Chapter 9: A World Watching
Dawn Island - Dadan
The shadows of Mt. Colubo stretched long over the clearing as Dadan's gang gathered around the campfire. The bandits were in high spirits, the scent of roasting meat mingling with the crisp mountain air. But their usual rowdiness had reached new heights today, fueled by the paper Dadan held in her hand.
"Fifty million berries!" Dadan bellowed, her laughter echoing through the forest like a wild animal's roar. "That idiot! He's a bigger troublemaker than I ever thought!" She slapped one of her underlings so hard on the back that he nearly pitched forward into the fire.
Around her, the gang howled with laughter, some doubling over while others waved their tankards in celebration. One particularly scrawny bandit wiped tears from his eyes. "You mean that little rubber kid we used to smack around? A fifty-million bounty on his head?! That's insane!"
"Insane doesn't even cover it," another snorted. "What's he done to get that big of a bounty already?"
"Probably punched the wrong marine, knowing him," someone else chimed in. "Or maybe just ate too much food and bankrupted an entire town."
The group erupted into another round of laughter, each member throwing out increasingly ridiculous theories about how Luffy had managed to rack up such an impressive bounty so quickly.
,
Fusha Village - Makino
The soft hum of activity in the bar carried on as Makino stood behind the counter, polishing a glass with a clean rag. The late afternoon sunlight filtered through the windows, casting warm golden streaks across the wooden walls. The atmosphere was peaceful, punctuated only by the occasional clink of cups and the low murmur of conversations among the regulars.
The door swung open with a creak, and a regular stepped inside, his boots clicking against the wooden floor. In his hands was a bundle of freshly printed wanted posters. He placed them on the counter with a nod, tipping his hat politely.
"Thought you'd want to see these, Makino," the man said, his tone casual.
"Thank you," Makino replied with her usual warm smile, though her hands paused for just a moment as she set the glass aside.
The man waved and left, the door closing behind him with a faint jingle. The bundle of posters sat untouched on the counter for a moment, almost as if it were waiting for her. Makino's gaze softened as she reached for the stack, her hands steady despite the flutter of anticipation in her chest.
Carefully, she flipped through the posters, her eyes scanning each face until she found the one she was looking for.
"Luffy…" she murmured.
Her hand trembled slightly as her fingers brushed over his picture. There he was, grinning ear to ear as though he'd posed for the photo himself, the words "50,000,000 Berries" bold beneath his name. The number made her breath catch, but not from fear. No, it was a mix of pride and worry that filled her chest, tangling together like the roots of an old tree.
"Fifty million," she said softly, a faint laugh escaping her lips. "You've really come far, haven't you?"
Her thumb traced the edge of the poster, her mind drifting back to the little boy who used to sit at her bar, pestering her for another round of juice while going on about how he was going to be King of the Pirates. Even then, his dream had seemed so big, so impossible, and yet, there hadn't been an ounce of doubt in his voice.
"But you're still causing trouble, aren't you?" she added with a fond shake of her head.
Turning toward the wall behind the counter, she reached for a wooden pin and carefully added Luffy's bounty to the small collection of posters she kept there. Shanks' was already in place, as was Ace's, the two men who had influenced Luffy's life in more ways than one. Now, Luffy's poster joined theirs, completing a trio that seemed both fitting and bittersweet.
She stepped back, her hands resting lightly on the counter as she looked at the three posters. Her eyes glistened for a moment, though she quickly wiped them with her sleeve, replacing any hint of sadness with a warm smile.
"Take care of yourself, Luffy," she whispered. "And don't forget, we're all rooting for you."
Makino returned to her work, the bar bustling quietly around her. But every so often, her gaze would drift back to the wall.
,
Baratie - Zeff and the Cooks
The savory scent of sizzling meat and the sharp tang of freshly chopped herbs filled the air of the Baratie's bustling kitchen. Pans clanged, knives chopped with rhythmic precision, and the chorus of orders being barked out created a symphony of chaos that was as familiar as the creak of the ship beneath their feet.
But today, the usual controlled frenzy of the floating restaurant was punctuated by a far more heated argument than the usual debates over seasoning.
"Listen here, Patty, that poster belongs in the dining hall where the customers can see it!" Carne barked, jabbing a finger at the rolled-up paper in Patty's hand. His beefy arms crossed over his chest as he glared at his fellow chef. "He's our sous-chef! You don't think they'd wanna see the kind of man we trained here?"
"Trained here?" Patty shot back, his voice rising an octave as he waved the poster like a banner. "The kitchen is where he learned everything! Every knife cut, every sauce, every stupid fancy leg kick of his! It belongs here, with us!"
"Fancy leg kick?! I'll show you a fancy leg kick, you, !" Carne lunged, but Patty dodged, clutching the poster like a prize as the two descended into a full-blown comedic brawl.
Plates rattled dangerously on their shelves as the two hurled themselves around the kitchen, dodging flying pans and ducking behind counters. A pot of soup nearly overturned as Patty scrambled to keep Carne from grabbing the poster, the two of them resembling wild animals more than professional chefs.
"Will you two idiots knock it off?!" Zeff's gravelly voice roared from the corner, his wooden leg thumping against the floor as he stomped toward the commotion. His piercing glare alone was enough to freeze both men mid-swing, Patty holding a frying pan high while Carne clutched a colander like a shield.
"Back to work, both of you!" Zeff barked, his voice sharp enough to slice through steel. "If one more dish is late to a customer's table, I'll have you scrubbing bilge water for a month!"
Muttering apologies, the two scurried back to their stations, though not without a few lingering glares exchanged over the counters.
Zeff shook his head, muttering under his breath as he turned his attention to the poster that had caused the ruckus. It was slightly crumpled now, but the picture of Sanji's cocky smirk stared back at him, the bold number "32,000,000 Berries" printed just below.
He paused, his calloused fingers brushing over the paper for a moment. His usual scowl softened, replaced by the faintest hint of a smirk as he leaned back on his good leg.
"Damn eggplant," he muttered, his voice quiet enough that no one else could hear. "You've made a name for yourself. Don't go getting yourself killed, brat."
With a deliberate motion, Zeff rolled the poster back out and grabbed a roll of tape from the counter. He moved to the wall near the entrance of the kitchen and stuck it there, in plain view for anyone passing by. It was a fitting compromise, close enough to the dining hall for customers to see, but firmly rooted in the kitchen where Sanji's journey had truly begun.
He stepped back, his arms crossing over his chest as he regarded the poster for a moment longer. Then, with a gruff chuckle, he shook his head and turned back to the kitchen.
"Alright, you idiots! If you've got time to bicker, you've got time to cook! Let's move!"
The clatter of pans and the hum of orders resumed, the kitchen returning to its usual chaotic rhythm. But the poster stayed right where Zeff had placed it.
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Syrup Village - Kaya
The soft glow of a bedside lamp illuminated Kaya's room, casting warm light over the neatly arranged shelves and medical textbooks that lined the walls. She sat on the edge of her bed, clutching a piece of paper tightly to her chest. Her normally calm, composed demeanor had given way to something raw and emotional, tears streaming freely down her cheeks even as a radiant smile graced her lips.
The paper was slightly crumpled from how tightly she was holding it, but the image printed on it was clear: Usopp, her childhood friend, wearing a determined expression that borders on dangerous, his bounty of 21,000,000 berries displayed prominently below. "King of Snipers," stood bold and proud, as though daring anyone to doubt him.
Kaya let out a shaky laugh, her voice tinged with pride and disbelief. "He's really out there," she murmured. "Living his dream."
,
Shimotsuki Village - Isshin Dojo
The usually tranquil grounds of the Isshin Dojo were alive with energy, a stark contrast to its typical atmosphere of discipline and quiet focus. The courtyard, normally a place for deliberate practice and training, now echoed with the sound of excited shouts and the clatter of wooden bokkens.
A group of children darted back and forth, waving a freshly printed poster like a battle flag. The afternoon sunlight glinted off the paper, highlighting the image of a swordsman with a piercing gaze and three swords slung at his side. Beneath his fierce expression were bold letters announcing his bounty: 35,000,000 Berries.
"Did you hear?" one of the boys shouted, holding the poster aloft like a trophy. "Zoro-senpai has a bounty of 35 million berries! He's a real pirate now!"
"35 million!" another boy exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe. "That's more than the whole village could make in a lifetime!"
"I'm gonna train just like him!" a third boy declared, his voice ringing with determination as he swung his bokken wildly. "One day, I'll be a pirate too!"
The group erupted into chaos, reenacting imaginary battles against infamous foes.
"Take that, Arlong!" one of them shouted, lunging forward with exaggerated movements.
"Watch out, Buggy!" another yelled, spinning dramatically before collapsing to the ground in mock defeat.
Their laughter and shouts filled the air, a symphony of youthful enthusiasm and ambition.
Inside the dojo, Koushirou sat cross-legged near the wall, his serene demeanor untouched by the commotion outside. The afternoon light filtered through the open doors, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor. Beside him rested a small stack of wanted posters, freshly delivered to the village.
On top of the stack lay the poster that had sparked the uproar: Zoro's.
Koushirou adjusted his glasses, his calm gaze lingering on the image of his former student. Zoro's face was hardened with determination, his confidence practically leaping off the page. The bounty beneath his name wasn't just a number; it was a testament to the path he had chosen.
"You've made quite the name for yourself, Zoro," Koushirou murmured, his voice quiet but steady. There was no bitterness in his tone, only a deep, abiding pride. "A bounty like this… it means you've chosen your path. And if this is the road you've decided to walk, I won't interfere."
He reached out, picking up the poster with care. His fingers brushed against the edges as he studied Zoro's face, the memories of his time at the dojo flickering in his mind like lanterns in the dark.
Outside, the children's voices grew louder, their makeshift battles becoming even more spirited. Koushirou allowed himself a faint, nostalgic smile, his heart warmed by their unbridled enthusiasm.
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Cocoyashi Village - Nojiko
The tangerine grove was alive with the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze, their fragrance mingling with the salty tang of the distant sea. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled patterns on the ground as Nojiko walked slowly through the grove. In her hands was a small bouquet of freshly picked flowers, their colors vibrant against the earthy tones of the soil beneath her feet.
The village was abuzz with excitement. Ever since Nami's bounty poster had arrived, the people of Cocoyashi had been chattering about it nonstop. A 25-million-berry bounty was nothing to scoff at, and the fact that it belonged to one of their own had sparked equal parts pride and disbelief.
But Nojiko had slipped away quietly, the chatter fading behind her as she made her way to a small clearing tucked within the grove. Here, under the shade of a sturdy tangerine tree, was Bellemere's grave.
Kneeling down, Nojiko placed the bouquet at the base of the gravestone, her fingers brushing away the leaves that had gathered there. The stone was smooth under her touch, weathered by time but still standing strong.
"Hey, Bellemere," she said softly, her voice carrying an undertone of fondness and nostalgia. She reached into her pocket and unfolded a sheet of paper, holding it up so the image faced the gravestone.
"Look at this," she continued, her tone somewhere between pride and exasperation. "Nami's done it again. She's got herself a bounty, 25 million berries."
Her lips curled into a small smile as she shook her head. "You always said she'd do something incredible. And now? Now the whole world knows it."
She settled into a cross-legged position, her shoulders relaxing as she let the breeze carry her words. The bounty poster fluttered lightly in her hands,anyone looking at it might wonder if the Marines were trying to recruit her for a modeling gig instead of hunting her down. But the important thing is that it captured her little sister smiling brightly.
"She's come so far, Bellemere," Nojiko murmured, brushing a strand of her blue hair behind her ear. Her gaze drifted upward, through the branches of the tangerine tree, to the endless expanse of sky above. "She's not that scared little girl anymore, stealing from pirates just to save us. She's free now. She's happy. And I know that's all you ever wanted for her."
For a moment, she let the silence stretch between her and the gravestone, the only sound the rustling leaves and the distant call of seagulls. The weight of the years between them, between the past they'd endured and the present they'd earned, hung heavy in the air.
Nojiko rose slowly, smoothing out her dress as she looked down at the gravestone one last time. She knelt once more, placing Nami's poster gently at the base, letting the sea breeze tease at its edges.
"Keep watching over her, Bellemere," she said softly, her voice tinged with both sadness and resolve. "I'll do the same from here."
With that, she turned and began walking back through the grove, her steps quiet but sure. Behind her, the poster fluttered gently in the wind, a testament to how far they'd come and the bonds that still tied them together.
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Marineford - Garp and Sengoku
The door to Garp's office burst open with a bang, nearly shaking the walls. Sengoku stormed inside, his face a thundercloud of frustration, his pristine white marine coat billowing behind him. In his hand was a stack of freshly printed bounty posters, their edges crumpled from his iron grip.
"GARP!" Sengoku bellowed, slamming the posters onto the desk with enough force to rattle the ceramic plate of senbei in front of Garp. "Your grandson is already causing problems, and his crew is full of freaks! What kind of madness have you unleashed on the world this time?!"
Garp, unfazed by Sengoku's fury, leaned back in his chair with a grin, reaching for a piece of senbei. He bit into it with an audible crunch, the sound punctuating Sengoku's rant like a taunt.
"Pirate Hunter Zoro," Sengoku continued, his voice rising with exasperation. "Black Leg Sanji. What's next, Garp? Some lunatic sharpshooter? A sorceress navigator?!"
"At least they're giving you something to do, Sengoku!" Garp replied with a booming laugh, bits of senbei flying as he spoke. He waved a dismissive hand, his grin widening. "I thought you were getting bored behind that desk of yours."
"Bored?!" Sengoku's mustache bristled with indignation, his face reddening as he jabbed a finger at the posters. "Your grandson is a menace! Fifty million berries already?!" He pointed accusingly at Luffy's grinning face on the topmost poster, as if the picture itself had personally offended him. "Do you have any idea what kind of chaos he's stirring up out there?"
"Of course I do," Garp said, reaching for another senbei. "He's my gradson. What'd you expect?"
Sengoku's eye twitched, his patience clearly nearing its limit. "One day, Garp, your family is going to bring this entire institution to its knees!"
Garp's laughter echoed through the office as Sengoku stormed out, his footsteps heavy enough to make the floor vibrate. "Good luck with that!" Garp called after him, waving cheerfully.
As the door slammed shut behind Sengoku, the room fell quiet again, save for the occasional crunch of senbei. Garp leaned forward, plucking Luffy's poster from the pile. He held it up, his eyes scanning the image of his grandson's familiar wide grin, his straw hat perched jauntily on his head.
"The brat's already stirring up trouble," Garp muttered to himself, shaking his head with a mix of amusement and disbelief. "Fifty million berries… What's he gone and done now?"
A quieter, more somber expression settled on his face. "Stay safe out there, Luffy," he murmured, his voice soft but steady.
He set the poster down on the desk, his fingers lingering on the edge for a moment before he leaned back in his chair. With a deep sigh, he glanced at the stack of posters, his grin returning as he shook his head.
"This family," he muttered, reaching for another senbei. "Always giving me a headache."
,
New World - Shanks and His Crew
The Red Force sailed lazily across the waves of the New World, the sun dipping low on the horizon and painting the sky in hues of amber and crimson. The deck of the ship, usually alive with the sound of laughter and clinking mugs, was momentarily quiet, save for the occasional creak of the rigging and the whisper of the sea breeze.
Shanks leaned against the mast, a grin splitting his face as he held a freshly printed bounty poster in his hand. His red hair swayed slightly in the wind, and his eyes twinkled with amusement as he stared at the grinning face on the paper.
"That brat's really making waves already!" he said, his laughter booming across the deck. "Fifty million berries… He's not wasting any time, is he?"
He tilted the poster slightly, as if imagining Luffy's voice coming from the photo. His smile never faltered, and his gaze softened, the pride in his expression unmistakable. "Keep going, Luffy. You're doing great."
"Oi, Captain!" Yasopp's voice cut through the moment as he reached for the stack of posters in Shanks' hand. "Let's see who else is making headlines!"
Shanks chuckled and handed the stack over, watching as Yasopp casually flipped through the posters, until his hand froze mid-motion.
There it was: Usopp's face staring back at him with a determined look, having an almost dangerous edge to it, his epithet "King of Snipers" written boldly beneath it. The number beside his name read 21,000,000 Berries.
Yasopp's jaw dropped slightly, his fingers tracing over the image as if to confirm it was real. "My boy…" he murmured, his voice a mix of surprise, disbelief, and overwhelming pride. "He's with Luffy… And they're calling him the King of Snipers!?"
The rest of the crew, sensing something interesting, began to gather around. Yasopp's grin widened as he ran his thumb over the bounty, his chest swelling. "He actually made it," he said softly, his voice filled with pride.
Lucky Roux burst out laughing, slapping Yasopp on the back so hard that the marksman stumbled forward. "Hey, Yasopp! Looks like your kid's already outshooting you!"
Another roar of laughter erupted as Benn Beckman smirked, his cigarette glowing faintly in the dimming light. "How does it feel to be second-best in the family, Yasopp?"
Yasopp laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head as his crewmates surrounded him. Despite the ribbing, Yasopp couldn't take his eyes off the poster. His crewmates' laughter faded into the background as he stared at Usopp's face, the pride in his chest growing with every second. "You've grown up, Usopp," he murmured, his voice softer now. "I couldn't be prouder."
Shanks stepped forward, raising his mug high as a wide grin spread across his face. "To Luffy and his crew!" he shouted. "And to Yasopp's kid"
The crew erupted into cheers, mugs raised high as they celebrated the new generation making their mark on the world. Laughter and song carried on well into the night, the sounds of their revelry blending with the rhythm of the waves.
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New World - Ace and the Whitebeard Pirates
The mess hall aboard the Moby Dick hummed with its usual energy, clattering tankards, laughter, and the occasional bellow of a joke from across the room. But Ace sat quietly amidst the commotion, leaning forward at the table with his elbows resting on his knees. In his hands, a bounty poster.
"That little idiot," Ace muttered under his breath, staring at the grinning face of his younger brother. His voice wasn't tinged with the pride one might expect, but with an undercurrent of worry. "Why now, Luffy?"
He turned the poster over and back again, as if looking at it from another angle would explain what he was seeing. Fifty million berries. It was no small feat for anyone, let alone someone who wasn't even 17 yet. The edges of the paper crinkled as his grip tightened.
Whitebeard's deep, rumbling laugh filled the room as the captain leaned back in his chair, holding a tankard as wide as a man's chest. "What's got you so quiet, brat? That doesn't suit you."
Ace's gaze flicked up toward him, his expression torn. "It's Luffy," he admitted, holding the poster up for everyone to see. The hall quieted slightly, curious eyes turning toward him. "He's already got a bounty. Fifty million. But he's… sixteen. He wasn't supposed to leave yet."
The room burst into murmurs of surprise and scattered laughs, with Marco leaning forward to get a better look. "Let me see that," he said, plucking the poster from Ace's hand. His sharp eyes scanned it before letting out a low whistle. "Fifty million, huh? That's no joke."
Ace ran a hand through his hair, his leg bouncing nervously. "He doesn't break promises. Ever. We said we'd leave when we were both 17. So why now? Why did he, "
His words trailed off, the knot in his chest tightening.
"You think something happened?" Jozu asked, his tone serious as he leaned forward, arms crossed.
"I don't know," Ace said, his voice rising slightly, frustration leaking through. "But Luffy wouldn't just leave for no reason. If he's out there already, then something made him go."
Whitebeard set his tankard down with a heavy thud, the sound commanding everyone's attention. His gaze, steady and knowing, rested on Ace. "So what? You think you should run off and drag him back?"
Ace's jaw clenched. "If he's in trouble, yeah. He's just a kid, Pops."
"And so are you," Whitebeard countered, his voice firm but not unkind. "He's got a bounty to his name now. That means he's a pirate. His own man."
Ace opened his mouth to argue, but Whitebeard raised a hand, silencing him.
"You think he's not ready. That's normal. But look at that number, brat." He tapped the poster Marco had handed back, his golden hook gleaming in the lantern light. "Fifty million berries. The world's already taken notice of him. You should be proud of what he's done."
Ace looked down at the poster, his grip loosening. Pride flickered faintly in his eyes, but it was overshadowed by the worry gnawing at him. "But what if, "
"No 'what ifs,'" Whitebeard interrupted. "Your brother's a D, isn't he? That means he's got a storm in him, just like you. And just like you, he's gotta face it on his own terms."
The room fell quiet, the weight of Whitebeard's words settling over everyone. Marco broke the silence with a grin. "Ace, he's your brother. If he's anything like you, sitting still was never an option for him."
"That's true," Jozu added with a chuckle. "Between the two of you, the Grand Line's got its work cut out for it."
Ace let out a slow breath, leaning back in his chair. The tension in his shoulders eased, but only slightly. "Yeah, maybe you're right," he said quietly.
Whitebeard leaned forward, his massive frame dwarfing the table. "Not maybe. Definitely. Let him chart his own course, brat. When the time comes, you'll stand beside him. Just like a big brother should."
Ace stared at the poster for a long moment before tucking it into his pocket. The worry didn't leave his eyes entirely, but there was a flicker of something else now, pride.
"Fine," he said finally, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "But if he gets in over his head, I'm going after him."
The room erupted into laughter once more, and Whitebeard raised his tankard high. "That's more like it! To the little brother who couldn't wait!"
The hall echoed with cheers, but Ace remained quiet, his thoughts lingering on Luffy.
"Stay safe out there, little brother," he murmured under his breath, his gaze drifting toward the horizon.
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Drum Kingdom: Chopper
The rugged peaks of Drum Island stretched toward the sky, blanketed in an endless sea of snow. The wind howled as it whipped across the frigid landscape, its icy fingers weaving through the narrow passes and around the jagged cliffs. Despite the biting cold, a small figure stood outside in the snow, bundled tightly in a pink hat and matching scarf.
Chopper's tiny hooves trembled as he held a stack of wanted posters close to his chest. His breath formed puffs of mist in the freezing air, but his wide eyes remained fixed on the topmost poster in the stack. Luffy's familiar grin stared back at him, bold and unwavering, and beneath it gleamed the number: 50,000,000 Berries.
"Fifty million…" Chopper whispered, his voice nearly swallowed by the wind. It wasn't just the number that stunned him, it was what it meant. The captain he admired so much, the one who had turned his world upside down and shown him a path beyond the mountains, was already making waves in the world again.
Chopper's hooves shook as he flipped through the rest of the posters, each one revealing a face he hadn't seen in what felt like a lifetime. They were all there, each with a bounty that screamed of their strength, their presence, their return.
"They're back…" Chopper's voice cracked, his wide eyes shimmering with unshed tears as he clutched the posters tightly against his chest. The familiar warmth of hope, of purpose, surged within him, fighting off the cold that surrounded him.
"They'll come find me, just like they did before!" he said, his voice louder this time, filled with determination even as his lip quivered slightly.
The weight of the posters pressed against his heart, but it wasn't a burden, it was a promise. A promise that the Straw Hats were still out there, and that they would come for him when the time was right. And when they did, he would be ready.
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Alabasta: Robin
The capital of Alabasta, Alubarna, was a labyrinth of winding alleys and sandstone buildings, its maze-like structure designed to confuse invaders and protect its secrets. The desert wind whispered through the narrow passages, carrying with it the scent of sunbaked stone and the faint aroma of spices from the bustling markets.
In the heart of this sprawling city, hidden within a shadowy room far from prying eyes, Nico Robin sat at a modest wooden table illuminated by the flickering glow of a single oil lamp. The dim light cast long shadows across the room, its faint warmth struggling against the chill of secrecy that hung in the air.
The table was cluttered with papers, maps of Alabasta's terrain, coded messages from Baroque Works operatives, and scattered fragments of ancient texts. But Robin's attention was fixed on a newly delivered stack of bounty posters resting atop the chaos.
When she came to Luffy's poster, she paused. The grinning face staring back at her was just as she remembered it, unapologetically bold and brimming with an unshakable resolve. The bold number below his name declared him as a rising force in the world: 50,000,000 Berries.
Robin's lips curved into a faint smirk, the flickering light catching the knowing gleam in her eyes. "You've made it back, haven't you?" she murmured, her voice low and calm, as though addressing Luffy directly. "You've all survived."
As she gazed at the posters spread before her, a warm smile crept across her face. Even though they were scattered across different parts of the world, she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of happiness, her family was out there, thriving. Looking once more at her captain's grinning face, she felt a surge of certainty in her heart. It was only a matter of time before they would meet again.
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Water Seven - Franky
The streets of Water Seven bustled with life, the rhythmic clanging of tools and the hum of voices blending into a melody of industry. Workers maneuvered massive pieces of timber across the canals, their shouts echoing as they coordinated deliveries to shipyards and workshops. The salty breeze off the ocean wove through the stone streets, carrying with it the ever-present scent of sawdust and fresh varnish.
Franky strolled through the busy streets, his usual swagger undiminished as his colorful Hawaiian shirt flapped lightly in the breeze. His mechanical arms glinted in the sunlight as he adjusted his sunglasses, his thoughts far from the commotion around him.
He was already knee-deep in ideas for improvements to the Thousand Sunny. Even though the ship didn't exist yet, at least not in this timeline, Franky's mind was constantly buzzing with ways to make her better. Stronger. More… super.
As he walked, a worker hurried past, dropping off a stack of papers at the entrance of a nearby café. Among them were the latest wanted posters, their edges slightly curled from the humidity. Franky barely glanced at the pile at first, his thoughts still consumed by his designs. But as he passed by, something tugged at him, a familiar pull of curiosity.
"Eh, why not?" he muttered, snatching the stack with a casual flick of his hand.
He flipped through the papers absentmindedly at first, but his hand froze the moment he saw the familiar grin staring back at him. Luffy's bounty poster.
The number beneath the picture made his sunglasses slip slightly down his nose, revealing his wide, stunned eyes.
"Fifty million?" he said aloud, his voice a mix of disbelief and amusement. "Already?"
He flipped through the stack more quickly now, his mechanical fingers trembling slightly as he spotted the rest of the crew. One by one, their faces appeared before him, their bounties proudly displayed beneath their names. They were back, they all survived.
Franky let out a low whistle, a proud grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You guys didn't waste any time, huh? Already making waves in the East Blue."
His grip on the posters tightened slightly as he stared at them. It had been years since he'd first met the Straw Hats, but even now, just the sight of their faces was enough to stir something deep in his chest. Pride, maybe. Or was it excitement?
"Guess it's time to get to work," he muttered, turning on his heel and heading back toward his workshop.
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Fishman Island - Jinbei
The gentle luminescence of Fishman Island bathed the Sun Pirates' ship in a kaleidoscope of colors, the coral landscape glowing softly beneath the waves. The vast ocean surrounding the island was calm, a serene mirror reflecting the flickering light from the underwater kingdom.
Jinbei sat alone on the deck, the faint creak of the ship's wood accompanying the rhythmic swish of the currents. The scene was peaceful, but his attention was not on the vibrant beauty of the ocean. Spread out before him on the deck were freshly delivered bounty posters, the ink still crisp and bold.
His large hands reached out, carefully picking up the topmost poster. Luffy's wide grin stared back at him, full of energy and unshakable confidence. Beneath the image, the number 50,000,000 Berries glimmered boldly.
A deep laugh rumbled from Jinbei's chest, his sharp teeth flashing as a grin broke across his face. "Fifty million berries… Captain, you've certainly wasted no time making a name for yourself again," he said, his voice carrying a mix of pride and amusement.
His fingers traced the edges of the poster, his expression softening as he thought of the Straw Hat captain. Luffy's presence was impossible to ignore, even now, separated as they were by both time and distance.
One by one, the faces of the crew passed through Jinbei's hands, each bringing with it a wave of nostalgia and admiration.
"You've all made it back, haven't you?" Jinbei murmured, his tone quieter now. "The whole lot of you. And you're already causing ripples across the East Blue."
He leaned back against the ship's sturdy mast, folding his arms across his chest. The wood groaned softly under his weight, but the sound was almost comforting, a reminder of the journeys he had undertaken with the Straw Hat crew.
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Florian Triangle - Brook
The Florian Triangle was steeped in a silence so profound it seemed alive, the kind that crawled under the skin and whispered in the ears of the lonely. Thick fog rolled endlessly across the stagnant waters, obscuring the moonlight and leaving the world trapped in an unending haze of gray. What little light filtered through the gloom cast long, eerie shadows across the cracked and decaying deck of a once-proud ship, now little more than a ghostly ruin adrift in the void.
Brook sat at the center of the ship's rotting deck, his skeletal frame still as stone. One bony hand rested lightly on his violin, the strings dull and weathered from years of neglect, while the other gripped his cane-sword, its polished surface a sharp contrast to the decay around him. The faint sound of wood creaking under the weight of time punctuated the suffocating quiet, a reminder of the decades he had endured alone.
His hollow eye sockets gazed out into the swirling mists, the faint glow of the distant moon refracted in the glassy sheen of his bones. For a long moment, he said nothing, his stillness matching that of the ghostly ship around him. But when he finally spoke, his voice was low and brittle, carrying a weight that echoed across the foggy expanse.
"Was it all a dream?" he murmured, the words slipping out like the final notes of a fading melody. "Yohohoho… No, it couldn't have been. It felt too real to be a fantasy."
The weight of his memories pressed against him, heavier than the suffocating fog. Luffy's laughter, infectious and unrelenting. Zoro's unwavering strength, his presence as solid as a fortress. Nami's fiery determination that could burn through even the darkest despair. And the others, every one of them, etched into his mind like notes on a score.
Brook's skeletal fingers trembled as they clutched the neck of his violin tighter, the fragile wood creaking slightly under the strain. "Luffy-san, Zoro-san, everyone…" His voice cracked, a faint tremor betraying the ache buried deep in his soul. "Did we truly share all those adventures? Or has my loneliness finally driven me mad?"
He rose to his feet slowly, his cane tapping against the rotting wood with a hollow sound. The fog swirled around him as though alive, curling in ghostly tendrils around his thin frame. His hollow sockets stared into the nothingness, searching for something, anything, that might break the endless monotony of his existence.
"If they're truly out there…" Brook whispered, his voice carrying both desperation and hope. "If they've returned to the sea…"
His skeletal fingers tightened around his cane-sword, the metal cold beneath his grip. "Then I have to believe they'll come for me. No matter how long it takes."
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a spark of hope flickered to life within him. It was faint, fragile, but it was enough to stir something dormant in his soul. Memories of the Thousand Sunny filled his mind, the ship alive with music and laughter, his violin bow dancing across the strings as the crew sang and shouted in harmony.
Brook turned to the violin resting on the chair beside him, brushing his bony fingers against its worn strings. "I am the musician of the King of the Pirates," he said softly, a hint of pride creeping into his voice. "And when they come for me, I'll be ready."
With that, Brook stepped into the center of the deck, his cane-sword gleaming faintly in the dim light. He raised it high, its edge catching the faint glow of the moon, and began to move. The fog parted slightly as he swept the blade through the air, his movements fluid and precise despite the decades of isolation.
The sound of his sword cutting through the mist was sharp and clear, a counterpoint to the oppressive silence. Brook trained with a focus he hadn't felt in years, each strike and parry a promise to himself and to the crew he knew would return for him.
Hours passed, but the silence was no longer unbearable. Brook's determination filled the empty space, each swing of his blade a declaration: I will be ready. I will stand by their side again.
As the night wore on, Brook finally lowered his cane-sword, his frame straightening as he stood tall amidst the swirling fog. A soft laugh bubbled up from deep within him, growing into a steady, determined chuckle that echoed across the ghostly expanse.
"It's not over yet," he said, his voice stronger now, filled with resolve. "I'll see them again… One day."
The fog swirled around him, and the eerie silence returned. But Brook no longer felt its weight as heavily as before. For the first time in months, the King of the Pirates' musician had something to look forward to, and that made all the difference.
Author's notes: Hello, everyone! I hope you're having a wonderful end to the year. Since I won't have time to post this tomorrow, I decided to release it a bit early.
This chapter was incredibly fun to write, I've always enjoyed these moments in the manga. It's great to see everyone else's reactions to the Strawhats' success. This time, it also served as a chance to check in on how the other crew members are doing. Don't worry, they'll start showing up soon enough.
This chapter also marks the end of the East Blue Arc. From here, we'll see how things evolve in the Grand Line. Anyway, I've talked enough! I hope you've enjoyed the story so far. Reviews are always welcome as usual. Wishing you all a happy New Year, and I'll see you next week!