Chapter 57: Famous!

"How much bounty do you think is appropriate?" Kong asked, scanning the room.

The silent Vice Admirals remained just that—silent. None of them wanted to get involved, as they already had pirates they needed to chase.

Meanwhile, Garp stood there, completely asleep, a snot bubble forming on his nose. It was an absurdly difficult way to sleep—yet he did it effortlessly.

Among those present, only Kizaru and Zephyr knew Asa well enough to speak with authority on the bounty amount.

"Since the Five Elders personally intervened and demanded severe punishment—especially since he dared to offend the Celestial Dragons—it's best to set the bounty higher," Zephyr mused.

"Moreover, this man wields the power of the Thunder Fruit. He is exceptionally strong and incredibly fast. He's no weaker than Kizaru and the others. Ordinary people have no chance of catching him."

After a brief pause, he added, "How about 300 million? It's his first bounty, after all."

"I second that," Kizaru agreed, though he personally felt the amount was too low.

"Agreed." Seeing Kizaru nod, the other Vice Admirals followed suit, one after another.

Neither Sengoku nor Tsuru objected.

As for Garp? He had long since dozed off, and everyone simply chose to ignore him.

"Alright, it's settled then. Contact the newspapers and issue a bounty order:

'The Controller of Lightning, Xibolai D. Asa – Bounty: 300 million Beli!'"

With that, Kong gave the command, and the highest-level meeting of the Marines was adjourned.

"Finally, it's over! Hahaha, I'm going to break my donut-eating record today!"

Garp woke up at the perfect moment, picked his nose, and walked out of the Fleet Admiral's office, full of energy—leaving behind a room full of people with black lines on their faces.

The News Spreads!

The Marines wasted no time in drafting the bounty order and reaching out to the press.

Within two hours, the World Government-controlled news agencies, along with the New World's "Big News" Morgans, jointly published Asa's bounty announcement.

News Coo birds spread the message across the world at lightning speed, and the first bounty of Xibolai D. Asa sent shockwaves across the seas.

"The Controller of Lightning, Xibolai D. Asa – Bounty: 300 Million Beli!"

"This individual has committed heinous crimes, provoked the World Nobles, and attacked the Heavenly Tribute transport ship in the sky."

"Whether dead or alive, the World Government strongly prefers him captured alive!"

The bounty poster prominently displayed Asa's name, abilities, crimes, and reward. The bolded words made it clear—the World Government hadn't given up on capturing him. If possible, they still wanted him alive to assist Vegapunk. If not, he had to be eliminated.

This news didn't just stay within the West Blue like when Asa destroyed Capone Bege's base—it spread worldwide.

From the East, West, North, and South Blue to the first half of the Grand Line, and even deep into the New World, the bounty announcement reached nearly every corner of the world.

Countless reactions followed.

Some scoffed.

Some seethed with jealousy.

Some admired him.

And then there were the bounty hunters—ready to set sail for the West Blue, eager to hunt down Asa and claim his head.

Rumors ran wild. Many assumed that after robbing the Heavenly Tribute, Asa had stolen all the Celestial Dragons' treasures.

Little did they know—he never cared for treasure. He had only taken a few Devil Fruits. The rest? It all sank with the ship.

Most pirates sailed the seas in pursuit of treasure. Now that the Heavenly Tribute had fallen into the ocean, their greed consumed them.

They wouldn't dare raid the Celestial Dragons' Tribute Ship themselves… but now that it was no longer in government hands?

They had no such reservations.

Grand Line, First Half – Jaya Island, Mock Town

A pirate ship docked at the port—a ship that needed no introduction to those familiar with the Grand Line.

The Golden Jackson.

Anyone who recognized the flag feared it as though they had seen death itself.

A skull with a wavy mustache, crossed by bones—it belonged to none other than the Roger Pirates.

Having returned to the Grand Line, they had now arrived at the place where Asa had spent five years.

"Roger, look at this…" A blond man with glasses and a scar over his left eye lounged in the corner of the ship, drinking as he scanned the newspaper.

"Hmm?" Roger grinned, his eyes closed as if sensing something.

Reyligh's words piqued his interest, and when he finally looked at the newspaper—his eyes lit up.

"What a badass kid! Hahaha!"

The bounty poster showed Asa in clear detail—standing tall, eyes filled with indifference, his cloak billowing behind him, blue electricity crackling around his body.

"Whoa, 300 million Beli at such a young age?! And my great pirate self, Bucky the Clown, doesn't even have a bounty yet?!"

Bucky's eyes bulged in disbelief, his face twisted with jealousy.

"You? A great pirate?" Shanks smirked, teasing Bucky as usual. "Back then, you weren't even qualified to bring him food."

"You wanna fight, Shanks?!"

"Yeah? Bring it on!"

"Enough, you two!" Silvers Rayleigh chuckled, watching them bicker as always.

Just then, Kozuki Oden, clad in a samurai uniform with wooden sandals and two swords at his waist, stepped forward.

"Captain Roger, the Poneglyphs left by my ancestors should be on this island."

Roger's grin widened.

"If that's true… then the legendary Sky Island might actually exist!"

He suddenly looked toward the heavens, his adventurous spirit burning stronger than ever.

The New World – The Whitebeard Pirates

Far away, deep in the New World, a massive whale-shaped ship drifted forward.

The Whitebeard Pirates were on the move.

"Dad! There's big news—an incredible newcomer!"

A pineapple-headed man, Marco, handed a newspaper to the tall, powerful Whitebeard, who sat with his sake in hand.

"A newcomer?" Whitebeard took a deep swig of his drink, uninterested.

"Dad, this Xibolai D. Asa guy actually attacked the Celestial Dragons' Heavenly Tribute!"

Marco was still struggling to process the sheer audacity of it.

Whitebeard chuckled. "He's got guts. But… I doubt he'll live long."

It wasn't pessimism—it was fact.

Even Golden Lion Shiki, a madman who challenged the World Government, had never dared attack the Heavenly Tribute.

"Only those who survive the Government's wrath and make it to the New World can be considered true warriors."

That was why the first half of the Grand Line was known as 'Paradise.'

Elsewhere in the New World – The Golden Lion's Hideout

High above the clouds, atop a floating island, a man with a steering wheel embedded in his head roared with laughter.

"Jihahahaha! There's a brat with that much guts in this world?! Jihahahaha!"

Golden Lion Shiki's once legendary ambition had long since faded after his defeat and imprisonment.

"Puff-puff-puff!"

Dr. Indigo, stepping with his infamous fart-sounding footsteps, asked, "Should we recruit him into the Golden Lion Fleet?"

Shiki scoffed, taking a deep drag from his cigar.

"No need. Let him be."

"This kid won't live long."

After eight years in this world, Asa had finally stepped into the world's spotlight.

(End of Chapter)

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