Chapter 78: The Legendary Status Soars!
[Marine Headquarters - Fleet Admiral's Office]
The office was silent, save for the sound of a goat chewing on a file labeled "Top Secret."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat behind his desk, his hands clasped in front of his face, hiding his expression. But the vein throbbing on his forehead betrayed his boiling rage.
The newspaper lay on the desk, crumpled and torn. The headline—"MARINE ADMIRAL CRUSHED!"—seemed to mock him with every letter.
Since things had reached this point, the news had already spread throughout the world via the unstoppable channels of the World Economy News Press. Trying to suppress it now was simply a pipe dream. The damage was done. The invincibility of the Marines had been cracked.
"Since it can't be hidden..."
Chief of Staff Tsuru, standing by the window, slowly opened her closed eyes. A cold, calculating glint flashed within them.
"Then we must control the narrative. We issue the bounties immediately. We don't hide them; we label them as monsters. We make them the enemies of the entire world."
She turned to Sengoku.
"Let him become a globally infamous criminal. Let everyone understand how dangerous this fellow is. If we treat this as an anomaly, we look weak. If we treat this as a catastrophic threat level, we look justified in our response."
Sengoku's chest rose and fell violently. He understood Tsuru's meaning. It was the only political move left.
He sat back down in his chair, the leather creaking under the strain. He picked up the golden Den Den Mushi beside him.
"Pass on my order!" Sengoku commanded, his tone freezing the air in the room. "Draft new bounty posters immediately! Contact the Printing Department!"
"The newcomer pirate, 'Wing of Calamity' Ulquiorra Cifer. He crushed an Admiral in his first battle and destroyed the Judicial Island. His crimes are heinous beyond measure. Initial bounty..."
Sengoku hesitated for a split second, then slammed his fist on the desk.
"One Billion (1,000,000,000) Berries!"
"And the Giants! Dorry and Brogy! Reissue their bounties. Raise them to 800 Million Berries each! They are accomplices to the destruction of Enies Lobby!"
"Yes, sir!" The voice on the other end trembled.
After the command was passed down, Sengoku leaned back exhaustedly against his chair. He rubbed his temples, feeling a migraine coming on.
"Where is he?" Sengoku muttered. "Where is that idiot when I need him?"
He dialed another number.
Buru buru buru... Buru buru buru...
The phone rang for a long time before being answered unhurriedly.
[Grand Line - Jaya Island - The "Lawless Zone"]
Mock Town was usually a cacophony of violence. Drunks brawling in the streets, pirates testing their pistols on seagulls, and the constant roar of gambling dens.
But today, the streets were eerily, terrifyingly silent.
Not a single pirate dared to wander outside. Windows were shuttered. Doors were barred. Even the stray dogs were hiding.
The source of this silence was located inside the only open restaurant in town.
"Crunch, crunch... Mmm! Delicious! The cherry pie here is fantastic!"
An old man, broad-shouldered and wearing a white Marine coat draped over his shoulders like a cape, was eating heartily without any regard for the terrified atmosphere he projected.
"Boss! Another serving! And bring more rice crackers!"
Monkey D. Garp, the Hero of the Marines, mumbled as he stuffed half a pie into his mouth.
On the table beside him, the stack of empty plates was nearly as tall as a person. It was a tower of gluttony.
The restaurant owner was a one-eyed man with a scar running down his cheek. He nervously peered out from behind the counter, watching the mountain of plates wobble. Cold sweat dripped down his face, soaking his shirt.
He had been a pirate who sailed the New World in his youth. He had retired here to open a bar. He knew better than anyone who this old man was.
He was looking at a living legend. The man who cornered the Pirate King. The Fist.
Why is he here?! the owner screamed internally. Is he here to arrest us all? Is this a Buster Call in human form?!
"Y-yes! Coming right up, Vice Admiral!"
The boss answered, his voice cracking. He quickly retreated into the kitchen, kicking his cook to hurry up.
"What troubled times," the boss whispered to his cook. "Just recently, that monster Suzaku wiped out two pirate crews in the street. There's still blood on the cobblestones! And now Garp arrives? Are we cursed?"
Fortunately for them, Garp seemed genuinely only interested in eating. He hadn't punched anyone yet.
A moment ago, he had casually asked about the whereabouts of the Suzaku Pirates. The boss had quickly replied—honestly—that they had only come to purchase supplies and had sailed away days ago. Garp didn't ask further; he just ordered pie.
Just as the boss sighed and instructed the kitchen to prepare new ingredients, the sound of a Den Den Mushi rang out from Garp's pocket.
Buru buru buru!
"Oh? Who is it? Interrupting my meal..."
Garp pulled the snail from his pocket. He noted that its face had transformed—it was mimicking an expression of exasperation, puffing its cheeks, and glaring with round glasses.
"It's me, Sengoku!" the roar of the Fleet Admiral exploded from the speaker, shaking the cutlery on the table. "Where are you right now, Garp?! Why aren't you picking up?!"
"Oh, Sengoku!" Garp grabbed a piece of meat on the bone, stuffed it into his mouth, and crunched loudly. "I'm on Jaya Island. The cherry pie here is really good! You should come try it sometime!"
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE PIE!"
"Oh, right," Garp ignored the screaming. "That kid named Suzaku you asked me to keep an eye on? He left here a long time ago. Missed him by a few days. Too bad."
"This is not the time to talk about that!" Sengoku was so angry hearing Garp's nonchalant chewing that the transmission crackled.
"Something major happened at Enies Lobby! It was destroyed! Razed to the ground!"
Garp paused, a cracker halfway to his mouth. "Enies Lobby? Who did it? Kaido?"
"No! It was a newcomer pirate leading the Giant Warrior Pirates! And..."
Sengoku's voice dropped an octave.
"Sakazuki was defeated. Head-on. By that newcomer. He is severely injured and currently in critical condition."
"Oh?"
Garp froze. Then, he slapped his thigh so hard the table cracked in half.
"BWAHAHAHAHA!"
His characteristic hearty laugh boomed through the restaurant, shattering several glasses behind the bar.
"Is that true?! That brat Sakazuki actually got defeated? By a rookie?! Bwahahaha! That's rich! That magma-brain finally met someone hotter than him!"
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku's face turned black.
"GARP! YOU BASTARD! Is this really the time to be laughing?! An Admiral has fallen!"
"What does it matter?" Garp wiped a tear of laughter from his eye. He carelessly picked his nose. "The sea is vast, Sengoku. Strong people are constantly emerging. If the Marines get complacent, they get crushed. It's the natural order!"
He grinned, a shark-like expression.
"With monsters like this popping up... the sea becomes much more interesting! Maybe I should go meet this rookie."
"I don't care if you find it interesting or not!" Sengoku finally lost his patience. "This is a direct order! Immediately! Right now! Get your butt back to Marineford! We have a war council!"
Click.
Garp looked at the disconnected snail. He shrugged.
"Check, please!"
[Sky Island - Upper Yard - The New Palace]
While the Blue Sea was in chaos, the Sky Island was experiencing a renaissance.
Enel's former God's Shrine had been completely torn down. In its place, using the endless supply of processed clouds and gold, a magnificent, gorgeous palace had risen. It was a structure worthy of a true ruler.
Inside the main hall, Suzaku sat on the high throne.
Below him, Gan Fall (Governor of Angel Island) and Wyper (Commander of the Shandia Guards) were kneeling respectfully, reporting on the current situation.
"Lord Suzaku," Gan Fall said, bowing low. "The news of Enel's fall has spread to every corner of the White-White Sea. The residents of Angel Island have erupted in cheers. They no longer fear the 'Judgment' from the sky."
"And the Shandia people," Wyper added, his voice thick with emotion, "have begun moving back into the Upper Yard. We are rebuilding the city of Shandora. For the first time in 400 years, my people are sleeping on soil. We owe you everything."
Suzaku listened to the report with a satisfied smile. But his eyes weren't on them. They were focused on the translucent blue screen floating in his vision.
[System Panel - Legend Points]
As the populace of Sky Island settled down and accepted his rule, his Legend Points were ticking up steadily. +100... +200...
It was at this moment that a sudden change occurred.
DING! DING! DING!
The numbers began to spin violently.
He noticed that the Legend Points belonging to the [Subordinate: Ulquiorra Cifer] entry began to soar wildly. It wasn't a trickle; it was a flood.
It instantly broke through 20,000... 30,000... 40,000...
Finally, the counter slowed and stopped at a staggering number.
[+43,000 Legend Points]
This sudden, massive injection of points made Suzaku unable to resist letting out a soft, surprised sound.
"Oh!"
Suzaku's soft exclamation echoed in the silent hall.
Gan Fall and Wyper, who were in the middle of a detailed report about cloud-farming, tensed up immediately. They exchanged nervous glances. Did they say something wrong? Was the new God displeased?
Suzaku noticed their discomfort. He waved his hand casually.
"Relax. You may leave now. You have done very well! I am satisfied with your work."
Hearing Suzaku's affirmation, the two leaders breathed a massive sigh of relief. They bowed quickly, as if granted a great pardon, and exited the luxurious palace.
The heavy golden doors slowly closed, shutting off the outside world.
Silence returned to the hall.
Albedo, who had been standing by the throne like a loyal shadow, stepped forward gracefully. A hint of concern marred her beautiful face.
"Lord Suzaku," she asked softly. "Did something happen? You seem... amused."
Rem and Ram, standing guard by the pillars, also cast questioning glances.
As for Nami, she was nowhere to be seen—she was currently swimming in the newly opened treasure vault filled with Enel's gold, likely unconscious from happiness.
The smile on Suzaku's lips widened into a grin. He leaned back on the throne, crossing his legs.
"Nothing much," Suzaku said cheerfully. "Ulquiorra just became famous."
"That fellow Ulquiorra?" Albedo blinked, slightly stunned. "He rarely seeks attention."
"Yes," Suzaku nodded contentedly, looking at the breakdown of the points. [Achievement: Defeated an Admiral]. [Achievement: Destroyed Enies Lobby].
"It seems the operation at Enies Lobby went very smoothly. He likely crushed Akainu and rescued the Giants. The world knows our name now."
Suzaku's fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the throne. "Forty-three thousand points... that's almost another Rare Summon."
He stood up from the throne and stretched his arms.
"Alright. Since Ulquiorra has caused such a huge commotion over there, we can't stay here forever. The Marines will be looking for the main body of the crew."
He looked at his girls.
"Go prepare yourselves. Pack the gold, load the supplies onto the Pola. It is time for us to leave Sky Island and rendezvous with our comrades!"
"Yes, Lord Suzaku!" the maids chorused.
After watching everyone leave to pack and prepare, Suzaku finally looked at his total balance.
[Total Legend Points: 74,845]
He laughed, a sound of pure anticipation.
"Seventy-four thousand... I can do a Rare Summon and still have leftovers."
He rubbed his hands together.
"It's time for some enjoyable draws again! Let's see who joins the party next."
[Akarin Note:
Your Support Keeps This Story Alive!
If you're enjoying this novel, your support means the world to me. Simple actions like leaving a review, power stone, comment, or sharing the story let me know you're out there. It's the greatest motivation for me to keep updating until the very end and ensures this project continues.
For those who wish to support me more directly, you can join my Patreon at [patreon.com/AkarinTL]. As a thank-you, you'll receive access to 50 advanced chapters.
As a special offer, I've opened a few limited-time tiers at a discounted price! You will get all the benefits of "The Founding Pillars" (normally $20), but at a much cheaper rate.
These slots are extremely limited:
"The Plot Uncoverer": $4.99 (Save 75% / $15.01) - Only 3 slots
"The Dedicated Fan": $9.99 (Save 50% / $10.01) - Only 7 slots
"The Lore Diver": $14.99 (Save 25% / $5.01) - Only 15 slots
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]