It was a nice beautiful day sailing out on the open seas on the Going Tiger and Astrid had just bought newspaper from one of the messenger seagulls that were trained by the World Government to deliver newspapers across the world and just for a single coin.
"This is what I love about sailing, warm air and the wide open spaces," Hiccup smiled.
"Can't say I disagree," said Ragnar as he was polishing his pistol.
"I just wish we had some more money," Snotlout grumbled.
"The villagers were happy enough to give us a portion of the treasure in Arlong Park in gratitude," Fishlegs reminded, he then pointed towards the top of the cavern. "And now we don't have to worry about not getting any food."
Astra had given them several tangerine trees, which Hiccup was happy to accept. While it may seem unusual, it had many advantages just so long as the fruit was ripe.
"The only one can touch them as Ragnar," said Astrid plainly as she sat down on a deckchair and began reading the newspaper. "You can tell whether there ripe not."
Ragnar then immediately held out his pistol and fired a shot. Everyone looked up and saw that the twins had attempted to take a tangerine of the tree.
"And they're not ripe just yet," Ragnar added.
Toothless chuckled as he lie down on the deck. "Never a dull moment."
"The world sure is a turbulent place," said Astrid as she looked at several the newspaper articles. "They just had another coup in Vilar."
"The Revolutionary Army again?" Hiccup asked.
"Looks that way," Astrid nodded as she turned the page.
Then something fell out of the paper.
"What's that?" Snotlout frowned.
Their paper fell down on the deck and everyone's eyes widened in shock.
Meanwhile Marine HQ right in the heart of the Grand Line, Rear and Vice Admirals were gathered around a table to discuss new development that happened in the East Blue.
"So, even a conservative estimate of their power say that the two much for our branches in the East Blue to handle?"
Standing in front of them was the Commodore, who was wearing a pair of black shades. He was known as Commodore Brannew, he was in charge of issuing you wanted posters as well is calculating the correct bounty to place on new pirates determine on their accomplishments and strength and they were in the midst of talking about Hiccup and his crew.
"That's right, even before forming his pirate group he defeated Marine Branch Captain Axe-Hand Morgan, which he did single-handedly. And since then he's shown no signs of slowing down," said Brannew. He then immediately gestured to a board to some wanted posters of some of the dangerous pirates in the East Blue. "Buggy the Clown, 15 million. Pirate Fleet Commodore Krieg, 17 million. Fishman Pirate Sawtooth Arlong, 20 million. These pirates were big players and they had bounties over 10 million Gil, by comparison the average bounty is only 30 million, he took them down."
He then slapped a new wanted poster onto the board which depicted Hiccup with a bounty of 30 million.
"It's true that 30 million Gil as a starting bounty is globally unprecedented, but in my opinion it's necessary," he said looking at everyone present. "It's best to destroy such seeds of villainy early on before they have a chance to get out of hand."
An Admiral nodded. "Absolutely."
Soon approaching a large number of Marine troops was a giant wearing a Vice Admirals uniform. A giant was yet another species in the world and they were incredibly powerful and had a 300 year lifespan and were about an average 15 m in height.
This Vice Admiral's name was Gegwar and was one of the first times ever to join the Marines.
"If you wish to flee then do so now!" he yelled from a balcony. "We are the banner of peace in this world and weakness shall not be tolerated. The feeble public counts on us, we alone are the righteous ones. If there are evils on the seas then we the Marines must drive it away with the utmost progenies. In the name of absolute justice!"
"Yes, sir!" the Marines yelled.
Meanwhile at Snotlout's home town, Major immediately rushed into Kaia chambers looking a bit frantic.
"Miss! Miss Kaia!" he yelled.
Kaia was in the middle of her studies to becoming a doctor and she looked up at Major as he stormed into the room.
"Miss it's amazing," he said.
"Major what is wrong?" she asked.
Major then immediately held out Hiccup's wanted poster. "Have you seen this flyer?"
Kaia eyes beamed. "Look it's Snotlout!"
Major looked at her blankly, not realising that she was actually looking at the back of Snotlout's head in the background of the poster.
"See that's definitely Snotlout facing the other way," she said as major examines the poster closely.
"You know what, you're right," said Major.
Excitedly Kaia opened the window and could just picture Snotlout sitting on the tree branch liking normally did.
"That's great news, Snotlout is moving towards his dream," she smiled. "You know I'm still chasing after my dream, I hope that we meet again. Perhaps our dreams will cross paths and when they do we will meet his old friends and finally become the people we've always wanted to be."
Soon everywhere that Hiccup and the others had landed soon became aware of Hiccup's success. His bounty was now the highest than any of a pirate in the East Blue and on top of that it was his starting bounty.
Gustav was at the Marine base sweeping floors as a chore boy, but he stopped briefly in order to look at Hiccup's poster which was pinned onto the board.
"Hiccup, you're finally living your dream," he said beaming, but he also knew what it meant. "Next time we meet we'll be enemies."
A Marine soldier then made his way down to the cells where Morgan was being detained and the stuff his face on it, he immediately showed the wanted poster of Hiccup. Morgan was immediately furious upon seen the man responsible putting him behind bars.
Sailing on what remained of his ship was Hagen and strangely enough his crew is still served under him. Upon receiving the newspaper along with the wanted poster, a crewman immediately rushed into his cab and holding it out to him.
Hagen couldn't believe that Hiccup, someone he thought to be weak now had the strongest bounty in the East Blue. He just sat down knowing that his life was going to be even harder now that the Marines were aware of his falsified death.
The Baratie was now fully repaired and everyone inside was do not the best, cooking for the customers. Upon receiving the wanted poster they immediately posted it out in the open with pride and none was more prouder than Zeff.
Meanwhile on the Going Tiger everyone soon became aware of Hiccup's starting bounty.
"I knew they were going to make a move against me, but I had no idea it would be this large amount," said Hiccup looking at the poster.
"According to this your hand always known as Dragon Conquest Hiccup and they want you either dead or alive," Astrid noted.
"30 million, has to be the highest bounty in the East Blue," said Ragnar folding his arms. "I guess they become aware of everyone you've taken down."
"I'm just glad that I'll be seen all over," Snotlout smirked.
"What do you mean?" said Ruffnut as he leaned in towards the poster.
"I don't see you," said Tuffnut.
Upon closer examination they indeed saw Snotlout, but his back was facing them.
"That's just the back of your head," said Ruffnut.
"Yeah, they will recognise you in the slightest," said Tuffnut. "Besides we more focused on Hiccup, he's the one who's gonna get all the attention."
"That is until we all make our mark," said Ragnar folding his arms. "Wanted posters aren't just for pirate captains alone, the bigger our accomplishments the more likely that we'll all get a wanted poster."
Fishlegs groaned. "This just means that all of our lives will be in constant danger."
"That's the life on a pirate ship," Astrid pointed out.
Toothless had been listening to the entire conversation and he agreed with Fishlegs. '30 million Gil, with that amount I bet headquarters will take action, not to mention there will be bounty hunters to deal with. And with this kind of bounty they'll be good.'
Meanwhile not too far way was a tatty naval vessel, it has certainly seen battle and looked as if it should have been put out to pasture. The sales had been sewn together with rags, the hull was crudely patched up and her crew weren't exactly in the best of shape.
The crew just laid around with nothing to do fishing or just soaking in the sun, some of them were even overweight. Eventually the newspaper bird arrived giving them the newspaper as well Hiccup's wanted poster.
Income and of this vessel was none other than Fullbody, who was currently lying about and trying to drink himself into a stupor with cheap whole wine.
"Dammit, this cheeks will makes me feel terrible," he groaned as he reminisced of the good life. "Oh man, how I long for the old days when I was surrounded by beautiful women and fine wine. Argh, one chance encounter with all the waiter changed the course of my entire life. Because of him the Marines said that I tarnish the good name and I lost my rank as lieutenant, now I'm in charge of this hunk of junk out in the middle of nowhere."
He then heard a knock at the door.
"Former Lieutenant Fullbody," said the crewmembers he tried to get inside, but the doors hinges were rusted. With one good shot he managed to enter though the door was knocked off its hinges.
"What do you want you twit?"
"Uh, I have a new wanted poster."
Fullbody groaned and gestured to the table. "Just put it over there, there's nothing we can do seen as win the middle of the damn…" He stopped when he immediately recognised Hiccup's face. "That face, I know I've seen it before."
He then remembered meeting Hiccup briefly at the Baratie before everything went downhill. "Yeah, that's him alright." A large smile then appeared on his face. "Thank you, God. For giving me the chance to climb out of this hellish pit of endless boredom." He then immediately rose to his feet. "That brat, catching him will be easy and when I do that the Marines will certainly restore me to full rank."
He then literally kicked the door down and turn to dust and began to address the men.
"Full in!" Fullbody yelled at the top of his voice.
The men were completely caught by surprise and after about a minute they immediately fell into rank. This was actually the first time that Fullbody addressed the men and they want exactly the most impressive crew in the world.
Regardless of this shortcoming he was still determined to capture Hiccup. "Men! Prepare for battle!"
The men just gave him a dozy expression.
"Battle, huh?" said one of them. "So where is it supposed to happen?"
Admittedly he had a good point. "Well, let's see. I suppose we should start of the sea restaurant."
Most of the crew immediately looked up upon hearing the word restaurant.
"Ooh, a restaurant?"
"Awesome, a big feast!"
"It's the captain treat!"
"There will be no feast!" Fullbody roared.
Before he could start discipline the men he immediately recognised the Going Tiger sailing past and had actually caught a glimpse of Hiccup on the forecast deck.
"That was him!" he yelled and immediately looked towards the men. "Hard to port! Our target is right in front of us! "
Immediately one of the men grabbed hold the wheel and turned around and soon caught up with the Going Tiger. Hiccup and Fishlegs with the first one to notice the Navy vessel approaching them, but it certainly looked out of place.
"It looks like it just came out of battle, that thing barely floats," Hiccup blinked.
Fishlegs nodded. "That's a real shame. Putting scrapped ships in the sea."
Once they became level Fullbody slammed his foot against the wooden railings of his ship and looks directly at them.
"This is not a scrapped ship!" Fullbody yelled. "Are you guys' blind? Have you forgotten the face of Ironfist Fullbody?"
"You're that Marine we saw at the Baratie," said Hiccup. "Are you stranded? Need some help?"
Fullbody looked at him furiously. "Quit fooling around! Our meeting here spells the end for you!" He then immediately held out Hiccup's wanted poster. "Hiccup D Haddock, you're under arrest."
"I see news travels fast," said Hiccup.
"It said dead or alive, a key distinction," Fullbody growled. He then immediately looked at his men who will loading the cannon. "Take aim men!"
Astrid looked up from her newspaper. "What's up with all that noise?"
"Looks like they're going to shoot," said Hiccup.
"They're aiming right at us, this is bad," Fishlegs panicked.
Toothless then rose to his feet and grabbed Light Fury.
"I can handle this, just leave this to me," Hiccup assured.
Toothless then placed a hand on his shoulder. "Why don't you let me handle this, Hiccup?"
"Be my guest," Hiccup gestured.
"Your story ends here," said Fullbody signalling his men.
His men then immediately fired the cannon on a cannonball headed straight towards them, but everyone's amazement Toothless drew his blade and sliced right through the cannonball like it was a loaf of bread. The two halves of the cannonball flew into the air and landed in the sea behind them.
"Impressive," said Hiccup.
Fishlegs' eyes widened in shock, but there was nothing compared to Fullbody and his men.
"That's impossible!" Fulllbody yelled.
In the cabin Ragnar was busy cooking lunch when he heard the commotion outside.
"What's up with all the commotion outside?" Ragnar asked puzzled.
Toothless just stood there and sheathed his sword. "I was trying to enjoy the sun," he said looking directly at the Marines.
"There's lots more where that came from! Fire!" Fullbody yelled.
Hiccup's eyes turn towards the cannon that was now aimed at them and that's when he noticed something interesting about it.
"Now this is bad, really bad," he said.
Fishlegs looked up and looked panic stricken. "What's bad?"
The Marines then fired the cannon, but the cannon exploded writing their faces covering everyone on board with soot.
"Too bad, they can had cracks in it," said Hiccup.
"You're right that is bad," Fishlegs nodded.
With the cannon now out of action, Fullbody was only one left with only one option and drew his ship close to the Going Tiger.
"You wretched little brats, never mock a former Marine HQ Lieutenant!" he yelled furiously. "We'll just have to go hand to hand." He then immediately jumped onto the Going Tiger. "Men, follow me!"
The Marines immediately grabbed the swords and followed Fullbody into the fray.
"Your head is mine!" Fullbody yelled swinging his fist at Hiccup.
Hiccup merely transformed into his human dragon and took the attack head on, but it had absolutely no effect on him.
"Not bad, now let me show you my punch," said Hiccup. He then raised his fist. "Dragon Fist!"
He then punched Fullbody so hard in the gut that he was sent flying across the deck, he had an expected Hiccup to be that strong. Then to make matters worse his men were being knocked out one by one by Ragnar, who had exited the cavern to see what was going on.
He had kicked him so hard that they were sent flying into the air and landed back on the deck of the ownership. Fullbody had not been expecting him to be with Hiccup and she immediately consumed him.
"You've got a lot of nerve picking a fight during lunch, now unless you've made a reservation I will have to ask you to leave," said Ragnar bluntly.
Fullbody screamed and watched as his men began jumping off the ownership one by one and immediately joined them.
"What's that waiter doing here?" he cried.
"Well, I guess that's that," said Hiccup as he reverted back to his human form.
"Not exactly a good show for the Marines," said Fishlegs.
Ragnar shook his head. "That guy is still nothing more than a wimp."
"At least it was entertaining if nothing else," said Astrid as she had looked up from her newspaper to watch the entire thing. "Though I find reading the newspaper more enjoyable."
Meanwhile for out on the Grand Line several men were sitting on an island keeping a lookout. One of them was holding a spyglass and he immediately saw something heading towards them.
"What's that?" he pondered.
"Let me see," said the man next to him and he took a spyglass from him. He then immediately saw sailing towards them was none other than Hawkeye and immediately screamed.
Soon Hawkeye reached the island and the pirates on the island immediately drew their weapons and pointed them directly at Hawkeye.
"Why are you here? Answer me Hawkeye," one of them demanded.
"Just calm down," he said calmly. "Where is your leader? My businesses with him."
The pirate immediately ran into the jungle and Hawkeye shook his head in disbelief.
"Camping out on an island what a carefree man," he said.
"Boss!" the pirate yelled as he rushed into an encampment.
His boss then immediately placed a tankard of mead in front of and then he immediately began to scoff it down. The drink had managed to settle his nerves slightly, but he was still in shock.
"H-Hawkeye," he said pointing towards the shore.
However, his boss did not seem surprised on the pirate immediately realised that Hawkeye was standing directly behind him. Cringing slightly the pirate immediately moved away from him and soon the two men were looking at one another.
The pirate's boss was none other than Alvin the man that Buggy hated so much and Ragnar's father. He was no longer helmsman, the of his own pirate crew and had already earned quite the reputation and was known throughout the sea has Alvin the Treacherous.
"Hey there, Hawkeye," he said with a deep voice. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Have you come to fight me, because I'm not feeling so good at the moment?"
Hawkeye looked at him dryly. "We both know that you're in fine form as ever, but I decided that I should inform you that your son has now joined a pirate crew. In fact you might know this certain pirate captain more than I." He then immediately held out Hiccup's wanted poster. "I only met him briefly, but it was clear that he has already organised himself a capable crew despite their small size."
Upon seen the poster everyone in the camp's eyes widened in shock.
"Stoick's boy, he's done it," the man smiled. He then immediately looked up at Hawkeye. "In that case Hawkeye, I'm afraid I can't just let you leave. Not now."
Then almost instantly the pirates immediately poured out drinks to one another as they began to celebrate the success of both Hiccup and Ragnar.
"Drink up, Hawkeye," said Alvin as he finished pouring mead into a tankard. "Don't hold back this is a celebration."
Hawkeye picked up the tankard and looked at him. "Same as always."
"My son has just become a pirate is allied himself with quite the captain, can you blame me for celebrating?"
Hawkeye shrugged and began drinking his tankard and Alvin laughed looking at his crew.
"Everybody, let's get drunk!" he yelled.
"You sure that's wise, sir," said pirate.
"Not wise, but it is a recommendation," Alvin laughed.
"Let's hope that your son takes after his mother," said Hawkeye looking at him. "I only had a quick glimpse of him, but I could tell looking into his eyes that he wanted to join with Stoick's boy."
"That boy of mine can certainly look after himself, I can assure you that."
Alvin wasn't the only one celebrating, the people in Ufela had just received Hiccup's wanted poster and immediately began celebrating. Well, everyone was happy apart from one person the mayor, but no one was paying him any heed.
"Did you hear the news? Hiccup is a wanted man now."
"Good for him."
"Well I'll be a great Pirate came from our tiny little village."
"Yeah, who would have thought?"
"Shut up!" the mayor yelled furiously waving his cane. "You boneheads!"
"Mr Mayor?"
"What's so great about some no good criminal coming from our little village?" he demanded.
However, no one was paying him any attention and they kept on celebrating. In the tavern people actually raising tankards in Hiccup's honour.
"To Hiccup!" a villager yelled on top of the table.
The entire villages cheered and raise their tankards in high into the air.
"Bunch of jerks," the mayor grumbled as he sat down at the bar where Ingrid was serving drinks. "All of them."
Ingrid smiled looking at the wanted poster. "Just look at him mayor, he looks so happy."
"A pirate is a pirate," the mayor grumbled.
"Sounds to me as if Hiccup is one step further to achieving his dream," said Ingrid.
The mayor took the glass and fumbled with it. "His dream or is it fate?"
Meanwhile on the Going Tiger, everyone was discussing plans on entering the Grand Line. Fishlegs had pulled out the map they had taken from Buggy and began to explain their position.
"We're getting closer, we have almost made it to the Grand Line and it looks like the only way into it is here," said Fishlegs pointing at a mountain. "Through Reverse Mountain?"
"Talk about inconvenient," said Toothless. "There has to be some way around it."
Ragnar shook his head. "There's not, the Red Line is completely impenetrable and it in circles the globe that is what Zeff told me. Reverse Mountain is the only way to enter the grand line?"
"But it's right there," said Snotlout pointing to the line of sea that ran across the middle of the map. "We can just sell right into it."
"We can't," said Hiccup he pointed used to line is along the side of the Grand Line. "You see these two lines here that represents the Calm Belt and it goes alongside the Grand Line."
"What's a Calm Belt?" Ruffnut blinked.
"A belt that keeps you calm," said Tuffnut.
Hiccup groaned. "No, it's a sector of the sea where there is no wind whatsoever. No one knows why, but the Calm Belt remained completely calm, hence the name, and without any wind you can't get very far on a sailing ship."
"How did your dad manage it?" Astrid asked curiously. "I mean you were born in the East Blue, he then returned to the Grand Line and re-entered the East Blue to leave you behind."
Hiccup scratched the back of his head. "I'm don't know the full details, Dad never shared them with me."
"Then we're just simply roll there we've got paddles," said Snotlout.
"Because it's not just the wind we would have to contend with, the Calm Belt his home to the Sea Kings and you remember the problems we had with Moohoo and he was just a small Sea King," said Hiccup.
"He was a small one?" Snotlout gulped. "In that case I'm happy to go through Reverse Mountain."
"Before we do we have to stop off at an island to resupply," said Hiccup.
"Unfortunately there is a famous city on this island," Fishlegs pointed. "It's known as Loguetown."
"Loguetown?" Ruffnut blinked.
"Why is it famous?" Tuffnut asked.
"I'm pretty sure I've heard of it before, is the city of the beginning and the end," said Toothless.
Hiccup nodded. "It's the town where the old Pirate King, Roger D Gold, was both born and killed."
"That's where the King of the Pirates to hide," said Snotlout breathlessly.
"In my opinion it seems fitting that we should make this our final stop before we reach the Grand Line," said Hiccup looking at everyone. "That island is the birthplace of the man who held the legendary One Piece, everything the world has to offer, I need to see where he was born and executed."
Unbeknownst to anyone that their journey to Lougetown would cause them to meet new enemies and several old ones.
