"Why are newspapers getting more expensive these days? At this rate, we won't be able to afford them," Nami muttered, reluctantly pulling several Berries from her chest and placing them into the small bag before the delivery pigeon.
"Lina-san, the newspaper's here," she added.
"Nami-san, quickly check if we're featured again!" A small ball of fire hovered by her side.
Nami opened the paper. "Wow, front page again."
Hearing this, the crew slowly gathered, clearly curious about the report.
With a snap of her fingers, Nami summoned a long, rectangular table made of white island clouds in the square, spreading the newspaper across it.
"Same old exaggerations," Nami pouted. "These papers always blow things out of proportion."
Every article about Rolan and the Ion Tempest carried hyperbole. Rolan simply smiled, used to such tactics from newspapers—just like the sensationalized headlines of Earth in his previous life. Even if everyone knew it was a "scam," they still paid attention.
Lina crossed her arms, pouting. "Quick, flip to the back and check for new bounties." Always the competitive one, she cared only about the outcome.
"Quick, I want to see if my bounty surpasses Crocodile's," Enel said, unusually animated. He could not accept being outranked by someone whose pride rivaled his own.
Reluctantly, Nami flipped the page, revealing several bounty posters.
Emperor God Slayer Rolan
ONLY DEAD
4,500,000,000 Berries
God Peng Kuro
DEAD OR ALIVE
1,370,000,000 Berries
Sand God Crocodile
DEAD OR ALIVE
1,110,000,000 Berries
God of Thunder Enel
DEAD OR ALIVE
1,090,000,000 Berries
Demon God Roronoa Zoro
DEAD OR ALIVE
840,000,000 Berries
Fire God Imella Lina
DEAD OR ALIVE
790,000,000 Berries
White Fist Nami
DEAD OR ALIVE
760,000,000 Berries
Pervert Franky
ONLY DEAD
680,000,000 Berries
Devil Child Nico Robin
DEAD OR ALIVE
400,000,000 Berries
Surgeon of Death Trafalgar Law
DEAD OR ALIVE
210,000,000 Berries
"What?! Why is your bounty still higher than mine?" Enel snatched Crocodile's poster, unconvinced.
Crocodile barely reacted, reaching into his pocket, lighting a cigar, and taking a slow puff. Enel, angered, grabbed his neck. "How are you worth so much more than me?"
Crocodile waved him off. "We're not on the same level. Go play with sand."
"Watch me not electrocute you into charcoal!"
Sand and lightning clashed briefly, sending sparks across the square. Rolan shook his head, letting them bicker.
The crew continued through the paper, eventually reaching news about Sky Island. It confirmed the island's existence, floating some 10,000 meters above Paradise, and that Rolan now ruled its territory.
Robin frowned. "Rolan, since Sky Island is discovered and we're not there, could the World Government attack?"
Rolan shook his head, stoic as ever. "They probably won't dare. For now, they haven't grasped our strength or known if we have any hidden assets there."
He knew the World Government could find Sky Island if they wanted; Vegapunk's technology made it feasible. But the Marines avoided battles they could not guarantee winning, especially after previous defeats at Rolan's hands.
Lina remained uneasy. "Rolan, it's safer if we move Sky Island here first."
The rest of the crew nodded in agreement.
Nami flipped one last page. "What's this? Empress Hancock's bounty poster!"
Rolan's gaze sharpened.
Empress Boa Hancock
DEAD OR ALIVE
550,000,000 Berries
Clearly, her bounty had increased. He understood immediately: she had renounced her Shichibukai status and joined the Ion Tempest.
---
New World, Totto Land, Vanilla Island
The island was lush, blanketed in dense vanilla bushes, swaying like a green ocean.
In the center stood a massive tomb, its stone adorned with a giant pink hat. Birds scattered in alarm as the tomb emitted an eerie purple glow.
A sense of ominous energy rippled across the island, signaling that something far beyond ordinary had been awakened.
____
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