Bounty of One Billion

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

The senior leadership, led by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Hero of the Marines Garp, and Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Tsuru, gathered in the conference room, with the exception of Akainu and Aokiji, who had gone to Ohara to execute the Buster Call.

Kizaru, who was escorting Saint Elaine, participated remotely via Den Den Mushi.

"Brannew." Sengoku signaled for him to begin.

Meeting expert Brannew took a deep breath, thoroughly savoring the feeling of being the center of attention.

If not for his skill in presiding over meetings, how could Brannew, a Warrant Officer at Marine Headquarters, become the brightest star in the room and stand on the podium?

Everyone seated below him outranked him.

"Dear colleagues."

"Today, we are discussing the bounty of Barzeb Seven, a former member of the Roger Pirates."

"Barzeb, born in the East Blue."

A group of Marine officers silently turned their heads toward Vice Admiral Garp.

Wasn't the East Blue supposed to be the weakest sea?

Why did it first produce the King of the Pirates, Roger, and now a madman who kidnapped a Celestial Dragon and successfully extorted a ransom from the World Government?

If you counted Vice Admiral Garp, the East Blue was practically overflowing with talent.

"According to information relayed by former CP9 agent Rujian Yitia: Barzeb awakened Conqueror's Haki at age eight and was invited to join the Roger Pirates at age nine."

Inside the conference room, sharp intakes of breath spread like a contagion, rising one after another.

"At eight years old... the qualities of a king."

Among the entire Marine high command, only Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Hero Garp possessed Conqueror's Haki, showing just how rare kingly qualities were.

An eight-year-old child... terrifying.

Brannew cleared his throat.

"Over the next five years, Barzeb participated in the Edow Sea Battle with the Roger Pirates, collected Poneglyphs, and traveled to the Final Island, Laugh Tale."

"Two years ago, he briefly appeared in Loguetown... to see off the King of the Pirates, Roger."

"Two months after that, he attacked CP9 at the port of Lodestar Island and hijacked a World Government prisoner."

"Furthermore, Barzeb is the only active member of the Roger Pirates currently sailing the seas, aside from Douglas Bullet, who was arrested by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and Vice Admiral Sakazuki."

"According to reports from Sabaody Archipelago, his Conqueror's Haki..."

Brannew paused, still unable to find words to describe it; Conqueror's Haki was far beyond the understanding of a Marine Headquarters Warrant Officer.

The Den Den Mushi mimicked Kizaru's tone as it spoke.

"He has mastered Conqueror's Haki Infusion, possesses strength rivaling the Giant Race, and wields a Purple Blade Katana, suspected to be an unknown Supreme Grade Blade."

Having said that, the Den Den Mushi fell silent.

Sengoku's expression grew increasingly grave, and even the usually carefree Garp sat up slightly straighter, explaining in a heavy voice.

"Conqueror's Haki Infusion can only be mastered by top-tier fighters. For specifics, refer to pirates like Roger, Whitebeard, and Golden Lion."

As his words fell, the Marine officers felt their mouths go dry and their heads buzzing.

"He's only seventeen, right?"

Brannew quickly spoke up, redirecting everyone's focus: "He just turned seventeen this year."

"Seventeen and mastering Conqueror's Haki Infusion."

"What a monster."

Aboard the Celestial Dragons' luxury yacht far away, Kizaru silently curled his lip: Your intel is outdated. He mastered Haki Coating at fifteen.

Sengoku tapped the table, cutting off the discussion. "Alright, let's hear it. What should Barzeb's bounty be?"

"Five hundred million."

"Seven hundred million."

The Marine conference room sounded like an auction house, with bids climbing higher and higher, but none exceeding two billion.

The Den Den Mushi mimicked Kizaru again.

"I personally suggest three billion. Word has it that Barzeb is very close to the Marine Hunter, Mihawk. I suspect Mihawk has already joined his crew."

Some things weren't the right time to say.

Kizaru didn't know how to bring it up. He couldn't exactly reveal his deal with Barzeb, could he? If he did, what would happen to his position as Admiral?

But if he didn't say anything, he worried that if the Marines pursued Barzeb too aggressively in the future, it would be hard to smooth things over.

After a brief silence.

A clamor erupted.

"Three billion? Are you kidding?!"

"There's no precedent for this in the Navy."

Lieutenant General Tsuru tapped the table with her pen. "Borsalino, is the intel reliable?"

The assembled Marine officers only then snapped back to reality, having just heard that Hawk Eyes Mihawk had boarded a ship.

The Den Den Mushi wore a lecherous, grimacing face.

"Two years ago, I picked up this rumor on Lodestar Island. When the rescue of Saint Elaine came up, I casually asked Barzeb."

"He said: 'Take a guess.'"

The Den Den Mushi fell silent again.

Tsuru furrowed her brow.

"Thirty billion... that doesn't sit right. Slapping a thirty-billion bounty on Barzeb rashly would make the Navy a laughingstock, even if it's true."

"Let's set it at one billion for now." Tsuru made the final call.

"Seconded."

"Seconded."

The bounty order for Barzeb was issued from Marine Headquarters and dispatched to every Marine branch in the Four Seas and the Grand Line.

Upon learning the news, Morgans, the president of the World Economic News Company—who had been strictly ordered to keep his mouth shut—immediately planted his hands on his hips and burst into laughter.

"Barzeb, I knew I wasn't wrong about you."

The inability to report the Celestial Dragon kidnapping in the newspaper had become a thorn in Morgans' side.

The Morgans of today was not yet the news-crazed maniac who would later test the World Government's limits step by step; the World Government's warnings still carried weight.

"I need to print extra papers, fast!"

With King of the Pirates Roger executed, Sea Emperor Whitebeard playing house on the seas, and Golden Lion and Bullet locked away in Impel Down—

Over the past two years, newspaper sales had plummeted.

To boost circulation, Morgans decided to turn Barzeb Seven into the next big star among pirates.

Sabaody Archipelago, Knockoff Bar.

Rayleigh stared at the newspaper in his hand, sighing with emotion. "One billion already, huh?"

Not long ago, Seven had exchanged gold for Berry, paid Shakky her commission, and lent Rayleigh three hundred million Berry to settle his gambling debts.

Rayleigh was now debt-free and light as air.

"Maybe I should tell Seven where the Golden Jackson is, so it doesn't just rot away..."

After all, it was an old companion he'd sailed on for over a decade, and Rayleigh truly hated to see it wasted. Besides, as things stood now, Seven was more than qualified to inherit Roger's will.

But Rayleigh knew the truth.

When they reached the Final Island, someone had secretly carved an Eternal Pose. Roger discovered it and threw the Eternal Pose into the sea.

But it wasn't Seven.

Seven had carved Eternal Poses with Roger's permission—he'd even made several copies.

Seven couldn't care less about Roger's will.

"Strange, business has been terrible these past two days. Normally by this time, the bar would be at least half full."

Shakky blew a smoke ring.

"That kid kidnapped a Celestial Dragon on Island 1, successfully ransomed them to the World Government. The pirates who caught wind of it all got scared off."

Rayleigh was stunned for a few seconds, then burst into laughter.

"That's exactly the kind of money-making scheme he'd come up with."

Back on the Roger Pirates, Seven was famous for his twisted way of thinking, often discussing with Buggy and Shanks how to strike it rich.

Buggy: "Gotta dig up treasure, obviously."

Shanks: "Find the One Piece."

Seven: "Whoever's got money, rob 'em."