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The first rays of sunlight washed over the sea, and Aero stood quietly on the Dove's deck, savoring the warmth on his skin.
The morning calm was filled with the laughter of his crew.
Ever since Gin joined, there were now fourteen crewmates aboard the Dove, living and sailing together.
Moments earlier, Gin, egged on by Eddie, had tried his first taste of Bugsy Kingdom's strongest liquor. One bottle down, and he was flushed, wobbling, and stumbling back into the cabin to pass out.
Sometimes, that's all it took to forge brotherhood: a drink and a battle fought side by side. From there, trust came naturally.
After breakfast, Aero perched at the bow, enjoying the calm while waiting for the day's news.
A white News Coo descended gracefully, landing nearby. Aero tossed a coin into the pouch hanging from its neck, prompting the bird to drop a stack of Wanted Posters and a fresh newspaper.
He grabbed the newspaper midair as four bounty posters fluttered down neatly before him.
He glanced at the first one it was his own. His bounty had risen again.
The other three: Dylan, Eddie, and for the first time, Gin.
---
Hurricane Pirates Captain: Aero Aegis – Bounty: 50,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive
First Mate: Dylan – Bounty: 16,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive
Officer: Eddie Cahill – Bounty: 15,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive
Officer: "Demon" Gin – Bounty: 8,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive
---
Aero opened the newspaper.
The headline read:
"Krieg Defeated! Hurricane Pirates Crush East Blue Tyrant."
The article detailed how Aero had led his crew to dismantle the five-thousand-strong Krieg Pirates. It also mentioned that the East Blue Navy's 3,000-man force suffered 1,000 casualties in the process.
It ended with a note: Battle Commander Pearl was captured alive.
The Navy's East Blue Commander had issued a statement assuring civilians that order would be maintained, urging them not to panic.
But Aero was more surprised Krieg was still alive after all the damage he'd taken.
Still, with the papers singing his name, his legend had officially begun.
In the East Blue, people could live their whole lives not knowing the name of the Fleet Admiral… or the Seven Warlords… or even the Four Emperors.
But now, they all knew the name Aero.
A rookie pirate who had set sail just a few months ago and already had a bounty of 50 million berries.
To ordinary citizens, he was terrifying. If he could do this much in the East Blue, what might come next?
His rise would inspire more pirates to chase the dream. And that would only make the seas more chaotic.
Back at Navy HQ in the East Blue, the regional commander sat nervously. A thousand troops gone. He'd borrowed those men from his "royal friend," and now the losses meant fewer tributes… fewer treasures.
Unacceptable.
He submitted a request to Navy HQ for reimbursement but of course, he'd keep a generous cut for himself.
---
Meanwhile, Bugsy had already received word that Ray had successfully met with Aero.
Ray's brief report mentioned Aero's plans to set sail again soon. Which meant Bugsy's support would soon become irrelevant.
That left him a little disappointed… but proud, too.
Especially as he gazed at the four new bounty posters now laid out on his royal desk.
---
Far away, on the Grand Line, Vice Admiral Garp stood at the helm of a Marine ship his white coat flapping, and his trademark dog-head hat perched on his head.
In one hand, he clutched a bounty poster.
It was Aero's.
For a moment, he studied the photo with a blank expression.
Then he tilted his head, still standing… and began snoring.
"Zzz… Zzz…"
"Vice Admiral! Vice Admiral!" his aide, Bogard, tried shaking him awake.
Bogard had worked under Garp for years and knew better than anyone that the legend of "The Hero of the Marines" was… complex.
Garp suddenly jolted up, yawning loudly.
"Bahaha! I dozed off again!" he said, laughing.
He glanced again at Aero's poster and grinned. "That brat… Aero Aegis, huh? The whole East Blue's in an uproar because of him!"
Bogard straightened up and replied seriously, "Don't worry, sir. The East Blue is your home turf. Once the pirates realize Vice Admiral Garp is returning… they'll quiet down."
"Hmm… Bogard," Garp said, turning suddenly, "why don't you take the ship and go after Aero? I'll swing by Foosha Village real quick."
"No," Bogard said firmly, hand resting on his blade. "You were personally assigned to suppress pirate activity. You can't just bail out."
"Aw, come on! Don't be so uptight!" Garp laughed, smiling widely.
Bogard's stare didn't budge. "I know you, sir. The moment I say yes, you'll be gone before we even anchor."
Garp could only chuckle sheepishly, turning his dog-head hat away like a scolded child.
---
Baratie – The Floating Restaurant
The massive ship, shaped like a fish's head, bobbed gently on the East Blue.
Inside, the restaurant bustled with customers some nobles, others pirates. But most didn't care who sat next to them. It was the food that mattered.
Many of the cooks were former thugs or pirates themselves men who'd once been unwanted by society. Here, under one roof, they found dignity again.
To them, Baratie wasn't just a workplace. It was home.
Upon the second-deck balcony, a tall man with a white chef's hat and a peg leg stood staring at a bounty poster.
His face was unreadable.
Without a word, he flicked the poster into the sea.
He hadn't been a pirate in years. None of this concerned him anymore.
Golden hair, golden mustache—braided and curled at the ends like a work of art.
This was Zeff the Red-Leg, head chef of Baratie.
Once a notorious pirate captain.
Now? Just a cook who kept his past behind him.
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