The moment the Straw Hat Pirates' enormous bounty posters were released, they immediately drew attention from all sides.
Fewer than ten people—
yet their combined bounties exceeded one billion Beli.
It was almost identical to the Red-Haired Pirates of the past.
New World — Totto Land
"Mama, we've just received news," Perospero reported.
"Not long ago, the Red-Haired Pirates made contact with the Whitebeard Pirates."
"Mamamamama~"
"Could it be that those two are about to start a war?" Charlotte Linlin laughed.
"Kaido would definitely be interested in that."
She could already imagine that brute's excited expression.
After all, Kaido loved nothing more than war.
"Mama, should we do something?"
"No need," Big Mom shook her head.
"Let them fight first."
With the tea party approaching, she had no interest in joining any war.
"Mama, a group of rookies has appeared on the seas," Galette suddenly spoke.
"They're quite interesting."
"Oh?" Big Mom glanced over.
"What are they?"
"Not long ago, a pirate crew caused chaos at the World Government's Enies Lobby," Galette said, laying out a newspaper and several bounty posters.
"And now, their bounties have been issued."
"There are still rookies bold enough to do something like that?" Smoothie said curiously.
"How much are they worth?"
She was genuinely interested.
"Straw Hat Pirates captain — Straw Hat Luffy.
Bounty: 420 million Beli."
The moment she finished speaking, everyone present fell silent—then showed expressions of clear disinterest.
Four hundred million might be terrifying to ordinary pirates,
but to the Big Mom Pirates?
It was nothing.
"Are you trying to amuse me?" Big Mom's gaze turned dangerous.
Galette shivered and immediately said,
"Mama, that's not the one I meant."
She quickly placed another bounty poster on the floor.
"I'm talking about this person."
She pointed at the image.
"Blood-Eyed Ninja — Jin.
Bounty: 400 million Beli."
Fearing Big Mom's temper, Galette continued without pausing:
"The reason I brought him up is because this is his first bounty—and it's already this high."
"And the place where he became famous…"
"The Grand Line."
The room instantly fell silent.
A rookie receiving such an enormous bounty on their first listing—
Everyone present understood exactly what that meant.
A complete newcomer.
No background.
No legacy.
"That's nothing," someone muttered.
"Brother Katakuri's first bounty was over 400 million too."
"True," Katakuri said calmly.
"But a large part of that was because of the name 'Charlotte.'"
He didn't feel embarrassed saying it—on the contrary, he was proud of it.
Still, he understood clearly that without their mother's reputation, his first bounty might not have been that high.
"This man's potential is not low," Big Mom said slowly.
"And his bounty…"
She narrowed her eyes.
"Alive preferred?"
That detail immediately caught her attention.
Based on her understanding of the World Government,
this boy definitely carried an extraordinary secret.
Could it be because he was from Wano?
She had heard Kaido kept ninjas there, but…
Were ninjas really this strong?
If that were the case, Kaido wouldn't have conquered Wano so easily back then.
"That's exactly what I found strange," Galette said.
"Very few bounties specify 'alive.' He must be hiding many secrets."
"Even ignoring that, a first bounty of 400 million is already worth watching."
"And look at his eyes."
She hesitated slightly before continuing.
"What about them?" someone asked.
"…They're red."
The others stared at the poster in surprise.
It was the first time they had ever seen such eyes.
"His eyes are different from ordinary people," Galette said.
"He might belong to a special race."
"Mamamamama~"
"A special race, you say?"
Big Mom's expression turned genuinely interested.
Her greatest dream was to create a nation containing every race in the world.
After a moment, she sighed.
"If only I had met him earlier…"
Then she looked at Galette.
"Go make contact with him.
If he's suitable… let him marry into the family."
"Yes, Mama!"
Big Mom glanced at the daughters who were still unmarried, then looked back at Galette.
"You told me all this because you're interested in him, aren't you?"
When not in one of her rages, Big Mom treated her children rather well.
"Yes, Mama," Galette said, smiling with relief.
"I do have that intention."
If she could gain a powerful husband, her influence within the Charlotte Family would increase greatly.
Perhaps…
She might even become a Sweet Commander one day.
Though they were family, she still wanted more of her mother's attention.
The others exchanged looks—
they all understood.
Galette had set her sights on this man from the beginning.
She had only been waiting for Big Mom's approval.
"Very well," Big Mom said.
"Leave contact with him to you."
"Thank you, Mama."
Opportunities like this were rare for daughters of the Charlotte family.
Now that she had permission, she intended to seize it.
"Mama," Smoothie asked,
"what if he refuses?"
She gave Galette a meaningful look.
"I gave my word—he dares refuse?"
Big Mom's expression instantly darkened.
"Then kill all of his companions."
"Understood!"
"Mama, since the tea party is coming up, should we send him an invitation?"
"Wait until he reaches the New World," Big Mom said, shaking her head.
From Water 7 to Sabaody wasn't far.
If their destination was the New World, then in one month—
They might arrive just in time.
Wano Country — Onigashima
After receiving news that Whitebeard had made contact with Shanks, Kaido immediately began summoning his subordinates.
"Wororororo! So that old man Whitebeard is finally going to start the world's greatest war?!"
Kaido laughed excitedly.
"Then I've got to go watch!"
Maybe this time, he'd gain something unimaginable.
"Kaido-sama," King said calmly,
"a very interesting rookie has appeared on the seas. You may be interested."
"Oh?"
"Let's hear it."
King placed a bounty poster before him.
"A member of the Straw Hat Pirates —
Blood-Eyed Ninja, Jin."
"They stormed Enies Lobby, and his first bounty is 400 million Beli."
"Four hundred million on his first bounty?"
Kaido raised an eyebrow.
He wasn't stupid—he knew exactly what that implied.
If this man were allowed to grow, he'd at least reach All-Star level.
Recruiting him might be—
Wait.
"What did you say his title was?"
"Blood-Eyed Ninja — Jin."
"Ninja?"
Kaido frowned and looked toward the direction of the Flower Capital.
"Did that bastard do something behind our backs?"
Ninjas were unique to Wano.
"No," King sneered.
"If he truly belonged to that man, he would never have been allowed to leave."
"That coward is terrified of death."
Letting a powerful person go out to gain experience?
Impossible.
Someone like Orochi would never have that kind of courage.
"You're right," Kaido suddenly grinned.
"Send this news to Orochi."
"Hasn't he been afraid of that so-called twenty-year curse?"
"Maybe the curse has already come for him. Wororororo!"
"Kaido-sama, should we do anything?" King asked.
"Four hundred million on a first bounty—and…"
His gaze lingered on Jin's blood-red eyes.
"He may also possess a special bloodline."
King himself was someone with a special bloodline.
Kaido fell silent for a moment—then burst into a grin.
"Good. I want this man."
"King, have people gather his information."
"Yes, Kaido-sama."
"Boss! The ship is ready—can depart anytime!"
"Set sail!"
"Let's go witness the greatest war in the world!"
"Yeah!!"
Unlike them, the Whitebeard Pirates were busy with internal affairs and paid no attention to the Straw Hats.
But when Shanks saw the newspaper, he smiled broadly.
"They've really grown," he said softly.
Without realizing it, Luffy had already reached this level.
Perhaps it wouldn't be long before they met again.
"Their total bounty is almost catching up to ours back then."
"Yeah—hahahaha!"
"That ninja is unusual," Benn Beckman said, tapping Jin's bounty poster.
"Alive preferred over dead. The World Government may have discovered something."
Shanks' gaze flickered briefly.
Then he shook his head.
"We'll talk about that after we meet Luffy."
"Everyone, get ready," Shanks said with a grin.
"We're almost at Wano."
"This time—make sure we stop Kaido there."
"Yeah!!"
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