News and Clockwork Island

A few days later, somewhere in the East Blue.

A Cow Sea Beast pulled a massive, three-decked sailing ship forward at high speed.

Daddy Babaya, Kuro, and the others had finished their daily training and were lounging on sun chairs, perusing various newspapers.

"Following the fall of the East Blue Overlord Krieg Pirates, the Big Daddy Pirates have once again annihilated the East Blue's highest-bounty crew, the Arlong Pirates!"

"Tragic News! The Big Daddy Pirates have wantonly destroyed a warship of the East Blue 16th Branch; Captain Nezumi has unfortunately been killed in action!"

"Bounties for all members of the Big Daddy Pirates have been raised again; they have officially become the strongest pirate crew in the East Blue!"

"The most beautiful nation in the East Blue, the Goa Kingdom: Princess Sally Nantokanette is betrothed to Sabo, son of the great noble Outlook III, with the wedding set for next year!"

"The birthplace of East Blue trends, Mirabelle Island: The annual dance competition will begin in ten days; everyone is welcome to participate!"

"The annual Loguetown cooking competition will begin in one week. Grand prize: Elephant Tuna and one million Beli!"

"Special Report: Zeff, head chef of the Baratie, reveals that the sous-chef of the floating restaurant possesses the potential to be the greatest cook in the East Blue!"

These were the headlines of the East Blue, though Daide also glanced at the world news from the World Economic Journal.

"Thatch, Fourth Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, has teamed up with the newly appointed Second Division Commander, Fire Fist Ace, to defeat the Decalvan Brothers of the New World, incorporating them into the Whitebeard Pirates' affiliate fleet!"

"Supernova 'Weasel of Rommel' Cavendish has landed on the Sabaody Archipelago today; bounty: 280 million Beli!"

"Daide, we might be able to find a decent cook here!"

Kuro of a Hundred Plans pointed to the report on the cooking competition in the newspaper and spoke casually to Daide.

The others were busy flipping through their new bounty posters. Jango looked longingly at the news about the dance competition, though he knew full well the Big Daddy Pirates wouldn't be heading to Mirabelle Island.

"It just so happens we are heading back to Loguetown!!"

Daide glanced at the news and spoke flatly, though his tone seemed colder than usual, which surprised even Kuro.

However, he quickly recalled that Daddy Babaya hailed from the Barto Family, a criminal syndicate in Loguetown. At this thought, Kuro wore a mocking smile.

It seemed this captain had left behind some unpleasant memories in Loguetown!

"Captain Daide! Your bounty has reached 30 million Beli!!"

El Drago pulled out a bounty poster and shouted. After wiping out the Arlong Pirates and Captain Nezumi, the Big Daddy Pirates' bounties had risen once again.

The reputation of the most wicked pirate crew in the East Blue had already spread far and wide!

The other crew members had also seen their bounties increase by one to three million each.

After all, the act of slaughtering Marines was considered too heinous and had to be severely punished.

Gin the Man-Demon and Iron Wall Pearl had also been added to the Big Daddy Pirates' bounty list. Only Nami the cat burglar remained without a bounty for the time being, which made her breathe a sigh of relief; she wasn't ready to be a wanted criminal just yet.

"Speed up toward Loguetown. Prepare to enter the Grand Line!!"

Ignoring the trivial matter of the bounty increase, Daide returned to his training after finishing the paper. Such notoriety would surely attract a suppression force from Marine Headquarters soon, which heightened Daide's sense of crisis.

Yet, he found this feeling quite good. Only when under pressure would a person constantly push their potential to the limit, never daring to slack off for even a second.

Seeing Daide return to his training, Roronoa Zoro, a fellow training fanatic, immediately entered his own workout routine as well!

The fact that his bounty was still a significant distance behind Daide's served as a major stimulus.

Even so, his bounty had reached 19 million Beli, nearing the previous record for the highest bounty in the East Blue!

Kuro and El Drago had each seen their bounties rise by one million, reaching 18 million Beli.

Gin the Man-Demon had actually jumped by three million, reaching 15 million Beli.

The other underlings had also seen their bounties rise by one million, with similar margins of increase.

Less than half a day later.

A strange island, towering into the clouds, entered the field of vision of the Big Daddy Pirates!

"Clockwork Island. I hear the Trump Pirates are stationed there. They command a pirate fleet with no fewer than ten ships!

The captain is the 'K' card, known as Bear King, with a bounty of 11.6 million Beli.

His subordinates include the 'Joker' Pin Joker, with a bounty of 9.9 million Beli.

The 'Q' card, Honey Queen, with a bounty of 7.8 million Beli.

The 'J' card, Pig Jack, with a bounty of 3.2 million Beli.

The 'A' card, Skunk, with a bounty of 6 million Beli."

Kuro of a Hundred Plans recited the information on the pirate crew after just a single glance; he was truly worthy of his role as the brains of the Big Daddy Pirates!

"Then we'll rob them!"

Daide continued lifting his dumbbells without any change in his tone, as if such small fry couldn't even capture his attention!

"Great, great! Actually, I've had my eye on that famous 'Diamond Clock' on Clockwork Island for a long time! If it weren't for their overwhelming numbers, I would have already gotten my hands on it!"

Nami the Petty Thief Cat said excitedly at once; she felt absolutely no guilt when it came to robbing or stealing from other pirates!

"Let's move, let's move!"

Seeing that Daddy was still training and had no intention of making a move, Sonic El Drago was immediately excited to take over command, eager to relive the feeling of being a captain!

"Hey, hey! Fourth-in-command, I, the second-in-command, haven't even spoken yet!"

Zoro immediately put down his massive dumbbell, wiped away his sweat, and walked to the bow of the ship.

If there was a fight to be had, how could he be left out?

Gin the Man-Demon, Iron Wall Pearl, and the swordsman Gollas all picked up their weapons one after another, each of them looking toward the location of Clockwork Island.

They were the strongest pirate crew in the East Blue now; who was there left to fear?

The Cat Brothers in particular were acting bossy and imposing, feeling proud and honored to be part of the Big Daddy Pirates!

Gone was the trembling fear they had felt back when they charged at the Krieg Pirates.

"Then you lot can take care of them!"

Kuro of a Hundred Plans also had no intention of making a move, leaving the heavy responsibility of attacking Clockwork Island to the two officers, Zoro and El Drago.

Judging by the bounties, the crew of the Big Daddy Pirates would certainly crush the Trump Pirates in every aspect.

However, Clockwork Island was filled with traps and hidden weapons; he just hoped these guys wouldn't suffer a major loss!

Under the orders of Zoro and El Drago, the sea beast Momoo accelerated with all its might, aiming to reach Clockwork Island in the shortest time possible.

On the other side, at the summit of Clockwork Island, the lookout for the Trump Pirates had already spotted the intruders. When he saw the flag of the Big Daddy Pirates, he was so terrified that he hurriedly sounded the alarm and ran in a panic to report to their captain, Bear King.

This was an invasion by the strongest pirate crew in the East Blue!

If it had been any other small pirate crew, he would have sounded the horn of war and taken the initiative to wipe them out.

But the Big Daddy Pirates, who were currently the most prominent force, were simply too fierce, leaving him without even a shred of desire to resist!