Much Stronger Than Shanks

Grand Line, New World.

Moby Dick.

Whitebeard Edward Newgate, once hailed alongside the King of the Pirates Golde Roger and Golden Lion Shiki as one of the three legendary pirates.

As the top figure in the pirate world.

In this era where the King of the Pirates was executed, Golden Lion was locked away in Impel Down, Whitebeard was crowned the World's Strongest Man, becoming the first Sea Emperor since the dawn of the Great Pirate Era.

"Old Man, Old Man, huge news."

Marco, with his pineapple-shaped hair, handed the freshly bought newspaper to Whitebeard.

"Old Man, that Seven kid who cooked so well on Roger's ship has a Billion Bounty."

Whitebeard took a closer look, and sure enough, the front-page headline featured a side profile and jawline, along with the signature white hair of Barzeb Seven.

"Gurarara."

Thinking of the fine liquor brewed by that white-haired little chef, a smile tugged at Whitebeard's lips. Back then, that kid had traded three bottles of booze for a tuft of his beard.

It had stunned the crews of both ships.

"So Seven's little brat has set sail too?"

"A Billion Bounty, that's no joke."

"But it's a bit odd." Marco chimed in: "It doesn't say what Seven did."

Normally, the news would go into detail about a wanted pirate's deeds, serving as a reference for the Navy's bounty decisions.

A case like this—a Billion Bounty with nothing written about it—was extremely rare.

After all, a Billion Bounty now wasn't the same as twenty years later when Luffy set out; the value was on a completely different level.

After a moment's thought, Marco voiced his guess.

"It must have something to do with the World Government."

"Gurarara." Whitebeard clapped Marco on the shoulder: "Prepare a banquet. Let's celebrate our Chef Seven making a name across the Four Seas."

Back then, when Roger asked Whitebeard to let Captain of the Second Division Oden join his crew, Whitebeard had joked: trade for the little chef Seven instead.

But Roger actually knelt, and Oden agreed, so Whitebeard had to let it go.

Whitebeard had two great loves in life: family above all, and a thirst for liquor. Seven, with his skill in brewing and cooking, was practically a dream son.

Too bad fate didn't align, and Roger got him first.

On this sea, whether happy or not, throwing a banquet was what mattered most.

Led by Old Man Whitebeard, his sons gathered around him, raising cups and drinking, singing and dancing.

Only one fat, dark-skinned man, upon learning the banquet was to celebrate Seven's bounty breaking a billion, suddenly clutched his cheek, feeling a sharp ache in his teeth.

The two missing teeth—kicked out by the Red-Nose Brat and the Red-Haired Brat, three in total, two of which the white-haired brat had picked up.

And afterward, he wouldn't even admit it! Damn it!

Worst of all, a search turned up nothing! How infuriating!

Teach stared expressionlessly at the side profile in the newspaper: the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, a decent ability, but a Logia Type just like the Dark-Dark Fruit.

"A guy like this... already has a Billion Bounty."

"When will my time come?"

"Teach, come drink!"

The moment a voice called out behind him, Teach switched to a simple, honest smile: "Coming, Thatch."

East Blue, Organ Islands.

Orange Town waters.

Buggy lay on the deck of his pirate ship, using his Splitting Headache Palm against the sky to deftly snatch a passing News Bird, pulling out the newspaper.

"Let Captain Buggy have a look..."

White hair like snow, a sculpted profile, a delicate jawline... the moment they met his eyes, Buggy's entire body split into dozens of pieces.

"Seven... a billion?!!!"

Buggy rubbed his eyes, afraid he'd misread the number, but when he saw the bold headline on the front page, he froze completely.

[Barzeb Seven, former member of the Roger Pirates, bounty one billion, dead or alive!]

In the tiniest corner of the newspaper, Buggy finally found the small print about his own bounty.

[Buggy, Captain of the Buggy Pirates, active in the Organ Islands of the East Blue, bounty 5 million]

A billion versus five million—the vast gap didn't bother Buggy; instead, he felt proud that his good brother had made a name across the seas.

"As expected of Seven!"

"Much stronger than Shanks."

The moment Buggy thought of Shanks, his good mood evaporated, leaving him red with fury.

If Shanks hadn't changed his mind two years ago, the two of them would have formed a pirate crew, invited Seven aboard, and with their combined strength, they might have become the King of the Pirates.

How could things have turned out like this—

Shanks vanished without a trace, wandering off to some godforsaken corner, while Buggy was stuck in the weakest sea, the East Blue, scraping by on treasure digging.

Only Seven's Billion Bounty had made waves across the ocean.

Two years ago, Buggy had ventured into Paradise on the Grand Line, trying to catch up to Seven's pace...

But now Buggy had changed his mind.

Buggy was afraid: Seven might reject him, just like Shanks.

After all, Seven had once gone with the captain to the Final Island, Laugh Tale. So... what if Seven didn't intend to carry on Captain Roger's will?

He'd already fallen out with Shanks; he couldn't afford to break ties with his last good brother too.

If Seven ever planned to form a pirate crew, Buggy would consider joining then. Fighting wasn't his strong suit, but making money? He excelled at that!

Give Buggy enough treasure maps, and he could dig up the entire world's riches.

West Blue, Twin Snake Island.

On a small wooden boat that resembled a coffin, Mihawk set down his newspaper, his hawk-like eyes flashing with a sharp glint.

"A billion, not bad."

The two-year deadline had arrived. After challenging the last Great Swordsman, it was time to reunite with his captain.

Over these two years, Mihawk had roamed the Grand Line with Black Blade Night in hand, from Paradise to the New World, challenging swordsmen of all calibers. He'd fought nearly a hundred battles without a single loss.

It carried a certain air of seeking a worthy rival in vain.

His target this time was Thirty-Two Years Old, a Paramecia Gravity-Gravity Fruit user wielding the Supreme Grade Sword, Gambler Fireline, one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords. A rare and formidable opponent.

As he neared the peak of swordsmanship, the opponents on this sea who could stir Mihawk's interest were becoming as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Perhaps for the rest of his life, only Captain Barzeb Seven would be worthy of being his rival.

"My path is not lonely."

Mihawk felt immensely fortunate that the captain he'd chosen was also a swordsman, wielding a mysterious Supreme Grade Sword no less formidable than Black Blade Night.

The only regret was that he'd had no Iced Black Tea to drink these past two years.

And the food on the sea...

Compared to Seven's cooking, it just fell short. Mihawk belatedly realized that his palate had been spoiled by Seven.

Steering the small wooden boat steadily into the harbor, Mihawk carried Black Blade Night on his back and strode into Twin Snake Island, following the intelligence he'd gathered.

Word had it that Thirty-Two Years Old was a compulsive gambler, so he was likely in a casino right now.