The others gathered around upon hearing the commotion.
The bounty poster was unmistakably Luffy, taken from some angle with Arlong Park in the background, showing Luffy in his post-Gear Second state.
But, wasn't this bounty a bit ridiculously high?
"Straw Hat Pirates Captain, Monkey D. Luffy, Bounty: Fifty Million Berries?!"
Looking at the long string of numbers below, Nami's eyes turned into the shape of ¥.
She felt the urge to just sell Luffy off!
Wait, what was that last feeling? Reluctance?
How could I ever choose that guy over money!
"Not bad." Luffy, forced to interrupt his training, looked at the bounty poster and grinned.
"Isn't that a bit too exaggerated?" Zoro said.
Keep in mind, the highest bounty in the East Blue before this was still Arlong, whom Luffy had defeated.
A bounty of twenty million Berries.
"It's fine."
Luffy figured it might be because his fights were too clean and efficient lately. Ever since the special training started, it had mostly been a crushing domination.
The real main reason was probably Gear Third.
Combat power comparable to the Giant Tribe was something worth noting even in the Grand Line.
After all, adult Giants could even become Vice Admirals in Marine Headquarters.
Apart from Luffy, the others weren't bountied.
Nami and Usopp, the cowardly duo, both breathed a sigh of relief.
Becoming a wanted criminal wasn't something to be happy about.
"Tch, a bit of a pity," Zoro said.
He definitely wanted a bounty.
Although the World Government's bounties on pirates weren't solely based on strength—the pirate's degree of evil and threat to the government were also considered—a pirate with a high bounty might not necessarily be strong.
But a strong pirate would definitely have a high bounty.
Zoro had been present for all the opponents Luffy defeated, except for Arlong, and he still didn't get a bounty? He was the second-in-command on this ship! The main thing was...
"Oh? So you're a third-rate swordsman without a bounty, just like me," Sanji's taunt, though late, had arrived.
"Shitty cook, you looking for a fight?"
"Being a third-rate swordsman's opponent isn't so bad either."
The two, who were fundamentally incompatible, instantly started arguing.
"I have a proposal."
Luffy interrupted them, his smile looking somewhat twisted.
After fighting all day yesterday, he could barely suppress his body's instinct when he saw Zoro and Sanji now.
Since he finally had this chance...
"Sanji, Zoro, come at me together!"
Crewmates should improve together, right!
Luffy had already found an excuse for himself.
Mainly, training with Zoro was too dry and boring—just lifting weights or running. The only bit of color was when Nami 'punished' him by sitting on his back during push-ups.
For Luffy, that was already a rare reward.
Because he could at least chat with Nami from time to time!
No wonder the strong were a minority on these seas. Everyone knew training could make you stronger, but because the cycle to get stronger was too long, it was easy to be enthusiastic one day and slack off the next.
"Hey, Luffy, you're getting too cocky!"
Zoro and Sanji exchanged a glance, sharing a tacit smile.
"If the captain says so." Sanji's leg was itching for action.
"I'd also like to see what a major pirate with a fifty million Berry bounty is made of." Zoro's smile was also twisted.
Respecting him was one thing, but given a chance to righteously beat up Luffy with his annoying personality? They didn't want to miss it!
This spar was filled with personal grudges.
Sanji had been sent flying by Luffy several times; he'd finally found a chance for revenge.
As if by agreement, Zoro and Sanji took their positions.
Usopp and Nami, not far away, instinctively took a few steps back.
"What is this ship going to turn into in the future?" Usopp had no desire to get involved, only feeling apprehensive about the future.
Why did it suddenly feel like everyone on this big ship had turned into training maniacs?
Although that probably should be the norm for pirates.
After all, without the corresponding strength, you'd die facing the unknown adventures on the seas.
"Just let them be. As long as they don't break the ship." Nami said helplessly, holding her forehead. "Especially you, Luffy! Be careful!"
"Got it," Luffy replied offhandedly.
The fight erupted instantly.
"Three Sword Style: Oni Giri!" Zoro charged forth like a fierce tiger, his three swords cutting through the air with a sharp sound towards Luffy.
Almost simultaneously, Sanji's figure appeared like a ghost at Luffy's side.
"Coller Strike!"
A powerful meat-chopping axe kick aimed straight for Luffy's shoulder and neck, blocking his evasion route.
Their coordination wasn't tacit, but their speed and power were already top-tier in the East Blue.
However, scorching steam suddenly erupted from Luffy's body, his skin turning bright red.
"Gear Second!" His physical prowess instantly jumped a level.
So familiar!
Last night, Luffy had been ganged up on and beaten black and blue by nine people.
Zoro was one of them, and as a swordsman, his lethality was the greatest.
Often, Luffy would kick Arlong away one moment, only to hear someone reciting poetry the next, and then Zoro's slashes would be right in front of him.
So, facing Zoro's attacks, Luffy had tons of ways to counter.
The most direct one was...
"Armament Haki!"
Luffy didn't dodge or evade. His arms were instantly covered in a deep, jet-black coating.
Clang! Clang!
A sharp metallic clashing sound rang out!
The slashes were blocked.
"What?!" Zoro's pupils constricted sharply.
"Gomu Gomu no... Great Shock!"
Luffy grinned, his arms already stretched out, grabbing Zoro and Sanji by their legs respectively, and then slammed them together.
The fight didn't last long.
With the boost from Gear Second and his understanding of Zoro and Sanji's attack patterns, they were soon lying on the deck, struggling to get up.
"He's improved this much?"
Zoro was shocked.
In just a few days, Luffy was like a completely different person from before.
But he had seen how hard Luffy was training; the guy was practically cultivating like his life depended on it.
Compared to that, Zoro was more curious about the power called Armament Haki.
"How do you do that, Armament Haki?"
Zoro felt that if he could learn this power, his combat ability would increase significantly.
How to do it?
Luffy frowned slightly.
[Warning, penalty for loss of focus countdown...]
Dammit, I can't even think about it?
"Get hit!" Luffy blurted out.
"Get hit?"
Zoro and Sanji looked at each other, their expressions doubtful. "Really?"
"Of course, it's true! I'm speaking from experience." Luffy couldn't be bothered to think of another way and casually picked up a dumbbell from nearby.
Didn't he say the same thing to Zoro a few days ago?
Zoro's expression shifted uncertainly.
"Luffy, hit me!"
"Hah? Marimo, did you get your head stuck in a door?"
"I knew you wanted to improve, Zoro!" Luffy's eyes lit up. "You'll definitely be the next one on our ship to learn Armament Haki!"
"Hah?"
Sanji was stunned for a moment, then caught on.
A competitive flame ignited fiercely in Sanji's chest. He was the man who swore to find the All Blue; how could he lose to this marimo-headed guy?
"Luffy, hit me!"
Sanji stood firm, right in front of Zoro.
***
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