Chapter 81 / Chapter 82

But to their speechless surprise, Elder Nyon simply said this.

"There's a saying in the East Blue: love always comes like a raging storm!"

Since even Elder Nyon had said so, the two of them could hardly say anything more to Hancock. They simply let her sit there talking to herself every day.

After who knew how long, Hancock's beautiful eyes shone brightly, and delight spread across her flawless face as she said with a radiant smile.

"So amazing..."

"Chris really is the best. He's so much more amazing than even me."

"My first bounty was only eighty million."

Admiration filled Hancock's lovely face as she murmured, "I've never heard of anyone in the Four Seas getting such a high first bounty."

"Chris, you truly are one of a kind. You'll always be the greatest. No one can compare to you."

"I love you. I love you so much. How I wish I could throw myself into your arms."

As she spoke, she slipped back into her fantasies, a bashful expression appearing on her delicate, fair face.

There was no telling what she was imagining!!

This time, Marigold and Sandersonia did not speak up to snap her out of it. They simply let their sister indulge in her fantasies.

"Ahem..."

After a while, Hancock came back to her senses. Looking at the two of them, she said firmly, "Marigold, Sandersonia, we must pick up the pace."

"Chris's fame has already spread across the Four Seas. The whole world knows his name."

"I cannot fall behind. I must follow his example and keep close behind him."

"Next, we must make a name for ourselves too, so everyone knows the mighty name of Amazon Lily."

Hancock slowly turned around, gazing out the window at the blue sky and white clouds. With unwavering determination, she continued, "I must never hold Chris back. Absolutely not!!"

Marigold and Sandersonia both nodded, quickly agreeing.

"Elder Sister, you're right. We'll go down and tell everyone to pick up speed and head for the New World!"

With that, the two of them headed straight for the door without lingering.

Hancock sat down on Salome, opened the newspaper, and began reading it again.

She paid the utmost attention to anything about Chris, committing it firmly to memory.

She would not forget even a single word!!

This concerned the man she loved. No matter what, she had to read it several more times.

"Black-Clad Chris... I love that title so much..."

"Oh my, Chris looks so charming from this angle..."

"That's right. I wonder what Chris would look like in white..."

"When I wear a white wedding dress someday, I'll have Chris wear a white suit. Oh, how embarrassing..."

For the rest of the time, Hancock's murmuring continued to fill the room...

(Folks, it's not that your author wanted to pad things out. I mainly wanted to showcase the beautiful Hancock. I couldn't help it. She's so gorgeous, and I love her so much that I even dreamed about her, so I wrote a little extra. Here's a picture of Hancock in a wedding dress. Do you like it? Please bear with me, everyone. o(╥﹏╥)o.)

Chapter 81

Somewhere on the seas of the New World.

A large ship called the Moby Dick was sailing swiftly across the water.

"Come on, today's papers are here! Anyone who wants to read one, come over."

Marco carried a stack of newspapers over to Whitebeard and spoke with a faint smile.

Vista, who always wore a slight smile, said calmly, "Marco, it's always the same old things happening out at sea. What's there to read?"

Izo wiped down his flintlock and added, "The sea's been quiet for so long. What news could there possibly be?"

"You never know."

Marco sat down on the deck, his eyes slightly narrowed as though he had not fully woken up, and spoke.

"Here's something new: the pirate with the highest bounty in the Four Seas."

"Hmm, a hundred million for his first bounty. That really is a first."

At his words, the Division Commanders all paused in surprise. One by one, they stopped what they were doing and began asking questions.

Jozu, a man of few words, made a rare comment. "Marco, are you sure you read that right?"

"How could there be someone with a bounty over a hundred million in the Four Seas? I've never heard of that."

Thatch nodded, looking quite gentlemanly. "Neither have I. The Four Seas are too weak, after all. Bounties there have never been particularly high."

Just then, Teach came over. When he saw the bounty printed in the newspaper, he could not help laughing.

"It really is a hundred million Beli! Zehahahaha..."

Fossa shook his head, looking puzzled, and said in disbelief, "A hundred-million-Beli bounty before even entering the Grand Line. That's downright frightening."

Blamenco folded his arms across his chest, smiled, and offered his opinion.

"The Navy has always taken bounty amounts very seriously. They don't just assign them at random."

"In other words, this young man called Chris poses a tremendous threat to the Navy."

Rakuyo shrugged and said casually, "That may be true, but the Navy was a little too generous this time."

"A guy from the Four Seas getting a hundred million for his first bounty? What are the other pirates supposed to think?"

After reading the entire article, Marco said drowsily, "The North Blue Overlord was killed. And when they faced the East Blue Overlord, this guy didn't even have to lift a finger before the fight was over."

"Even after issuing his wanted poster, the Navy still doesn't know what his abilities are or whether he's eaten a Devil Fruit."

"Interesting. What a mysterious kid."

With an indifferent expression, Kingdew said, "Every one of his crewmates has a bounty in the tens of millions."

"Added together, their bounties already exceed four hundred million Beli."

"That's no small amount, even in the New World."

Vista nodded in agreement. "The Logia Miasma Fruit and the Paramecia Sound Wave Fruit are both excellent Devil Fruits."

"Once this crew enters the Grand Line, they're bound to make waves. There's no doubt about that."

"If they make it into the New World, they'll definitely earn the title of Supernovas."

Jozu folded his arms across his chest and said steadily, "Another promising prospect. We'll see whether he gets the chance to grow."

Haruta smiled and said with confidence, "Personally, I don't think this crew will fall so soon. One day, we'll definitely hear their names again."

Just then, Whitebeard, seated on his Throne, said in a deep voice, "Marco, bring me the newspaper."

"Even Pops is interested! Zehahahaha..."

Teach stood with his hands spread, threw back his head, and laughed loudly.

Fossa smiled faintly. "If he's managed to catch Pops's attention, this Chris could die without any regrets."

Still wiping his flintlock, Izo agreed. "You can say that again."

"Pops, what do you think of this young Chris's potential?"

Marco handed Whitebeard the newspaper, his eyes half-lidded as always and his expression utterly languid.

Whitebeard did not answer. With an IV hooked up to him, he lowered his head and read the newspaper.

After a while, he tossed the paper aside, looked at his sons, and laughed. "You've all misjudged him. Gurararara..."

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, not quite understanding what Whitebeard meant.

Did that mean Chris was not strong enough and had little potential??

Vista looked at him with a gentlemanly smile. "Pops, you mean this young man doesn't have much potential and will fall soon, right?"

"Judging by Pops's expression, that seems to be what he means."

Kingdew nodded, looking solemn.

Haruta frowned and asked in confusion, "Was my impression wrong? I really thought this young man was strong and had plenty of potential."

Marco waved a hand and said casually, "I think Pops means this young man is something special."

"He thinks we've underestimated the guy, and his potential is even greater than we imagined..."

Whitebeard grinned, his face full of anticipation. "This kid is more formidable than you think."

"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've seen the eyes of a true powerhouse in a young man."

"This kid called Chris has a sharp gaze. He carries himself like someone truly strong."

"What an interesting kid. The seas are about to gain another big name. Gurararara..."

Shock.

The Division Commanders were all stunned.

Who was Whitebeard? He was the World's Strongest Man.

There was no need to explain just how much weight his own words carried.

That meant this Chris truly was something extraordinary.

"I told you this young man was something special."

Hearing Whitebeard's assessment, Haruta smiled, delighted.

A rare look of anticipation appeared on the burly Jozu's face as he said steadily, "Pops has never been wrong about people."

"Looks like this young man will be worth keeping an eye on from now on."

Vista nodded, his usual smile on his face, and voiced his agreement.

"How long has it been? Pops hasn't praised a young man like this in ages."

"I'll definitely keep watching this Chris and see how far he can go."

Marco leaned back in his chair and said sleepily, "Pops hasn't praised a newcomer in at least ten years. This Chris really is one of a kind."

"With that much approval from Pops, this kid should at least reach the level of a Sweet Commander someday."

Teach looked at the Division Commanders and laughed. "Isn't that interesting? A new era ought to have newcomers joining in! Zehahahaha..."

Fossa shrugged and said with a wry smile, "I don't know why Pops is so certain, but there's no doubt he's right."

"Scary, isn't it? A kid that young with such enormous potential. Comparing yourself to others really can drive you mad."

Blamenco smiled and said, "There's no rush. We'll wait for them here in the New World. I'm sure they'll arrive before long."

(Folks, to commemorate Pops, your author specially found this picture. Also, this chapter was written entirely for Pops, so it's a little padded. I simply wanted to remember him and express my admiration for this imposing old man. ︿(￣︶￣)︿.)

Chapter 82

Tylinia, in the New World.

It was an island rarely visited by people, but a large crowd had gathered there now.

Footsteps sounded, and a dark-skinned man hurried over with a stack of newspapers in his hands.

Rockstar looked at Shanks, laughed, and said respectfully, "Captain, the newspapers are here."

"You idiot, does the captain read newspapers? Give them to the first mate!"

Lucky Roux took a bite of roasted meat, looked at him with his little eyes, and spoke with a broad smile.

Leaning against a tree trunk, Shanks roared with laughter. "Just looking at words makes my head hurt like hell! How could I possibly read them?"

"Besides, with Beckman around, I don't have to worry about anything. I can just sleep in peace! Hahaha..."