Looking at the familiar photo on the large bounty poster, Deuce swallowed. "It's... it's him..."
It was as if he had recalled the scene of Ian fighting Donquixote Doflamingo. That battle had utterly shocked him, a rookie pirate who had only just set out to sea!
Back then, he had already thought Ian was an incredibly powerful figure. He had never expected that what happened afterward would be even more sensational...
Killing Donquixote Doflamingo had only been the beginning. He had sparred with the World's Greatest Swordsman without falling behind, then later fought Yellow Monkey fiercely on an island, destroying most of it!
The bounty amount with all those zeroes afterward had also left his jaw nearly on the floor.
"Ones, tens, hundreds... hundred million, one billion... 1.16 billion Beli?" Deuce was stunned. If he remembered correctly, Ian had not had a bounty before, right?
That meant his very first bounty had reached 1.1 billion Beli?
What kind of monster was that?!
Deuce was utterly shaken. He hurried down from the crow's nest and found Ace.
Ace looked at the flustered Deuce and could not help asking, "Hm? What's wrong, Deuce? Why are you in such a panic?"
Deuce was usually extremely calm. It was rare to see much expression on his face, so why did he look like this today?
"Captain, take a look at this newspaper." Deuce handed the paper to Ace, still looking stunned.
"Oh?" Curious, Ace took it and looked it over. When he saw the news, shock appeared on his face as well!
"I never thought the person we once met would become this powerful. 'Ice Dragon' Ian? His first bounty is as high as 1.1 billion Beli?" Ace muttered.
He had a bounty now too, but compared to Ian's, it was pitifully low...
Deuce gave a bitter smile. "When he killed Donquixote Doflamingo, I knew he would become an important figure. But how long has it even been?"
"There are too many powerful people in this world..." Ace took a deep breath. There were countless strong people in this world. To say nothing else, he was constantly getting beaten by Garp without any ability to fight back...
"But I believe that one day, I'll reach that level too!" Ace stared intensely at Ian on the bounty poster, vaguely feeling an urge to compete with him!
He believed that he would one day reach that level and even far surpass Ian!
After all, his goal was to surpass Roger!
"I believe in you too, Captain. With your talent, you definitely won't be weaker than anyone in the future!" Deuce was equally certain. He had great confidence in Ace's monstrous talent!
After eating the Flame-Flame Fruit, Ace's strength had advanced by leaps and bounds at an unbelievably rapid pace!
As if recalling something, Deuce looked at Ace and said gravely, "By the way, Captain, what do you think about the World Government wanting to recruit you as a Shichibukai?"
Ace set down the newspaper and shook his head. "I won't become a Shichibukai!"
He knew his own situation best. If it was exposed that he carried the bloodline of One Piece Roger, the World Government would never let him go!
That was certain. The World Government would never allow One Piece Roger's descendant to live in this world!
That was also why Ace had rejected Garp's plan for him to become a Marine from the very beginning!
Deuce understood Ace somewhat, so he was not surprised by his answer. "But if we reject the World Government's offer, they may become dissatisfied and target us in the future."
Ace looked out at the sea and smiled. "Then we'll go somewhere they can't target us. It's time for us to set sail for the New World!"
"Yeah."
This news caused a massive stir not only in the first half of the Grand Line, but in the New World as well!
A first bounty of 1.1 billion was an extraordinarily rare occurrence, even on the seas!
New World, Whitebeard's territory, aboard the Moby Dick.
The Whitebeard Pirates were holding a banquet when someone hurried over. "Pops, you'll definitely be interested in this newspaper!"
After taking a huge swig of wine, Whitebeard wiped the alcohol from his mouth and looked over curiously. "Oh? Did something major happen out at sea again?"
The commanders of the other divisions also turned their curious gazes over.
The man wiped his sweat before saying, "That person who killed Donquixote Doflamingo before has been given a bounty!"
Whitebeard laughed. "Gurarara, isn't that normal? It would be strange if someone like that didn't get a bounty!"
"No, no, look at the bounty amount!"
Whitebeard smiled and unfolded the paper. When he saw the news, he was slightly surprised as well. "'Ice Dragon' Ian. After killing Donquixote Doflamingo, he actually did something like that? A bounty of 1.16 billion Beli? Gurarara, that's truly an exaggerated bounty. What an incredible rookie!"
Although 1.1 billion Beli was not much to him, the world's strongest man with a bounty of around five billion Beli, he had spent many years sailing the seas before his bounty rose that high.
His first bounty had not been anywhere near that much!
The other division commanders also gathered around. When they saw the news recorded in the newspaper and 'Ice Dragon' Ian's bounty poster, all of them were greatly shocked!
"Gasp, 1.16 billion Beli for a first bounty? That's way too outrageous, isn't it?" Thatch of the Fourth Division could not help sucking in a cold breath when he saw the number.
His bounty was currently only five or six hundred million, less than half of 'Ice Dragon' Ian's!
"Hey, hey, what is the World Government doing? I was nearly surpassed by a 'rookie'..." Marco of the First Division curled his lips in displeasure.
Marco's bounty at this point was not the 1.374 billion Beli from the original story, but 1.19 billion Beli. It was already the second-highest bounty in the Whitebeard Pirates, yet he had nearly been surpassed by a rookie...
This was after their overall bounties had risen somewhat following their rise as one of the Four Emperors. Otherwise, even Marco's bounty might have been surpassed!
Although bounties did not represent strength at their level, as pirates, they naturally hoped their bounties would be as high as possible!
"Gurarara, the world is changing too quickly. Even that Red-Haired brat who once served on Roger's ship has risen up. If you don't work hard, you'll be left behind. You might even catch up to me!" Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"Haha, you're joking, Pops. How could anyone in the world possibly surpass you? You'll always be the strongest in the world!"
"That's right! Even if that Red-Haired brat has risen up, he still can't possibly be Pops's opponent!"
"A draw with Hawk-Eye? That really makes me look forward to it!"
"Gurarara, there will come a day when I grow old. I can't remain invincible forever. You all need to work harder!" Whitebeard laughed again, but as he looked at his sons, a trace of helplessness appeared deep in his eyes.
He had not felt it when he was young, but as he grew older, the side effects of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit had begun to show little by little.
Though he did not yet need medicine to ease his condition as he had in the original story, Whitebeard had already noticed that his body was getting worse by the day and his strength had begun to decline.
Because of his presence, these sons of his no longer had much sense of danger. Their strength progressed extremely slowly, and some had even stagnated.
This could not continue...
But because he doted on them, Whitebeard kept these thoughts to himself. He would not force his sons!
Because he was still the strongest man in the world!
He still had enough time to protect these sons until they fully matured!
The others did not take it seriously, believing Whitebeard was joking. The place soon became lively again as they ate and drank.
However, nearby, a large man with a simple-minded smile and uneven teeth had his smile fade after hearing Whitebeard's words. A strange grin appeared on his face, but it vanished in an instant, and almost no one noticed it!
No one can remain invincible forever. Pops is no exception! But Pops is still the strongest in the world right now. If I stay here, my chances of finding that fruit will be greater... Zehahaha... Many thoughts flashed through the man's mind, yet his expression remained simple and honest. He clinked his wine cup against that of a companion beside him and began drinking deeply...
New World, the territory of the Red-Haired Four Emperor.
At this moment, a famous and important figure had arrived in Red-Haired's territory.
He wore a black coat, had eyes as sharp as an eagle's, and carried a long cross-shaped black blade on his back.
When the members of the Red-Haired Pirates stationed around the island saw him, horror appeared on their faces. "The World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawk-Eye Mihawk?"
"Why has Hawk-Eye come here?"
"Could he be here to start a war with the boss?"
"Quick, inform the boss!"
The Red-Haired Pirates on the island's outskirts immediately became flustered. One of them rushed frantically toward the center of the island.
Hawk-Eye merely swept his gaze over them without saying anything, then walked step by step toward the island's center.
For some reason, however, when those Red-Haired Pirates met Hawk-Eye's gaze, they felt as if a sharp blade had pierced their bodies, sending chills through them.
Everyone swallowed nervously. Intimidated by Hawk-Eye's presence, they were filled with fear. Not one of them dared to block his path.
At the center of the island, the Red-Haired Pirates' officers were all gathered there. Some sat, some lay down, all looking utterly relaxed. An ordinary person would never associate them with the officers of the Red-Haired Pirates, one of the Four Emperors controlling the New World's balance...
When they saw someone rushing over, all the officers turned their gazes toward him.
Large beads of sweat rolled down the man's forehead as he said in a panicked tone, "Boss, this is bad! The World's Greatest Swordsman is coming for us!"
"Oh? Hawk-Eye?" Red-Haired's eyes flashed. He sat up from the ground, looking interested. Why had Hawk-Eye come to find him?
The other officers also straightened up and looked at the man.
The man wiped his sweat, sounding urgent. "Y-Yes, Boss. It's... it's Hawk-Eye Mihawk!"
Benn Beckman, who stood nearby smoking, glanced behind the subordinate and said calmly, "Don't panic. He's already here."
Hearing footsteps behind him, the man suddenly turned around. Hawk-Eye was standing right behind him. His breathing stopped, and he could not help falling onto the ground. "H-Hawk-Eye?"
Hawk-Eye ignored the man who had fallen down. His gaze swept over everyone present, passing over each high-ranking officer before finally landing on Red-Haired and his empty sleeve.
All the Red-Haired Pirates' officers were looking at Hawk-Eye, yet none of them spoke. They were also deeply curious about Hawk-Eye's visit...
"Hawk-Eye, you're truly a rare guest..." Red-Haired sat upright, half his body hidden in shadow. He raised his head slightly to look at Hawk-Eye and said lightly, "Did your hands get itchy, so you came to spar with me? Unfortunately, I'm not in the mood right now..."
Hawk-Eye looked at Red-Haired and merely said, "A man who has lost an arm is no longer worth my drawing my sword against!"
Red-Haired froze, then burst into laughter the next moment. "Hahaha, you really haven't changed at all, Hawk-Eye!"
Hawk-Eye glanced at Red-Haired and could not help frowning. "Don't tell me you're hungover again?"
Red-Haired did not respond. His expression shifted uncertainly, as if he were contemplating something. The air around them seemed to freeze...
The surrounding subordinates trembled. Was a great battle about to begin?
But in the next moment, a single sentence from Red-Haired instantly dispelled the oppressive atmosphere and even turned it cheerful...
Red-Haired stroked his chin in thought, then looked at Benn Beckman with a grin. "Now that Hawk-Eye is here, as the host, we can't just let him leave like this, can we?"
Without waiting for Benn Beckman to answer, Red-Haired slapped his thigh and laughed. "Men, to celebrate Hawk-Eye's arrival, we're having a banquet!"
Benn Beckman's mouth twitched, but he felt helpless. Their banquet had only just ended. They had already drunk for an entire day and night, and now they were doing it again?
Besides, they did not have much Beli left. Now they had another expense. Having a captain like this was truly exhausting...
The banquet was incredibly lively.
After taking a huge swig of wine, Red-Haired looked at Hawk-Eye with curiosity in his eyes. "So, why did you come to find me? I don't believe a guy like you would come chat with me for no reason."
Their relationship had been fairly good in the past, and they often sparred with swords. However, ever since he lost an arm, Hawk-Eye had stopped seeking him out for duels...
In Hawk-Eye's words, he did not want to bully a disabled man!
Hawk-Eye also took a drink and said, "Not long ago, I encountered an interesting person. That person..."
Before Hawk-Eye could finish, someone suddenly rushed down a small path and said breathlessly, "Boss, huge news! An incredible guy has appeared this time!"
But in the next moment, he saw Hawk-Eye beside Red-Haired and froze. "H-Hawk-Eye?"
He had just returned from the sea and did not know Hawk-Eye was currently on the island.
He was an old member of Red-Haired's crew and understood something of the relationship between his captain and Hawk-Eye. Hawk-Eye being here at this moment still surprised him.
When he recalled the news he had just seen in the newspaper, his expression became somewhat strange...
Before you continue