A Bounty of 120 Million!

"This stone tablet is a priceless treasure, recording the true history of the past millennium." Robin exclaimed, her eyes fixed upon the massive Poneglyph.

Beside her, Nami let out a yawn, completely indifferent to the Poneglyph. To her, a broken rock wasn't worth a single berry, and it held zero appeal.

Lu Zhuo was somewhat interested, but since he couldn't read the script, he didn't dwell on it, sitting cross-legged to one side to recover his stamina.

Although she was busy recording the Poneglyph, half of Robin's heart was focused on Lu Zhuo. At this moment, his mysterious nature left her somewhat infatuated.

Dominating enough to want to control everything, nearly omniscient, possessing immense strength, and yet, a lecherous man...

Thinking of this, Robin nearly laughed out loud, quickly covering her small mouth.

Nami, seeing this, curled her lip and asked, "What's so funny? I don't understand any of this; are there jokes written on it?"

"Uh, no."

"Then what are you laughing at?"

"Nothing."

Hearing Robin's dismissive reply, Nami shook her head and spat out two words.

"Boring!"

At this moment, the ground was in total chaos. The King of Alabasta had discovered Crocodile lying outside the palace and immediately summoned doctors to save him.

At this time, Crocodile had only just begun to implement his plan. The King had no idea that the man he was saving was the one plotting to overthrow his country; he only knew that this was one of the Shichibukai under the World Government, and he absolutely could not die on his soil. Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain, and it would invite a great catastrophe!

As for the other members of Baroque Works, they were completely unaware that Crocodile was their president and continued to carry out the plans he had set in motion.

It must be said that Crocodile's secrecy was well-maintained. In the original story, if Robin hadn't intentionally let Princess Vivi infiltrate the organization, Baroque Works would have remained a mystery.

Finally, after recording the Poneglyph, Robin left the place, feeling satisfied, and followed Lu Zhuo.

The chaotic scene lasted until dawn. Aside from Crocodile and Mr. 1, who had been defeated by Lu Zhuo, no one else knew what had happened.

Of course, once Crocodile woke up, the truth would come to light.

Lu Zhuo instantly entered the sights of the Marine high command, becoming yet another figure to give Sengoku a headache.

"Damn it! How could two powerful pirates emerge from the East Blue one after another?"

Sengoku clutched his forehead, his face dark, pointing at Garp beside him with a look of pure disdain.

"You bastard, why haven't you gone to capture Ace yet? One is already a headache, and you've gone and added two more for me!"

Garp lay lazily on the sofa, eating a dessert, and shrugged helplessly: "I stopped caring about those things a long time ago. Do whatever you want; I'm not getting involved! I still have to go back and raise my grandson, Luffy!"

"Get out of here! Make sure that grandson of yours doesn't become a guy like Ace, or don't you ever show your face again!" Sengoku's head throbbed as he slammed the table and huffed.

Garp maintained a noncommittal expression, though he secretly resolved to train Luffy well; he absolutely could not let his grandson become a pirate.

Less than half an hour after Garp left, another document was placed in front of Sengoku.

Sengoku picked it up, and a look of fury instantly appeared on his face as he slammed his hand down, smashing the table to pieces.

"Damn it, who is this Teach bastard, daring to destroy a Marine Branch!" Sengoku's roar shook the entire Marine Headquarters.

Three months later, in the seventeenth year of the Great Pirate Era, less than three years before Luffy would set sail, Lu Zhuo and his ship, the Holy Sword, arrived at the town below the Sky Island: Mock Town.

Actually, one couldn't exactly call it a town below the Sky Island, as the entire world was below the Sky Island. It would be more accurate to say they had arrived at an entrance to the Sky Island: Mock Town!

"Lu Zhuo, are you really sure there is an island floating above our heads?"

Hearing Lu Zhuo describe the "Sky Island," Nami's face was filled with astonishment.

Although she believed everything Lu Zhuo said, this was just too fantastical! An island floating above their heads—who could believe that?

Robin looked at Lu Zhuo with a smile and said softly, "It seems you really are omniscient. I have learned a little bit of history regarding the Sky Island myself. But for you to be so certain, and even know how to get up there, you truly are a miraculous man."

"Hey, Robin, I'm not just some 'man,' I'm your captain!"

Lu Zhuo looked impatient and huffed in protest, which only drew a burst of giggles from Robin.

Watching her adorable expression, Lu Zhuo couldn't help but reach out to touch her cheek, but she dodged him with ease.

Sighing, Lu Zhuo looked up at the sky, his thoughts drifting away.

It seemed the Sky Island was a place one could either visit or skip. But for Lu Zhuo, it was a crucial link in his plan!

After the Sky Island, he would get his hands on the blueprints for Pluton. And to build Pluton, he couldn't do it without funds!

That was the first point. The second point was that the sword in Lu Zhuo's hand told him that there was at least one Kitetsu on the Sky Island!

Although he didn't know if it was the Nidai Kitetsu or the Sandai Kitetsu, nor the exact number, Lu Zhuo had to go!

Thirdly, he had gained a small insight into Observation Haki. The Mantra used by the priests on the Sky Island was true Observation Haki. If he could learn it in advance, it would be a significant boost to his strength.

As for Armament Haki, he couldn't even enter the first level—the invisible, colorless stage—and could only barely touch upon it. After all, he didn't know the training method and had only borrowed a tiny bit of inspiration from Smoker.

Three reasons, all of which meant he had to go to the Sky Island!

"Hehehe, since you've already made up your mind, then let's get moving quickly. Otherwise, it won't be good if we attract the Marines again." Robin's beautiful eyes flashed as she chuckled.

After the news of Lu Zhuo defeating Crocodile was exposed, he was finally taken seriously by the World Government, and his bounty finally appeared for the first time—and it was an astronomical figure right from the start.

One hundred and twenty million!

The bounty price represents a pirate's strength and the degree of threat they pose to the World Government.

For Lu Zhuo, who had never directly harmed the Marines, to reach a bounty of one hundred and twenty million Beli, it was clear just how powerful he was and how much attention the World Government was paying to him.

Looking at the two beauties by his side, Lu Zhuo felt a sense of happiness in his heart. However, the next moment, a sense of crisis overshadowed everything. His expression slowly calmed, and he looked at Nami with gentle eyes, whispering, "Your strength is a bit weak. I'm worried about you; I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you, so I want to get a Devil Fruit for you."

Looking at Nami with affection, he kissed her cheek gently and leaned close to her ear to ask, "Which... which type of Logia fruit would you like?"

"Ah!"

Nami's face flushed red, especially with Robin's burning gaze still on them. She was at a loss and replied in a fluster, "Aren't those things impossible to find? It's better not to force it..."

"No... Nami, as long as you want it, even if it's one of the three fruits held by the Marine Admirals, I will get it for you!"

Nami felt a massive wave of happiness surge into her heart, and all the jealousy she had felt over the past few months while Lu Zhuo pursued Robin evaporated completely.

"Mm, whatever you say..."

"Good." Lu Zhuo responded softly, stroking Nami's hair with a face full of love and tenderness.

Just then, a strange voice drifted over from the distance, instantly shattering the harmonious scene.

"Zehahaha! Isn't this the Ghost Sword Lu Zhuo with a bounty of one hundred and twenty million Beli? What a pleasure to meet you!"

Lu Zhuo's eyes snapped open as he looked toward the direction of the voice, his gaze sharp and piercing!

"The future Blackbeard... Teach!"