Chapter 146For Luffy, this was the highest praise from his monstrous grandfather."Of course it is." Luffy grinned.Garp also laughed heartily, "So, be a good boy and listen to your grandpa. Come back and be a Marine. The future is bright!""No way! The Marines have too many rules, no freedom at all. Besides, Grandpa, don't you get chewed out by Fleet Admiral Sengoku all the time when you're a Marine? Aren't you all tied up and restricted?" Luffy said."Hey, I never told you about those things."A rare solemnity flashed across Garp's expression before he reverted to his boisterous self. "This old man became a Marine to protect those who need protecting and uphold my own justice. I've never regretted it!"As his words fell, Garp suddenly took a step forward, planting his foot on the figurehead of the Dog-headed Warship. He clenched his fist, as big as a sand pot, and a thick, dark Armament Hakiinstantly coiled around it. Faintly, the air around his fist began to distort, and even a few tiny black-red arcs of electricity could be seen flashing by!Was that... Conqueror's Haki?!There's actually a way to use it like that?What a terrifying monster of an old man.Luffy immediately bared his teeth, feeling the terrifying oppressive force, like a primordial beast awakening.He knew his grandpa might be serious this time!Just then, Nami suddenly shouted:"Luffy! Marine warships are closing in from both sides!"These were part of the Buster Call fleet that had dispersed earlier.Luffy's eyes lit up. Far from panicking, he grinned instead. "Perfect timing! Everyone, hold on tight! We're going for another high-altitude drop!"He took a deep breath, and his arms suddenly stretched out towards the warships rapidly approaching from left and right. His Rubber arms, like giant cables, precisely wrapped around the masts of the two warships!"What is he trying to do?!"The Marines on the two flanking warships watched in horror."Vivi! Maximum wind power, upwards!" Luffyshouted."Got it!"Understanding his intent, Vivi pushed the Wind-Wind Fruit to its limit. A powerful updraft surged, lifting the hull of the going merry."Merry, work with me!""Leave it to me." Little Merry gripped the helm tightly, channeling the Klabautermann's power to the fullest.In the next moment, using the two warships as a catapult base, Luffy's arms stored immense elastic potential energy. Combined with Vivi's updraft and Little Merry's perfect control of the ship itself, the going merry shot forward as if launched from a giant slingshot. It broke free from the sea's surface, tracing a graceful arc as it soared over the heads of the two encircling warships."There's even a method like this?!"Bogard watched the flying ship, stunned once more.Garp was also taken aback for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Puhahaha! That's my boy, Luffy!""Vice Admiral Garp, should we still pursue?"The two warships had been pierced by Garp's earlier cannon fire. The Marines on the two subordinate ships were frantically trying to manage the damage.Garp scratched his head awkwardly, then said to Bogard, "Pursue! Of course we keep chasing!"As for this mess, let that kid Kuzan deal with it!This made Bogard suspect whether Garp had just'seen' that coming.The Dog-headed Warship adjusted its course, maneuvering around the chaotic friendly ships, and continued chasing in the direction the going merryhad disappeared.A few days later, Navy Headquarters, Marineford.In the highest-level war room.The atmosphere here was quite heavy.The attendees of this meeting were the true upper echelons of the Navy. Looking around the oval long table, it was filled with Navy Headquarters Vice Admirals, their epaulets adorned with at least two stars.Another bounty meeting.Normally, only bounty meetings for major pirates from the New World would gather so many high-ranking Navy officials.This time was different.Enies Lobby, hailed as the absolute seat of righteous judgment, had been destroyed!The Vice Admirants all wore solemn expressions, their eyes sharp.The air was thick with a tense, oppressive feeling, like a storm brewing.At the front, near the speaker's podium, a tall figure stood out conspicuously.Admiral Aokiji Kuzan, draped in his Admiral's justice coat, was resting his chin on one hand, his head nodding slightly as if dozing off again.Thankfully Admiral Akainu wasn't present, or the two would have started arguing again.The impact of this incident was too severe, enough to shake the entire Navy system.A madman who declared war on the World Government, fought a Navy Admiral head-on and seemingly escaped unscathed, successfully fled under the absolute firepower of a Buster Call, and finally, even with the Navy Hero Vice Admiral Garppersonally leading the pursuit, there was still no confirmed news of his capture.Each and every one of these acts was like a resounding slap across the face of the World Government and the Navy.Presiding over the meeting was a familiar figure.The 'King of Meetings,' Commodore Brannew.Standing before a huge white screen, his expression grave, he took a deep breath and suddenly slapped the whiteboard beside him. A sharp crack echoed, drawing everyone's attention."Gentlemen!"Brannew declared, "We are gathered today to assess an extremely dangerous pirate crew that has posed an unprecedented challenge to the authority of the World Government. The Straw Hat Pirates!"He pulled down the screen. On the whiteboard was a row of brand new bounty posters. At the top was a picture of a boy, steam rising from his body, with the ruins of Enies Lobby as the backdrop.Chapter 213: Bounties for AllBrannew picked up a pointer and aimed it at the bounty posters."Monkey D. Luffy, alias Straw Hat, Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. Starting from the East Blue, he has advanced triumphantly. Major pirates with bounties exceeding tens of millions, such as Buggy the Clown, Commodore Krieg, and even Arlong, have been defeated or routed by him!""After entering the Grand Line, his actions grew increasingly brazen! He caused chaos in Whisky Peak, Little Garden, and other places. Ultimately, they set their sights on a World Government-affiliated nation—Alabasta!""The Straw Hats became involved in Alabasta's internal strife, clashed with one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Sir Crocodile, and objectively exacerbated the nation's turmoil! Even..."He tapped heavily on Vivi's bounty poster. "...they had the audacity to abduct Princess Vivi of the Kingdom of Alabasta. This act is a serious provocation against the World Government's affiliate nation system!"Below the podium, the corners of many informed Vice Admirants' mouths twitched slightly.The truth of the Alabasta incident was no secret among the higher-ups. Crocodile was the mastermind; the Straw Hats had, to some extent, corrected the wrongs.But to preserve the dignity of the Seven Warlords system and the World Government's absolute correctness, this blame could only fall on the Straw Hats, who dared to challenge authority."We originally thought that after the Alabastaincident, this crew would show some restraint."Brannew's tone shifted, becoming extremely heavy. "But we were all wrong. Not long ago, this man once again created a world-shaking incident!"The pointer jabbed sharply at the symbol representing Enies Lobby."Enies Lobby! The judicial stronghold directly under the World Government, an island symbolizing absolute justice and the dignity of the law, was completely destroyed because of him—Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates!"A wave of suppressed gasps rippled through the meeting room.Although they had heard rumors, hearing it officially announced so formally still sent a chill down the spines of these battle-hardened Vice Admirals.The destruction of Enies Lobby was a disgrace unseen in eight hundred years."Based on the intelligence we currently possess,"Brannew scanned the room, enunciating each word clearly, "the danger level of the Straw Hat Piratesalready places them among the top echelon of pirates in the first half of the Grand Line. They are no longer green rookies but a major threat that must be dealt with using our full strength!"The gazes of many Vice Admirants involuntarily drifted towards the yawning Admiral Aokiji in the front row.Had that Straw Hat kid really grown that powerful?To escape unscathed from the hands of a Navy Admiral?Although the official report stated he fled in defeat, merely surviving a few exchanges with Aokiji and successfully withdrawing was proof of strength in itself.However, many well-informed Vice Admirants also had looks of understanding and helplessness in their eyes.They had heard some internal rumors, more or less.If the Navy Hero hadn't coincidentally appeared and taken over the pursuit mission, perhaps the Straw Hat kid would now be repenting in the frozen hell of Impel Down.Vice Admiral Garp's... leniency was an almost open secret in certain circles.No one dared to point it out, of course.Hah? Want to taste his fist?Everyone knew Vice Admiral Garp and Fleet Admiral Sengoku were as thick as thieves. Garpeven cursed the Celestial Dragons on some occasions, and it was Sengoku who had to clean up the mess."The Straw Hat Pirates attacked Water 7, leading to the attempted assassination of Mayor Iceburg. Afterward, they brazenly assaulted Enies Lobby, severely challenging the World Government's authority. The Straw Hat himself publicly destroyed the World Government's flag. This is the most direct and egregious act of war against the World Government that has ruled for eight hundred years!""According to intelligence brought back by surviving CP9 members, Straw Hat Luffy single-handedly defeated the entire CP9 team."Brannew didn't delve into the details of Luffy's fight with Aokiji. "Finally, they fled in defeat under the personal pursuit of Vice Admiral Garp!"He paused for emphasis. "During this, the other members of the Straw Hat Crew also demonstrated a danger that cannot be underestimated.They were able to fight on par with elite Navy Headquarters officers and CP9 agents. Their strength far exceeds our previous assessments!Therefore, their original bounties are completely inadequate in reflecting their threat level. A significant increase is necessary to warn the world and mobilize all forces to hunt them down!"Having said that, Brannew began introducing the new bounty posters one by one.He first removed Zoro's old 60 million Berriesbounty poster and replaced it with a new one. The photo showed the Three-Sword Style swordsman with a fierce gaze, the burning ruins of Enies Lobbybehind him."Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro! Combatant of the Straw Hat Pirates, Three-Sword Style swordsman! We previously severely underestimated his threat. This man carries the famous swords wado ichimonji, sandai kitetsu, and yubashiri. His swordsmanship is exceptional. There are unconfirmed rumors that he once fought the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Dracule Mihawk! At Enies Lobby, he directly defeated CP9's Kaku and engaged in fierce battles with multiple Navy officers. He is a thoroughly dangerous individual! Based on his performance, we judge he is highly likely the second-in-command of the Straw Hat Crew! Therefore, his bounty is raised from 60 million Berries to 150 million Berries!"A wave of whispers rose from below.150 million. In the first half of the Grand Line, this was already a bounty sufficient to intimidate a region.Next was Sanji's new bounty poster."Black Leg Sanji! A senior officer of the Straw Hat Crew, primary combatant. Possesses powerful martial arts, especially skilled in exquisite and vicious kicking techniques! During the battle at Enies Lobby, he not only displayed exceptional combat ability but also considerable tactical intelligence, defeating CP9's Jabra. Bounty: 80 million Berries."Then came Nami."Cat Burglar Nami, senior officer of the Straw Hat Crew, the ship's Navigator. Possesses navigational talent far surpassing ordinary people. She is one of the key figures enabling the Straw Hats' repeated escapes! Additionally, she wields a mysterious weapon capable of manipulating weather, her attacks carrying strong electrical properties. Intelligence analysis suggests she has a close relationship with Captain Luffy and may hold special influence over him. Considering all factors, her bounty is raised to 100 million Berries.""Sogeking Usopp, senior officer of the Straw Hat Crew, sniper! Though seemingly cowardly, he always plays unexpected roles at critical moments. His luck is also notable. His sniping skills are god-like, and he demonstrated considerable combat and strategic ability at Enies Lobby. Bounty: 40 million Berries!"Brannew paused, pointing to two bounty posters with distinctly different styles."Next, the two pets of the Straw Hat Crew."His tone carried a hint of indescribable strangeness. "The cotton-candy-loving reindeer, Tony Tony Chopper. Bounty raised to 100 Berries.""White unidentified creature. Bounty raised to 50 Berries."Chapter 214: Another Red-Haired Crew?A few suppressed chuckles echoed in the meeting room but were quickly swallowed by the increasingly heavy atmosphere.Everyone knew the main event was yet to come."Next, one of the primary figures responsible for the Enies Lobby incident!"Brannew adopted an extremely serious expression as he posted Robin's new bounty poster."Devil Child, Nico Robin! The sole survivor of Ohara, an archaeologist capable of reading the poneglyphs! Based on CP9's interrogation and our intelligence department's analysis, we highly suspect this woman may have already obtained crucial information, or even the location, regarding the ancient weapon Pluton. Her danger level now far exceeds her ability to read the poneglyphs! Therefore, her bounty is drastically increased from 79 million Berries to 140 million Berries!""And the abducted princess, Nefertari Vivi!"Brannew posted that eye-catching 500 million Berries bounty poster. "Princess of the Kingdom of Alabasta. Bounty remains unchanged at 500 million Berries. The condition of capture alive also remains. However, based on current intelligence, it is highly likely that Princess Vivi was not simply abducted but has entered into some form of cooperative relationship with the Straw Hat Pirates. We are already gathering evidence on this matter with the King of Alabasta. Therefore, the alive condition stands, but if encountered in combat, if she initiates attacks or safe capture is impossible, necessary measures may be taken depending on the specific situation!"Finally, the atmosphere in the entire meeting room reached its peak."Finally, this man!"Brannew took a deep breath and slammed his fist against the edge of the bounty poster, producing a dull thud."Straw Hat, Monkey D. Luffy! Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates!""His bounty is raised from the original 200 million Berries to 660 million Berries!"660 million?Everyone in the meeting room looked at the boy on the bounty poster.
