He could even see his own aura.
Pitch black like ink, with faint dark golden lines and scattered crimson sparks gleaming deep within.
On the very outside, there was a nearly transparent halo of gold.
The leftover divinity he had stolen from devouring Arohan.
"So this is... the other side of the world?"
Bullet murmured to himself.
He realized that awakening Conqueror's Haki was not just gaining another weapon.
It was opening a door into a higher layer of perception.
Just then, the heavy flutter of wings approached from the distance.
Flap, flap!
A News Coo landed on the rail.
A camera and notepad hung from its neck, and it held a freshly printed extra edition in its beak.
Seeing Bullet, the bird tilted its head, as if it recognized him—or rather, recognized the "aura" clinging to him.
Bullet pulled a few banknotes from his inner pocket, part of the share he had taken from Karl's treasure.
The News Coo expertly took the money, passed him the paper, then kicked off the rail and vanished into the night sky.
He unfolded the paper, and the headline made his pupils contract.
"Earth Shaking Battle! Roger Crew's Newcomer Fights a Thousand Alone, Annihilates 'Blood Butcher' Karl's Fleet!"
Subheader: "Black Dragon Bullet – A New Legend Is Born in the New World!"
The article went into detail about the battle.
Some parts were exaggerated or off, but the general outline was accurate enough.
Clearly more than one news bird had watched the whole clash from a distance, even snapping a few blurry photos:
The Black Dragon tearing warships apart midair.
Karl in his awakened giant bear form.
And the final, eerie scene where the sea fell still under Conqueror's Haki.
At the end, the writer's evaluation read:
"Douglas Bullet, codename 'Black Dragon,' rookie of the Roger Pirates, approximate age 13–14."
"Possesses the Zoan Mythical Beast–type Nidhogg Model."
"In today's battle, singlehandedly crushed a fleet of twenty three warships, slew 530 million bounty pirate 'Blood Butcher' Karl and his Four Heavenly Kings, and awakened Conqueror's Haki."
"Overall assessment: Threat Level S. Potential impossible to estimate."
"Marine Headquarters has urgently raised his bounty from the previous 80 million to 500 million."
"At the same time, multiple major New World pirates have already expressed interest."
Bullet lowered the paper, eyes deep.
Five hundred million.
In the New World, that figure was far from the summit—but given his age and experience, it was outrageous enough.
More importantly, his name had finally stepped into the vision of the top predators of this sea.
"Finished reading?"
Roger walked over at some point.
He held the same paper, his trademark grin plastered across his face.
"How does it feel, five hundred million?" he asked.
"It does not matter," Bullet said calmly.
"Just a number."
"Hahaha! Well said!"
Roger clapped a big hand on his shoulder.
"A bounty is just a tag those Marine idiots stick on you. So long as you know your own strength, that is enough!"
He paused, his grin taking on a more meaningful edge.
"But a five hundred million tag does mean that from now on, you will face more and stronger enemies."
"The Marines will focus on hunting you. Pirates will use you as a stepping stone for fame. Every faction will keep an eye on your every move."
"I welcome it," Bullet replied, a crimson glint flashing in his eyes.
"The more enemies, the richer the feast."
Roger studied him for a few seconds, then sighed.
"Sometimes I wonder if taking you aboard was the right call."
Bullet turned to look at him.
"The path you are on is too dangerous," Roger said, unusually serious.
"Devouring evolution sounds beautiful, but what about the price?"
"You keep swallowing different energies and traits. Can your body and soul really bear it all?"
"The people you devour—are their will, their memories, their obsessions truly erased?"
The questions cut straight to the bone.
Bullet was silent for a moment before answering.
"I do not know."
"But I will keep walking until I find the answer... or die on the way."
Roger blinked, then burst out laughing.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Now that is the Bullet I know!"
He tipped back his bottle and took a huge swig, then wiped his mouth.
"Alright then!"
"If that is your decision, then keep going!"
"But remember this—"
He held out his fist. Bullet raised his own and tapped it against Roger's.
"No matter how far you go, this ship will always be a harbor for you."
"When you are tired, wounded, or lost, you can come back anytime."
Bullet tightened his fist, feeling the weight of that promise.
"Thank you," he said.
Roger waved him off and wandered back toward the cabins, humming out of tune.
Bullet stayed alone on deck, watching the stars scattered across the night sky.
The extra the News Coo had brought was even now being spread by countless other birds, flying toward every corner of the New World.
In less than three days, the name "Black Dragon Bullet" would be in every great pirate's ear.
Five hundred million. A one man assault on a fleet. A five hundred million pirate slain.
Those labels would draw an endless stream of challengers to him... and deliver him an endless supply of "food."
His goal had never changed.
Devour everything. Stand at the top.
Bullet closed his hand over the silver coin at his chest, feeling the lingering warmth.
Then he shut his eyes and slipped into that night's meditation.
Moonlight spilled over him, casting a long shadow across the deck.
If you looked closely, that shadow... faintly had the shape of a dragon.
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