Chapter 78 / Chapter 79

At his words, everyone immediately perked up, put down what they were doing, and hurried over.

Burgess was the most impatient. "How much? Come on, tell me! What's my bounty?"

Law was as aloof as ever. "I'm more curious about the captain's bounty."

"That much? A hundred million Beli!"

When Gin saw the newspaper, shock spread across his cold face, as though he had seen a ghost.

Shocking.

It was simply staggering.

In the East Blue, even the highest bounties were only twenty or thirty million Beli.

But their captain had received a hundred million for his very first bounty.

It was truly unbelievable.

"That's our captain for you. He really is something else."

Hawkins nodded and said evenly, "As far as I know, no one in the Four Seas has ever received a hundred million for their first bounty."

Burgess raised both arms and exclaimed excitedly.

"My bounty's fifty million Beli! That much on my first one! Wihahahaha..."

Doc Q looked at the newspaper, a mysterious smile crossing his weathered face. "Mine's higher than yours. Seventy million Beli."

"Doesn't that mean I'm stronger than all of you? Hehehe~~"

Law sneered and shot him down without hesitation. "Don't forget Lafitte."

"Our first mate's bounty is eighty-five million Beli. That's a full fifteen million more than yours."

Gin ignored their conversation and shook his head in wonder. "Strong... You're all so strong."

"Captain Chris has a hundred million, then there's over eighty million, and everyone else has tens of millions."

"Added together, that's already over four hundred million."

Gin looked at them and said excitedly, "Four hundred million! Do you realize what that means? All the pirates in the East Blue combined don't have as much bounty money on their heads as we do."

"I'll learn from you! I'll get stronger! I want a bounty that high too!"

Determination shone on Gin's dark face as he made his solemn declaration, utterly serious.

At that moment, Gin felt fortunate. With these people, he would definitely grow stronger.

He could go further and make his name known across the entire sea...

(Folks, the picture above is of Onigumo. I specifically found it in case you didn't know who he was. Also, a hundred million for a first bounty is perfectly normal. It isn't too high ︿(￣︶￣)︿.)

"All right, let's hurry and tell our captain the good news."

With a faint smile, Lafitte took the newspaper and headed straight toward the Training Room.

Burgess looked at Doc Q indignantly. "Your bounty's actually higher than mine? Fuck!"

"You two have never fought, but judging by your faces, you're no match for him."

Hawkins delivered his verdict in a low voice, then walked aside to resume training.

Doc Q looked at Burgess with an ugly grin. "Hear that? You're no match for me. Hehehe~~"

Burgess glared at Hawkins's retreating back and roared, "Hawkins, quit spouting that damn face-reading crap!"

"When a man has something to say, he says it with his fists, not with fate or whatever."

"Aren't you great at telling fortunes? Then tell me whether you can beat me!"

Holding the Demonic Sword Kikoku in his arms, Law said coldly, "You're no match for him. There's no question about that."

At those words, Burgess flew into a rage, raised his right fist, and challenged him.

"You too! Always acting so high and mighty, wearing that sour face. Who are you trying to impress?"

"If you've got the guts, let's find an island and fight. The loser can shut the hell up."

Hawkins's steady voice came from the side. "Law, the bounties have gotten to him. He's lost his head."

"Let's put up with him a little longer. Once we enter the Grand Line, we can show him what we're capable of."

Law nodded in agreement with Hawkins.

Then he looked at Burgess, his gaze turning razor-sharp as he said icily, "Remember what you said today. Don't you dare forget it."

"Work hard to get stronger before we enter the Grand Line. Otherwise, I might just kill you."

With that, he walked straight over to Hawkins to train alongside him.

Bepo sat by the railing, fishing, and called out encouragement. "Captain... Oh, no, sir! You can do it!"

Holding his fishing rod, Pato swished his tail and said with a grin, "How many times have I told you? The only captain on this ship is Boss Chris."

"You can't keep getting it wrong, or you'll be punished. Heehee~~"

Bepo nodded his enormous head and smiled. "I'm already working on it. Soon it'll roll right off my tongue. Yeah, yeah..."

Law's words sent Burgess into a fury. "Damn it! You all think you're better than me?"

"Fine. Just fine! Once we enter the Grand Line, if I don't beat your teeth out, I'll take your surnames!"

Doc Q looked at him with a strange smile. "Big talk. But can you actually do it, Burgess?"

"Your Laser Cannon is worthless against me. Can you even hit me?"

"If I wanted to, I could poison you to death in no time. Hehehe~~"

Gin looked at them with a cold expression. "You all seem to have forgotten about me. I'll get stronger too. I'll become someone you have to look up to."

"On this ship, no one but the captain will ever make me bow."

"You're stronger than me now. That's true. But I'll work harder than any of you, and I'll trample you all underfoot."

With that, he walked aside and began working on his physical endurance.

Burgess was about to speak when Lafitte's voice reached them.

"You're all quite motivated."

Lafitte twirled his cane and said courteously, "I look forward to your challenges. The position of first mate is ready and waiting for you."

With Lafitte there, Burgess could hardly say anything more. He strode over to the railing and threw himself into training.

Inside the Training Room.

"Quick, quick! See how much Chris's bounty is!" Honey Queen looked at Baccarat, her pretty face full of anticipation as she urged her on.

Belo Betty took a drag on her cigarette, a rare look of curiosity on her face. "It should be high. That would only be fitting for Chris's strength."

As gentle as ever, Reiju rested her delicate hand beneath her fair chin and smiled. "Don't rush, everyone. Let's look together."

"Wow!"

Floating in the air, Perona was the first to see the bounty amount. Her pretty face filled with shock as she murmured.

"A hundred million..."

Carina thought she had misread it and checked twice, just as astonished. "That's crazy. How could it be so high?"

But Nami was the most shocked of all.

She stared blankly at the newspaper, her lips slightly parted, utterly stunned.

"A hundred million..."

She murmured the words over and over.

Once she recovered, she shook her head and said in wonder, "That's terrifying. It's truly unbelievable."

"In the East Blue—no, in my entire life, this is the first time I've ever heard of a bounty this high."

"Can a person really achieve that?"

"I can't believe it. This really scared me!"

Honey Queen quickly turned toward the figure ahead, beaming as she said excitedly, "Chris, your wanted poster is out!"

"A hundred million Beli!"

"That's right, you heard me! A hundred million Beli!"

Chris did not turn around. He continued practicing his swordsmanship and said calmly, "Got it."

The women exchanged glances at his reaction, then all shook their heads, at a loss for words.

Honey Queen felt the most deflated. She had been so excited to report the news, so thrilled and so proud.

Yet Chris had actually reacted so calmly.

"I'm speechless. I really don't know what to say."

Honey Queen sighed and said with a wry smile, "I'm bursting with excitement, but he's completely calm. What am I supposed to do with that?"

Belo Betty shrugged, exhaled a cloud of smoke, and said casually, "It's fine. I'm used to it already."

"We're making a big deal out of nothing."

Carina grinned. "Chris is going to become the strongest. A mere hundred-million bounty is nothing~~"

Perona flew around in the air, nodding repeatedly. "Exactly, exactly! Horo-horo-horo..."

"That may be true, but it's a hundred million Beli! He could at least look a little surprised."

Nami felt as though her brain could not keep up. What kind of person was Chris? Couldn't he show even a little emotion?

"I guess I just haven't seen enough of the world. I keep getting worked up over everything."

Reiju looked at Nami, blinked her lovely eyes, and said with a smile, "Actually, that's not it."

"Chris is simply like this. Calm and rational. Whatever happens, he takes it in stride and never lets outside influences affect him."

"Viewed that way, it's a really good quality."

"I believe all truly strong people are like Chris."

"So there's no need to be surprised. It's hardly a big deal."

(I saw you discussing Hancock's strength. There really isn't much to say about that. Crocodile is definitely stronger than her. Speaking of which, Crocodile lost to the protagonist's plot armor. His strength isn't far below Doflamingo's ︿(￣︶￣)︿.)

Inside the Palace in the Dressrosa Kingdom.

"The newspaper's here!"

Viola approached the Family Executives with graceful steps, a newspaper in her delicate hand.

Trebol sniffed back his mucus and said with a loud laugh, "Bring it over! Doflamingo's been waiting ages~~ Behehehe~~"

"It's the same stuff every day anyway. What's there to read?"

Pica's shrill voice was piercing and extremely unpleasant to hear.

Diamante looked at Viola as she approached and complimented her. "Viola, your outfit looks lovely today."

Viola placed the newspaper in front of Doflamingo, then turned to Diamante, her brows curving as she smiled.

"Diamante, you look very well today."

Diamante waved his hands repeatedly and said modestly, "No, no, you flatter me. I'm only feeling so-so today. I wouldn't say I look particularly well."

Viola nodded, pretending to realize her mistake, and said with a smile, "Then I must have been mistaken. I thought you looked well today."

"Since you insist, I'll admit it."

Diamante nodded and said earnestly, "I do look well today. I'm in a very good mood."