The moment the high bounties of the Straw Hat Pirates were announced, they immediately drew the attention of multiple factions.
With fewer than ten members yet a combined bounty exceeding 1 billion berries, they were reminiscent of the Red Hair Pirates from years past!
The New World, Totto Land.
"Mom, we've just received news that the Red Hair Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates made contact not long ago," Perospero reported.
"Mamamama~"
"Could those two be preparing for war?" Charlotte Linlin laughed. "That fellow Kaido would surely be very interested."
She could almost picture the excited look on that bastard Kaido's face—he loved war more than anything.
"Mom, should we take any action?"
"Unnecessary," Charlotte Linlin shook her head. "Let them fight it out first."
With the Tea Party approaching, she had no interest in getting involved in any war.
"Mom, there's an interesting group of rookies making waves on the seas," Galette suddenly spoke up.
"Oh? What is it?"
"Not long ago, a pirate crew caused chaos at the World Government's Enies Lobby," Galette said, pulling out a newspaper and a stack of wanted posters. "And now, their bounties have been issued."
"There are still rookies bold enough to do something like that?" Smoothie asked curiously. "How much?"
She was genuinely intrigued by this crew.
"Straw Hat Boy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates—bounty of 420 million berries."
The moment these words were spoken, everyone present wore expressions of exasperation, clearly not expecting Galette to bring up such a minor figure.
A bounty of over 400 million might be staggering to others, but to the Big Mom Pirates, it was nothing.
"Are you mocking me?" Charlotte Linlin's gaze turned dangerous.
Galette shuddered instinctively and quickly clarified, "Mom, it's not him I'm talking about—but this person."
She placed another wanted poster on the ground and pointed at the figure in it. "Blood-Eyed Ninja, Meiser—bounty of 400 million berries."
Perhaps fearing her mother's wrath, Galette continued without pause, "The reason I mention him is that this is his first bounty, yet it's already this high."
"And the place he made his name... was the Grand Line!"
Silence fell over the room.
A rookie receiving such a terrifying bounty on their first posting—they knew exactly what that meant.
This was someone with no background, a complete newcomer!
"What's the big deal? Big Brother Katakuri's first bounty was over 400 million too."
"Though I was strong back then, a large part of it was due to the name 'Charlotte,'" Katakuri said calmly.
He didn't find this admission shameful—in fact, he took pride in those three words.
But Katakuri also knew that without their mother's reputation, his first bounty might not have been so high.
"Big Brother Katakuri..."
"I'm just stating the facts objectively."
"This man's potential is not low..." Charlotte Linlin mused. "And his wanted poster..."
"Higher priority for capture alive?"
This discovery made Charlotte Linlin narrow her eyes.
Based on her understanding of the World Government, this kid must have some unexpected secret.
Could it be because he's from the Land of Wano?
She had heard Kaido had ninjas there, but... would a ninja possess such strength?
If that were the case, Kaido wouldn't have taken the Land of Wano so easily back then.
"That's what I'm curious about too," Galette said. "It's rare to see 'capture alive' written on a Wanted Poster. This guy must be hiding plenty of secrets."
"Even setting that aside, a first bounty of 400 million berries is worth our attention."
"And look at his eyes."
Here, Galette paused, as if hesitating about something.
"What about his eyes?"
"Eh? They're red!"
The others stared at the Wanted Poster in surprise—it was their first time seeing eyes like that.
"His eyes are different from ordinary people's. Maybe he's from some special race," Galette suggested.
"Mamamama~"
"A special race, you say?"
Charlotte Linlin's expression genuinely lit up with interest. Her greatest dream was to create a nation with every race in the world!
As if recalling something, she sighed. "If only we'd met him earlier..."
Shaking her head, she turned to Galette. "Make contact with this guy. If he meets the standards... have him marry into the family!"
"Yes, Mama!"
Charlotte Linlin glanced at her unmarried daughters present before finally settling on Galette. "You brought this up—are you interested in him?"
When not in one of her rages, Charlotte Linlin treated her children quite well.
"Yes, Mama." Galette relaxed, smiling. "I do have that intention."
If she could secure a powerful husband, her standing within the Charlotte family would rise significantly.
Perhaps... she might even become a Sweet Commander!
Though they were all one big happy family... she still wanted more of Mama's attention.
The others exchanged glances, understanding Galette's meaning.
This girl had clearly set her sights on him from the start—she just couldn't act without Mama's approval.
"Good. Then reaching out to him is your responsibility."
"Understood, Mama." Galette nodded.
This had been her plan all along. With Mama's permission, she could now pursue her goal.
As a member of the Charlotte Pirates and Mama's daughter, such opportunities for choice were rare—she had to seize this one!
"Mama, what if he refuses?" Smoothie interjected, then gave Galette a meaningful look.
"Refuse MY offer?!" Charlotte Linlin's face darkened instantly. "If he dares disrespect me, slaughter all his crewmates!"
"Understood!"
"Mama, since we're holding a tea party soon, should we send him an invitation?"
"We'll talk about it after he reaches the New World," Charlotte Linlin shook her head and said.
The City of Seven Waters wasn't too far from the Sabaody Archipelago. If that pirate crew's destination was the New World, they might actually make it in time for the tea party a month later.
Land of Wano, Onigashima.
Upon receiving news of Whitebeard and Shanks meeting, Kaido immediately began gathering his subordinates, preparing to join the excitement.
"Wororororo, is that old bastard Whitebeard finally about to start the world's greatest war?!" Kaido exclaimed excitedly. "Then I definitely have to make an appearance!"
Perhaps this time, he might gain unimaginable benefits.
"Big Brother Kaido, there's an interesting rookie appearing on the seas who might interest you," King said.
"Oh?"
"Tell me about it."
"It's this," King placed Meiser's wanted poster before Kaido. "A member of the Straw Hat Pirates—the Blood-Eyed Ninja, Meiser."
"This crew caused chaos at the World Government's Enies Lobby. His first bounty is 400 million berries."
"400 million for a first bounty?"
The number surprised Kaido. He wasn't a fool—he knew exactly what this meant.
If this person were allowed to grow, he'd at least reach the level of a top executive.
If he could be recruited... Wait a minute?
"What did you say his name was?"
"Blood-Eyed Ninja, Meiser."
"A ninja?" Kaido turned to glance toward the Flower Capital, frowning. "Could that bastard have done something behind our backs?"
Ninjas were unique to the Land of Wano—they didn't exist elsewhere.
"No. If this person truly belonged to him, he'd never let him leave," King sneered.
"He's far too afraid of death."
Letting a powerful individual go out to gain experience?
Don't make me laugh!
Someone like Kurozumi Orochi would never have that kind of vision.
"You're right," Kaido suddenly grinned. "Send this news to Orochi. Hasn't he always been afraid of that so-called twenty-year curse?"
"Now it seems that curse might have come for him, wororororo!"
"Then, Big Brother Kaido, should we do something?" King asked. "A 400 million first bounty..."
"Plus..."
King stared at Meiser's blood-red eyes. "This person might also possess a special bloodline."
And he himself was someone with a special bloodline!
Hearing this, Kaido fell silent for a moment before grinning widely. "Fine, I'll take this one!"
"King, send people to gather intel on him."
"Yes, Big Brother Kaido."
"Boss Kaido, the ship is ready to depart at any time!" a subordinate shouted.
"Let's go—time to join the greatest war!"
"Ooooh!!"
Unlike these two, the Whitebeard Pirates were busy handling their own affairs and paid no attention to the Straw Hat Pirates. Meanwhile, Red-Haired Shanks broke into a delighted smile the moment he saw the newspaper.
"How capable..." Shanks laughed.
Without realizing it, Luffy had already grown to this extent. At this rate, they might meet again very soon.
"The total bounty is almost catching up to ours back in the day."
"True enough, hahahaha!"
"This ninja is special," Ben Beckman pointed at Meiser's wanted poster and said. "His bounty prioritizes capture over killing. Maybe the World Government has discovered something."
Shanks' eyes flickered upon hearing this, but he shook his head and replied, "Let's wait until we meet Luffy before discussing this further."
"Brothers, get ready! We're about to arrive at the Land of Wano. We must stop Kaido there!"
"Ooooh!"
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!