"That damnable brat…" His one of the Rokuseiza as they sat in a large open courtyard with a fountain in the front, crisp clear light blue water spraying from the top nozzle
The Elders were sitting around in different pieces of furniture. It seemed they were never away from one another for too long. The 3rd elder had a picture of one Falcon D. Leroy in his hand before crumpling it in his hand
"Never in the history of the World Government has the Citadel been attacked to such a degree. The last time anyone even attempted was over 200 years ago…" Spoke the first.
"And all for that Devil Spawn Azalea Raven. Sole Survivor of Tovara." The 2nd then spoke up, leaning on the chair he sat in
"It'd be a waist of resources now to try and get her back. She's been extremely careful about staying in hiding throughout all these years. We didn't even know that she was under the employment of Hornigold Rackham until she was already gone." Spoke the 4th.
"Indeed it might be. Even if we threw another buster call at those so-called Red Sash Pirates, it could end in another disaster. What we instead should do is double down on the reports of her destructive abilities. Stain any remaining reputation that she may have left from wherever she's stepped foot on. She won't be going far from those pirates. And as long as we can guarantee that. It's one less hassle of needing to keep track of with a separate pair of eyes." The sixth added. They could send all the CPA they had at the Red Sashes, through an Admiral or Vice Admiral at them. But all they needed to know was where she was, and where the Pirates were as well. Calculated risk that needed to be taken
The Sixth finally spoke "Then what do we do? Do we cover this up and put a bigger bounty on Them all and blame them for the destruction at Water 9? Or do we take the risk of telling the world that the World Government is penetrable but will not go unpunished?"
"Water 9's association with the Coalition is no longer a factor. They have been stripped of that and any thing that they had will be taken away from them. But we've left enough there if we ever need to take the island for ourselves, we can."
"The only reason we let them exist for so long was because of the ample position of the island, and the unknown whereabouts of the Forgotten Blueprints. But with those being destroyed, and the dismantling and destruction of the citadel. We no longer have a use for them." The first responded
"Having a stark bounty increase as we plan, as to demonize this crew and make the world trust them even less, seeing as how everywhere they go some form of companionship occurs. Even though the King of Arabasta has spoken out against them, the People still know and celebrate Red Sashes victory against Hornigold. And now theres Water 9 where whispers have come about that he was their savor."
"I think there's something we're missing." The 4th interjected. "To us, we know that the Citadel was filled with no civilians. But if we say that it was housing families, along with many good hearted marines that were killed by Red Sash and his crew, and they caused the destruction of the Island to occur, it paints them in a worse light, while bolstering the support for us in the same breath."
"That could work. And then after that…?" Questioned the first
"We could send Barnaby after them, and have him and his crew handle them before they reach the end of Paradise. They may have already taken down one warlord. But Barnaby should be able to handle them, him and that army of his." The Sixth explained.
"Barnaby is a wild card. He's never taken direct orders from us unless they fit his purview. But his capabilities in culling Piracy in his stretch of sea near the Bleak Stretch and close to the Entrance to the New World is enough to keep him on our payroll."
"Perhaps we could convince him by sending Condent there to give the orders directly. And directly from us. Most orders go down the chain of command through the Fleet Admiral. But if it's from us directly it should guarantee his cooperation." The 2nd expanded
"Then it's settled. We'll issue a higher bounty for all of them, send Condent to deliver our orders for this quarry, and have him handle them. And if he's defeated, we'll raise the bounty but no one will ever know Barnaby ever even made contact with him…"
Only half an hour had passed before the caws of New Loos above caught the attention of Kirk, one of the dark birds coming and resting on the railing, the Navigator rushing down the steps as the bird gives a cocked head to the commotion. Kirk gave the bird enough for 3 issues as other papers began to fall.
"Uh oh…Leroy!" Kirk gave a shout, the captains head peaking out of the galley. "Yeah-? Oh! It must be new bounties! Quick! Kirk start reading!"
The Paper had the large bold text across the front 'Terrorist Attack Government' with a picture of Leroy fist outstretched from a distance on the front page.
"Terror fills the City of Canal de Agua, Water 9 as the Pirate Crew the Red Sash Pirates spread dread and mayhem across the city as the brave members of the World Governments top Agents of Cipher Pol Aegis 9 arrest the Devil Spawn Azalea Raven after years of Hiding!"
"Quick quick! Don't look at the ground, we gotta wait to hear the news!" Leroy said, waving off Raven from picking up one of the down turned posters on the deck. Her arms sprouting and quickly slipping them onto their backs to keep the others from looking
"But, their Terrorist attack didn't stop at the Poor citizens of Water 9, as they made a calculated and devastating attack onto the Island of Justice and Head Quarters of the CPA and all the Judicial Staff. Dozens were found dead as the Pirates razed fire across the entire Island, wroughting it's entire destruction!" Kirk flipped another page, the face of Leroy plastered on a new poster
"We now have definitive faces to the Crew, as they have grown in numbers." Kirks began to grimace as he read "Their Names and Epithets are as follows" Kirk then stood and in order handed each their bounty poster
"Falcon D. Leroy 'Red Sash' The Captain" Bounty: ฿526,100,000
Leroy had nasty sneer on his face. A mischievous grin and scowl as his tongue was bit between his lips
"Masamune Kale 'The Bloody Ronin' Assumed Swordsman of High Position" Bounty: ฿230,450,000 "Perfect."
Kale had a harsh scowl on his face that was ever stoic. Blood down his face.
"Pinot Noir 'Fire Print' High Officer." Bounty ฿231,000,000 "Not bad..."
Yet another photo from behind just as in Arabasta. But this time just barely a profile was visible
"Azalea Raven 'Devil Spawn' Scholar" Bounty: ฿190,000,000 "They Raised it!"
She had a face on view of the photograph. She was actually smiling in this photo. The first bounty she ever had after 4 or 5 pictures.
"Kamiko Kirk 'The Swift Fox' Thief." Bounty: ฿60,014,122
Kirk had an almost all natural and candid pose. Arm over his head almost ike a model. He thought it looked sexy!
"Kanin Dezzi 'Electric Blur' An Escaped Servant and Prisoner of the Celestial Dragons. Presumed Doctor." The Picture Showed Dezzi in only their Cape, the mark on their arm in clear view. Bounty: ฿41,821,140 "My First Bounty! Yes!"
Dezzi's bounty was a blur ironically and fittingly. Only getting their face ever so slightly. The rest of the background was a blur!
"Arquette Jeanne 'The Purple Piper' Theorized to be Related to Arequtte Andre; The Ghoul. Assumed Markswoman" Bounty: ฿20,400,000
Jeanne, was fortunate. This was her first bounty. And was wearing a mask, the one of the Purple Piper! All they had was her name! How lucky…
"Water Calliope. 'The Rascal' Former Gang Leader, and Shipwright as well as Terroristic Daughter to their Father Water Polly, who attempted to build a weapon to destroy Water 9." Bounty: ฿79,131,700
Calliope had a crazed smile on her face. Pink hair covering her face as she had a mechanical arm raised in front of her!
"Hahaha!" Leroy suddenly reeled back "They sure do love lying!" Kirk gave scoff as he crumpled the news paper and tossed it away.
"Wow…My First Bounty…!" Calliope looked in awe. "Oh God…Thats a big number!" Jeanne said in distress. "I can't believe I have a bounty on my head now!" Kirk complained. "And it's so big!" He pouted…