "Details as follows."
"This is…"
"That high…?"
Branch officers gasped, pupils shrinking, faces tightening.
A bounty of this level hadn't appeared in the East Blue for years.
"East Blue's produced a major pirate?"
In the corner, Tashigi stared at the figure, her heart heavy.
East Blue.
Aboard a single-masted ship.
Inside the galley, two living mummies sat at the table, eyes locked.
"So you're not a sword master?"
Bandaged from head to toe, Zoro's face twisted as he asked again, "Really not?"
"Nope. Everything you imagined is fantasy."
Equally bandaged, Hiroto waved him off irritably. "I told you from the start—it's just a mix of abilities."
Damn it!
No wonder, mid-spar, Zoro had suddenly whipped out Tiger Hunting.
"Abilities?" Zoro frowned, unable to picture it.
Hiroto demonstrated, drawing Wado Ichimonji, his blade for the moment, and the steel stretched out with a whoosh.
Zoro shot to his feet. "What the hell is that?"
"My power—something like a Devil Fruit. I can also whip up a gale and fold it into my slashes."
"Combine the two with my own strength and speed, and you get that flying slash you saw."
"…"
Zoro sat back. "So you really aren't a swordsman of that level."
"Right."
"Hah…"
He exhaled, tilting his head to the ceiling.
A huge let-down.
If a true sword master stronger than him had beaten him, following that man until he could surpass him would be perfect.
This… felt off.
Still, Hiroto had beaten him squarely and spared his life per their deal.
So, under Hiroto's rolling eyes, Zoro bowed his head solemnly. "Got it, Captain."
"Quick switch." Hiroto grinned.
Just then, a yell of 'Holy crap!' burst from the deck—Johnny's voice.
Up above, Johnny, following Hiroto's orders to watch for any News Coo, paid a few hundred berries to a passing gull and snagged the latest papers.
A stack of bounty posters slipped out and landed face-up on the planks.
"This is…"
Johnny's hands shook as he stared at the poster on the deck.
The face he'd never forget—the monster who'd thrashed Zoro. But the number below that face made him wonder if he was dreaming.
Tens, hundreds, thousands, ten-thousands… the zeros blurred together.
"What's with you? Seen a ghost?"
Yosaku stepped over, spotted the poster glued to the deck, and paused a heartbeat to process it. Then his eyes bulged, tongue flapping like a flag in a gale.
"Th-thirty-seven… thirty-seven million berries."
37 million berries.
Insane.
Utterly insane.
The East Blue hadn't seen a bounty that high in ages.
And Yosaku knew this was Hiroto's second bounty—his first had been a mere 7 million.
Nearly sixfold jump.
From today on, his name would echo across the seas.
"What's this thirty-seven million?"
Carina, on watch, walked over at the shout. She scooped up the poster, and counted every zero twice to be sure.
Tens, hundreds… yes, 37 million berries.
'The man I picked really delivers.'
Pride flooded her and she couldn't stop her grin. Maybe she couldn't out-navigate Nami, but her eye for men was leagues better.
"What are you yelling about?"
Nami, at the helm, frowned—especially at Carina's smirk. Something was up.
Halfway down the steps, she spotted the bounty in Carina's hand and her heart lurched.
No way… doubling a bounty? Impossible, right?
Her breath came fast and she almost tripped over the uneven deck in her haste. She didn't even feel it, scrambling forward.
"See for yourself." Carina lifted the slightly yellowed poster.
[Head-Chopping Swordsman Hiroto]
[Bounty: 37,000,000 berries]
[Dead or Alive]
When Nami finished counting the zeros, a strange feeling surged from her chest, flooded her limbs, and set her trembling.
(End of Chapter)
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