"Alright, let's head to Nami's hometown now and beat those damn fish-men flying!"
Luffy clenched his fists, loudly announcing the captain's order.
Zoro and Usopp both nodded and were about to operate the ship.
But Genrou stopped them.
"Although Cocoyashi Village isn't that far from here, for safety's sake, I'll go ahead first."
"Besides, I've rested enough, and eaten quite a bit of food."
"My stamina should be enough to fly there."
After stuffing the last few rice balls Sanji made into his mouth, Genrou put on the same black boots as Sanji in front of everyone.
"Wait, are you planning to fly there directly using the black boots?"
Nami ran over, eyes bright with surprise.
"Of course. If I use the black boots, I can guarantee my speed."
"Nami, do you want to go with me first?"
Genrou looked up, clearly seeing the expectation in her eyes.
"Of course, Genrou. Take me with you."
Saying that, Nami hugged Genrou's arm, while Sanji looked on in envy.
"Wait, if you're flying there, then I…"
"Sanji, you haven't used the black boots yet. Your flying speed can't keep up with me. Besides, your stamina wouldn't last long for flight either."
Genrou then turned to Luffy.
"Luffy, I'll go ahead with Nami. You guys come after us, okay?"
Luffy nodded slightly. "Yeah… I really wanted to personally punch that bastard Arlong. But if Nami's family might be in danger, then there's no helping it."
"Genrou, if you see that Arlong, punch him once for me."
Hearing this, Genrou nodded.
"If possible, I'd like to. But I think Nami would rather do it herself."
"She already has the power to defeat the Arlong Pirates."
Nami didn't say anything, but her clenched fists clearly showed her resolve.
"Let's go, Nami."
Genrou activated the black boots, and emerald green flames immediately wrapped around them.
His body slowly floated up.
"Coming!"
Nami jogged over, took the briefcase containing the Devil Fruits from Genrou's hand, and jumped onto his arms.
"Let's go, Genrou."
Genrou nodded slightly, waved goodbye to Luffy, Zoro, and the others, then leapt upward.
In an instant, his speed broke the sound barrier.
By the time Luffy and the others looked again, Genrou and Nami had already disappeared into the clouds.
"That's really fast… If only I had boots like those, then I wouldn't have to worry about being caught anymore," Usopp muttered, shaking his head. Then he suddenly realized something, and turned excitedly towards Sanji.
"Hey, Sanji, can I borrow your black boots for a bit? I want to try flying too!"
Luffy nodded vigorously. "Yeah, me too."
Sanji sighed. "You guys should know by now… only I can use my black boots. But if you want, you can try asking Genrou to lend his to you. Anyway, stop bothering me. I need to study these black boots carefully. Once I master them, I'm going to fly through the skies holding a beautiful woman just like Genrou."
With that, Sanji was about to leave.
"Hey, cook, we still need to go to Nami's hometown, don't slack off."
Zoro pressed a hand on Sanji's shoulder, his face serious.
"Fine, I know."
Sanji sighed, temporarily giving up on his black boots training, and joined Usopp and Zoro in steering the Merry towards Cocoyashi Village.
...
On the other side, in the New World.
On a deserted island, the Red-Haired Pirates' officers were gathered, enjoying a banquet.
"Beckman, what are you looking at? Come drink with us!"
Shanks walked over to Ben Beckman, holding a sake cup, and loudly offered him a drink.
"Shanks, wait a moment before drinking. I've got some important news."
"Important news? Don't tell me that Kaido bastard is looking for trouble with us again?"
"No."
"Then is it the Navy?"
"Also no."
Beckman waved the newspaper and bounty posters in his hand.
"It's about Luffy… and Yasopp's son."
As soon as those words fell, the previously lively banquet fell silent.
Yasopp, who was already a bit tipsy, sobered up instantly and rushed to Beckman's side.
"Beckman, what happened to my son? Why is he on the newspaper?"
Yasopp always carried guilt towards his son.
Hearing Beckman suddenly mention news about him, how could he not be worried?
"Relax, it's not bad news."
"Your son, Usopp, joined Luffy's pirate crew. He's already made quite a name for himself on the seas."
"And it seems your son is quite something… he awakened Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki) at such a young age."
"According to what the newspaper says, his Conqueror's Haki isn't weak either."
Beckman smiled, handing Luffy and Usopp's bounty posters to Shanks and Yasopp respectively.
"What… my son awakened Conqueror's Haki?! You've got to be kidding… wait, 50 million Berries?!"
"How can his bounty be that high? He just set out to sea, how could he already get such a bounty?!"
"Yasopp, what exactly has your son been up to…"
Yasopp looked at the poster and immediately recognized Usopp's photo.
But with it came a surge of complex emotions in his heart.
"Luffy's already been given a bounty of 55 million Berries… Beckman, does the newspaper explain what they did?"
After handing Luffy's poster to the others, Shanks asked curiously.
"Of course. At Baratie in East Blue, Luffy's crew fought against the fleet led by Tsuru and Momousagi Gion and managed to escape."
"During the battle, Luffy, Usopp, and the other crew members showed impressive strength."
"That's why they all got such high bounties."
"Actually, this news is already a bit old. Before Luffy was given a bounty of 55 million, he was already wanted for 30 million."
"This 55 million is his second bounty update."
Beckman explained.
No one was too surprised at the delay.
After all, they were on an uninhabited island in the New World where News Coos didn't always deliver.
Missing a few updates was normal.
"But… they actually fought Tsuru and Gion… and escaped?"
"Beckman, you're hiding something, aren't you?" Shanks smiled.
Even though he had high hopes for Luffy, Shanks didn't think Luffy's crew could face such Admirals and escape unscathed.
"You're right, Shanks."
"The reason Luffy and Usopp's crew got away alive…"
"I think it's thanks to this man."
Beckman placed another bounty poster before everyone.
"Shanks, in Luffy's pirate crew, he's not the highest bounty."
"It's this guy, called Genrou. His bounty is 1 billion Berries."
(End of Chapter)
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