Chapter 25: First Bounty
As Taiyo's name became known to the upper management of Marineford, they reached a verdict to issue a large bounty from the start. The goal was to increase the number of bounty hunters who would target him, as well as other pirates who might be after his head. Even if Taiyo wasn't captured immediately, the constant attacks would wear him down through sheer exhaustion. Once he was sufficiently weakened, the Marines could swoop in to finish the job. It was also a strategic move to lessen the potential fallout when the time came to capture him.
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Meanwhile, Taiyo and his crew were gathered on the deck of their ship. Laffitte stood beside Jango, giving him navigational instructions, as per Taiyo's latest order—to head toward the South Blue. Though this required crossing both the Calm Belt and the Grand Line, it posed no concern for them. Their ship, after all, was a stolen Marine warship—far more advanced than the crude, sail-reliant pirate vessels common across the seas. With its reinforced hull and internal propulsion systems, the journey would be challenging, but not impossible.
As they sailed forward, Van Augur spotted a News Coo flying nearby, its delivery bag bulging with newspapers and bounty posters. He called it down, tossing a coin into the pouch as it dropped the day's edition. Both Kuro and Laffitte joined him, curious about current world events. They had developed a particular synergy—Kuro, with his precise, ruthless intellect, and Laffitte, with his cunning and flair for manipulation. Together, they could devise strategies capable of destabilizing entire kingdoms. Their growing bond was fueled by a shared love of elegant, calculated victories.
Van Augur flipped through the contents and froze. A small smirk formed on his face. Without a word, he walked over to Taiyo, holding out a bounty poster.
"Captain, you've made it official," he said with a hint of pride.
Taiyo took the poster and studied it. His image stared back—calm, unwavering, eyes locked directly onto the camera lens. A distinct sun-shaped birthmark glowed faintly on the left side of his face. The photo had been snapped by a Marine who had tried to remain hidden, though Taiyo had clearly sensed his presence and stared right at him.
WANTED – DEAD OR ALIVE
[SHIMOTSUKI TAIYO]
₠320,000,000
The number was shocking for a first bounty. Not even entering the Grand Line, and yet already marked as a major threat.
Inside the newspaper were two more posters—bounties issued to those affiliated with Taiyo's growing legend.
WANTED – DEAD OR ALIVE
[LAFFITTE]
₠130,000,000
WANTED – DEAD OR ALIVE
[VAN AUGUR]
₠60,000,000
Kuro read silently while Laffitte grinned, proud of the recognition. The atmosphere shifted subtly—what had started as a quiet voyage was now the early stage of something far greater.
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Meanwhile, in Shimotsuki Village, Koushirou sat calmly on the porch of the dojo, reading the latest newspaper. His eyes paused on a particular section—a bounty poster of his son, Shimotsuki Taiyo. A faint smile formed on his usually serene face.
Out in the training yard, the sounds of clashing swords echoed. Zoro and Kuina were sparring intensely, their movements fluid and powerful. Zoro now wielded his signature three-sword style, his footwork sharp and precise. Kuina, no less formidable, met his strikes with equal strength and growing finesse, matching his ferocity with grace.
Watching them closely was Bonney, who held a wooden sword in her hands as she mimicked their stances. Her figure was visibly older—an indication she had begun using her Devil Fruit powers. Her transformation had shocked not only Koushirou and Kuina, but even the usually stoic Zoro and the grizzled elder Kouzaburou. Despite her age-shifting ability, she remained diligent, learning the sword under Koushirou's guidance.
Koushirou folded the newspaper and stood up slowly. His sudden movement caught the attention of all three students. Zoro and Kuina paused mid-spar. Bonney tilted her head, curious. Without a word, Koushirou handed the bounty poster to Bonney, who eagerly took it.
"Whoa! Big Brother Taiyo is famous now!" Bonney exclaimed, eyes wide as she examined the poster. Her voice was filled with excitement and pride. It had been a long time since she last saw Taiyo, and seeing him on a bounty poster felt almost surreal.
Zoro, however, was not impressed by her enthusiasm—or her selfishness.
"Oi, brat. Give us the paper. We wanna see it too," Zoro said with a grumble, crossing his arms.
Bonney stuck out her tongue at him and smirked, deliberately taunting. Then, with exaggerated reluctance, she handed the poster to Kuina instead.
Zoro's brow twitched in irritation.
"You spoiled brat."
Laughing, Bonney darted behind Kuina for protection. Kuina just shook her head and smiled as she looked over the poster.
Meanwhile, Koushirou watched the three from a distance, the faintest hint of nostalgia in his eyes. As he glanced back toward the bounty page, he thought silently to himself:
"So… you've chosen your own path, Taiyo. I wonder… how far will you go in this vast world?"
Kuina stared at the bounty poster, her eyes lingering on Taiyo's image. His calm, unwavering gaze in the photograph stirred something deep within her—a mix of pride, inspiration, and determination. The soft breeze brushed against her face as she slowly lowered the paper, her smile quiet but resolute.
"Wait for me, Taiyo…" she thought, her eyes lifting to the wide open sky above them. "I'll make sure to catch up to you—and when I do, I'll stand tall as the greatest swordswoman the world has ever seen."
She clenched the poster gently, her grip firm—not from anger or envy, but from a burning resolve.
Zoro stood beside her, his arms crossed, a confident smirk playing on his lips as he looked over at the same bounty.
"Heh," he muttered to himself, eyes narrowing as if already envisioning the path ahead. "So you've already made a name for yourself, huh, Taiyo? Don't get too far ahead—we're coming too."
Both Kuina and Zoro said nothing more, but the fire in their eyes said enough. In a year's time, they too would leave Shimotsuki Village, swords in hand, hearts unyielding, chasing the horizon that Taiyo had already begun to cut through.