Chapter 16: The First Bounty! The World Takes Notice!

The salty breeze whipped through the sails as the ship cut across the endless ocean. The crew was still fresh from their victory at the last island, their spirits high, but a tension hung in the air—one that came with every great step forward. They were starting to make a name for themselves.

Luffy stood at the bow of the ship, staring at the horizon with a mischievous glint in his eye. His newfound power was intoxicating, but he knew deep down that this was just the beginning. They hadn't yet seen the true scope of the world, and Luffy was ready for whatever came next.

Lucky leaned casually against the mast, watching his brother with a knowing smirk. "What's on your mind, Luffy?"

Luffy grinned widely. "I'm thinking it's time we make this world really notice us, Lucky. We've taken down some pirates, saved some villages... now we need to show everyone just who we are!"

Lucky chuckled. "Always thinking ahead, huh? Well, I think we're ready for the challenge."

Coby walked up to them, holding a small stack of papers in his hands. "Hey, guys. There's something we should talk about."

Luffy's eyes lit up. "What is it? Did you find treasure maps?"

Coby shook his head. "No, it's about bounties."

The brothers looked at each other, intrigued. "Bounties?" Lucky asked, pushing himself off the mast.

Coby nodded. "Word's spreading about our battles, and we're starting to get attention. The Marines are putting out bounties on pirates who make a name for themselves. And… well, you three have made quite an impression already."

Lucky raised an eyebrow. "How much?"

Coby handed him the papers, and as Lucky scanned them, he noticed something that made him smirk.

The bounty posters were already being printed.

Luffy's picture was front and center, his trademark grin plastered across it. The bounty amount was written in bold numbers:

"Monkey D. Luffy - 25,000,000 Berries"

Lucky's bounty was close behind, but his picture was far more intimidating—his golden eyes gleaming with power, his staff raised in victory. His bounty read:

"Lucky - 23,000,000 Berries"

And the last poster was for Zane, still relatively new to the crew, but already catching the attention of the world. His bounty wasn't as high, but still significant:

"Zane - 7,500,000 Berries"

Luffy laughed, raising his arms to the sky. "Haha! We made it, guys! We're officially pirates now!"

Lucky smirked. "Looks like we're worth more than we thought, huh?"

Zane grinned, glancing at his own bounty. "It's not too bad for a newbie like me. But I'm gonna catch up soon enough!"

Coby chuckled. "You're all getting noticed for good reason. Those pirates you defeated weren't weak—people are talking. The Marines are even setting up bounties for smaller crews now. It means you've got their attention."

Luffy hopped up and down. "That's awesome! We're going to need a bigger ship soon."

Lucky laughed, a wild thought entering his mind. "Maybe we'll get a fleet one day. Who knows?"

The Marine's Response

Meanwhile, in the Marine Headquarters, a conversation was taking place that would set the course of their journey.

Admiral Akainu sat at his desk, reading through reports about rising pirate activity. The name Monkey D. Luffy had already come up multiple times, and his bounty had just been set. The information about his Devil Fruit awakening and the mysterious power he had manifested made him a concern.

"Luffy… Monkey D. Luffy," Akainu muttered, rubbing his chin. "That name carries weight. He's already ruffling feathers across the seas."

A Marine officer entered the room, handing Akainu a new set of reports. "Sir, the crew led by Luffy and Lucky have caused significant damage to various pirate groups. They're growing stronger by the day. We may have to send higher-level officers after them soon."

Akainu slammed his fist onto the desk, his face hardening. "These Monkey D. brothers are dangerous. If they continue, they might spark an entire revolution. We'll have to take action—soon."

The officer nodded. "Yes, sir. They've already become legends in certain circles. We can't afford to let them keep building a following."

Meanwhile, the World Government took notice as well. High-ranking officials were already discussing how to deal with this new and growing threat. The brothers, now with bounties on their heads, had officially entered the spotlight, and their journey had just begun.

The Impact Across the Seas

As their ship sailed on, word of the brothers' rising bounties spread quickly. Pirates, bounty hunters, and revolutionaries alike began to take notice. Every ship they passed along the Grand Line now had whispers about the Monkey D. Brothers and their unique abilities.

There were even rumors circulating about a new legendary Devil Fruit user on the seas—a user of the Nika fruit, said to possess unimaginable powers of freedom and liberation. But no one could agree on what it meant… only that whoever wielded it was dangerous, and the world was unprepared for them.

As Luffy, Lucky, and the rest of their crew prepared for their next destination, they had no idea that their first bounty was only the beginning of a much larger adventure.

They had already become a target for the Marines. The World Government had taken note.

The brothers had now declared their intentions to the world. And whether they were ready or not, the Grand Line was waiting for them.

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