Bounties and Plans

By evening, a light rain had suddenly begun to fall.

Just as Van was hesitating over whether to go out and look for the others, Drake returned carrying several large bags.

He had traded the game he caught for money and spent it all on daily necessities, enough for them to continue living in seclusion for another half year.

He also brought back bad news: Van had been issued a bounty of a full 50 million Beli.

It was his first bounty, and the amount was enough to draw the attention of major figures throughout the Four Blues and even the Grand Line.

"The photo was taken candidly aboard a warship. The charge is stealing the World Nobles' treasure, and they specifically emphasized that they want you alive... Makes perfect sense!"

Van looked at the wanted poster, a mocking smile appearing on his face. "They want to conceal news of the Op-Op Fruit and prevent other major forces from getting involved."

"Big Brother Van, this wanted poster was issued three days ago. When I was gathering information at a tavern, I also heard that there's a bounty on you in the Underworld."

"They said the Donquixote Family offered it. It's as high as 100 million Beli, and they also want you captured alive."

"Besides that, Vergo has been issued a bounty too, but it's only 44 million Beli. His charge is desertion."

Upon hearing Drake's words, Law and Baby-5 turned pale with worry.

They had both once belonged to the Donquixote Family. Even if they did not know all the details, they knew Doflamingo was the overlord of the North Blue.

There were countless nations and factions of all sizes in the North Blue. The reason everyone shared that view was entirely because the Germa Kingdom served as such an excellent cautionary example.

This war kingdom, led by the Vinsmoke Family, centered on cutting-edge technology and had formed the "Evil Army," Germa 66, from countless fearless clone soldiers.

They operated across the world as mercenaries. They had once slaughtered four kings in a single day and briefly ruled the entire North Blue.

Yet in the face of the Donquixote Family's relentless expansion, the former overlord could now only huddle near the Red Line, barely surviving in a few remote sea regions.

If even an arrogant affiliated kingdom had been driven into such a miserable state, what hope did the few of them have?

"Big Brother Van, the Navy and the Donquixote Family both want to capture you now. How about we keep hiding here?"

"Yeah, yeah! Life here is pretty good. It'd be even better if you didn't force people to train."

Law's suggestion won Baby-5's agreement. They had both suffered before, so they did not mind living in a worse environment.

Drake, however, did not state his position. He wore a conflicted expression, as though he was embarrassed to speak.

Noticing his odd behavior, Van smiled. "Just say what you want to say."

"I don't oppose Law's suggestion. I just don't know how long we'd have to live here," Drake said troubledly. "If it's too long, you won't be able to stand it either, will you?"

"I heard Mr. Cora mention before that Doflamingo has already begun making arrangements in the Grand Line. In the future, he may very well shift the family's focus there."

"Once he and all the family officers leave, their control over the North Blue will definitely weaken. Then we can go out again."

Law paused, then said hesitantly, "The timing is uncertain. It could be one or two years."

"That is indeed too long, and staying here may not keep us safe forever." Van shook his head. "I plan to leave the North Blue as soon as possible. What do you think?"

Relying solely on hard training, his strength would improve too slowly. He had no idea how many years it would take before he could confront Doflamingo head-on.

Only by stirring up trouble and triggering plot developments could he obtain system rewards and rapidly increase his strength.

So, he planned to avoid the Donquixote Family's sphere of influence and find somewhere else to develop in peace.

As for the Navy, as long as he kept a low profile, they probably would not expend too much effort targeting him.

"I have no objections."

"Wherever Big Brother Van goes, I'll go."

This time, Drake and Baby-5 were the first to state their positions, while Law hesitated somewhat.

"Does Law have other thoughts? If you don't want to leave the North Blue, I can make a new plan."

As Van spoke, he used the power of the Op-Op Fruit to draw and write on the wall.

Perhaps not expecting to be valued so much, Law froze for a moment before clenching his fists.

"I'll listen to Big Brother Van. As long as I can become stronger, I can go anywhere!"

"Do you want to seek justice for the tragedy of White Town?" Van saw through Law's thoughts. "Then follow me from now on."

"Mm!"

Law nodded heavily, then looked toward the wall and discovered a simple map of the North Blue. Key islands and factions had all been marked.

"You and Baby-5 both stayed with the Donquixote Family. Do you know where their bases are?" Van added, "Any place where they conduct business counts."

"The headquarters was originally at Spidermiles Port, but it had already been abandoned before this operation. I only know of an auction house in the Nodiss Kingdom."

"Besides what she mentioned, I followed Mr. Cora to the Deliru Kingdom and the White Land Kingdom. Both places have Donquixote Family businesses."

Baby-5 and Law named the locations they knew, while Van marked them on the map.

After thinking for a moment, he marked another island close to Reverse Mountain on the Red Line.

"I plan for us to split up. This island called Wikoff will be our meeting point."

Van first stated his decision. Before Drake and the others could object, he immediately explained why.

"Only I have a bounty. Whether it's the Navy, the Donquixote Family, or the Underworld's bounty hunters, their attention should be focused on me."

"If we travel together, I may not be able to look after you if danger arises. So I'll act alone and draw everyone's attention to myself."

"That way, you can take a merchant ship normally and go directly to the meeting point to wait for me. There's still a risk of being discovered by the Navy or the Donquixote Family, but I believe you can handle it."

With things put that way, Drake and Law, being men, could no longer object. But Baby-5 tightly hugged Van's arm.

She was afraid of being abandoned and could not be bothered to think too much, so she refused to listen to any reasons.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you and Law," Drake persuaded her. "Big Brother Van definitely won't be in any danger either!"

Law put on a fierce expression and threatened, "Big Brother Van is doing this for our sake. Don't cause trouble!"

"I'll get a pair of Den Den Mushi. We can stay in contact after we split up," Van comforted her. "So you have to be good!"

In truth, he did not want to arrange things this way either, but for the sake of his later plans, he had to.

"Alright, then. We have to contact each other every day."

Baby-5 finally agreed, and a smile returned to her face.

"I'll leave tonight. Wait a while before setting out, and I'll notify you then."

Once he made his decision, Van did not linger. He headed into town that very night.

He first found the local gangsters, had the money he had seized and the Den Den Mushi delivered back to the cave, then returned again and fabricated the appearance that all four of them had gone out to sea.

After reaching the next island, he silenced the three small-framed gang members he had brought with him and vanished without a trace.