Chapter 196: New Bounties
The next day, news spread across the entire sea, sending shockwaves throughout. The headlines in the newspapers were jarring.
White Demon—Ryujiro: Bounty of 1.53 billion.
White-Eyed Sorceress: Bounty of 870 million.
Chef—Carmen: Bounty of 80 million.
Navigator—Kun: Bounty of 50 million.
The Navy's deployment of such powerful forces had undoubtedly drawn the attention of other sea dwellers.
Even if they had tried to keep it hidden, it wouldn't have been a secret for long.
Furthermore, Sengoku was no longer worried about Ryujiro joining any of the Yonko's crews.
Those with Conqueror's Haki were rulers themselves and wouldn't rely on anyone else.
Ryujiro's entry into the New World would inevitably lead to clashes with other Yonko.
The Navy could use the turmoil in the New World as an opportunity to establish a foothold and restrain the Yonko crews' actions.
On the Red-Haired Pirates' ship in the New World, Vice Captain Ben Beckman was stunned as he read a newspaper.
"Hey, hey, hey! Is this a joke?"
Beckman's eyes widened in disbelief as he absorbed the shocking news on the paper.
The rest of the crew was drawn to Beckman's shocked expression.
Known for his calm and composed demeanor, Beckman's reaction indicated something monumental had occurred.
"Yo! Beckman!"
"What's going on?"
Shanks approached with a smile.
Without waiting for an answer, Beckman handed the newspaper to Shanks.
Shanks took the newspaper, still puzzled. As he read the news, his expression turned grave.
"White Demon, truly frightening."
"Even Kizaru couldn't handle the White Demon Pirates, resulting in the sinking of ten Navy ships."
"The White Demon should not be underestimated."
Shanks knew well that Admiral Kizaru, a Logia user with light-speed abilities, was among the top fighters on the sea.
The fact that he couldn't subdue Ryujiro was astonishing. Shanks was also aware that Ryujiro had defeated his friend, Mihawk.
Shanks was initially incredulous upon hearing the news.
"The new generation is indeed terrifying. Marines have really lost their respect this time."
"Sengoku must be having a headache."
Beckman remarked quietly.
The fact that the Navy's high-level intervention didn't yield any benefits indicated that capturing the White Demon would require at least two or even three Admirals.
But deploying such forces was too risky.
Admirals couldn't be dispatched casually.
"Once he enters the New World, the dynamics will change. We better start preparing."
Beckman said with a serious tone.
Shanks's face grew heavy. Beckman was right; even if Ryujiro didn't clash with them, the presence of the White Demon Pirates would alter the balance.
The sea would become even more turbulent, and the Navy might seize the opportunity to act.
"The Age of Turmoil," Shanks reflected.
Aside from Shanks, the other Yonko also learned of the news.
They were somewhat surprised by Ryujiro's actions, but it didn't cause significant ripples among them. As rulers of the sea, the Yonko were rarely shaken by such events.
Due to Ryujiro's actions, pirates across the world mocked the Navy's incompetence, even suggesting that Admirals were not as formidable as they seemed.
This had emboldened many pirates, though those who were ignorant of the Navy's strength had been suppressed and sent to Impel Down.
On the sea, two pirate ships clashed—the Wolf Pirates and the Battleaxe Pirates.
"Clang—Clang—"
The sharp sound of blades clashing filled the air, blood splattered, and bodies fell one after another. Conflicts between pirate crews were common, usually over interests.
The clash between the Wolf Pirates and the Battleaxe Pirates was no different.
The Battleaxe Pirates' leader, his face dark with anger, confronted his vice captain, Norsen.
"Norsen, so you're the one who leaked the information."
Norsen was his most trusted vice captain, but now he was revealed to be a traitor.
"Why, Norsen?"
The Battleaxe Pirates' captain roared like an enraged lion.
Norsen sneered, mocking, "Of course, I wanted more. The Battleaxe Pirates are no match for the Wolf Pirates."
"One Devil Fruit, and you wanted to keep it for yourself, even though your strength was already sufficient. I repeatedly tried to approach you, but you always avoided the topic."
"Talking about brotherhood was all nonsense!"
The Battleaxe Pirates' captain's face turned ashen. "Is that why you betrayed me?"
"Not only that. I was already in contact with the Wolf Pirates. Didn't you wonder who leaked the ambush information?"
Norsen's cold laugh echoed.
"You bastard!"
"You're the one!"
The Battleaxe Pirates' captain gripped his axe, wishing he could split Norsen in half, but now he struggled even to stand.
"Captain."
"Help me."
The Battleaxe Pirates' crew were being controlled by the Wolf Pirates, and before the captain's eyes, they were being slaughtered one by one.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah!"
"Stop it, you bastards!"
"Pfft!"
The captain, enraged, spat out blood, his face turning even paler.
The leader of the Wolf Pirates, Walding, approached slowly.
Remarkably, Walding's appearance was somewhat lupine. He had thick fur, a wolf's head, and human body, with claws that glinted ominously.
Walding, Devil Fruit User: Inu Inu no Mi, Wolf Form.
Bounty: 85 million.
"Captain."
Norsen's eyes showed fear as he saw Walding approach. He greeted him respectfully.
The sight made the Battleaxe Pirates' captain's expression twist in fury.
This bastard!
Walding's gaze turned cold as he looked at Norsen. In an instant, his sharp wolf claws pierced through Norsen's chest.
Pfft!
Blood sprayed onto the deck as Norsen clutched Walding's hand, looking at him in disbelief.
"W-why?"
Walding said coldly, "One day, you would betray me too. Why should I keep you around?"
With that, Walding crushed Norsen's heart.
Norsen's pupils widened, his body stiffened, and he fell to the deck, becoming a cold corpse.
"Hahaha!"
"Deserved it!"
"Self-inflicted!"
Seeing Norsen's lifeless body, the Battleaxe Pirates' captain felt a sense of satisfaction.
"Thud, thud, thud—"
Walding's heavy footsteps reached the captain's ears.
"Where is the Devil Fruit?"
The captain sneered, "You want my Devil Fruit? Find it yourself. Don't think I'll tell you!"
Spit!
The captain spat in Walding's face.
Walding's rage flared!
Just as Walding was about to strike, he suddenly felt an eerie chill run down his spine.
An unknown figure had appeared on the ship.
Walding turned his head stiffly.
"Boom—" A thunderous sound exploded in his mind as Walding, trembling, stammered, "Y-you! How are you here!"
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