Chapter 345

Translator: PapaSmurf0700

Because of the formation of the Spark Alliance and the seismic impact of Bai Ye's broadcast, the very meaning of a bounty from the World Government had shifted in the public eye. A high bounty no longer automatically signified a villain who preyed on civilians. Instead, it marked a person as a formidable enemy of the World Government—a thorn in their side. Today, a bounty was a measure of influence, a symbol of defiance.

The World Economic Journal captured this new reality perfectly in their latest edition:

A New Era's First and Last Legends

With all eleven members now boasting bounties exceeding 100 million, the Straw Hat Pirates' collective bounty totals a staggering 8,788,000,000 Beli.

There is no doubt: they are the first crew since the dawn of the Great Pirate Era to achieve such a fearsome roster before even entering the New World. They may also be the last, for in the foreseeable future, the Great Pirate Era as we know it will cease to exist.

Not even the Red-Haired Pirates, an Emperor's crew lauded for the highest average bounty on the seas, can claim such a feat.

This is not to say the Straw Hats have surpassed the Four Emperors. But one thing is undeniable: the moment they set foot in the New World, they will have earned the right to directly challenge the throne.

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Inside the Sabaody pub, the newspaper was the talk of every table. Zoro and Sanji, of course, were still trying to kick each other's heads in.

"A total of 8.788 billion..." Nami sighed, swirling her drink. "I almost miss the days in the East Blue. Back then, we were the ones who could collect bounties from the Navy."

"Nami, calm down," Usopp pleaded, a nervous sweat on his brow. "That's our bounty. Don't let the money go to your head." Even though the Straw Hats were far from broke, he knew Nami's obsession with Berries could lead her to do something dangerously irrational.

"Yohohoho~ Forgive my ignorance, having been dead for so long," Brook interjected, adjusting his top hat. "Are the bounties of these Four Emperors truly so high?" As a veteran of a bygone era, the numbers being thrown around were already mind-boggling to him.

"Exactly," Bai Ye spoke up, drawing their attention. He held up another newspaper. "Which is why I suggest everyone takes a three-month break to train. Because of the Summit War, and the fact that he reminded the world of his peak strength, the World Government has revised Whitebeard's bounty."

He paused for effect.

"From 5.046 billion Berries to a new total of... six billion Berries."

The news landed like a cannonball, stunning the entire room into silence. Even Zoro and Sanji stopped their brawling.

"Six... billion?!" Nami gasped.

"That's twelve times my bounty!" Usopp shrieked, looking utterly shattered by the number.

"I saw that old man fight, but... six billion is just too much!" Merry, the ship's spirit, whispered from her seat, her small voice full of awe.

"Those two old monsters, Newgate and Garp, weren't even fighting at full strength in Marineford," Rayleigh said with a knowing smile, taking a sip of his drink. "If they both went all out, the island itself wouldn't have survived."

"No wonder I felt so uneasy," Chopper added, nodding furiously. "Back in the Rainbow Mist, I saw Mr. Garp shatter a small island with just a few punches."

That confirmation settled it. The crew looked at each other, a new, heavy understanding passing between them. Whitebeard's sky-high bounty was no exaggeration.

Of course, he wasn't the only one whose price had gone up. Every member of the Whitebeard Pirates who had fought and distinguished themselves at Marineford received an increase. The most significant jumps, naturally, belonged to the commanders.

Ace's bounty had increased by 340 million, soaring from 550 million to a new total of 890 million Berries. The reasons were numerous: he was no longer just the son of the Pirate King, but also the chosen son of the World's Strongest Man, and the sworn brother of both "Straw Hat" Luffy and Sabo, the Chief of Staff for the burgeoning Wildfire Army. His connections alone made him a monumental threat.

Then there was Marco. His bounty increase was based purely on his monstrous combat performance. As the First Division Commander, his bounty was already 1.374 billion. But at Marineford, he had not only gone toe-to-toe with Admiral Kizaru but had been a key player in driving the Admiral back. His new bounty as [Marco the Phoenix] now stood at an immense 1.92 billion Berries, far higher than even Luffy's.

"So," Robin concluded after processing the information, her voice cutting through the quiet awe, "even without counting his commanders, Whitebeard's bounty alone makes up well over two-thirds of our crew's total."

The statement was a cold dose of reality. Any complacency they might have felt after surviving Marineford evaporated instantly.

Zoro crossed his arms, his gaze locking onto Bai Ye. "What about the others? If they're going to be our enemies, we need to know the gap we have to cross."

Bai Ye nodded, knowing exactly who he meant.

"The Four Emperors. 'Red-Haired' Shanks: 4.0489 billion Berries."

"'Big Mom' Charlotte Linlin: 4.388 billion Berries."

"'Kaido of the Hundred Beasts': 4.6111 billion Berries."

He listed the names and numbers, each one heavier than the last. The entire crew, even the normally boisterous Franky and Brook, grew deadly serious. They all knew their captain's dream, and these were the gatekeepers, the titans standing between Luffy and the throne. In that moment, even Usopp set aside his dreams of returning to Kaya, his mind focused entirely on the impossible climb ahead.

"However," Bai Ye said, his tone shifting, "in addition to those four, there is one more person you need to watch out for."