"What happened to her?" Nami asked with concern as she rushed over, noticing Zino carrying Nojiko in his arms.
"She awakened her Haki," Zino replied, carefully laying Nojiko down on a mattress near the mast.
The crew gathered around quickly. Nojiko was pale, and sweat covered her forehead. She seemed dazed, her breathing shallow.
"She's burning up," Marianne said after gently placing her hand on Nojiko's forehead. "This fever is intense."
"I'll treat her," Kaya said, kneeling beside her. She began channeling her healing energy, but her expression turned troubled. "This isn't an ordinary fever. Her body is reacting strongly to the awakening."
Everyone looked worried. Even Kaya's healing couldn't suppress the fever completely. It wasn't just physical—this was a spiritual transformation, something that couldn't be treated like a normal illness.
"She awakened Haki… just like that?" Sanji muttered, glancing toward the crow's nest. "She wasn't even training, was she?"
The rest of the meditating crew—Zoro, Alvida, Gin, Binko, Galdino, and others—were stunned. They had been pouring hours into their meditation and focus. And yet, it was Nojiko, simply watching from above, who had actually awakened Haki first.
"That's unbelievable," Usopp said, blinking. "She wasn't even trying!"
Zino stood and looked over them with calm authority. "Everyone's awakening is different. Some require intense training. Others, it just happens under the right emotional or mental pressure. There's no formula."
The group nodded slowly, though it was clear many still felt left behind. Even so, their respect for Nojiko had grown. It was a reminder that potential could come from anywhere—and anyone.
Meanwhile, Kaya kept trying to stabilize Nojiko. Soon, Moris and Chloris stepped in to assist, adding their healing abilities to ease the pressure on her body. Nojiko was slowly stabilizing, though she remained unconscious.
At that moment, a fluttering sound echoed from above. A News Coo swooped down, carrying a bundle of freshly printed newspapers. It glided expertly over the ship, dropping the news near the helm before circling once and landing on the rail.
Robin picked up the paper while reaching into her satchel. She handed a few Berries to the News Coo, who saluted her with one wing before taking flight again.
As Robin began scanning through the pages, her expression shifted subtly.
"Something wrong?" Galdino asked, noticing the change.
Robin nodded slightly. "There's a full section here about us."
"Oh? Anything good?" Alvida smirked.
"Not quite," Robin said. "The World Government has labeled us 'The Scourge'."
"The Scourge?" Zoro raised an eyebrow.
"Sounds like we're officially a menace," Alvida said, grinning.
Robin continued reading aloud. "They've classified the Orca Pirates as a group equivalent in threat level to Yonko Commanders. They say we're no longer pirates to be ignored."
"Oh ho, that's more like it," Sanji smirked. "We're moving up."
"They also accused us of several things," Robin went on. "Destroying Enies Lobby, stealing government property, disrupting local settlements… and worst of all, taking me aboard as a crewmember, which they claim is proof we're after the Ancient Weapons."
Everyone glanced at Robin, whose face remained calm despite the serious accusation.
"That means they're scared," Zino said quietly. "They know what you're capable of."
"Because of all that," Robin added, folding the paper, "they've officially placed high bounties on every member of the Orca Pirates."
"Oh?" Alvida perked up. "How high are we talking?"
"I can't wait to see mine," Sanji grinned.
"I guess it's finally time for me to get my first bounty," Kruz said, looking a little expectant to the news.
Robin read the first name aloud.
"Black Leg Sanji. Bounty: 100 million Berries. Classified as a CP9-level threat."
Sanji's eyes lit up. "A hundred million? For my first bounty? Oh yeah, now that's more like it!" He danced around proudly. "Ladies across the world are going to swoon over me now."
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Zoro muttered.
Robin continued. "Roronoa Zoro. Bounty: 100 million Berries. Also classified as a CP9-level threat."
Zoro gave no visible reaction, but a shadow crossed his eyes. The defeat at the hands of Kaku still lingered in his mind. A reminder that he still had room to grow.
Sanji blinked. "Wait, what?! Marimo is on the same level as me?!"
"What? You think you're stronger, curly-brow?" Zoro narrowed his eyes.
"Huuh? You want to find out, Marimo?"
"Come if you dare."
The tension flared as both glared at each other.
"Enough." Alvida shouted, stopping them from escalating to a fight.
Robin smiled and moved on. "Smooth Velvet Alvida. Bounty: 140 million Berries. Noted for defeating two CP9 agents singlehandedly."
"What?!" Zoro and Sanji chorused, both turning to stare at her.
Alvida smirked smugly, folding her arms. "Well, looks like I'm officially ahead of you boys."
Sanji twitched. "No way…"
Zoro just grunted, clearly annoyed.
Robin turned the page. "Gin the Demon. Bounty: 95 million Berries. CP9-level threat."
Gin let out a long breath. "Hmph. Looks like I'm still not quite there yet."
"Wax Ghost Galdino. Bounty: 110 million Berries. Evaluated based on his unique Paramecia—Special Grade Wax."
Galdino's eyes lit up. "Finally! Recognition! I've been saying my wax isn't ordinary!" He struck a proud pose.
Robin flipped to the next bounty. Her voice grew more serious. "The Void, Kruz. Bounty: 310 million Berries. An unknown-level threat with a dangerous space-tearing ability. Authorities believe this value may be underestimating the real danger."
The entire crew went silent.
Even Alvida and Zoro looked stunned.
"Three hundred and ten…?!" Sanji muttered.
"That's a massive gap," Binko said.
No one could deny it. Kruz was truly on another level. Galdino, who wanted to compete with Kruz, grumbled in dissatisfaction.
Kruz, however, just chuckled softly. "What can I say? The government finally woke up to my charm."
Robin went on. "Hibari the Skylark, and Binko the Flicker. Both at 95 million Berries. Cited for mastery of multiple Rokushiki techniques."
Binko grinned. "Nice nickname. I'll take that. Flicker—it sounds flashy."
Hibari blinked. "Skylark…? That's literally just my name." He shrugged. "Still, it sounds pretty good."
Robin then held up her own paper. "Ah, this one's mine. Nico Robin—still referred to as Devil Child. Bounty: 200 million Berries."
Everyone turned to her.
Robin smiled gently, but her eyes were unreadable. "They still fear me. It says here: 'Her knowledge alone is a world-level threat. Known Rokushiki user. Dangerous even without combat.'"
Zino said, trying to comfort her. "They fear what they don't understand."
Robin gave a nod of appreciation. "And they're right to fear it."
Robin continued reading the bounty list with her usual calm demeanor. "Winged Doctor, Kaya. Bounty: 70 million Berries. Noted for advanced healing techniques and capable of causing large-scale lethargic effects, incapacitating over a hundred marines during the Enies Lobby incident."
"Ahh!" Kaya gasped, clutching her own wanted poster. "Seventy million?! I-I'm a doctor, not a criminal!"
"Looks like the World Government doesn't care about that," Binko said dryly.
Robin turned to the next page. "The Panther, Nojiko. Bounty: 220 million Berries. The World Government ranks her power equal to the CP9 leader, Rob Lucci. She's marked as a Rokushiki user and assumed to possess a Neko Neko-type Zoan ability."
Everyone's gaze turned to Nojiko, who was still resting with a fever. Her forehead was damp with sweat, and she breathed softly as Kaya and Chloris continued tending to her.
"If they knew she just awakened Haki too…" Zoro muttered.
"They'd probably rise her bounty," Galdino commented.
Robin moved on. "Mikita, the Crusher. Bounty: 90 million. Classified as a CP9-level threat.*"
Mikita casually leaned against the railing, twirling her parasol. "Hmm. Not bad. I suppose all that destruction left an impression."
Then Robin hesitated, her eyes lingering on the next page a moment longer than usual.
"What is it?" Alvida asked.
"Who's next?" Gin leaned closer.
Robin looked toward Nami, expression unreadable. "Nami, the Witch Tremor. Bounty: 400 million Berries."
"Whaaaaat?!" Nami screamed, snatching the paper from Robin's hand. "Four hundred?! Are they out of their minds?!"
The entire deck fell silent. Even Zino and Kruz were stunned.
Sanji was slack-jawed. "She's beating everyone… even Kruz…"
"They noted it's a minimum estimate," Robin explained. "They suspect her tremor abilities might be equal to the power level of the Gura Gura no Mi… the same fruit held by Whitebeard."
Nami's face turned ghostly pale. "No no no. I'm not that strong! I'm just a navigator!"
"Looks like you gained their attention. They might send hunters just to hunt you," Zoro said with a smirk.
"Don't tease me!" Nami panicked. "I don't want such attention!"
Robin continued without missing a beat. "Vine. Bounty: 90 million Berries. Listed as an unknown plant-controlling entity. Notably, the one who rescued me during the Enies Lobby event."
She handed the poster to Moris, who studied it silently. His brows furrowed, but then he smiled faintly, a quiet sense of pride filling his chest.
"Color Traps, Marianne – 43 million."
Marianne whistled, pleased. "Color Traps huh. That's not bad."
"Usopp – 25 million."
Usopp puffed up. "I made the list! Oh yeah! I'm officially wanted—wait, is that good or bad?"
"Jovus D. Stev – 37 million."
Stev scratched his head. "Uh... I got a bounty? Seriously?"
Usopp leaned toward Robin. "Wait a minute. Where's our cool nicknames?"
"Yeah," Stev added. "Everyone's got these flashy titles. What happened to us?"
Robin gave a slight smirk. "The poster just says: 'Responsible for multiple explosions and disturbances. Proceed with caution.'"
"What?! That's it?!" Usopp cried.
"No nickname?" Stev frowned. "Even Color Traps got one."
"They just lumped you in as chaotic nuisances," Robin said dryly.
"Unbelievable! We deserve at least a cool title!" Usopp complained.
"Yeah!" Stev chimed in. "I could've been something like 'The Boom King' or 'Silent Explosion' or—wait, no, that last one doesn't make sense…"
Gin smirked. "Hey, at least you two are finally wanted."
Stev slumped with a sigh. "Honestly? I think I preferred being unwanted…"
Laughter rippled across the deck as the crew watched the two sulk in perfect sync.
Robin raised her voice again, flipping to the following sheets. "Next up—'The Whiteout', Mimic. Bounty: 250 million Berries. Description: A winged, furry giant, often disguising itself as a treasure chest. Evaluation notes: Rare and powerful giant breed."
"I'm not a giant!" Baral the mimic protested immediately. "I'm a cloud yeti! There's a difference!"
"Apparently not to the World Government," Hibari said.
"They should've said majestic cloud guardian or something cooler," Baral huffed, not satisfied with his given nickname.
Robin gave a small shrug, then glanced at the last name on the list. "And finally… Zino."
Everyone went silent, the atmosphere shifting slightly. Even with their casual attitudes, curiosity and respect filled their eyes.
Robin read carefully. "Monkey D. Zino, nicknamed as 'The Storm'. Known for surviving a battle against Admiral Aokiji. Confirmed user of ice, wind, and lightning. Evaluated as a Yonko Commander-level threat. Bounty: 1 billion Berries."
Instantly, there was silence. Then—
"WUOOOOHH!!"
A collective roar of disbelief echoed across the ship.
"ONE. BILLION?!" Usopp's jaw dropped.
"That's insane!" Nami gasped.
Even the typically stoic Zoro raised an eyebrow. Sanji whistled. "Now that's what I call elite."
"This bounty's real!" Gin said, eyes wide as he leaned to check the bounty poster. "One billion Berries? Man, the world's finally recognizing your power, Captain."
Zino grinned, hands on his hips. "Aha! That's a huge sign of respect from the World Government, isn't it? Maybe I should send them a thank-you note."
The crew burst into laughter at his remark, shaking their heads at his calm reaction to such a massive bounty.
Now, of everyone present, only Chloris had not received a bounty. No one had seen her fight, nor was there any concrete information on her abilities to report.
The mystery extended even to her twin brother, Moris, nicknamed "Vine"; while he had a bounty, his poster image was nothing more than an ominous, black silhouette.
It seems the World Government was unaware of their true existence, leaving their threat level entirely unknown.