Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
"Ah la la, what's going on?" Kuzan, known as Aokiji, mused as he watched the enormous fish tremble before him. Despite its limited intelligence, the fish sensed an aura of danger emanating from the human figure before it. With a swift movement, it plunged back into the ocean depths, leaving a trail of disturbed water behind.
The disturbance caused by the fish's hasty retreat sent a towering wave towards Aokiji. He watched the approaching wall of water with a resigned sigh, "Ah la la, always some trouble." Effortlessly, he extended his right hand, releasing a burst of chilling air.
[Ice Age!] he declared. The frigid air surged forward, meeting the wave head-on. In a spectacular display, the wave froze instantly, transformed into a magnificent ice sculpture towering above the sea. The scene was like a frozen moment in time, a breathtaking spectacle.
Yet, the beauty was short-lived. Cracks started to form across the icy surface. The once-majestic wave began to crumble under the sea breeze, breaking into countless pieces that cascaded into the ocean. In mere moments, the sea returned to its calm state, as if nothing had ever happened.
Just as Aokiji was about to resume his journey, a news bird flapped its way towards him. He exchanged the required fee for the latest newspaper. Unfolding it, Aokiji's eyes were drawn to the headlines, still dominated by the aftermath of the events in Alabasta. This edition delved deeper, exploring the backgrounds of various participants involved in the incident. Aokiji's interest piqued as he began to read, intrigued by the unfolding stories of the sea.
Aokiji skimmed through the newspaper, his gaze flitting over the photographs. Suddenly, his eyes focused more intently on a particular image in the corner of a page. A figure in the photo seemed familiar to him.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke to himself, "The first half of the Grand Line?" There was a hint of surprise in his voice, coupled with a tinge of curiosity.
Aokiji fell silent for a brief period, lost in thought. Finally, he made a decision, muttering, "Let's go." Prompted by the intriguing news he had just read, Aokiji turned his bike around.
In the next instant, he was sailing across the ocean on his bicycle, moving swiftly towards his new destination.
-----
In Alabasta, the Straw Hats crew was gathered together, each engrossed in the same newspaper. Usopp, eyes scanning the pages, paused at a photo of Luffy, beaming triumphantly. "What kind of existence will the rookie pirate who defeated a Warlord of the Sea become?" he read aloud, his voice tinged with admiration. "This time, Luffy really shone the brightest."
Nami, sitting nearby, nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. The whole of Alabasta now sees Luffy as a hero," she added, her gaze drifting to where Luffy was animatedly talking to Bai Ye.
Luffy, perched on a table, couldn't hide his excitement. "Hahahaha, Bai Ye, I bet my bounty is going to skyrocket past yours this time!" He gesticulated wildly, his feet swinging in eagerness.
"I can't wait to see it!" His voice was filled with anticipation.
Bai Ye watched Luffy's childlike enthusiasm with a smile. "Naturally. A 60 million bounty is way too low for you now," he agreed, then turned to address the rest of the crew. "In fact, all of you should brace yourselves for a bounty hike."
He explained how the Alabasta incident, fueled by local propaganda and coverage by the World News Agency, had created a buzz across the seas. With such exposure, the Straw Hats were bound to gain attention, leading to an inevitable increase in their bounties.
Zoro, usually stoic, cracked a rare smile at the news. "An increase in bounty? Just what I was hoping for!" he said, pleased with the prospect of rising fame.
Sanji, brimming with newfound confidence from his recent skills acquisition, playfully challenged Zoro. "This time, my bounty will be higher than yours, Mosshead."
Zoro, quick to respond, shot back, "A high bounty for a perverted cook? That's a laugh."
Sanji retorted, "Moss ball!"
Zoro fired back, "Mr. Nosebleed!"
Nami, tuning out Zoro and Sanji's ongoing banter, voiced her concerns with a thoughtful frown. "If our bounties go up, won't that mean we'll attract more attention and danger?" Her practical nature always considered the implications of their rising infamy.
Meanwhile, Usopp, usually in sync with Nami's cautiousness, was unusually upbeat. He laughed heartily, pondering his potential new bounty. "I wonder how much my bounty will rise this time?" He even fantasized about a cooler nickname to enhance his image, dissatisfied with being labeled merely as a sniper in his previous bounty.
Chopper, the adorable and naïve crew member, looked excited at the thought. "Will I get a bounty too?" he wondered aloud. His childhood, influenced by Dr. Hiriluk's tales of piracy, made the idea of having his own bounty order thrilling.
Robin, observing Chopper's excitement, scooped him up into a warm embrace. "Of course, you'll get one, Chopper," she reassured him with a gentle smile. "After all, the ship's doctor is a crucial member of the crew." Her affection for the little reindeer was evident as she cuddled him, unable to resist his cuteness.
Chopper, flustered yet secretly pleased, tried to maintain his composure. "Stop it! I... I'm not going to be happy just because you say nice things about me! You bastard!" he protested, his face turning a shade redder.
This adorable scene caught Nami's attention, and she joined Robin in showering Chopper with affection. The room was soon filled with laughter from Robin and Nami, protests from an increasingly flustered Chopper, and Sanji's envious nosebleeds as he watched the attention Chopper was receiving.
As Bai Ye admired the beautiful scene before him, Zoro's voice cut through the laughter, bringing a more serious topic to the fore. "Bai Ye, what about your bounty? Will it change because you beat that Stainless guy?"
Bai Ye pondered Zoro's question for a moment, considering the implications. Finally, he replied, "Well, it might go up a bit, but I doubt the Navy will publicly acknowledge that I beat Stainless. They wouldn't want to boost a pirate's fame using one of their own defeats."
Bai Ye's reasoning was sound. The Navy, led by Sengoku, wouldn't likely publicize their own shortcomings to elevate a pirate's status. Moreover, since Bai Ye hadn't been directly involved in resolving the Alabasta uprising, any increase in his bounty would probably be modest.
Zoro nodded in understanding, his competitive spirit subtly surfacing. He wondered if this might be his chance to overtake Bai Ye's bounty.
Regardless, the conversation signified an end to their stay in Alabasta. It was time for the Straw Hat crew to set sail again.