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Hearing this, everyone in the room quietly let out a breath of relief. If Arton had truly defeated both Zephyr and Garp back-to-back, even while borrowing Tashigi's power, that would have been far too terrifying. If that were the case, his rookie pirate crew could already be challenging the Four Emperors.
"Since he didn't actually defeat them," someone asked, "then what kind of ability did Arton use to make Vice Admiral Garp unable to catch him? Don't tell me it was the seawater manipulation power again, Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
"No," Sengoku replied, shaking his head. "It wasn't seawater control. According to Garp's report, it was a very dangerous ability. For those with strong enough power, it might be manageable once they understand it—but for those unprepared, it's extremely troublesome."
Sengoku went on to describe in detail how Arton had used the Bullet-Version Unlimited Blade Works.
"Oi, oi, oi— that's horrifying!" Kizaru exclaimed, his lazy tone unable to hide the shock in his voice. "He compressed the entire Unlimited Blade Works into a single bullet? That's basically a walking bomb!"
Aokiji's eyes widened. "No wonder Garp got pushed back. With incomplete intel, being hit by that kind of bullet at close range— it's already impressive that he wasn't fatally wounded."
Akainu crossed his arms. "That must be Arton's original Devil Fruit power. When he fought Mihawk, he turned into that black-skinned form, wielding dual guns. At the time, we assumed he was using firearms instead of swords."
Kizaru nodded slowly. "But who could've guessed he actually fused the swords and even the entire world into those bullets?"
"Still," Akainu said, his voice calm but sharp, "now that we know about this ability, it's easier to handle. As long as we use Observation Haki to evade, we'll be fine."
"I wouldn't say that," Aokiji replied. "If your Observation Haki isn't at the very highest level, completely dodging would be difficult. And even if you avoid it, you'll still face a battlefield filled with countless swords from that world of blades."
"Maybe," Kizaru mused, "that version of Arton can't maintain the Unlimited Blade Works state for too long. After all, fusing an entire world into a bullet must take an enormous toll. If he can still maintain it after the explosion, then that ability would be completely unfair."
Sengoku nodded. "We don't yet know if Arton can sustain it that long, but we do know how strong that black-skinned form is—along with Tashigi's power. In any case, everyone must be extremely cautious when facing Arton and his crew. Act based on the intel we currently have."
Everyone nodded in agreement. The room then broke into discussions about how to deal with Arton and his companions.
Roughly half an hour later, as the meeting neared its end, Sengoku stood from his seat. His tone was solemn as he gave his final order.
"Considering the power Arton and his companions have displayed, and their crime of murdering Celestial Dragons, they are an extremely dangerous pirate group. The World Government has issued a decree to apprehend Arton and his crew. Therefore, we will now make their bounties public to the world."
Pulling out a stack of photographs, Sengoku slapped them onto the whiteboard behind him one by one.
"Carina—Arton's first companion. Possesses a Mythical Zoan-type ability, suspected to transform into a thunder-controlling fox woman. Exceptionally powerful—able to disperse the tidal waves created by Arton and Mihawk's battle. Bounty: 300 million Berries."
"Uta—possesses a power that emits ultrasonic waves. Also suspected to be a Mythical Zoan. Like Carina, she was able to destroy massive tidal waves. Bounty: 300 million Berries."
"Nami—suspected Mythical Zoan who controls lightning and wields advanced swordsmanship, acknowledged even by Mihawk himself. Bounty: 300 million Berries."
"Nojiko—can transform into various animals. While her combat strength hasn't yet reached the top level, her Devil Fruit is likely Mythical Zoan in nature. Bounty: 100 million Berries."
"Kaya—the crew's doctor, also capable of transformation. At the sea restaurant, she used her extraordinary medical skills to heal numerous people instantly and even demonstrated combat ability. Her transformed form appears human—possibly a Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Model. She's vital to Arton's Flameblade Pirates. Bounty: 300 million Berries."
"Tashigi—suspected human-type Mythical Zoan with the ability to control seawater, extremely dangerous. Among Arton's companions, her actions are particularly heinous. She betrayed the Marines and stabbed a Celestial Dragon. The World Government has issued a special direct bounty. Bounty: 1 billion Berries."
Chapter 316: Did Arton Tease Momousagi? Tokikake Is Furious!
Sengoku continued briskly, and the people below memorized each face on the photographs. Even though they'd already heard a version of this once before, hearing again that this crew was practically all Mythical Zoans still left the Marines deeply shocked. They had tried to imagine alternatives—that perhaps they weren't Mythical Zoans after all—but Nami and the others' transformations simply defied any other reasonable explanation.
As for the bounties on Nami and the rest, no one felt they were excessive. In fact, apart from Tashigi—whose power might not quite justify a full 1 billion Berries and whose figure was elevated mainly because she stabbed a Celestial Dragon—the abilities the others had displayed easily matched their bounties, if not exceeded them.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, what about Arton? How much are you giving him?" Aokiji asked.
Sengoku drew a deep breath, then slapped Arton's photo with his palm. "Arton—an egregiously evil pirate. Bounty: 3 billion Berries!"
Boom!
Sengoku's words landed like a hammer on every Marine's heart, leaving them stunned for a long moment. Three. Billion. Berries. No pirate had ever received such a high bounty on their very first poster. It surpassed the norm for ordinary pirates entirely; only legendary figures—like the Four Emperors—boasted bounties above Arton's.
Arton had just written a new myth.
In their minds' eyes, the officers could already see it: when this bounty circulated, pirates, bounty hunters, and civilians alike would be dumbstruck. Even the Four Emperors in the New World would find such a bounty… surprising.
But no one refuted Sengoku. They all knew—3 billion fit Arton. Looking purely at his record, it might even be low.
He had defeated the former "World's Greatest Swordsman," Dracule Mihawk; defeated the legendary pirate Shiki; defeated former Marine Admiral Zephyr; and even forced the Hero of the Marines, Garp, to retreat. In this era, how many could claim such feats? Forget ordinary pirates—even the Four Emperors hadn't pulled off that exact combination.
Of course, that didn't mean Arton was stronger than the Four Emperors. But it did suggest his power was already approaching their league. If Arton now rallied a pirate crew of sufficient strength, he might well be able to challenge any one of the Four Emperors.
"Scary stuff," Borsalino murmured. "He's been at sea for less than half a year and he's already racked up that kind of record."
"It isn't just raw strength," Aokiji added with a frown. "His actions are brazen too. Even the Four Emperors would think twice before tangling with the Celestial Dragons… yet Arton doesn't care who they are. If they cross him, he strikes."
"Such a dangerous element must be eliminated," Akainu said coldly.
"A captain with a 3 billion bounty, with every crewmate over 100 million—that kind of pirate group can practically swagger their way across the entire first half of the Grand Line," Aokiji said. "If they choose to make trouble there, the impact could be extremely severe. Fleet Admiral Sengoku, we should move against them quickly."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, allow me to accompany Admiral Kuzan," came a new voice. "Against a pirate crew this vicious, having one more man increases our odds of capturing them cleanly."
It was Tokikake, an admiral candidate. He paused, then added through gritted teeth, "That Arton actually dared to toy with Vice Admiral Momousagi. I will never forgive him."
As he spoke, a flash of anger crossed Tokikake's face and his fists clenched unconsciously. Those present glanced his way; they all understood his eagerness. After all, Tokikake's feelings for Momousagi were no secret at Marine Headquarters.
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