Yami wished he could seize the Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit immediately and push his strength even further.
Unfortunately, someone wouldn't let him have his way.
That someone was the Golden Lion.
Because the Golden Lion wasn't home.
For the sake of his comeback plan, the Golden Lion was forever rushing about and often away from his base.
So Yami could only pass the time traveling and having fun while waiting for the Golden Lion to return.
While Yami and his companions wandered, Aokiji finally made it back to Marine Headquarters.
"From above, the idea is to take Nico Robin at Sabaody and, in the process, net those two top-tier Logias in one sweep."
In the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku was discussing the next plan with Aokiji. "I've notified Borsalino. He's on his way back to HQ. The Five Elders will send the CP organization to assist. If necessary, even the Holy Knights will deploy."
"The Holy Knights?" Aokiji was slightly taken aback.
"Yes. The higher-ups take this very seriously."
Sengoku's face was grave. "Whether it's Nico Robin or those two top-tier Logias, they are immense potential threats. We absolutely cannot let them enter that chaotic, strongest sea. If they grow there, the balance in the New World will change."
"To enter the New World, they must get coated at the Sabaody Archipelago. That may be our one excellent chance."
Hearing this, Aokiji offered a reminder. "Sabaody is one of the largest archipelagos in the world. Finding them won't be easy."
"I checked the Devil Fruit encyclopedia. The Rumble-Rumble Fruit is said to have a radio-wave type ability. Even without Observation Haki, its sensing is astonishing."
"If they truly hide, or if I make a grand show of searching, we might startle the snake and lose the chance."
Sengoku seemed to have expected this and smiled. "We have their photos and we know their names."
"We won't need to look. The hyenas and sea scum on that island will look for us."
"So that's how it is."
Aokiji understood, then smiled. "In that case, the bounties can't be too high, or we'll scare off the hyenas. But they can't be too low either, or they won't become targets for everyone."
"Mm."
Sengoku nodded, pondered for a few seconds, and gave two numbers.
The next day, one news article and two wanted posters shook the world.
The headline was simple and direct: "Escaped a Marine Admiral and Defeated a Warlord: Two Super Rookies!"
On the front page were two wanted posters, one man and one woman.
The man was named Yami, epithet Black Hole, a Logia Dark-Dark Fruit user, bounty 546,000,000 Berries, Dead or Alive.
In his poster photo, Yami raised his hand and condensed a black hole.
Like the title "Gold" before Roger became Pirate King, Yami's epithet was simple and unadorned, yet it showed how seriously the Marines regarded him.
Aokiji had chosen it, taken from that extremely dangerous black hole that could become the nightmare of all Logia users.
The woman was Nami, epithet Railgun, a Logia Rumble-Rumble Fruit user.
That epithet was also chosen by Aokiji, taken from Nami's strongest finisher.
That orange beam that pierced Gecko Moria in an instant and vanished into the sky had left an indelible impression on him.
Nami's bounty was 373,000,000 Berries, Dead or Alive.
In her poster photo, Nami held a golden staff, blue-white lightning arcing around her.
The article did not detail Yami's battle with Aokiji, nor did it mention that Yami nearly took Aokiji down.
After all, Marine Admirals are the highest combat power of Headquarters and the face of justice. Even if Aokiji were willing to sacrifice his reputation, Sengoku would not agree.
So in the article it became Yami's escape, in the Marine and World Government's usual style.
Besides, if the article said Yami fought Aokiji to a standstill and nearly defeated him, the bounty couldn't possibly be that low, or the Marines would lose face.
Would that mean a Marine Admiral is worth only 546,000,000 Berries?
Unlike Yami, Nami took up most of the article.
Because the Rumble-Rumble Fruit is considered the strongest Logia, it hadn't appeared for many years and had become a legendary power.
Sengoku recalled Borsalino mainly to deal with Nami.
To this end, Sengoku had to elevate Nami's threat to win the Five Elders' approval, sacrificing a Warlord in the process.
Gecko Moria, defeated by a newcomer, was stripped of his title as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Nami became famous in a single battle.
Their first bounties set a new record for the highest initial bounties since the dawn of the Great Pirate Era.
For a time, both halves of the Grand Line and all four seas were abuzz with talk of Yami and Nami.
East Blue, Cocoyasi Village.
"Pff!"
Genzo, the resident policeman, finished his morning patrol and, as usual, took the day's newspaper back to his office to drink tea and read.
When he opened the paper and saw the headline, the tea in his mouth sprayed out.
Then he stared, eyes bulging as if they might pop out.
Only after a long while did he let out a cry. "Na… Nami!"
Like Genzo, the villagers of Cocoyasi Village were all dumbstruck.
When they came back to their senses, the whole village erupted.
"My god, Nami's actually been given a bounty!"
"I saw it too. That number is terrifying!"
"Three hundred seventy-three million Berries. Even Arlong didn't have a fraction of that. And that captain's bounty is even scarier."
"Hahaha. The mother was a Marine, the daughter became a pirate. If Bell-mère knew about this, what would she think?"
"Our Cocoyasi Village has produced a big name!"
Amid the villagers' voices, Nojiko, wearing an apron, looked at the photo of the spirited girl wreathed in lightning, as if she commanded thunder itself. She tipped her head to the sky and smiled softly. "As long as you're happy out there, that's wonderful, Nami."
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