As the News Bird flapped its wings across the skies of the East Blue, newspapers bearing the headline "Celestial Dragon Attacked! Mysterious Strongman Kidnaps Shalria" scattered like snowflakes, stirring unrest across the world.
Within just a few days, the news had spread across the seas. Drunkards in bars, sailors on ships, even pirates in the Calm Belt were all talking about this audacious man named Bahr.
Some called him insane, others hailed him as a hero. Regardless, Bahr had become an overnight sensation, a name now known far and wide!
In the East Blue, aboard an ornately decorated cruise ship, Nami in her red evening gown stared in shock at the newspaper. Half the front page was dominated by a bounty poster featuring a young man with a radiant smile.
"Isn't this 'Yanzu'? Why is he called 'Bahr' now? And how did he attack a World Noble?"
Nami's fingers trembled slightly as she gripped the newspaper, recalling their intimate encounters. She gritted her teeth and cursed inwardly: "That bastard! He actually dared to lie to me!"
But soon, Nami's anger deflated. It was clear to her now—Yanzu had just been an alias, a facade to conceal his true identity.
Why? Well, they were just passing ships in the night. Who sailing the seas didn't have a few fake names?
Even so, a trace of worry lingered in Nami's heart. Attacking a World Noble—that show-off was really playing with fire this time, likely to get himself killed.
"Beautiful lady, may I have this dance?" A young man in a champagne-colored tuxedo bowed, offering a champagne flute.
Nami took a deep breath, tucked away the newspaper, and flashed her professional sweet smile. As she placed her hand in his, her peripheral vision caught the churning waves outside. She cursed inwardly: "That idiot Bahr—who cares if he lives or dies!"
Meanwhile, under the coconut trees of Cocoyasi Village, Nojiko stared at the newspaper photo in equal shock.
But Nojiko didn't care about the name. Having been helped by Bahr and sharing a close relationship with him, she instinctively tightened her grip on the newspaper and murmured, "I hope Mr. Bahr stays safe."
Calm Belt—Amazon Lily.
In the opulent palace, Boa Hancock sat regally upon her throne. Her jet-black hime-cut hair cascaded over her shoulders, her deep blue eyes cold yet captivating. Snake-shaped earrings swayed gently with her movements, while her purple qipao embroidered with dragons, phoenixes, and cranes accentuated her alluring figure.
"He actually dared to attack a Celestial Dragon!" Her fingers clenched around the newspaper, nails digging into her palm as she gritted her teeth. "And he kidnapped one..."
Hancock knew all too well the cruelty of the Celestial Dragons and understood that attacking one meant declaring war on the entire World Government. Yet she never expected someone this foolish to exist.
Staring at the words "kidnapped a Celestial Dragon," for some reason, as she looked at Bahr's radiant smile in the photo, her ears burned. She abruptly turned her face away but couldn't resist stealing another glance.
"Pass down my orders—keep close watch on this man Bahr's movements!" Suppressing the strange feeling in her chest, she regained her empress-like composure, her voice icy and decisive. Yet the faint blush on her cheeks as she turned away betrayed her.
....
A month had passed. Fully aware of the gravity of his actions, Bahr had left the Kingdom of Saintland and taken the least-traveled routes, weaving countless detours before finally hiding on this obscure island in the East Blue.
Now, sitting by the window of a small inn, Bahr rubbed his temples in frustration as he stared at the newspaper featuring his unmistakable photo.
All he'd wanted was to live a carefree life—how had he ended up the center of attention?
The thought made him tug irritably at his collar. Suddenly, his brow furrowed, and he lashed out with a kick, snarling, "How many times do I have to teach you? Are you really this stupid?!"
If not for this woman, he wouldn't be in this mess.
"I'm sorry, Master. I was wrong. Please forgive me."
Shalria crashed heavily into a cabinet, her face contorted in pain. Yet she didn't dare even whimper, scrambling onto her hands and knees to prostrate herself, forehead pressed firmly to the floor, her trembling voice thick with fear.
"Get over here." Bahr's gaze was as sharp as a blade as it swept over her.
Shalria crawled frantically to his feet. When she looked up, there was an odd glint in her eyes.
Bahr looked down at the groveling Shalria, a mocking sneer curling his lips. So much for the lofty Celestial Dragon—under the weight of his power, she was nothing more than a whimpering dog.
For the past month, Shalria had lived in terror of Bahr's every whim. A delayed response, a voice too soft—any misstep earned her a beating. The once-arrogant Celestial Dragon who referred to herself as "this princess" now trembled at a single glance from him.
Of course, he didn't just torment her endlessly. If she pleased him, he'd "magnanimously" reward or comfort her.
Pity her? Hardly. This was just the Celestial Dragons' own medicine served back to them. Bahr was simply giving them a taste of their own cruelty.
That said, the woman did have her charms—a delicate face and a curvaceous figure. Seeing the once-tyrannical Celestial Dragon reduced to begging at his feet had vented much of his pent-up fury.
Totally worth it!
Bahr exhaled and returned to the newspaper. Then, a photo of Monkey D. Luffy, straw hat and all, grinning widely, caught his eye.
Straw Hat had set sail! His bounty was still 30 million Berries!
Thinking back, Luffy must have set sail in the year 1520 of the Sea Circle Calendar. Defeating Buggy, wiping out the Krieg Pirates, even taking down Axe-Hand Morgan—those were expected. But what was this about annihilating Arlong's crew? Hadn't Bahr already destroyed them?
Then again, the real issue wasn't how many pirates he defeated—it was how much he pissed off the Marines!
Bahr didn't dwell on it. Instead, his thoughts turned to that sly little thief, Nami. Had she still ended up on Straw Hat's crew?
The idea nagged at him, but he quickly shook it off. No matter how much chaos Luffy caused, what did it have to do with him?
Tossing the newspaper aside, Bahr began pondering his own survival.
Pissing off the World Government was serious business. Navy Admirals could come after him at any moment—hell, even the God's Knights might get involved. With CP agents everywhere across the four seas, hiding forever wasn't an option.
Disappear into the wilderness?
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. After crossing into this world, was he really doomed to live like a rat, hiding in some backwater like a hermit?
No way. He wasn't some old geezer like Rayleigh. Young and full of vigor, he couldn't stand that kind of life.
In that case, the only option was the Grand Line!
The first half of the Grand Line was under heavy World Government control—no place for Bahr. But the second half, the "New World," was the territory of the Four Emperors, where the World Government's reach was limited.
Sure, the New World was packed with powerhouses, but that was still better than being hunted by Navy Admirals. He'd just keep a low profile and avoid trouble.
"Decision made!"
Bahr steeled his resolve. If he was going to die, he'd die facing the sky!