Chapter 14: First Bounty, 500 Million Berries
For a moment, the atmosphere in the conference room became extremely awkward.
They had originally thought it was a malicious incident, but they never expected this.
They truly deserved it!
This was the only phrase that could explain what everyone was thinking.
The Celestial Dragons had indeed brought this upon themselves.
The atmosphere remained stiff for several minutes.
In the end, it was "Steel Bone" Kong who broke the silence first. "Regardless, Rono hijacked the Heavenly Tribute, which has had an extremely severe impact. This incident must have a resolution."
"First, immediately issue a worldwide wanted poster to warn people that this man is dangerous!"
Kong (Steel Bone) paused, then continued:
"Mary Geoise has issued an elimination order. He must be uprooted. Therefore, we will proceed as originally planned."
Hearing this, no one responded to Kong (Steel Bone). After all, everyone understood the full story, and many even inwardly supported Rono's actions.
There was no shortage of righteous men among the Marines; they were not thoroughly brainwashed like CP0.
The Marines still had their own moral compass to judge right from wrong.
"But Admiral Kong, this entire incident was the Celestial Dragons' own doing from start to finish!" Garp sounded extremely dissatisfied.
They kill someone's family, and that person isn't allowed to retaliate?
What's more, not a single Celestial Dragon even died.
At the side, Sengoku and Zephyr remained silent.
Not speaking up to support Kong's (Steel Bone's) decision was already a form of protest.
Clearly, all three of them were not very satisfied with this outcome.
These three were, after all, the future pillars of the Marines. Kong (Steel Bone) had no choice but to explain to them:
"It's not that I don't want to let Rono off, but our superiors in the Marines are the World Government. Obeying orders is a soldier's duty!"
"If we have internal strife with the World Government over this, then who will be left to enforce justice in this world!"
"Furthermore, who can guarantee that Rono isn't a heinous criminal? Don't forget, there are countless civilians on this sea waiting for us to protect them!"
Kong's (Steel Bone's) words also persuaded Sengoku and Zephyr.
That's right. He hijacked the Heavenly Tribute today. Who can guarantee that Rono won't rob ordinary civilians in the future?
If they let him go this time, and he goes on to rob other civilians, wouldn't that be tantamount to condoning evil?
"But..."
At the same time, Dragon, still a new recruit, couldn't help but want to speak his mind, but he was held down by his father, Garp.
"Very well, Admiral Kong. I request to be assigned to this mission. East Blue is my hometown, and it is my duty to rid my hometown of this menace."
Garp stood up, volunteering for the mission.
"Garp... this is an elimination order personally issued by the Five Elders. There's no room for error." Kong (Steel Bone) narrowed his eyes at Garp. This guy isn't planning to go easy, is he?
He knew that, given Garp's personality, he was absolutely capable of doing such a thing.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
"Prepare a warship immediately! We set out for East Blue at top speed!"
After speaking, Garp grabbed his "Justice" coat from his seat, threw it on, and left without looking back.
Arriving at the port, Dragon saw his father Garp off.
Before parting, Dragon asked, "Father, are you really going to eliminate Rono?"
Garp gazed at the distant sea. "We'll see. If he really is a heinous criminal, I will absolutely not spare him."
"And what if he isn't?"
"Hahaha, I know what I'm doing," Garp laughed heartily. Hearing this, Dragon was relieved.
He knew his father's personality best.
"But Admiral Kong was a bit much today. It's clear the situation isn't what the World Government claims," Dragon said, still somewhat disappointed in Kong.
The background check was perfectly clear. Rono had been law-abiding since childhood and only went to sea and hijacked the Heavenly Tribute *after* his parents were killed.
A person like that couldn't possibly be a vicious criminal.
"Don't blame Admiral Kong. He has his own difficulties," Garp said, comforting Dragon.
As an Admiral candidate, Garp himself sometimes felt the constraints from the higher-ups, let alone Admiral Kong.
Garp even felt that the position of Admiral didn't suit him.
If he really became an Admiral, could he still come and go as he pleased, be free, and not be influenced by that bunch of old men in the World Government?
A large question mark formed in Garp's mind.
"Father, the Marines are too deeply influenced by the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. I will change this."
Just as Garp stepped onto the warship, Dragon suddenly spoke.
Hearing this, Garp raised an eyebrow. "Then how do you plan to change it?"
"I... I will become a Marine Admiral! No, the Fleet Admiral! When that day comes, the Marines will enforce true justice, not be puppets of the World Government!"
Watching the surging waves crash against the shore, Dragon swore an oath to the sea.
"Hey~~ Are you allowed to say that out loud?!"
The surrounding Marines were scared witless by the father and son's conversation!
The Marines... puppets of the World Government?
If Mary Geoise heard this, all hell would break loose!
Garp, however, didn't care at all. Instead, he laughed in satisfaction. "Hahaha! As expected of my son!"
"Train hard, Dragon!"
He patted Dragon's shoulder encouragingly. Garp was very confident in his son's talent.
In a year or two, this guy would definitely grow to become a Marine Admiral!
Soon, Garp boarded his special dog-headed warship.
Watching his father's departing figure, Dragon also secretly resolved to train hard and become an Admiral, or even Fleet Admiral, as soon as possible.
"Set sail!" The warship departed.
Departing along with Garp's warship were wanted posters destined for all corners of the world.
Over a hundred thousand News Coos screeched as they scattered from Marine Headquarters, flying to every part of the globe.
As the News Coos continuously dropped the wanted posters, every place that received one instantly erupted in chaos!
"Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands, millions, ten millions, hundred millions... M-my eyes aren't playing tricks on me, are they? This kid's first bounty is 500 million!"
"How is that possible? 500 million Berries is a major pirate! How come this person had no fame at all before?"
"Hey, hey, didn't you read it? One-shot a CP0 captain, wiped out a CP0 squad, robbed the Heavenly Tribute—he did all of that!"
"The East Blue's Heavenly Tribute was stolen by him! It included countless fine swords and rare Devil Fruits. He's set for life!"
"Yeah, even the Mera Mera no Mi fell into his hands! If I had the Mera Mera no Mi, I could probably become a great pirate too."
"It's far more than that! The papers say the 'Vicious Criminal' Rono awakened all three types of Haki at just 17!"
"What? He awakened all three types of Haki? What kind of monster is this guy?!"
"Not only that, all three types are at an advanced level! And don't forget, he's only 17. Another unbelievable guy is about to emerge on the seas!"
"And his crewmate, Roger, is about as strong as him! Looks like the seas are about to get lively again!"
In an instant, Rono's deeds attracted the attention of countless people.
After all, a first-time bounty as high as 500 million Berries was enough to make everyone's jaws drop.
This was still the early era of pirates, without the severe "bounty inflation." A 500 million bounty was absolutely enough to be called a major pirate.
Not to mention Rono's deeds: seizing the Heavenly Tribute, obtaining countless treasures, and possessing that frightening, almost terrifying, talent and potential!
The whole world now knew that another incredible monster was about to appear on the seas.