"The second report meeting on the 'Steel Giant' will now begin."
Marine Headquarters, Marineford
A third collective meeting regarding a certain pirate was convened, presided over by Marine Vice Admiral Brannew. Many Marines gathered below. The report on this 'pirate' was a crucial learning objective, specifically emphasized by Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Sixteen Marine Vice Admirals, including Vice Admiral Momonga, who had just returned to Marineford, Major Generals, and Admiral Sakazuki (Akainu) were present to hear the report.
Brannew, nicknamed 'The Meeting King' within the Marines, adjusted his sunglasses, cleared his throat, and began reading the report:
"'Steel Giant,' a mysterious pirate who suddenly appeared in the New World 'Whole Cake Island' waters three months ago. He raided 'Kulahaka,' a World Government affiliate nation on the border of Whole Cake Island waters, and struck during Vice Admiral Momonga's engagement with the Big Mom Pirates."
Vice Admiral Momonga's expression was grim. He had been captured by the Charlotte family and taken to Whole Cake Island. If he hadn't been lucky enough to encounter Kaido of the Beasts arriving to cause trouble for Charlotte Linlin, he might not have escaped.
"Does he not have a definite name or photograph? Tina is curious," asked 'Black Cage' Tina, a pink-haired beauty colonel, raising her hand.
"No. It is known that the Steel Giant operates an eighteen-meter-tall humanoid weapon. No one knows his appearance or any characteristics, only a few sounds transmitted through the humanoid weapon during combat," Brannew explained in detail. "Therefore, the title 'Steel Giant' can be considered the bounty name used by headquarters to describe that humanoid weapon. The headquarters has only issued a bounty and reward amount for the internal pilot, without assigning any titles."
"The bounty amount for the Steel Giant is—1.9 billion Berries!"
The figure caused an uproar among the Marines below. Compared to the previous bounty, it had increased by 100 million Berries in just thirty days!
"I recall that the Steel Giant has not acted since that initial appearance," Vice Admiral Doberman frowned.
"One action was enough," Sakazuki, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "Given that single combat record, his current 1.9 billion Berry bounty is nothing."
The Marines fell silent. Undoubtedly, it was a combat record that shook the seas.
Operating from a distance of 1200 kilometers, nearly across the entire Whole Cake Island waters, he used an unknown weapon to nearly kill the Yonko, Big Mom.
Anyone capable of such a feat—shaking the four pirate emperors who stand at the pinnacle of the seas—even just injuring one and escaping, is enough to be considered among the strongest in the sea. It didn't matter if the opponent relied on the convenience of a weapon. In the sea, only strength matters. Martial arts, swordsmanship, and Devil Fruit abilities are part of strength, and weapons are naturally also part of strength.
The Steel Giant was undeniably an unbelievable miracle on the seas.
On his debut day, the first thing he did was nearly turn the Four Emperors into three and then easily escape the Whole Cake Island waters with almost a playful attitude.
When Big News Morgans, who had been imprisoned for nearly forty days, spread the news through the World Economic News, almost everyone was skeptical. Who could do such an unbelievable thing?
But while Morgans was known for his flaws, his credibility was unquestionable.
Furthermore, Kaido of the Beasts, upon hearing the news, personally visited Whole Cake Island to confirm Big Mom's situation, incidentally destroying half of the Whole Cake Chateau, which directly proved the matter.
Suddenly, the entire world was searching for the whereabouts of the Steel Giant. Some pirates even shouted about the birth of the 'Fifth Emperor,' but few agreed with this claim. The reason was simple: the title of Pirate Emperor doesn't just come from one's strength; it stems more from the power held by the 'Emperor.'
The Four Emperors of the New World are called such not only because of their monstrous strength but also because their territories and forces act like four nations opposing the World Government, inspiring fear and reverence.
While the Steel Giant nearly used his mysterious weapon to one-shot Big Mom, he hadn't revealed any affiliations.
Therefore, he didn't qualify as an 'Emperor.'
The entire world speculated on which faction the Steel Giant belonged to. The World Government, which was most suspected and wary, chose to immediately issue a bounty for him.
The 1.7 billion Berry bounty shocked the world. On his debut day, he achieved a bounty comparable to the Yonko's first mates, second only to Ben Beckman of the Red Hair Pirates and Marco the Phoenix of the Whitebeard Pirates.
The term "Supernova" could no longer describe this rapid surge in bounty, as the previous record for the highest debut bounty, for the 'Devil Child' Nico Robin, was only 79 million Berries. Everyone could see the World Government's profound and overflowing caution toward the Steel Giant.
"But... why issue a bounty for him?" Vice Admiral Momonga frowned. Having just escaped from Whole Cake Island, he learned that his "savior" had been issued a bounty by the Marines.
He initially thought the Giant had done something evil, but aside from the assassination attempt on Big Mom, the Giant had simply disappeared.
"Because his existence has severely obstructed 'Justice'!" Sakazuki raised his head, his eyes under his cap strict and cold. His lava-encased right fist ignited the wooden table next to him. "Carrying such an extremely dangerous, Ancient Weapon-like threat around will have an irreparable and severe impact on the world's order!"
It was precisely for this reason that the Steel Giant's wanted poster did not specify 'Dead or Alive' like most pirates, but the rare 'Only Alive'. The World Government feared such power but also desired to acquire that terrifying weapon.
The terrifying aspect of Dainsleif was not only its attack power, which was nearly lethal to the strongest in the One Piece world, but also its terrifying ability to accurately snipe a target over 1200 kilometers away with the assistance of the Barbatos Gundam's calibration.
This equates to an ultra-long-range, one-shot kill that crosses an entire country and island. Imagine if such an attack landed on top of Mary Geoise, or if Mary Geoise could control such a terrifying weapon...
Admittedly, Dainsleif's area destruction power is far inferior to Ancient Weapons like the Pluton, which can sink an island with one shot, or even the Dynamite Rock sealed by the Five Elders. However, its terrifying attack distance and precision sniping ability are enough to instill dread.
"Because of this, the World Government requires all Marines under our command to report immediately upon seeing the Steel Giant."
Brannew pulled down the curtain. The projector Den Den Mushi in front projected the image of the Steel Giant's fleeting moment soaring through the sky.
"One month ago, the World Government granted Marineford a significant budget to equip all Marines performing outside missions with a Golden Den Den Mushi."
Brannew picked up a golden Den Den Mushi. The listless creature glowed uncomfortably.
"Once detected, it can immediately contact Marineford and nearby Admirals and patrol personnel, allowing for the capture of the 'Steel Giant.'"
The Golden Den Den Mushi is the rarest 'precious species' of Den Den Mushi, specifically used to activate the Buster Call.
The fact that the World Government was willing to spend heavily to equip every ship in Marine Headquarters demonstrates how seriously they regard the Steel Giant.
Almost immediately, the silver Den Den Mushi next to Brannew's hand, designated for receiving Golden Den Den Mushi calls, emitted an urgent alarm.
The next moment, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's frantic voice came through.
"All Marines with the rank of Major General and above, assemble at Headquarters!"
"The Steel Giant has arrived!"
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