103. Raised Bounties

A day after leaving Barsa Archipelago, the Clowns get a piece of news. They get new bounties that are spread through the World News. It makes them excited, so they immediately check their new bounties.

Buggy 'The Clown': 200 million

Montblanc 'Chestnut' Cricket: 130 million

'Black Hammer' Palu: 85 million

Mantis 'The Dancer': 85 million

'Ash Girl' Ariella Jude: 60 million

'Fatman' Manba: 45 million

The Clowns are surprised to see their bounties skyrocket. They thought they'll just get a 20 or 30 millions raise. So these are more than what they expected.

Buggy's bounty raised by 100 million, while Cricket get a 95 million raise. The others also get high bounty even though it's their first bounties. Palu & Mantis get the same number, maybe because their enemies were from the same rank.

They all are happy with the new bounties because they're high. It means the Marine has seen them as a strong crew. But not everyone is happy with what they get.

"F-Fatman," says Manba depressedly.

"Ash Girl, very uncreative," says Jude with an unhappy tone.

"What's wrong with those? Manba is fat and Jude is ash, so those are the perfect nickname, right?" asks Ruff innocently.

"I know I'm fat, but at least I want a cool epithet," says Manba while crying.

"He's right. This epithet doesn't sound scary at all. Shouldn't a pirate's epithet inflict fear on those who hear it? Besides, it is too obvious, like they couldn't think of anything else," says Jude.

"Cool & scary epithets? Sigh, look. The only ones who have cool epithets are Palu & Mantis. Look at mine & Cricket's! None of us got a cool epithet too," says Buggy while pointing at his bounty poster.

"Yeah, I mean Clown & Chestnut, those epithets suck," says Cricket with a pissed tone.

"As long as you have high bounties, then people will fear you. In the past, there was a pirate that terrorized my island. People feared him even though his epithet didn't sound scary at all," says Mantis.

"Who's he?" asks Jude curiously.

"Crybaby Max, a pirate with a bounty of 15 million," says Mantis.

*PFFT*

"HAHA, CRYBABY? HAHA," the Clowns laugh loudly at the guy's epithet.

Mantis explains that he was called 'Crybaby' because he always cried like a baby when he fight. His fights look more like he threw tantrums rather than a real fight. But he could win a lot of fights like that.

He was strong for North Blue's standard as he could get a 15 million price for his head. But he was caught by Marine a month after he left Mantis' island.

The story about that funny epithet makes Jude & Manba feel better. At least their epithets aren't too strange or laughable. But they are still pissed at the Marine who seem uncreative.

They celebrate their new bounties like usual. Their bounties are very high for rookies like them. With a total of 605 million, they can be put in the same league with some old crews.

However, there's a big risk that comes with their bounties. Now, even the Admirals will start to notice their crew. Big Pirate Crews will also notice them.

But it's not something that the Clowns have not prepared to face. They have been ready to face all risks since they became pirates. Without such a mentality, they won't survive on this cruel sea.

"Ca-Captain, it seems the Log Pose is broken," says Jude very suddenly while they sing together.

"What?!" says everyone in surprise.

They all approach Jude to look at the Log Pose. Everyone gets surprised to see the Log Pose's needle is shaking and pointing upwards. The others are worried now, but Buggy grins happily.

"I-is it really broken?" asks Mantis.

"Don't worry, it's not broken. The Log Pose is pointing at an island," says Buggy while grinning.

"But it pointing to the sky," says Manba.

"Then, it means that the island is on the sky," says Buggy.

The others are surprised to hear what Buggy said. They all want to refute it because it sounds impossible. But then they remember that Palu is a Sky Race that originated from Sky Island.

"Ca-Captain, does the next island, *gulp*, my homeland?" asks Palu nervously.

"I don't know, there are many Sky Islands in the world. Unless we go there, then we won't know if it's your homeland or not. But at least we will get some clues even if it's not your homeland," says Buggy.

"I guess you're right," says Palu in understanding.

"But how will we go there?" asks Jude.

"Flying?" says Cricket unsurely.

"And how will we fly?" asks Jude.

They all look at each other with confused expressions, even Buggy. This isn't Jaya, so Buggy doesn't know if there's a Knock-Up Stream here. He doesn't know the way to other Sky Islands except through Knock-Up Stream near Jaya Island.

While thinking of how they will go to the Sky Island, Cricket sees a ship far from their location. He takes his scope and looks at the ship. It's a Pirate Ship that goes in another direction.

"Their Log Pose doesn't point at the Sky Island, but to a normal island. Chase them! We need their Log Pose to get on that island," orders Buggy.

"But how about the Sky Island?" asks Palu warily.

"Don't worry about it. As long as we don't stay for too long on the next island, the Log Pose will still point at the Sky Island. What we need right now is the information about how to reach the Sky Island," says Buggy.

The Clowns nod and immediately chase the Pirate Ship. It takes them half an hour before they get close to their target. The Pirate Crew has realized the Clowns' presence since a while ago and has prepared to fight them.

Both Crews look at each other and now the Clowns can see the other Pirate Crew clearly. Their flag is a skull with rainbow colors on it. None of the Clowns know about this Pirate Crew at all.

"Who are you? Why'd you chasing us?" asks a man that has rainbow-colored hair from the other Pirate Ship's railing.

"Looking at your rainbow hair and flag, it seems you are the Captain. It's perfect then, give your Log Pose to us," says Buggy while pointing his sword at the man.

"Our Log Pose? Why should we give it to you?" asks the rainbow-haired man.

"Because we need it. If you don't give it peacefully, then we will take it by force. I'll tell you now that the result won't be pretty for you," says Buggy while smirking.

The man gets stunned, but then he laughs loudly before saying, "In your dream, bitch."

Buggy smirks and says, "I see. Then, don't regret your decision! Rob them!"

The Clowns grin and reply, "AYE AYE!"

______________________________________________________________

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