Luffy's actions were like a hard slap across the face of the World Government. That's why his bounty was directly doubled to 200 million—an expression of the World Government's fury. No matter what, that kingdom paid the Heavenly Tribute. Yet, their princess was abducted right under the Navy's nose. If this keeps up, who's going to pay you? Put simply, the Heavenly Tribute is protection money.
Garp picked his nose, his expression one of utter indifference. "It's just Crocodile. Those Warlord brats... I really don't know why the World Government values them so much."
"Garp, you're an old man now!" Sengoku roared, nearly smashing the desk. "Do you really think you're still the invincible Marine Hero from God Valley? The most practical use for your combat power in the Marines now is boosting morale!" Old men were meant to gradually step off the stage. In his prime, Sengoku wouldn't doubt Garp could take down a Warlord with one punch. But time waits for no one. Garp existed more as the Navy's spiritual symbol now.
Thinking of Garp's son Dragon, who became the leader of the Revolutionary Army, and now this grandson Luffy whose bounty was skyrocketing, Sengoku felt his headache intensify. No, it would be more accurate to say the entire Monkey family was nothing but trouble.
"Garp! The trouble your family causes, you deal with it!" Sengoku pointed a finger at Garp, issuing an order. "We can't let him run wild any longer. Once a dangerous guy like that enters the New World, who knows how many more variables and upheavals he'll add to an already chaotic sea!"
"Puhahaha, hasn't the New World always been chaotic?" Garp continued laughing carefreely.
"GARP!"
Sengoku's roar almost lifted the roof.
"Alright, alright." Garp finally finished the last rice cracker, patted the crumbs from his hands, and slowly stood up, walking towards the office door. "The next time this old man runs into him, I'll be a bit more serious and throw him in Impel Down!"
Watching Garp's nonchalant retreating back, Sengoku's expression was complicated. He held no real hope. That even more heinous Revolutionary Army leader, Dragon, had been 'let go' by Garp—intentionally or not—countless times. Let alone his own grandson.
After the office door closed, Sengoku sighed wearily and picked up Luffy's bounty poster again, looking at the brash, fearless smile on the photo. "The sea is about to become turbulent again," he murmured to himself, though this sea seemed never to have been truly calm.
On Smoker's warship, they were systematically taking custody of the criminals from Baroque Works. Crocodile had also been taken into custody, prepared for transport to Impel Down.
Before long, a Marine Lieutenant came to report. "Captain Smoker, there's a call from Marine Headquarters."
"Moshi moshi?" Smoker began his report. "The Baroque Works criminal organization, including Crocodile himself, have been taken into custody."
The government official on the other end of the Den Den Mushi spoke as if he hadn't heard. "Regarding this incident of the Navy subduing Crocodile, the upper echelons of the World Government have decided to award you and Petty Officer Tashigi medals—"
"Subduing?" Smoker frowned. "Wait a minute. It wasn't the Navy who took down Crocodile. It was the Straw Hat crew. Did you even read my report properly?" He had written it very clearly.
The voice on the other end remained unchanged, completely ignoring Smoker's words. "Headquarters has decided to promote you both one rank. Additionally—"
Smoker interrupted him, his expression turning fierce, a vein throbbing on his temple. "Hey! Are you even listening to me?"
The Den Den Mushi fell silent.
Smoker's face darkened as he took a fierce drag of his cigar. Hina beside him understood instantly and whispered, "It's no use, Smoker. The World Government intends to cover this up. Do you think they would allow the news that the heroes who saved Alabasta are a band of pirates to become public? Where would that leave the face of the World Government and Marine Headquarters?"
The Den Den Mushi voice continued, "Please attend the medal ceremony promptly."
Hina advised, "Accept it, Smoker. You know the consequences of defying orders from above."
Smoker clenched the cigar between his teeth so hard it nearly snapped. If they had the ability to capture Crocodile, they would have done it long ago. They couldn't. And now they were taking credit? Credit stolen from pirates! A wave of helpless fury surged through him.
He spoke coldly into the Den Den Mushi. "Hey. Pass a message to those old geezers in the upper government for me." He took a deep breath and roared with all his might, "To hell with your damn face! Go to hell!"
Click!
He slammed the Den Den Mushi receiver down, his chest heaving.
Just then, the Marine Lieutenant returned with several freshly delivered bounty posters. Smoker snatched them irritably. The Lieutenant reported simultaneously, "Captain Smoker, the Straw Hat crew's ship has been spotted nearby. They've already broken through the blockade!"
Smoker looked at the new bounty posters in his hand, especially the one on top, his expression complex. He bit his cigar, his face dark as he remained silent for a few seconds. Finally, he waved a hand in annoyance. "Then what are you standing around for? Set sail!"
But his tone and demeanor clearly lacked any real urgency to capture Luffy.
Hina shook her head helplessly, plucking the top bounty poster—Luffy's—from Smoker's hand. She glanced at it, her gaze sharpening. "200 million Beri? This man..."
At that moment, the young woman who had been standing quietly nearby, holding an umbrella, walked over calmly. A gentle, curious smile was on her face, her voice clear and melodious. "Rear Admiral Hina, pardon the interruption. Are these pirate bounty posters? I wonder, could I take a look?"
"Miss Uta, are you interested in pirates too?" Hina asked, somewhat surprised.
This young woman was none other than the famous songstress Uta! She had parted ways with Luffy in the East Blue, handled her own affairs, and followed this route to Alabasta, though she seemed to have arrived a step too late.
Uta smiled and nodded, taking the bounty poster from Hina's hand. When she saw the familiar, yet now more defiantly brash, smiling face on the poster and the staggering number beneath it, her eyes gleamed slightly. Her fingertip gently traced over Luffy's face in the photo.
"Luffy... you've already come this far? A 200 million Beri bounty. It seems we'll be meeting again very soon."
***
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