Chapter 73 – The world begins to know the Straw Hats!

Chapter 73 – The world begins to know the Straw Hats!

[Chapter Size: 4449 Words.]

Third Person POV

In various parts of the world.

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...

The conversation between Smoker and Sengoku took place a few days ago while the Black Pearl continued to cut through the waters of the sea in the subsequent days.

The days unfolded in an intense routine of training and rest periods for the Straw Hats. Although there were no alarming results, Luffy kept the group's determination high. He could perceive the constant evolution of each member, progress that brought a small smile to his face.

The daily routine consisted of training, resting, lunch, resuming training, enjoying the free afternoon, returning to training, resting, and, at the end of the night, celebrating with a modest feast. Luffy would end the day by sharing the night with three beautiful women.

"I'm enjoying this world more and more..." Luffy reflected on the building of his crew and the relationships he cultivated, feeling satisfied.

"Luffy!" The sudden call interrupted his thoughts. While enjoying some free time in the afternoon, the captain was sitting on the ship's deck, rereading the manual of the six styles. His companions, basking in the sun beside him, also turned their heads in the direction of the call.

Wearing nothing more than Hawaiian-style floral shorts, Luffy raised his sunglasses to see Nami approaching with a newspaper and a conflicted expression.

"Speak, my woman!" Luffy smiled at the nickname. She seemed hesitant at first but gave him a dissatisfied look at that comment.

In recent days, she had been extremely embarrassed since he slept with her when they were both drunk. However, Luffy had made her accustomed to the new routine. Despite this woman acting normally, she was in love with her captain. She even shared the bed with two other companions.

She sighed at her shameless captain and spoke.

"Your bounty increased, Zoro also had an increase, and Lami got a third bounty for the group." She said, and Luffy quickly grabbed the newspaper and wanted posters.

As Nami spoke these words, everyone who was busy with some task or pastime at that moment dropped what they were doing and surrounded their captain with curiosity.

"Look at our picture!" Luffy laughed, seeing the whole group with various people behind the fish-men and Captain Smoker. It was all of them except Kuina, who ended up taking the photo.

In the picture printed in the newspaper, the scene captured on the beach came to life in vivid detail. The white, fine sands stretched as far as the eye could see, the sky displayed a dazzling blue, contrasting with the intense green of the palm trees swaying gently along the coast.

In the center of the image, the Straw Hats' group was positioned in a relaxed and confident manner. Luffy, with his characteristic straw hat, sported a wide smile while pointing at something out of the frame, likely articulating some bold plan. Around him, the crew members struck unique poses and expressions that captured the diversity of personalities, from Zoro's tough posture to Usopp's contagious enthusiasm.

The fish-men and Captain Smoker were also visible in the image in front of the group, adding an unusual touch to the scene. The looks of the prisoners and the marine, clearly shaken by the unexpected turn of events, added a dramatic touch to the composition.

Kuina, not being with them, positioned herself a little apart, holding the camera with which she captured that decisive moment. The result was an image that defied expectations, leaving the Straw Hats' crew's mark on the East Blue.

"How did she end up in the newspaper?!" Kuina asked.

"I sent it through a contact to a Morgan News branch." Luffy stated shamelessly.

"It's a beautiful photo!" Zoro commented, looking at his tough pose.

"Hahahaha! We look like a mafia!" Hugo seemed excited.

"I'm in the newspaper!" Usopp exclaimed.

"But isn't it cool, Usopp-Sama?" Shirahoshi asked curiously.

"Sharky..." Megalo grumbled.

"...," Hachi remained silent as always.

"Of course not!" Nami protested the young mermaid's question.

"Don't get angry; you look beautiful in this photo!" Nojiko said to her sister.

"I hid my face. I hope that old bastard doesn't recognize me!" Yamato said with a smile. Luffy agreed to that during the photo, and she used her usual mask.

"OHHHH!" Bepo seemed to have stars in his eyes seeing their group photo.

"OW!"

"Yeah... it seems we're being hunted now." Lami said.

"Too bad you look kind of ridiculous with that sword on your back." Reiju teased.

"Speak the addicted smoker in the photo. You look more like a captive than a pirate in that picture." Lami snarled.

"What did you say?!"

"Hm?! Want to fight?!"

The rest of the crew sighed at the two women who seemed like cat and mouse at that moment.

Luffy ignored the women and began reading the newspaper like the front page.

In a surprising development, the mysterious figure known as Lami, previously considered a bounty hunter seeking justice, was revealed as an infiltrated member of the Straw Hat Pirates, secretly acting to collect bounties for pirates captured by the crew. This shocking twist adds a new element of mystery to the already enigmatic pirate group.

The Straw Hat Pirates, currently composed of 14 members, have emerged as a devastating force in the East Blue, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction in their wake. Their actions include the destruction of two Marine bases and the ruthless elimination of four of the most feared pirate crews in this region.

Fear spreads as the extraordinary feats of this crew defy all known conventions. With unparalleled strength, they have become a formidable threat to the established order in the East Blue. The sea is in a state of shock and apprehension in the face of the uncertainty of who will be able to contain the fury of this indomitable group.

As the notoriety of the Straw Hat Pirates grows, the East Blue faces a period of despair and uncertainty. The question lingering in everyone's mind is: who can face this threat and restore order to this tumultuous sea?

[Monkey D. Luffy: 50,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive.]

[Roronoa Zoro: 10,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive.]

[Trafalgar D. Lami: 30,000,000 Berries – Dead or Alive.]

"I've increased my bounty by five times! Now I'm the most wanted pirate in this sea!" Luffy laughed, radiating contagious joy.

"Not bad, but I still only have 10 million..." Zoro complained, examining his own wanted poster.

"At least you have one..." Bepo commented, looking at Zoro's poster with a bit of envy.

"I don't know how this serious woman has one, and I don't!" Reiju expressed her frustration, somewhat irritated.

"I was a bounty hunter. It's clear they're annoyed with me. But you're not even important enough to have one." Lami teased, with a mischievous smile.

"Hm?! Do you want to be kicked into the sea?" Reiju snarled, preparing for the confrontation.

"Wanna try, inconsequential woman..." Lami retorted, initiating a chaotic clash of kicks and sword strikes, with Lami using her fencing, and Reiju employing her agility and combat footwork to defend and attack.

It was after an hour that the women stopped fighting, and Usopp shouted from the mast.

"LAND HO!" He said, and Kuina almost jumped, as Nami informed them that they were close to her homeland, her father's house.

Meanwhile, the news in this newspaper was spreading to the far reaches of the world, reaching an island with the peculiar shape of a gigantic skull. In this sinister place, a man, known as one of the four dreadful Emperors, watched the newspaper with evident disdain. It was the second time in a few days that a group of young pirates appeared on the front page of Morgans News.

"Is there nothing else interesting to show in the newspapers? Why is there a picture of that bunch of brats on the front page again?" the Emperor questioned, displeased with the apparent insistence of the newspaper in highlighting this specific group.

'What makes this bunch special? They're not even in the Grand Line!' Kaido grumbled as he lifted his gigantic sake cup to his mouth, expressing his lack of impression with the notoriety of the mentioned group.

"It seems Morgan is out of subjects..." King commented beside, crossing his arms indifferently.

"Hm?" Neptune raised his eyebrows, his gaze instantly focusing on his children. The room was adorned with tapestries depicting the glorious achievements of the underwater kingdom, but the tension in the air disrupted the serenity of the place.

"We found Shirahoshi! She appeared!" announced Manboshi, the youngest son, holding the newspaper in his trembling hands. The newspaper displayed an image of Shirahoshi alongside the Straw Hats, highlighting the surprising reduction in size of the mermaid princess.

"What?! Where is she?" Neptune questioned, his expression alternating between alarm and hope. The king's throne, carved with intricate shells, seemed almost small compared to the grandeur of the monarch.

"She's in the East Blue!" replied Princess, the king's only daughter, with a hint of disbelief in her voice. Details of the underwater kingdom, such as shell-carved arches on the walls, witnessed the cultural richness of the marine civilization.

"What?! How could she be there, and how did she get there so quickly?" Neptune expressed his confusion and concern, his fins waving nervously.

"She's in today's newspaper! We can't receive newspapers, but we got them from Whitebeard's pirates via fax." Triton explained as the other children surrounded the king with the newspaper, providing a view of Shirahoshi's surprising image.

"Look, Father, it's her, even though she looks quite shrunken. There's no doubt it's our little sister!" affirmed Manboshi, emphasizing the image of Shirahoshi next to the Straw Hats.

"It's really my girl! How could she have shrunk so much?! Who are these riffraff with her?" Neptune growled, his voice echoing through the room.

"I don't know, Father. She doesn't seem sad, but we have to save her from these humans." The elder brother expressed his concern, while the sumptuous decorations of the room witnessed the grandeur of the marine kingdom.

"There's a fish-man with that crew, how strange..." Triton observed, his eyes attentive to the discussed image.

"Anyway, contact Jimbei and ask him to go after these pirates now. I'll owe him any favor if my daughter comes home!" Neptune declared, his voice reflecting the urgency and determination of a worried father. The underwater sculptures and shimmering stained glass seemed to witness the king's anguish as he faced the uncertainty of his daughter's fate.

On a peculiar island in the first part of the Grand Line, colorful bubbles gracefully rose to the sky, creating a scenery as charming as it was mysterious. At the top of a hill, a modest bar provided a spectacular panoramic view, where the bubbles seemed to dance in harmony with the sea breeze.

Inside the bar, with a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, a woman looked at the newspaper on the counter. Her eyes, alert and curious, focused on a specific image.

"Is this Hachi?!" she exclaimed, surprised, as her fingers flipped through the pages of the newspaper. The counter, made of weathered wood, gave a rustic feel to the place.

"It's indeed him, and he's not the only interesting one... That hat..." replied an elderly man beside her, with a nostalgic look. The bar's interior displayed nautical decorations, including fishing nets hanging on the walls.

"Hm?! So, he's the one Shanks-boy talked about?" the woman inquired, raising an eyebrow with curiosity. The gentle wind made the light curtains sway softly, revealing a spectacular view of the sea stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Yes, let's see what kind of turbulence he can cause in the world in this era or the next one approaching..." the elderly man said, watching the horizon with anticipation. The soft light of the evening painted the bar with golden hues, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The lively conversations and soft laughter of the bar's patrons filled the air, blending with the gentle sound of bubbles breaking outside. This was a place where stories intertwined with the unique scenery of the island, creating a unique and mysterious atmosphere.

On a boat in the middle of that sea, the choppy waves marked the rhythm of navigation. The sky, painted by a vibrant sunset, provided a spectacular view for the animated crew on board.

"HAHAHAHA! This is Luffy!" someone shouted with enthusiasm as the waves gently hit the ship's hull. A camaraderie atmosphere enveloped the deck, where the crew shared laughs and stories.

"Yes, a rookie pirate taking the front page, it's unbelievable," grumbled one of the pirates, contrasting the celebratory mood. The sound of the sea breeze mixed with the crew's animated dialogues.

"LUFFY!!!" The first intruder snatched the newspaper from the other pirate's hand, expressing his unrestrained excitement. The orange sky reflected on the newspaper pages as it changed hands.

"Hey, give back the newspaper, you rascal! Hm?! Wait, who the hell are you?" the confused pirate questioned the intruder, whose presence was not recognized among the crew members.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA, LUFFY!" the man shouted again, choosing to ignore the perplexed pirate's questions. The atmosphere on board became a mix of curiosity and excitement.

"Captain, he's Ace, from the Fire Fist! Second division commander of Whitebeard's pirates!" a crew member clarified the confusion as the information quickly spread across the deck.

"What?! His Excellency Ace!" The tone instantly changed, the pirate now recognizing the significance of the figure before them. The sunset's light highlighted surprised and respectful expressions.

"Captain..."

"What?"

"He fell asleep..." An unusual observation brought a touch of humor to the episode, revealing the relaxed atmosphere that surrounded the crew even in the presence of such a renowned figure.

In the Marine headquarters, a stern and organized environment, a man smoked a cigar while examining the newspaper.

"Hm?!" His expression indicated surprise, and the room was momentarily plunged into silence.

"This name? Is he related to Garp?" A man with dark, thick hair, dressed in a blue suit, inquired as he examined the newspaper in his colleague admiral's hands.

"He has the same name as him, that's scary..." Another man, in a yellow suit, dramatized his reaction, emphasizing the possible connection between the two.

"Well, it doesn't matter... This just shows that he's a threat and must be eliminated," declared the first admiral, wearing a red suit and displaying a serious expression. The atmosphere in the room reflected the tension that the news had brought, and the discussion about the danger represented by Luffy was beginning to unfold among the leaders of the Navy.

In the vastness of another island, where sand dunes stretched to the horizon, a desert scene revealed an arid and enigmatic landscape. The scorching sun hung in the sky, casting long shadows distorted by the contours of the dunes.

Amidst this panorama, a mysterious figure walked gracefully, their silent steps marked only by the gentle whisper of the sand beneath their feet. The wind blew, lifting small dust whirls that danced around them, as if obeying an invisible command.

Suddenly, a female voice echoed in the desert, filled with surprise and interest. "Two D.s on one ship? How interesting," she murmured, her words blending with the wind that carried the essence of mystery.

The figure, dressed in a cloak that seemed to merge with the nuances of the sand, revealed only elusive outlines of their presence. Their midnight-black hair flowed gently in the breeze, adding a touch of elegance to the enigma they represented.

While the dunes stretched as far as the eye could see, the mysterious woman remained immersed in her own thoughts, contemplating something that transcended physical sight, something connected to the destiny that enveloped those marked by the D. in their names.

Near the imposing Reverse Mountain, where clouds hovered as silent witnesses, the atmosphere was charged with latent tension. The scene stood out with towering rock formations and shadows cast over the area, creating a sinister environment.

As the world moved in its complexity, a man with an astronaut helmet, whose face remained hidden under the metallic protection, found himself in the midst of this peculiar panorama. The gleam in his eyes revealed excitement, and a trail of snot escaped from his nose, adding an extravagant note to his figure.

"Hm?! Is this the mermaid I heard in the CP5 agent's call? I WANT HER!" he exclaimed, making clear his interest in the mysterious mermaid whose name echoed in an emergency call from CP5. His desire was palpable, as if the mere mention of the aquatic creature had ignited a consuming flame within him.

The man, immersed in his own ambition, recalled the information received during the emergency call, details about the presence of the mermaid accompanied by her guards. Reverse Mountain, with its majestic contours, served as a backdrop for this unusual scene, creating a contrast between the natural grandeur and the singular determination of the man with the peculiar helmet.

All that propelled this individual was the obsession to possess that mermaid, as if his own destiny was intertwined with the unrestrained pursuit of something that transcended the boundaries of the ordinary. The air was imbued with the intense energy of that moment, as the man, driven by his own ambitions, prepared to act in ways that only time would reveal.

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