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Elsewhere in Grandline,

"What kind of fucking shit is that?!" Kid growled, holding the newspaper with fire in his eyes. He slammed the papers onto the table, sending cracks into it, "They think I'm some kind of subordinate! Those bastards! I'm gonna kill them!"

The tavern was a wreckage of smashed furniture and battered bodies. Shattered glass and splintered wood littered the floorboards along with the groaning forms of over twenty pirates. They had picked the wrong bar to drink at on this night.

Only the barkeep was standing, albeit with a blue eye, he was shaking to his boots as he served Kid pirates.

"Oi, give the captain, your beast booze. He's totally pissed today," Dive said, the short woman managing to piss of Kid even more. Though unlike others, Kid would never harm his own crew.

"The government really is out for you for some reason," Killer said, "I thought you wanted that."

"Of course I did," Kid growled, "But not like this. They are giving all the credit to someone else. Also, they are just putting shit on me and fuck… I hate that!"

"Yeah, Water Seven was a shitty ride," Wire said, having some bandages over his mummy-like body. And he wasn't the only ones, other then Kid or Killer, almost all of the members of the crew had some kind of bandages on.

But that was reasonable in some ways, they were being chased by marines left and right. Even with the bad weather condition, things were pretty rough for them, lately.

"It's good that we were able to fix up Victora Punk before going out," Killer said, turning his head towards Kid, "But that's not the problem, the marines are after us. And after this, I wouldn't be surprised if they send one of the warlords our way."

"Oh, I'll be glad to send one of those bastards to hell," Kid scoffed, "At least that would earn me some actual merit. Not this!"

He said slamming the newspaper where a false story of what happened in Enies Lobby was printed. The others in his crew also seemed a bit put off by the newspaper.

They weren't mad at the false news of them being involved in the killing. No. They were mad cause someone else was taking the credit and even went as far to claiming their crew was under them.

So Kid decided, he stood up, "I have decided!" he said, taking out two bounty posters, "We will go after them!"

On his hands were the bounty posters of Sogeking and Gintaro. The crew cheered, while Killer just nodded. The sea was going to be wild from now on.

.

In East Blue,

"Merry, see! We told you, Sogeking was real!" the trio of kids said, holding up the bounty poster of Sogeking, "He's a real pirate! Look how big his bounty is!"

"Just like Captain Usopp said," Carrot said.

Onion nodded, "Yeah, also he's wearing a cape. And you know what means…"

"He's a hero!" Paper said, in an obvious tone, as the two kids nodded.

Merry seemed to be in a loss for words, while Kaya chuckled. The kids were as lively as ever. She was outside now. Her health had gotten a lot better this year, mainly after Kuro left. That's why they were outside her mansion, in Syrup Village.

After Klahadore, or Captain Kuro was defeated, her health was getting better and better. Merry didn't say anything, but she knew that the previous butler must have been mixing something with the food.

Now things didn't taste bland anymore. But while she was happy for her freedom, she did miss her friend. Things weren't the same with out Usopp. Sure he did call from time to time. But he was a busy pirate now.

A key member of the Warlord's crew. His strategist or that's what Usopp told him. She chuckled to herself.

Knowing Usopp the only thing he might strategise was sending Luffy head first in any and all conflict. That would work in most cases.

While the kids and Merry were still discussing about Sogeking. Kaya was curious as to why Usopp had worn a disguise.

What? That nose was iconically recognizable. And also who's gonna fool her with that large slingshot on his back.

So yes, she recognized that it was him. But kept it to herself.

The newspapers didn't mention anything, other then some conspiracy between the marine ranks. So there must be a reason why Usopp was hiding his identity. By now, she learned to not believe everything that was on the newspapers. Still, the bounty on Usopp's head was quite large, and it made her worry.

Weren't the straw hat pirates supposed to be working with the world government? So why did they attack a government island.

Hmm… she made a mental note to ask Usopp when he called.

But for now, she was interested in having some fun, "Hmm… I wonder what's Usopp's bounty is? Is he weaker than Sogeking?"

That brought the three kids' attention.

"No!"

"Captain Usopp is stronger!"

"Yeah, Sogeking isn't as cool as him!"

Merry chuckled, while Kaya held in her amusement playing along with the boys.

.

"That girl is wild," Nojiko said, while laughing as she read the newspaper.

"That's not a laughing matter," Genzo said, in a whisper, "Also keep it down…" he said looking around.

They were inside Bellemere's home, with seemingly no one other then the two, but still.

"You worry too much old man," Nojiko snorted, in between her laughs as she looked at a poster. "Really, Mani? She used a name that rhymes with money… typical of her. Also, the orange disaster, who comes with the names anyways."

Genzo himself couldn't stop himself from smiling. She didn't know why Nami hid her identity, but it was a good one. Even he failed to recognize the bounty poster, only Nojiko did. They were sisters after all.

Genzo was a bit worried but if he couldn't figure out Nami's true identity, marines wouldn't either. Still, attacking Eneis Lobby of all places. That girl really was different, wasn't she?

"You know… I kind of miss her," Nojiko said, bringing Genzo's attention, "She's out in the sea, and all married up and everything. She's having the time of her life, while I… do nothing. It's kind of boring. You know…"

Genzo raised an eyebrow, "What? You thinking of becoming a pirate as well?"

Nojiko wiggled her brows, "Nope… but becoming a marine isn't a bad option either. I mean mom, did it."

This time Genzo was the one to burst out laughing. "You? A marine? You will destroy the marine base you get boot on, before a pirate group can."

Nojiko pouted, "Hey, I'm serious here."

"Sure you are…"

.

Yasopp looked confused looking at a certain bounty poster. There was something about the bounty poster that bothered him, but he couldn't point on what it was.

"Yo? What's cooking?" Lucky Roux said, looking over Yasopp's shoulder, "Hmm… new bounty posters? Sogeking? Checking out for competition?"

Yasopp rolled his eyes, before putting bounty posters down, going towards the captain's quarters, "Yeah, something like that… anyway, where's Shanks? He's still up for going to Blues?"

The larger man nodded, following along, "Yup… old man Whitebeard promised to hold off both Kaido and Big Mom for a while. Good thing the old man honors his favors. So finally we can stretch our legs a bit."

Yasopp grinned, "Yeah, it's been a while." he said, giving two knocks on the door before opening it, "Yo, you in their Shanks?"

Shanks who was reading about a certain pirate with red hair looked up, "Yup… so I was thinking…"

"That's dangerous," Yasopp gasped in worry.

"Yeah," Lucky Roux nodded with his arms crossed, "You might hurt yourself, captain. Leave the thinking to Ben."

Shanks' brow twitched, "You guys are the worst."

The pirates gave him a wide smile.

Shameless Pa-atreon plug. I've got one, goes by the username (FallenCrown) on there.
Support me if you want, but don't feel pressured, I'll be uploading my stuff outside it regardless and not keeping it all behind a paywall or anything like that.
Read my other fics if you have the time. If you want to have a chat with me, hit me up on discord.
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