Inside the Fleet Admiral's office at Marineford, Sengoku paced back and forth, his mind racing.
"Seriously injuring a Celestial Dragon, repelling a Marine Admiral, destroying the escort ship... and an unprecedented ability, making him look like some kind of experimental subject..." The fragments of information spun like gears in Sengoku's mind. "Red-Haired Shanks… what exactly are you planning?"
The image of the red-haired Yonko became clearer in his thoughts—a former apprentice on Roger's crew, a man of unfathomable potential, and someone with a mysterious connection to the Celestial Dragons himself.
"Could it be? Did you find some ancient secret technology and use it to create a monster that can overturn the world?!"
A powerful sense of crisis seized the brilliant strategist. Without hesitation, he grabbed the encrypted Transponder Snail on his desk and connected to the special line that led to the pinnacle of world power—Pangea Castle in Mary Geoise.
"Immediately! Connect me to the Five Elders! Fleet Admiral Sengoku has a top-level, urgent military report!" he commanded. "It's regarding Takero, the assailant who attacked Saint Rosward, and... the potentially more dangerous figure behind him—Red-Haired Shanks!"
In Mary Geoise, inside the Room of Authority, five shadowy figures listened silently like cold stone statues as Fleet Admiral Sengoku delivered his report. When the key pieces of information—"Red-Haired Shanks and Takero are suspected of having a close connection" and "the Red Hair Pirates retreated at full speed immediately after the incident"—reached their ears, the eternal silence in the room was finally broken. A heavy atmosphere, like an approaching storm, filled the air.
"...Shanks?" An old, cold voice was the first to speak, carrying a hint of complex emotion. "That 'rebel' from the Figarland family… what is he trying to do?"
"And what is the relationship between this mysterious kid in the report and him?" another voice asked, filled with scrutiny.
"This is no coincidence!" a third voice stated firmly. "His presence there is a huge variable in itself."
"A human weapon...?" a fourth voice mused, turning to one of the other figures in the shadows. "Saturn, what are your thoughts on this? Could it be... related to him?"
As they spoke, all attention focused on the Warrior God of Science and Defense, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn. At that moment, Saturn's mind was also in turmoil, filled with doubt. His "Pacifista" project was indeed underway—a massive undertaking centered around Vegapunk's research, attempting to replicate the power of Borsalino's Glint-Glint Fruit and mass-produce it as a weapon of war.
However, the project was still in its early stages. They hadn't even finalized the most suitable person to carry the ability. How could Shanks, all the way in the North Blue, already have such an "achievement"? A young "weapon" capable of clashing with an Admiral and possessing such bizarre powers?
Suppressing the shock in his heart, Saint Saturn spoke slowly, his voice having an almost metallic quality. "No matter what the origin of that mysterious kid is, the 'rebel' from the Figarland family can't escape responsibility! He is either the mastermind behind this incident or... a key informant!"
The Five Elders' discussion quickly centered on Red-Haired Shanks. Takero's strange power was certainly shocking, but Shanks's involvement was like a giant boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly turning the ripples into a storm of conspiracy. A "monster" youth with infinite potential, combined with a complex figure who possessed Celestial Dragon blood but chose to become a great pirate... this combination made the Five Elders, who had ruled the world for eight hundred years, feel a faint sense of unease.
"If that's the case," the Warrior God of Agriculture, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, said in a deep voice, "issuing a high bounty is necessary. It's a warning to Shanks and a necessary show of force. But the charges... need to be worded carefully." He looked at his colleagues. "The incident of attacking a Celestial Dragon damages the supreme authority of the World Government. It must never be publicly announced as the reason for the bounty."
After a brief silence, voices of agreement echoed through the Room of Authority.
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"I concur."
Meanwhile, in a hidden forest that served as the headquarters of the World Economic Journal, its president, Morgans, watched the first-hand information sent back by his subordinates. His feathers trembled with excitement, and his eyes radiated a fanatical glow.
"Big news! This is truly earth-shattering big news!" He flapped his wings, pacing excitedly in his office, which was piled high with manuscripts. "Those old geezers in the World Government must be frantically trying to cover this up right now! Hehe, but I'm going to tear your disguise wide open!"
He suddenly stopped in front of his desk, his huge bird beak splitting into an excited grin as he issued a high-pitched command to his busy employees. "My lads! Put this report on the front page, top headline! Use the biggest font! The most eye-catching title! I want tomorrow's newspaper to sweep across the entire sea like a tsunami!"
"Hahaha! Excellent! A calm sea needs a stormy wave like this to be exciting!"
Amidst his wild laughter, the front-page headline was personally approved by Morgans:
[SHOCKING! MYSTERIOUS YOUTH STRIKES HARD!]
—Celestial Dragon Attacked! Marine Vice Admiral & Admiral Candidate Kizaru Repeatedly Thwarted!
—Warlord "Heavenly Yaksha" Doflamingo Ends in Disastrous Defeat!
The massive machinery of the World Economic Journal roared to life. The scent of ink mixed with the rustling of paper as copies of newspapers carrying the explosive news were rapidly printed and bundled. Countless News Coos took flight from bases all over the world, carrying the message that would stir up the seas and rushing to every corner of the globe.
The next morning, back in the Room of Authority in Mary Geoise.
"Bang—!"
With a loud crash, the fist of the Warrior God of Justice, Saint Topman Warcury, slammed heavily onto the thick tabletop, making the teacups rattle.
"Morgans! That damned mad bird! How dare he be so reckless!" His beard trembled with anger. Just yesterday, they were discussing how to handle the matter "decently," but this morning, the scandal had already spread across the four seas with the newspaper. The World Government's reputation had been severely trampled.
"Calm down, Warcury," the Warrior God of Environment, Saint Marcus Mars, said, stroking his long, grizzled beard. "Morgans will do anything for news; this isn't the first time. It's just... his speed was unexpectedly fast this time. He caught us off guard."
"What he saw was merely a glimpse of the situation," Saint Saturn interjected coldly. "He doesn't know the true nature of that mysterious young man, nor does he understand the role Shanks plays in all this."
"Hmph!" The Warrior God of Finance, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, held his famous sword, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's from behind his spectacles. "An arrogant brat! The Figarland family should really discipline their unfilial descendant themselves!" His tone carried complex emotions regarding Shanks's Celestial Dragon lineage.
Warcury's anger hadn't faded. "And that good-for-nothing brat from the Donquixote family! The Warlord system was established to deter pirates, but now it's become a loophole that exposes our own weaknesses!"
"The immediate priority is damage control and reshaping public opinion," Saint Saturn's voice returned to a calm, commanding tone. "Since the news can't be contained and public opinion is already boiling... then we will shift all the focus onto Red-Haired Shanks."
He looked at his colleagues, outlining the plan clearly. "First, we significantly increase Red-Haired Shanks's bounty. This is the most direct response to showcase the World Government's power and prestige. Second, in all official statements and guided reports, we attribute the 'main responsibility' and 'mastermind' of these events—attacking a Celestial Dragon, repelling the Marines, defeating a Warlord—to Red-Haired Shanks and his pirate crew. We will downplay or even erase the specific image and role of that mysterious young man, Takero."
He paused, his voice turning grim. "We must conceal all information about the kid named Takero! His age, his abilities, his mysterious nature—if that becomes widely known, it could trigger uncontrollable chain reactions, severely impacting the existing order, and even... interfere with our crucial 'Pacifista' project! That is absolutely unacceptable!"
The other Elders understood perfectly. The idea of a ten-year-old boy being the cause of such world-shaking turmoil was far more dangerous and unpredictable than letting Shanks take all the blame. While Shanks was also a major problem, he was at least a "known" threat who operated within the existing rules of the sea. By having him take the fall, the various powers of the world, though shocked, would find the news easier to "understand" and "accept."
After a brief discussion, the strategy was set. The Five Elders' gaze seemed to pierce through space itself, landing on the red-haired man.
"Then..." Saint Saturn's voice concluded the emergency meeting, declaring the World Government's official response. "It's decided... It's all on Red-Haired Shanks!"
On the Grand Line, in an unknown sea, a massive ship that looked like a giant steel whale—the Moby Dick—was anchored quietly on the azure water. On the main mast, the pirate flag with the iconic white crescent-mustache skull fluttered in the wind, proclaiming the ship's owner: the strongest man in the world, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, and his Whitebeard Pirates.
On the deck, Marco, the First Division Commander and ship's doctor, walked up to the mountain of a man, holding today's newspaper and several brand-new bounty posters.
"Pops," Marco's voice held a hint of surprise, "we've got the latest news. That kid Shanks... he's stirred up a huge storm! The paper says he attacked a Celestial Dragon and even repelled Admiral candidate Kizaru!" He handed the newspaper over.
"Gurararara—!" Whitebeard erupted in a booming laugh that seemed to make the entire deck tremble. "That brat Shanks?! Well done! He's got guts! He's worthy of being on Roger's crew!" He laughed heartily, casually grabbing a giant bottle of sake and gulping it down.
"Hey, hey! Pops!" Marco immediately frowned like a worried mother. "Didn't I tell you to drink less? Your body..."
"Nonsense! I'm Whitebeard!" Whitebeard waved his hand grandly, taking another large gulp as if to prove he was still in his prime. "This little bit of sake isn't even enough to wet my throat!"
Marco sighed helplessly, knowing he couldn't change his captain's stubbornness. "And there's this," he said, pulling out the bounty posters. "The World Government has raised his bounty by a lot, and his crew's bounties have all gone up, too. Tsk tsk, it's truly exaggerated."
Whitebeard took the posters, glanced at Shanks's skyrocketing amount, and laughed again. "Gurararara! See, Marco? That kid's bounty has surpassed yours now! Your position as 'First Division Commander' isn't looking too stable!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know, Pops," Marco replied with a wry smile.
As Whitebeard flipped through the posters, his hand suddenly stopped. He pulled out one that was clearly new, pointing a thick finger at the portrait on it. "Hmm? This kid... is he a new face on Red Hair's ship? I've never seen him before."
Marco leaned in to look. The poster showed a black-haired young man with an arrogant smile and disdainful eyes. He took it and read the description at the bottom. "'Red Hair Pirates member, Mink Tribe, Takero'? He must be a new recruit. I didn't expect Shanks to take on such a young Mink boy. According to this, his ability seems pretty peculiar... 'Suspected Mythical Zoan'?"
The bounty poster clearly printed:
[Red Hair Pirates Member - Mink Tribe, Takero]
Characteristics: Black-haired youth, arrogant smile, possesses peculiar abilities (suspected Mythical Zoan of the Mink Tribe).
Notes: Must be captured alive!
Bounty: 30,000,000 Berries!
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard let out another hearty laugh, his eyes showing his excitement for the younger generation. "A Mink kid? Interesting! Each generation is truly more incredible than the last! The future of this sea won't be lonely!"
On another isolated island in the Grand Line, the Red Hair Pirates' ship, the Red Force, was temporarily docked. Yasopp, the crew's sniper, ran excitedly toward Shanks, who was sitting on a reef with a desolate look on his face.
"Oh, oh! Boss! Look! Your bounty went up again! It's skyrocketing! And thanks to you, all the brothers' bounties have gone up too!" Yasopp's tone was filled with the kind of excitement only a pirate could have for such news.
For most pirates, a higher bounty meant more fame and power—something worth celebrating with a feast. However, Shanks's mood was the complete opposite of celebratory.
"Don't bother me..." he waved his hand weakly, his voice drained of all spirit. "Just let me... be alone..."
Clutched tightly in his hand was the very bounty poster that had thrown him into the spotlight. It declared his "heinous crimes" in bold type:
[World-Class Heinous Incident · Ambri Island Mastermind - Red-Haired Shanks!]
Charges: Attacking World Nobles! Attacking Marine Forces! Openly challenging World Government authority!
Disposition: Dead or Alive!
Bounty: 700,000,000 Berries!
Shanks painfully clutched his forehead, feeling his head buzz. "I just wanted to... sail peacefully... pursue the Captain's dream... and now..."
He looked up at the turbulent sea, his eyes filled with utter despair. "Besides that little devil Takero desperately chasing me... now even those old immortals in Mary Geoise... have completely set their sights on me!!!"
Benn Beckman, the first mate, had walked up beside him at some point. He slowly exhaled a perfect smoke ring and said blandly, "Congratulations, Captain. Your worth has skyrocketed, and your name now shakes the seas."
Shanks said nothing.
A great sadness welled up in his heart. He looked at the endless, churning sea, wanting to cry but unable to shed a single tear.
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