New Bounty!
Early morning. Yang Ning pushed open the deck hatch—and got a faceful of sea wind. He staggered back, grumbling as he walked:
"Damn it, what kind of awful weather is this? Nami, can't you control it?"
Nami lay sprawled on the lounge sofa, clothes soaked through, looking utterly drained.
"The waves are too big. I don't know why, but as soon as I stepped outside, I felt weak all over. Couldn't stand. Couldn't move. My powers… completely useless."
Yang Ning slapped his forehead. He'd nearly forgotten: Devil Fruit users lose strength near seawater. With waves crashing over the deck every few seconds, Nami was practically swimming in her own weakness.
After briefly explaining the Devil Fruit's drawback, he patted her shoulder reassuringly:
"Don't worry. I sent Sylvester to loot all the treasure on Curaçao Island first thing this morning. Once we're off this rock, we'll buy a huge ship—one that laughs at waves like these."
Nami rolled her eyes but stood up. She walked to the cabin window, gaze troubled.
"I'd heard the Grand Line was dangerous… but not this dangerous. It was clear and sunny when we set sail. Less than half an hour later—this."
She raised her hand toward the storm. A small, reverse-current cyclone flickered to life amid the chaos—only to be swallowed whole by the roaring hurricane seconds later.
"My Devil Fruit… it's nothing against this kind of power."
"It's alright," Yang Ning said gently. "Everyone starts weak. You just got your ability—give it time. You'll master it."
He moved beside her, peering through the rain-lashed glass.
"Will we still make it to the next island?"
Nami nodded. "Yes. It's not far. Without the storm, we'd arrive by tomorrow afternoon. With this? Probably the day after."
"Not bad," Yang Ning smiled. With ample food and water, two extra days meant nothing. He watched the tempest with quiet awe—not impatience, but fascination.
---
While Yang Ning waited out the storm, the Marines on the horizon grew restless.
"Admiral Aokiji—I request permission to launch a preemptive strike!"
Before Aokiji's beach chair stood Vice Admiral Dalmesia—broad-shouldered, clad in a dark green suit and navy cloak, posture rigid as steel. A traditional officer to the core, he believed mission success outweighed all else. He'd obeyed Aokiji's orders to wait—but barely.
"Calm down, Dalmesia," Aokiji drawled, not even lifting his eye mask. He shifted lazily in his chair. "Those pirates are rookies on the Grand Line. Their Log Pose only leads here. They have to come."
"Wait three more days. If they haven't arrived by then… you have my authorization to strike."
"Yes, sir!"
Dalmesia saluted sharply and marched back to his warship.
He wasn't the first to push for action. Dozens of officers watched this mission—Aokiji's idleness was the only thing holding them back.
---
Marineford – Fleet Admiral's Office
Sengoku stared at the row of fresh wanted posters on his desk, temples throbbing. He looked up at Chief of Staff Tsuru, who'd delivered them.
"Tsuru… isn't this bounty a bit too outrageous?"
Tsuru gave a wry smile. "Normally, setting bounties for some rookie crew wouldn't be our concern. But this time… the Five Elders contacted the Staff Office directly. We have no choice but to take it seriously."
Sengoku waved a hand. "Fine. Issue them as is."
A pirate bounty wasn't worth defying the Five Elders over. If they wanted it done, so be it.
---
Thus, on the third day after Saint Charmaz lost his arm, the world received another shock.
While Yang Ning's crew battled storms and missed the news, nearly every major power got the update instantly.
[Captain of the Windbreaker Pirates – Dragon Slayer, Evil Swordsman – Yang Ning – Bounty: 1.2 billion Berries!]
[Swordsman of the Windbreaker Pirates – Silver-haired Sillamir D. Esdeath – Bounty: 100 million Berries!]
[Shipwright of the Windbreaker Pirates – Right Fist of Evil – Bruce Willie – Bounty: 80 million Berries!]
[Shipwright of the Windbreaker Pirates – Left Fist of Evil – Bruce Sylvester – Bounty: 35 million Berries!]
[Navigator of the Windbreaker Pirates – Cat Burglar Nami – Bounty: 2,000,000 Berries!]
On the Kuja Pirates' ship, still cutting through the Calm Belt, Boa Hancock clutched the poster to her chest, face flushed with joy. For pirates, bounties were proof of legend.
Tears welled in her eyes as she gazed at Yang Ning's smirking face. Her smile outshone any treasure.
"Hurry! Hurry!
I must see this man's spirit with my own eyes!"
In the New World, warlords and emperors studied the poster—each with their own thoughts. Yang Ning's bounty wasn't just high—it was dangerous. At least they weren't being hunted by both the Navy and the World Government.
On Fish-Man Island, Jinbe stared silently at the poster. Around him, Fish-Men seethed with rage.
"Brother Jinbe! That's the human who killed Arlong!"
"He butchered our brothers!"
"We must avenge them, Boss Jinbe!"
Jinbe raised a blue hand—silencing them all. His voice was calm, deep, final.
"I will go find him myself…
if he survives the Marines."
---
Meanwhile, Yang Ning had no idea an Admiral waited for him. Right now, he was too busy not dying.
In just one day and one night, the weather had cycled through gales, hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, hail, heavy snow, and—briefly—a scorching desert sun.
His ship, once sturdy, now pitched like a rollercoaster—plunging tens of meters with every wave.
Yang Ning lay on the cabin floor like a salted fish, groaning at Nami:
"Is this… normal at sea?"
Nami just stared blankly back.
She'd only ever sailed the East Blue. She had no reference. All she knew was: they'd reach the island soon.
And deep down, she clung to one hope:
Even on an island… the weather can't be this insane… right?
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