"The blue raccoon cat?"
The bunny girl was a little puzzled. She did not ask more questions. She led Nobita to a black counter at the end of the corridor.
Nobita looked at the Falling Gull bounty posters on the walls. A portrait at the end showed a pink-haired girl. The text read: Karina Sol, Falling Gull Bounty, 100 million Berries, capture alive only. * Who wants her alive? * Nobita thought.
He walked to the counter. A long-haired man with copper-colored burns on his face stood there. As Nobita approached, a tall man in a black cloak turned and left. Nobita saw the counter's log. Karina's bounty had increased by 500 million Berries. * That cloaked man raised her bounty, * Nobita thought. He watched him vanish into the crowd.
"Who are you hunting? How much?" the man asked. His voice was sharp.
Nobita showed a photo of Doraemon. "This cat. Capture alive."
Mafei arrived with 300 million Berries. He smiled wide. Nobita said, "The bounty is 200 million Berries."
Mafei's smile faded. Most of the money was gone. He stayed quiet. Nobita had earned his trust by defeating Miller.
The man spoke. "We take 5 percent as a fee. The rest funds the bounty. Here is a Life Card for the next event island." He handed Nobita a Life Card, a paper that burns if its owner dies. He looked at Doraemon's photo, puzzled by the blue cat.
Nobita took the card and left the tavern. He stepped onto the busy street.
"Mafei, get these things," Nobita said. He listed supplies and took 100 million Berries from the remaining money. They set a time to board the ship. Nobita turned to leave.
Mafei froze. He stared at Nobita. "Captain, are you not afraid we will steal the money and betray you?"
Nobita stopped. He thought for a moment. His face showed worry and calm. "If you want to betray me, I cannot stop you, can I?"
He walked into the town. Mafei's eyes filled with tears. Loyalty meant everything in the One Piece world. "Captain, I will not betray you!" he shouted. He ran to the market.
Nobita strolled through the streets. He used some Berries to buy snacks. Coralshade Island was busy with golden pine nut season. Townspeople picked nuts in the forests. Nobita bought a cup of ice gold pine nut milk tea. It was sweet and cool.
A crowd gathered. Men pointed and whispered. "Look, it is Lieutenant Karina!" one said. "So beautiful!" said another.
Nobita saw Marines marching down the street. A pink-haired figure led them. "Why her again?" he muttered. He turned to leave.
"Stop!" Karina's voice called, sharp and playful. A golden pine cone flew past Nobita's face. It smashed a stone jar on the street. Pieces scattered.
Nobita turned slowly. He raised his hands. He forced a smile. "What a coincidence, Karina. We meet again."
Karina stood among the Marines. She wore a long blue dress. Her pink hair fell to her waist. Sana held a flowered parasol over her. Karina smirked.
"Surround him," she ordered.
"Yes!" Seven Marines closed in. Nobita's milk tea nearly spilled.
"I am not a pirate now," Nobita said. "You do not have to do this."
Karina stepped closer. She shook her finger. "Hard to say." Her eyes locked on Nobita's bulging backpack. "What is in there?"