"Momousagi is missing? What are you doing about food?!" Vice Admiral Tsuru stormed into Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office as soon as she heard the news. Despite Sengoku's high rank, Tsuru didn't hold back her scolding. After all, they were comrades from the same era—what was wrong with giving him a piece of her mind?
"We're worried about Momousagi's disappearance too, but calm down," Sengoku replied, rubbing his temples. "She's not a child anymore. She can take care of herself."
"Not a child? How could someone like her disappear? According to the report, she vanished while pursuing the rookie pirate Clover Benson. I've reviewed the information on him—he's just some kid who recently went to sea. There's no way he's a match for Momousagi. Something about this doesn't add up!" Tsuru said sharply.
"Hahaha! The East Blue sure has some interesting people popping up," chuckled Vice Admiral Garp, seated nearby.
"Garp! Stop laughing! That rookie used to be part of your grandson's crew!" Sengoku slammed his desk in frustration.
"Huh? So what?" Garp replied nonchalantly, suppressing a yawn.
"Regardless, Clover Benson must have something to do with Momousagi's disappearance. I propose we immediately raise his bounty and send forces to locate him. He must be captured alive!" Tsuru demanded, her tone brooking no argument.
"That's already the plan," Sengoku replied with a nod. He tapped a wanted poster on his desk bearing Clover's face.
"Ho? So this is the boy named Clover Benson," Admiral Kizaru mused, examining the poster thoughtfully.
"What's wrong? Have you seen him before?" Admiral Aokiji asked, picking up the wanted poster and focusing on Clover's eyes. "Could this guy be...?"
"You noticed too?" Garp's carefree demeanor shifted as he exchanged a serious look with Kizaru and Aokiji.
"Why do you think this is the same person?" Aokiji pulled a 5-billion-berri wanted poster from his coat and slapped it onto the desk. The blurred image of a figure who had attacked Mary Geoise was on it. He placed it next to Clover's poster, drawing everyone's attention.
All high-ranking Marines carried this poster—it depicted the World Government's most-wanted fugitive. Despite the unclear features, it was their priority to confirm the identity of the individual.
"I see what you mean," Sengoku muttered.
"Polusalino, you've fought him before. What do you think?" Garp asked Kizaru.
"...The eyes look identical," Kizaru replied, pointing at Clover's wanted poster. "But their presence is different. Clover Benson seems more refined. The other one's aura is... primal."
The photograph of Clover had been taken in Arlong Park. By that time, he'd already shed the naïveté of a new pirate and carried himself with more confidence. The destruction of Arlong and his crew in a single punch showcased his strength, leaving a lasting impression.
"We need to see him in person to be sure," Kizaru concluded.
"If they're the same, this kid is incredibly cunning," Tsuru commented. "During the Holy Land incident, he disguised himself as a vagabond. But now, he's blended into a pirate crew to create a fake identity. Instead of thinking of him as the 'Celestial Dragon Killer,' people see him as just another East Blue rookie."
"Speaking of which, we still haven't found any leads on Saint Lormas's killer. Let's pin that on Clover too—might as well keep the Five Elders from complaining," Sengoku said, tapping the higher bounty poster.
"His bounty will surpass Whitebeard's, won't it?" Tsuru asked.
"Not just Whitebeard. It might even exceed the Pirate King Gol D. Roger's. Clover Benson could become the first in history to break 10 billion berri," Sengoku stated gravely.
"How are we handling the bounty adjustment for him?" Tsuru asked.
"To prioritize finding Momousagi, let's set his current bounty at 200 million berri and emphasize that he must be captured alive," Sengoku decided after a moment of thought.
"200 million? Isn't that excessive for a rookie?" Garp asked, stuffing his face with crackers.
"Excessive? He broke through a Marine blockade, evaded capture by a Rear Admiral, and possibly killed or kidnapped Momousagi. Do you think 200 million is too much for someone like that?" Tsuru snapped, glaring at Garp.
Realizing he'd struck a nerve, Garp averted his eyes, focusing entirely on his food.
Satisfied, Tsuru took the updated wanted poster with her. "Stay safe, Gion," she murmured as she left.
---
Not long after, Clover Benson's new 200-million-berri wanted poster flooded the seas, sparking widespread discussion.
"This rookie's insane—he's been out to sea for what, a few months? And already 200 million?"
"It looks like this kid's going to stir up the world soon!"
---
Meanwhile, aboard the Going Merry, Usopp excitedly waved the poster. "Nami! Check this out! It's Clover's wanted poster!"
"Oi, Nami's still sick! Don't shout like that!" Sanji yelled from the galley.
"Ah, sorry! I got carried away. But look at this!" Usopp ran below deck, waving the poster.
"Let me see!" Luffy and Zoro joined in.
"Woah! 200 million berri?! What the hell did he do?" Zoro exclaimed.
"Hehe! That's Clover for you! Guess I better step up my game too!" Luffy grinned.
"Tch. That bastard doesn't even know how much Nami's suffering right now. I bet he's out there enjoying himself!" Sanji fumed.
The crew was en route to Drum Island, seeking a doctor for Nami, who had suddenly fallen ill.
---
Elsewhere, Clover glanced at his new wanted poster and sighed. The accompanying newspaper claimed he had robbed the auction house on Matea Island, broken through Marine forces, and kidnapped Momousagi. While these events were partially true, the exaggerations frustrated him.
"Fake news again," Clover muttered to himself. The Marines were clearly grasping at straws to justify their actions and discredit him further.