"This time, the bounty will be issued directly by Headquarters," Brannew announced coldly.
"After all, the threat posed by these two individuals is on a completely different level from the typical pirates of the East Blue."
His gaze swept across the room, filled with grim-faced officers.
"You should all be aware—the East Blue is considered the most peaceful sea in the world. The average pirate bounty here doesn't exceed five million. Even the most dangerous, Arlong, is only worth twenty million."
"But it's clear—Fire Fist Ace and Knight Gawain will far surpass that."
"This isn't just a threat to the region—it's an embarrassment. A humiliation to the East Blue's reputation. A direct challenge to your competence."
As his voice fell, a heavy silence spread. The assembled officers wore stiff expressions. Brannew's words had landed like a slap in the face. Yet despite the sting, no one could offer a confident rebuttal. After all, the chaos had unfolded under their watch.
Still, some couldn't stomach the insult.
To Brannew's left, Colonel Nezumi—his rodent-like features twisted in disdain—muttered sarcastically,
"Headquarters officers certainly don't hold back, do they?"
Several nearby officers turned to look. Brannew gave Nezumi a flat glance, frowned slightly, but didn't bother to respond. He turned back to the room, his tone turning even more severe.
"Let me make this clear. This incident has attracted high-level attention—especially from someone with roots in the East Blue."
That immediately sharpened everyone's focus.
"Someone from the East Blue... V-Vice Admiral Garp?!" Nezumi blurted out, pupils shrinking in alarm.
The name sent a ripple through the room. Everyone sat up straighter. Eyes locked on Brannew.
If that was true… it meant the Hero of the Marines, Garp, might soon return to personally clean up the East Blue.
And every one of his clean-ups had always begun the same way—by purging corruption from within the Navy ranks.
Inside and out. Top to bottom. Like termites scraped from rotting wood.
It was easy to imagine what would follow: investigations, dismissals, arrests.
"If that's the case, we need to prepare—immediately."
"Sweep the local pirates. And root out the rot within the base."
The officers nodded gravely. The weight of Garp's reputation silenced any further complaint.
Nezumi, now pale and soaked in cold sweat, sat stiffly. By the end of the meeting, the back of his uniform was drenched.
East Blue – At Sea
The wind was mild. The waves gentle.
Seabirds soared across the sky, drawing the attention of lurking sea beasts that leapt from the water and plunged back beneath the surface—massive, almost unreal creatures.
Watching this scene, Gawain was once again reminded: this was no longer the peaceful world he once knew.
This was a world ruled by plunder, violence, and chaos.
Here, the powerful changed with every era, but one thing remained constant—newcomers always set sail.
Now, Gawain was one of them.
Truthfully, if given a choice, the most advantageous start in this world wasn't piracy at all—it was being born as a Celestial Dragon, or joining the Navy.
With structured promotions, access to the Navy's Six Powers, and higher chances of obtaining a Devil Fruit, the military path was the more stable and resourceful route.
But Gawain, having already killed Morgan and seen his name on a wanted poster, had no such luxury.
He was now fully a pirate.
"Only strength can secure a place in this world," he murmured.
Just then, a newspaper bird wearing a small hat swooped down, circled the warship a few times, then dropped a bundle onto the deck before flying off.
One of the deckhands picked up the newspaper. As he unfolded it, a stack of bounty posters slipped out and scattered across the deck.
The pirate leaned down to gather them—then froze when he saw Gawain's face on one.
But the number below the photo was not the eight million he remembered.
His voice caught in his throat.
"One... ten... hundred... thousand... f-four, four—!"
"What's with the stuttering?!"
A nearby pirate snatched the poster. But as he read the number, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Knight Gawain... bounty—48 million Berries?!"
"How much?!"
Voices erupted as the entire crew crowded around. They stared in shock at the poster, speechless for several long seconds.
Then the shouting began.
"Forty-eight million?!"
"That's insane! Captain's a legend in the East Blue now!"
"Before this, the highest bounty here was Arlong's—just twenty million!"
"We just took down Morgan... does this mean we'll be fighting the full might of the East Blue Navy next?!"
Some turned pale. Fear crept into their voices. They understood what this meant—bounties weren't just numbers. They represented how dangerous the Navy considered you.
At 48 million, Gawain had shattered the East Blue ceiling.
He would now be a priority target.
One crewmate visibly trembled.
"Th-this is too much. What are we supposed to do now?"
But others jeered at him.
"Are you an idiot?!"
"There's no turning back now. The more famous the captain, the safer we are!"
"Besides... are you sure the captain even fought at full power back there on the island?"
Gawain, of course, heard the murmurs.
He calmly parted the crowd. The pirate holding the newspaper wisely handed over the bounty sheet.
Gawain studied it in silence. The number beneath his name brought a faint smirk to his lips.
To his knowledge, no one in the East Blue had ever been given a higher bounty. And fame, like power, would help fuel his future plans.
He set his own poster aside and picked up the others.
"Kuro of a Hundred Plans – 16 million..."
"Man-Demon Gin – 12 million..."
"Fishman Arlong – 20 million..."
Then he paused.
A familiar face stared up at him.
Though the man in the photo looked younger than Gawain remembered, the freckles and that unique hat were unmistakable.
Portgas D. Ace
Nickname: Fire Fist
Bounty: 50 million Berries
Even higher than Gawain's.
Together, the two of them had completely shattered the East Blue bounty records.
Gawain touched his chin thoughtfully, eyes gleaming.
"Ace's talent is on another level compared to these small-time pirates..."
"To become the Second Division Commander of Whitebeard's crew in just a few years—and to even clash with an Admiral like Aokiji..."
"If I could bring him aboard, my growth would leap forward overnight."
But—
"Natural ability users aren't easy to handle without Haki."
He considered other options.
"Zoro's a drifter. No fixed base. Hard to find."
"That only leaves... the Baratie."
A plan was already forming in Gawain's mind.
Just then, a system notification rang out in his thoughts.
Ding!
"Congratulations! Badge unlocked: [Fame]"
"You can now view the potential abilities of your subordinates."