Grand Line – Somewhere in the Sky
Huge hot air balloons drifted with the wind. Bold characters were painted on their surfaces: World Economic News!
This was the airborne headquarters of Morgans, the king of journalism.
"Woohahaha! The first bounty is 80 million Berry! Another incredible force has appeared in East Blue!" Morgans laughed heartily.
"The super rookie who broke into the New World two years ago, Fire Fist Ace, captain of the Whitebeard Pirates; Rommel Kamaitachi, rising star of this year; South Blue's captain Kid; West Blue gangster Bege; North Blue magician Hawkins… combined with East Blue's dark horse—offering 80 million for a single target—and more newcomers emerging every day, I have a strong premonition that world-shaking events are about to unfold!"
"President Morgans! Here's the dossier you requested on Sugisawa Yuuto, chairman of Fairy Tail!"
A junior staff member handed a thick stack of documents to Morgans.
"Let's see… Fairy Tail, huh? Nani—a person with lightning powers? Could it be a Logia-level Thunder Fruit ability? If so, the initial 80 million reward is justified. That ability alone warrants it!" Morgans examined the files, eyes widening in disbelief.
"What! Besides a Thunder Fruit user, there's a great swordsman, and even the Legendary Yujian Technique?!"
"President Morgans!" another assistant burst in, holding fresh papers.
"Just now, our East Blue branch received an anonymous report: Colonel Mouse of Marine Branch 166 colluded with the murlocs and Arlong's gang to oppress men and women, terrorizing 20 villages including Cocoyasi for eight long years!"
"Nani?! Woohahaha! This just keeps getting better—East Blue is heating up! Definitely worth my coverage!"
New World – Whitebeard Pirates, Moby Dick
"Hey, Ace, weren't you from East Blue?"
Sage, captain of the Fourth Division, waved a newspaper.
"Yeah… what about it?" Ace, mouth full of food, responded vaguely.
"An amazing newcomer has appeared in East Blue—the first bounty is 80 million Berry!" Sage said excitedly.
"Nani! Eighty million?! What did this guy do?"
Team captains like Joz, Vista, and Lacoey leaned in, curious.
"East Blue's newcomer—is it Luffy? Did he set sail early?" Ace's eyes lit up.
"Probably not, Ace. Your brother may be a Paramecia user, but this guy… he's a Logia, like you. A remarkable one at that. Guess the ability?" Sage smiled mysteriously.
Before Ace could answer, Teach, the fat black man of the crew, interrupted nervously. "Wait! Tell me now! What's this Logia? Hurry!"
"Relax. This is Sage, the Fourth Division captain. He'll explain," Marco interjected.
Sage grinned. "Hahaha… this man, Sugisawa Yuuto, is the strongest Thunder Fruit Logia user!"
"Nani!!!" everyone on the ship gasped—except one.
Blackbeard Teach sighed in relief. "Thunder Fruit, huh? Then it's fine."
He had been lurking aboard the Whitebeard ship for decades, waiting for a Dark Fruit user. His tension eased—this was not the one he feared.
Global Ripples
The 80 million Berry bounty from East Blue caused waves worldwide.
Three hours after the reward announcement…
Marine Headquarters – Marineford
Tap! Tap! Footsteps echoed in the corridor.
"Sengoku!" Vice Admiral Crane burst into the Marshal's office, expression grim.
"What is it, Crane?" Sengoku asked.
"The reason for the attack on Branch 166 has been identified!" Crane handed over the latest investigation.
"Colonel Mouse of Branch 166 colluded with Arlong's gang, deceiving superiors and oppressing civilians…"
Sengoku's expression darkened.
"My instincts were correct. Fairy Tail is not a ruthless organization—they act for justice, with reason behind everything…" Crane explained.
Crane had been monitoring Fairy Tail for months, considering inviting them to join the Marines. But the Branch 166 incident made him realize the full scope of their influence.
"Even so…" Sengoku asked cautiously.
"We failed to detect the corruption within Branch 166, but even so… court-martials exist for such matters. No one acts without authorization. The Marine's authority must never be challenged!" Sengoku said firmly.
"Even if this may create a formidable enemy?" Crane asked.
Sengoku was silent. He understood Crane's concerns—but reward orders are set in stone. If they changed day to day, Marine credibility would collapse.