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Devil Noir's bounty had jumped to a staggering 300 million.
Even though the Marines had tried to suppress the real bounty, many sensed something was amiss. normal citizens might just see the emergence of another powerful pirate, someone to be wary of, a potential disruption to their daily lives.
But to those in power, those with a keen sense of the world's currents, it was a glaring red flag. The Emperors of the Sea, especially, knew the truth. This dramatic bounty increase could only mean the World Government was trying to bury something…
...
On a remote, unknown island, a drunken man received a newspaper delivered by a News Coo. His eyes suddenly lit up. Red hair billowing, Shanks stared at the familiar face on the wanted poster, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Isn't that the kid from East Blue, years back?"
"Noir! To think he'd become this notorious!"
Yasopp, startled awake, yelled irritably, "Quiet! It's the middle of the night!" His shout roused the entire Red Hair Pirates, camped out under the stars…
Shanks excitedly brandished the wanted poster. "Look! Noir's become a big deal!"
Confused murmurs rippled through the crew. "Noir…? Who's that?"
"Doesn't matter!" Shanks, a bonfire blazing beside him, whooped, "Let's celebrate this kid we met once! Party!"
The Red Hair Pirates roared back, "You just want an excuse to party!"
…
Meanwhile, in the New World, on the ship of another Emperor, the world's strongest man, Whitebeard Edward Newgate…
Marco, the first division commander, presented the new wanted poster.
Newgate, his massive crescent mustache a testament to his power, leaned back in his enormous chair and glanced at the paper dismissively. "More of the Government's cover-ups."
"Stealing the Heavenly Tribute wouldn't warrant this much. What else has this Noir done?" He looked at Marco. "Look into this…"
Marco, feigning disinterest, nodded. "Aye, Pops."
As Marco left, Newgate stared at another bounty poster – Ace's new one, the young man's image even more defiant, the flames seeming to leap off the page.
"Portgas D. Ace…" Newgate gazed at the youthful face, his thoughts drifting to years past, the era of rampant piracy… and to a man so powerful that even Newgate took him seriously. He placed Ace's bounty poster down, lost in thought.
…
The wanted poster had reached the Emperors, and it also reached Noir's family in the East Blue.
In Cocoyasi Village, peace reigned. Noir's growing reputation as the "Strongest Hunter" kept trouble away from his home.
Early morning sunlight bathed the village, a tranquility shattered by two excited voices.
"Bellmère-san! Look!"
"Sensei's bounty is huge!"
Kaede and Naomi burst through Bell-mère's door, their excitement bubbling over.
Bell-mère, coming in from the orange grove, looked at them with surprise. Nojiko took the wanted poster with a smile.
She read aloud, "Noir, Captain of the Underworld Pirates, Copy-Copy Fruit user, commands over 500 men. Crimes: attacking a Marine Admiral, killing Warlord Gecko Moria, stealing the Heavenly Tribute…"
Nojiko's eyes shone with pride. "Big brother's amazing!"
Bell-mère took the poster, a fond exasperation in her voice. "That restless little Kid." Despite her words, her pride was evident.
Nojiko, waving the poster excitedly, suddenly stopped. "Where's Nami? Does she know?"
Kaede and Naomi froze, sweat beading on their foreheads. "Uh...well...we don't know..."
Bell-mère narrowed her eyes. "What are you hiding?"
The two girls exchanged glances and blurted out, "Nami-chan snuck out to steal from pirates again!"
"What?!" Bell-mère roared like a mother tiger, making the three girls tremble. "Nami! That disobedient…"
On the coast, Nami, a large bag slung over her shoulder, shivered. She got this feeling whenever something bad was about to happen.
But it's fine! This time, I hit the jackpot! Nami grinned, picturing her future riches. Money was something she could never have too much of.
She pulled out a wanted poster from her cleavage – Noir's first one, with the smaller bounty. She crumpled it, her teeth gritted.
She'd had a treasure chest, once, and cherished it! But then Noir left, and her treasure vanished. She'd cried for days, not because her brother was gone, but because her money was! Everyone knew who'd taken it…
But now, Nami's nose was high in the air as she patted her bag. Noir had been gone a while, and she'd made a fortune! He'd be so jealous! Hahahaha!
Her laughter echoed across the shore, startling the nearby News Coo, which plummeted to the ground.
A wanted poster drifted down, slapping Nami in the face. She ripped it off, annoyed, and saw Noir again.
Another wanted poster?
Her eyes turned into Berry signs as she saw the bounty. But then she saw the mention of the Heavenly Tribute and froze.
Why was he still richer than her?!
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