Right then, Aileen was surrounded by her friends, all chattering as they clutched the wanted posters.
"Sugoi! Big bro Leno is amazing! A bounty of 500 million Berries! He's gotta be the strongest person in the East Blue now, right?"
"Obviously! Big sis Nojiko and big sis Nami are incredible too," a little girl beside Aileen protested.
"Yeah, yeah! They're girls and still have such high bounties—that's awesome," someone chimed in.
Aileen's worry had already shifted into excitement and pride.
"As expected of the Boss's brother and sisters! Their first bounty is so high; that's so cool!"
"Bang!"
"I told you—stop calling me 'boss'!" Aileen growled, flattening another friend.
"B-but… you are our boss. Everyone calls you that…"
"Hmph! From now on, call me 'captain.' Leno taught me how to get stronger. Do you want to become as strong as him?"
"We do! We want to be as strong as Leno, Nojiko, and Nami!" xN
"So what will you call me from now on?"
"Captain!" xN
"Mmm. Good work, my subordinates." Hands clasped behind her back, Aileen gave them a slight nod.
Shimotsuki Village, Isshin Dojo.
"Sensei, sensei! Senior Kuina is famous now!"
"Sensei, we heard Senior Kuina is about to break through to Grandmaster Swordsman! Do we have to become wanted criminals to get strong?"
"Yeah, sensei—teach us how to become wanted! Then we'll be as strong as she is!" Listening to them, Koushirō broke into a cold sweat.
"N-no, no, no—I never taught her to become a criminal. I only taught her swordsmanship. Don't idolize that part."
"Eh? Why? She looks so cool on the wanted poster!"
"Really? Sensei, you're not tricking us, right?"
"Really. Now get back to training." Wiping his brow, Koushirō hurriedly dispersed the students.
He raised his eyes toward the place where Kuina used to practice.
'Kuina, don't lose your way. Stick to your sword and keep walking forward—no matter what you become.'
In the back mountain, Zoro stared at the wanted posters of Leno and Kuina in his hands, eyes blazing.
"You two punks got famous this fast? Just you wait—I'll be even more famous than both of you! I, Zoro, will not lose to anyone!"
"Swish!"
A flying slash shot out. A distant boulder split cleanly in two. Zoro's gaze was steadier than ever, brimming with confidence.
Syrup Village, hilltop mansion.
"Young lady, look—news of your friends! Extraordinary news!" Butler Merry knocked and entered, speaking to Kaya.
"Oh? They've already reached the West Blue? So cool—sailing around the world… and they've got such an adorable pet, too. I'm so jealous." With a sigh, Kaya rose and went to the window, letting the breeze brush her face.
"Seeing how happy you all look, the journey must be wonderful. I hope your voyage stays safe. I have to work hard too, or you'll laugh at me when we meet again."
Spotting Usopp running toward the mansion in the distance, Kaya quickly drew back and shut the window.
Ever since Nami and the others told her about the countless crimes of pirates—and how Usopp's father abandoned his family, which led to his mother's illness and eventual passing—she'd grown disgusted with Usopp's idolization of his father and his own dream of becoming a pirate. She'd asked Merry to keep Usopp away from the villa so they could avoid meeting. (T/N: poor kid :/…)
Drum Kingdom, at Dr. Kureha's place—the treehouse at the foot of the mountain.
Having just returned from secretly treating a patient, Dr. Kureha pulled today's newspaper from her bag. When she saw Leno's crew's wanted posters, her eyes narrowed—until she reached the end and found a mere 50 Berries.
"Hee-hee-hee-hee… Looks like my foolish son is doing just fine with that brat," she said, eyes softening at Chopper's photo—cow-pattern cap on his head, cotton candy in hand, smiling from ear to ear.
"Hey, you silly boy… it seems your hard times have finally passed. I hope you stay happy from now on."
After reading, she carefully tucked Chopper's poster into her bag and began packing.
Lately that scoundrel Wapol had been expelling and arresting doctors everywhere, forcing her to treat people in secret. This place was no longer safe—she had to move.
East Blue, the "Goa Kingdom," Windmill Village—Makino's Bar.
Behind the counter, Makino carefully polished a glass, her eyes drifting now and then to the wanted posters laid out on the bar, while the patrons murmured around her.
"Hey, you read today's paper?"
"Sure did. Incredible, huh? That fair-skinned young guy who came to Windmill Village—he's a big shot now."
"Yeah, a full 500 million Berries! The East Blue's famous at last."
"I knew the first moment I saw him that he wasn't ordinary. See? In no time he's known worldwide. I've got an eye for talent!"
"Bah. You were staring at his pretty crew of girls the whole time. When did you ever look at the guy?"
Makino listened quietly, mind drifting back to when Leno's crew first came to the bar.
She recalled Leno's conversation with Vice Admiral Garp—how his handsome face blazed with confidence—and his overwhelming presence when he crossed fists with Garp. It was unforgettable.
So young, yet so strong.
'What a mysterious guy.'
Bang!
"Makino! Quick, juice—so thirsty!" Luffy barreled through the door like a whirlwind, shouting as he came.
Makino's expression mixed fondness with helplessness. "Luffy, out training again? You're drenched in sweat."
"Raaah!!"
"In two more years I'm heading out to sea. I've gotta get stronger. I'm gonna be the Pirate King!" Luffy declared at the counter.
"Here—your juice."
"You know, if Vice Admiral Garp hears you, he'll beat you up again," Makino said, amused.
At the mention of his grandpa, Luffy reflexively hunched his shoulders, then grumbled, "He's not here right now anyway. And I'm not joining the Marines. I'm going to the sea as a pirate!"
"Eh? Are those new wanted posters?" He caught sight of a corner sticking from the paper.
"Sugoi! Five hundred million Berries!"
"Eh? Why does this guy look familiar?" Luffy squinted at Leno's photo.
"You forgot already?" Makino sighed. "He battled your grandpa for days. Garp even added extra training for you because of it."
"Oh—so it was that big bro. He's gotten that strong, huh? But I won't lose to him. I'm definitely becoming the Pirate King!"
"He's an adventurer, not a pirate."