Chapter 11: Rising Fame, Madman

Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.

"That kid who ate a top-tier Logia fruit has finally left the weakest of the seas."

Sengoku looked at today's World Economic Journal and sighed, "To kill hundreds of people in just over ten minutes... just how much must that kid hate pirates?"

"Hate? Is it possible he just has a penchant for slaughter?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru's words, however, made Sengoku's expression turn grim. He asked, "Tsuru, why do you say that?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru was also looking at today's newspaper. She said slowly, "When he was stirring up the situation in the affiliated nations of the East Blue, I sent people to investigate."

"According to the reports from my subordinates, since that kid's debut, not a single one of his targets has survived."

"Men, women, old, young—as long as they were pirates or his enemies, he showed no mercy."

"If it were only that, I would just think of him as another 'Douglas Bullet' who has an immense killing drive but can control it without falling into darkness."

"But when I reviewed Douglas Bullet's file, I suddenly discovered something terrifying."

Sengoku asked curiously, "What is it?"

"Anyone who has killed a lot, even if they haven't awakened Haki, will accumulate an astonishing amount of killing intent, which can even begin to transform into a demonic aura," Vice Admiral Tsuru said with a grave expression. "But that kid doesn't have a single trace of killing intent on him."

Hearing this, Sengoku's expression changed drastically. He looked down at Link's photo printed in the newspaper, his eyes now filled with a grave solemnity.

As "The Strategist," he naturally understood what Vice Admiral Tsuru meant.

Even Douglas Bullet, who went on a crazed rampage and completely lost control after the Pirate King's death, awakened a demonic aura from his excessive slaughter, and his Conqueror's Haki was as terrifying as a demon's.

But Link, who had hunted countless pirates, killing them regardless of whether they had a bounty, and had swayed the outcome of wars in a dozen kingdoms, killing an unknown number of people, had not only not lost control but didn't even have a trace of killing intent.

What did that mean?

It meant that he didn't feel like he was killing at all. He thought he was playing a game.

It was just like how the Celestial Dragons could kill so many slaves without having any killing intent themselves.

Link didn't see people as people at all.

How was a person like that not a kind of 'madman' in his own right?

In that moment, Link's threat level in Sengoku's eyes skyrocketed.

"I hope he can keep himself in check and never lose control," Sengoku said coldly.

——————

If even the highest echelons of the Marines were discussing Link, it went without saying for the rest of the world.

After all, the Logia-type Wood-Wood Fruit was a top-tier Logia. Before Aramaki emerged, everyone would assume Link was the user of the Wood-Wood Fruit.

In any era, the appearance of a Logia user would cause a considerable stir around the world. The more top-tier the element, the greater the commotion.

For example, the current Three Admirals once caused a worldwide sensation, making people see how powerful the next generation of the Marines would be. After all, light, magma, and ice were all top-tier Logia. Even if a nobody ate one, their strength would be at least at the Vice Admiral level, and they would be a top officer in an Emperor's crew.

Another example was Portgas D. Ace three years ago, who made the year 1517 of the Sea Circle Calendar his own, in a league of his own. Before even entering the New World, he received an invitation from the World Government to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Shortly after joining the Whitebeard Pirates, he became the 2nd Division Commander.

Now, another top-tier Logia user had appeared.

This Logia user, a bounty hunter, had annihilated four pirate crews in just over ten minutes, killing several hundred people.

With such a status and such a track record, the pirates in the first half of the Grand Line who knew the power of Logia-types all memorized Link's face. If they ever saw him, they knew to run as far away as possible.

As for the pirates of the New World, they were unconcerned with Link's identity.

Allegiances can change!

As long as they could defeat Link, in a choice between death and submission, only a fool wouldn't know which to choose.

That day, the great pirates took note of Link, deciding to recruit this top-tier Logia user full of potential once he entered the New World.

...

On their way to the new sea route, Link and the two girls also saw today's news.

"The headline of the World Economic Journal! Link, you're famous!"

Looking at Link's photo on the front page, Nami shouted excitedly.

Carina, however, was very calm. "The flashing lights last night... I knew someone was secretly taking my picture."

"Fame is just a matter of time. You two will have your day as well," Link said with a meaningful smile.

Nami and Carina thought Link meant that as long as they stayed by his side, they would sooner or later be reported in the papers as a gimmick. They didn't know that Link's reason for changing sea routes was not only for rapid growth but also to quickly gain enough strength to help them find suitable Devil Fruits to change their destinies.

Neither Nami nor Carina were just eye candy. If they both had combat abilities, they would become even more outstanding, and at the very least, Link wouldn't have to be distracted or use a wood clone to protect them.

A few days later, after changing sea routes, the three of them finally arrived at their destination.

"This island looks like a cactus!"

Gazing at the island ahead, Nami remarked with a sigh.

"This island looks familiar."

Carina's brows furrowed slightly. Then, as if a thought struck her, she suddenly took out her notebook, flipped through it, and said to Link, "Link, this island is called Whiskey Peak. There's a town on it where bounty hunters gather."

Link nodded. "I know. I came here for them."

"Link, are you going to join them?" Nami asked subconsciously.

After spending these few days together, Nami and Carina had come to understand Link to a certain extent. Link was, in a way, like them—a person with a certain bottom line and principles, yet ruthless towards pirates. His bottom line was not to harm ordinary people.

So, Nami subconsciously thought Link wouldn't attack his peers, since he was also a bounty hunter.

Hearing this, Link said nothing, but Carina couldn't help but roll her eyes at Nami.

After all these years, this little Cat Burglar was still so naive.

Bounty hunting was one of the professions of the underworld. Though it was a profession that cooperated with the Marines, why was it listed as an underworld profession? The reason was simple: most bounty hunters were weak and could only huddle together for warmth. Even when many of them teamed up, they couldn't make enough money and had to take on side jobs like stealing ships and human trafficking.

People called such bounty hunters "hyenas."

Link was also a bit speechless. He could only explain, "I came here to take someone away. The princess of a superpower."