Luffy bent down to pick up the bounty poster and looked at it calmly.
It was expected.
From 71 million to 3.5 billion—honestly, that was still low.
4 billion would've been more in line with his strength and the level of threat he posed to the government.
This bounty was probably because he didn't have a powerful crew like the other Yonko.
But two things were different from before.
First, his bounty no longer said "Alive only" — now it was "Dead or Alive."
Second, the photo on the poster now showed his Nika form.
"Luffy, with such a high bounty, I'm sure at least one Marine Admiral will be watching you at all times,"
Sandersonia said with concern.
Luffy set the poster aside, opened the newspaper, and skimmed through it.
The front-page headline, of course, talked about Whitebeard's death, the biggest news in years.
The article praised the bravery and strength of the Marines, but made no mention of Ace's escape.
It also stated that he, one of the former Shichibukai, had betrayed the Marines during the war and caused huge losses.
What nonsense.
Most of the Marine casualties were from the war itself.
The World Government was just shifting the blame onto him.
Luffy smirked in disdain.
This wasn't a piece written by Morgans — it clearly had the fingerprints of the World Government all over it.
(Don't worry, Morgans. In a few days, you'll have some juicy fruits to feast on.)
"Luffy."
At that moment, Hancock walked in, freshly showered, her scent lingering in the air.
Seeing her sister, Sandersonia was surprised.
Compared to the past, her elder sister now looked... adorably soft.
"Hancock, I have to return to Water 7 as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I can't stay here any longer."
Luffy handed her the newspaper and asked:
"Sandersonia, which direction is Water 7?"
"The ship is currently heading toward Amazon Lily. Water 7 is to the west."
"Thanks."
With that, Luffy went to change his clothes and then properly said goodbye to Hancock with a kiss.
He then approached the window and activated Gear Fifth.
Even though it was nighttime, that didn't matter anymore. He needed to get back as fast as possible.
This was all Hancock's fault for making him waste an entire afternoon.
"Wait, Luffy! Are you sure you want to go now? I could take you to Water 7… it's easy to get lost in these seas,"
The Empress said, clearly worried.
Her face was full of reluctance—after all, they had just kissed.
Luffy shook his head and said:
"Unfortunately, I have to go now. I promise I'll come see you again as soon as I can. Take care, Hancock."
And with that, he jumped and soared out the window.
In the night sky, the sun streaked behind him.
The Empress hurried to the window, her fingers gripping the newspaper tightly.
---
While Luffy traveled at full speed toward Water 7,
others were also flying through the air.
"What did Kuma mean… when he said he wouldn't be himself anymore after the war?
What the hell happened out there while I was locked up?"
Ivankov scratched his dark purple afro.
A figure suddenly emerged from his hair.
The man's hairstyle resembled the "clubs" symbol from a deck of cards. The left side was orange, the right white, and he held a glass of red wine in his left hand.
"Master Ivankov, I can already see the island—it's Baltigo."
"Inazuma, you're here! You almost scared the life out of me, haha~!"
Ivankov was startled, his eyes bulging out comically.
He followed the direction Inazuma pointed and saw an island.
The White Soil Island — Baltigo.
A dry land of rocks and sand.
It was also the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army.
The transparent paw-shaped bubble from Kuma carrying them both fell rapidly and landed in front of a rocky base with a loud "thud."
Before the two could even stand—
A gust of wind blew past them, and a man in a green cloak appeared before them instantly.
"Ivankov?"
"Dragon! So it was you."
"Dragon, do you have a son named Monkey D. Luffy?" Ivankov asked bluntly.
Dragon stayed silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes. I never told you because I don't like people digging into my past."
Having it confirmed, Ivankov crossed his arms and spoke with emotion:
"As expected of your son… Did you watch the Paramount War broadcast live?"
"Yes. What happened to you two?"
Dragon glanced at the paw-shaped crater at their feet and immediately understood.
This was Kuma's ability—he had sent them flying all the way to Baltigo.
"By the way, about your son… he had important information."
Remembering at last, Ivankov relayed the intel Luffy had wanted to send Dragon.
Dragon was visibly shaken after hearing it.
"Is this information real?" he asked, frowning.
"It came straight from your son. You'll have to ask him yourself. Hehe~
Anyway, mission complete. That Kuma forgot my subordinates are still in Marineford—will they get arrested again?"
Ignoring Ivankov's complaints, Dragon fell into deep thought.
It was obvious Luffy had gone out of his way to send him this information.
After a brief pause, he picked up a Den Den Mushi.
"This is the World Economy News Paper headquarters. I'm Morgans. I assume you've got something big if you're calling me directly."
A rough voice came from the other end.
"I am Rebellious Dragon."
---
Far away, in the headquarters of the World Economy News Paper, in the New World...
In his office, Big News Morgans' pupils shrank suddenly.
Rebellious Dragon?
That's the leader of the Revolutionary Army!
"I have some very important news. Once I make it public, I'm sure it will shake the world."
Morgans instantly got excited.
"Please, go ahead. I promise the reward will be worth it!"
"You won't need to pay me—because once it's published, the World Government might come hunting for you."
That serious?!
Morgans wasn't scared at all. In fact, his blood boiled with excitement.
"Please, tell me!"
"It's about the Celestial Dragons…"
"BIG NEWS!!!!"
Morgans shouted excitedly after hearing everything Dragon said.
---
(End of chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."