"Ouch..."
Kizaru tilted his head, his face contorting into that signature expression of exaggerated disbelief. "Young people these days are quite frightening~~."
Akainu remained dignified, his arms crossed over his chest, his resolute face etched with a gravity that bordered on hostility. "For the sake of Absolute Justice, we must dispatch troops immediately to eradicate these wretched pirates. We cannot allow a spark in the East Blue to become a wildfire that threatens the world."
Doberman nodded in agreement, his scarred face tightening. "Admiral Akainu is correct. We cannot ignore these vile scoundrels. I propose sending a Colonel from Headquarters to the East Blue to apprehend them before they reach the Grand Line."
Onigumo, a cigarette dangling from his lips, spoke with a chilling, malicious tone. "Pirates grow more audacious by the day, paying little heed to the might of the Marines. In the name of Justice, we must strike with full force. We do not waver; we eliminate."
The room hummed with the aggressive energy of the "Hawks," but Aokiji broke his silence with a long, drawn-out yawn. "East Blue is quite a distance away," he said lazily. "By the time a fleet arrives, those pirates will be long gone. Is it really worth the fuel?"
Yamakaji nodded, offering a polite smile. "Kuzan-Admiral has a point. It's impractical to send Rear Admirals into the 'Weakest Sea' for a group that hasn't even crossed the Reverse Mountain yet. This Drake, despite his potential, isn't worth a major operation orchestrated by Headquarters... yet."
Momonga looked at the assembled officers, his voice steady. "He is right. We must be measured."
Momousagi sat silently among them. Deep inside, she felt a surge of pride and secret admiration. Drake has finally caught their eye, she thought. Now we'll see what kind of price they put on his head.
In their last private conversation, Drake had told her that before seeking the status of a Shichibukai, he wanted to make a name for himself. He didn't want the World Government to think his defeat of Crocodile was a fluke or a lucky break. He wanted them to fear his name so much that they would beg him to join their ranks.
"Allow me to share my opinion."
The room fell silent as Staff Officer Tsuru leaned her chin on her interlaced fingers, her eyes gleaming with the wisdom of a thousand battles. Even Garp stopped throwing rice crackers into his mouth.
"Tsuru is about to voice her thoughts again. Hahaha!" Garp laughed heartily. "Listen up, you lot!"
Tsuru ignored him, her gaze scanning the files. "The Black Sun Pirates have been planning this for a long time. These aren't rookies. Look at the crew: Lafitte, a former West Blue Sheriff; Burgess, a brute with Grand Line Pirate-level strength. They possess formidable fruits—the Logia Shoki Shoki no mi and the Paramecia Goe Goe no mi. These are high-tier abilities."
She looked up, her tone unwavering. "They are ruthless, efficient, and they follow Drake with absolute obedience. This suggests that Drake's personal strength is staggering. Doberman, sending a Colonel is a death sentence for that officer. To ensure capture, we would need a Rear Admiral at the very least—and even then, I suspect they would fail. A Vice Admiral is the only logical choice if you want results."
Doberman scoffed. "A Vice Admiral for a newcomer? Drake was an unknown until yesterday! Isn't that an overreaction?"
"Youngsters these days are indeed intimidating..." Kizaru remarked sardonically. "I'm shaking with fear."
"Staff Tsuru's analysis is sound," Aokiji chimed in, suddenly serious. "We should take it seriously."
Garp suddenly pounded the table, a wild grin on his face. "Then send me! I'm a Vice Admiral, and I've been looking for an excuse to visit home anyway. I wonder if this old man still has the energy to chase a brat!"
"Garp, you're not going anywhere," Sengoku snapped, his temple throbbing. "You're staying here where I can keep an eye on you."
Akainu interjected, "If it takes a Vice Admiral to uphold Absolute Justice, then so be it. Let the world know that challenging the Marines is a futile endeavor, no matter which sea you hide in."
Sengoku scanned the room. No one else immediately volunteered. Rushing to the East Blue was a tedious, thankless chore with no guarantee the pirates would still be there.
"I'll go," Onigumo declared, standing up. He adjusted his coat, his expression grim. "For the sake of Absolute Justice, I will bring them all to heel."
Akainu nodded to his subordinate. "If you are going, I am confident these criminals won't escape."
"Ouch..." Kizaru tilted his head. "Even Onigumo-san is going? These kids are terrifying..."
"It's settled then," Sengoku said. "Now, for the bounties. Especially Drake's."
Garp leaned in, curious. "So, what's the reward? Tell me, how much for the boy?"
Yamakaji spoke up. "He hasn't harmed civilians yet, and his influence is limited to the East Blue. However, his potential is a direct threat to us. A bounty of 100 million Beli would strike the right balance—high enough to show we are serious, but not so high that we make him a legend overnight."
Tsuru nodded. "I agree. 100 million is appropriate."
Sengoku slammed his fist down. "Then it is decided. Captain Drake: 100 million Beli. Dead or Alive."
The Next Morning: Aboard Drake's Ship
The news bird circled the ship, dropping a fresh stack of newspapers onto the deck.
Lafitte caught them with a flourish. "The world is moving, Captain," he said with a graceful bow.
Burgess stomped over, his massive frame shaking the wood. "How much?! Tell me my bounty, Wiiihahahaha!"
Even Law, usually stoic and detached, leaned against the mast with a flicker of curiosity.
"The Captain is in the headlines," Lafitte whispered, unfolding the paper. "A first-time bounty... of one hundred million Beli."
Gin, who was mid-swing in his training, froze. "One hundred million?" He looked like he'd seen a ghost. "In the East Blue, 20 million is a king's ransom. This... this is unheard of."
"Our Captain is extraordinary," Hawkins said, flipping a tarot card. "To my knowledge, no pirate has ever debuted with a bounty this high. The stars are aligned in his favor."
"I got 50 million!" Burgess roared, punching the air. "Not bad for a start! Wiiihahahaha!"
"I've got 70 million," Doc Q wheezed from the back of his horse, a sly smile on his sickly face. "It seems my 'prescriptions' are valued by the Marines. Hehehe..."
Law sneered, looking at the papers. "Don't forget the Vice-Captain. Lafitte is at 85 million. Fifteen more than you, Doctor."
Gin shook his head, looking at the group with earnest determination. "Captain at 100 million... the rest of you in the tens of millions. Collectively, our bounty exceeds 400 million Beli. The combined bounties of every other pirate in the East Blue wouldn't even touch us."
He looked at Drake, who was watching the horizon with his hands in his pockets.
"I want to be like you all," Gin vowed, his eyes burning with a new fire. "I want to become stronger. I want to make sure my name is known across every ocean."
Drake turned slightly, a faint, confident smile playing on his lips. "Then keep training, Gin. We're just getting started."