29. A Sudden Bounty Notice
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After nearly twenty days at sea, the Hurricane Pirates finally spotted land.
At dawn, Eddie stood atop the lookout platform, scanning the horizon through a brass spyglass. His breath caught he'd found it.
He handed the spyglass to another crewman, vaulted down from the mast with catlike grace, and landed softly on the deck. Slipping on his black sunglasses, Eddie headed straight to the captain's quarters.
The old wooden door creaked open as Eddie stepped into the dim room. Aero and Dylan were seated, both quietly focused on the day's newspaper.
Eddie sat down and tapped the table impatiently, the tapping growing louder. His eyes darted between the two, practically screaming, "Ask me what I saw!"
But Aero and Dylan said nothing.
Frustrated, Eddie finally blurted, "Captain, we've spotted land. Looks like it's Cocoyashi Village Arlong's base."
"Mm," Aero murmured without looking up.
Eddie frowned. His curiosity shifted to the paper. Then Aero handed it to him.
As Eddie unfolded the newspaper, a wanted poster slipped out and landed face-up on the table.
He froze.
The poster showed a black-robed figure with only his face exposed a sharp, handsome youth with black hair and piercing eyes. He was unmistakable.
"This… This is the Captain?!" Eddie exclaimed, pointing at the photo, then at Aero.
Without a word, Aero lifted the wanted poster and held it beside his face. The match was perfect.
Eddie, stunned, leaned in to check the bounty.
10,000,000 Berries — Dead or Alive
Name: Aethyr Aero, Captain of the Hurricane Pirates
"Wait, how did you even get a bounty? We haven't done anything that bad yet," Eddie asked, still bewildered.
Aero pointed to the newspaper.
Eddie flipped to the headline: "Shocking! A New Pirate Warlord Rises in the East Blue?!"
The article detailed a recent skirmish in which Aero and his 500-man crew clashed with three ships from the Krieg Pirate Fleet, who were thoroughly defeated.
Apparently, a daring journalist had snapped a clear photo of Aero during the fight without his knowledge.
"How'd they even get your photo?" Eddie asked, still processing.
Aero casually replied, "Bugsy sent it to the press. Said it would help boost the crew's reputation faster."
Indeed, in the world of pirates, a bounty is a badge of honor a symbol of one's arrival.
For Aero, it was a crucial step. Fame was leverage, and leverage would lead him deeper into the Grand Line and the world beyond.
The East Blue was just the beginning.
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"Ten million right out the gate... that's rare," Eddie said, still shaking his head.
"Not really," Aero replied coolly. "Someone will pass me soon."
He remembered: Luffy's first bounty was 30 million. In comparison, Aero's was modest but good enough.
Besides, this bounty had come almost effortlessly. Aero wasn't complaining.
"Oh, right… Why did you come in again?" Aero suddenly asked.
Eddie opened his mouth to respond then the door burst open.
"Captain! Land ahead!" a panicked crewman called out.
Eddie sighed, brushing back his long red hair. "Yeah. That's what I was going to say…"
Aero and Dylan rose instantly and stepped outside, leaving Eddie alone in thought.
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Aero vaulted onto the prow of the Pigeon, eyes locked on the approaching island. The cool sea breeze whipped around him but it couldn't calm the fire in his chest.
His pulse surged. His blood boiled.
This was his first confrontation with a canon villain. His first encounter with Fish-Men. His first step into Nami's past.
Aero wasn't just excited. He was thrilled.
There was something magical about meeting characters from the story he once watched on a screen. Something nostalgic. Something personal.
But that wouldn't stop him from fighting.
He remembered sitting on his couch, hating Arlong the shark-faced tyrant with the long, jagged nose. And now?
He was going to crush him.
Not out of blind justice.
But because Aero had his own code a personal compass of right and wrong.
He didn't believe all good people must live, or all villains must die.
But Arlong?
He was going to be Aero's stepping stone to fame across the East Blue.
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As the ship neared the coast, the crew assembled on deck.
Eddie, Dylan, Lassi, Vis, and eight others stood at attention. For many, this was their first time seeing a new island their first adventure beyond their hometowns.
The island's lush green coast called to them.
Exploration. Conquest. Discovery.
"Drop the sails! Drop anchor!" Aero barked, eyes burning with determination.
"Aye, Captain!"
The crew jumped to obey, hearts pounding with anticipation.
"Cocoyashi Village, here I come!"
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> Note: In this story, the village is consistently referred to as "Cocoyashi Village" for continuity. And hey drop Stones if you're enjoying the ride!
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