"Those people fell from the sky—are they even human?! No… they're giants!"
"Giants in the South Blue? That's impossible!"
"Wait—look at that one carrying a whole ship! That's Sanjuan Wolf, the Evil Giant of the West Sea!"
The small port town erupted in panic. Even the tavern owner, the same man who had just been handed a gold coin, trembled so hard that his teeth chattered.
"Run! Run for your lives!" someone screamed.
"It's them—the pirates from the bounties!"
"The Sharn Pirates! The madmen who committed unspeakable crimes in the West Blue!"
"They destroyed Flower Country and O'Hara!"
Within seconds, the streets emptied. The sound of doors slamming echoed through the quiet, dusty air.
Kuzan's Defiance
Amid the chaos, the boy from before—Kuzan, still clutching his bread—sat down and took a huge bite.
"If I'm gonna die," he muttered between mouthfuls, "might as well die full."
He ate like someone who hadn't had a decent meal in weeks. The eleven-year-old had lived most of his life in poverty, surviving in this forgotten South Blue island abandoned by its kingdom. Though officially under the Sorbet Kingdom, they were the outcasts—unprotected and unwanted.
"You eat fast," Sharn observed, towering over him. "Not afraid you'll choke?"
Kuzan glanced up. "Doesn't matter. You'll just kill me anyway, right?"
"Kill you?" Sharn raised a brow. "Who said that?"
The captain was genuinely puzzled. Why did everyone assume he went around slaughtering people?
Kuzan swallowed another bite and started listing—
"I read about you in the papers! You freed the two West Sea giants from Marine custody—escaped from the rising supernova Dragon!"
"You killed Chinjao of the Happo Navy—burned his bones to ash!"
"You fought Whitebeard Newgate and destroyed a whole port!"
"You abducted Dr. Clover and kidnapped scholar Olivia from O'Hara!"
"You escaped from Fleet Vice Admiral Sengoku and Hero Garp!"
"Every one of you's got a bounty over a hundred million!"
He tore another chunk of bread, glaring as he chewed. "You're monsters."
The crew exchanged looks. Sharn rubbed his neck. "So that's what they're saying, huh?"
Behind him, Olivia blinked. "Wait—I was kidnapped?" She still couldn't believe she'd survived the fall from the sky. "If only the scholars could see what we found on Skypiea…"
Moria burst into laughter. "Ha! Over a hundred million each! I knew it!"
Kuzan squinted. "Who are you?"
Moria puffed up. "Me? The Great Moria!"
Kuzan chewed calmly. "Oh. The errand boy. Your bounty's like… thirty thousand."
The words hit Moria like a cannonball. "Th—thirty thousand?!"
"Yeah," Kuzan said. "We've got a mountain bandit here worth more than that."
Moria deflated instantly. "I swear… I'll go back home with a billion bounty someday!"
Urouge watched him silently. For him, the word "bounty" meant little — adventure was enough.
A Reputation Misunderstood
"Seems the world holds us in high regard," Sharn said dryly. "For a pirate, that's… an achievement."
He stretched his shoulders. "We'll resupply here, then move on."
"This island's poor," he added. "Is there a richer one nearby?"
Kuzan went silent. He didn't want another island ruined.
Sharn sighed. "Come on, I paid for my meal. You think I don't pay elsewhere?"
Gold coins shimmered in his palm.
"Our island belongs to the Sorbet Kingdom," Kuzan said finally. "It's a member of the World Government… but it's far. Three days by sea."
Olivia's eyes lit up. "Sorbet Kingdom? They pay the Heavenly Tribute… interesting."
Kuzan's face darkened. "They're talking about abandoning half the population—to starve."
Sharn's smile faded. "Three days' sail, huh? That's our next stop."
Departure
Sanjuan Wolf lowered the ship into the sea. The crew began loading provisions, tossing more gold toward the stunned townsfolk.
From the docks, Kuzan watched in disbelief.
They were paying for what they took.
Olivia wasn't chained — she looked free, content even.
Compared to himself — a boy stealing food — the pirates looked… decent.
Before he realized it, his legs were moving. He sprinted after them and jumped aboard the deck.
Behind him, the tavern keeper rushed to the pier.
"Kuzan! Get back here, you'll die out there!"
"Idiot boy, come back! I'll feed you! You can work for me later!"
Kuzan's heart raced. He didn't know why he was doing this — only that his legs moved faster than thought.
"Destination: Sorbet Kingdom," Sharn called. The ship began to move.
Onshore, the mayor trembled as he picked up the transponder snail.
"Hello, Marine branch? We… we have a kidnapping! A child named Kuzan was taken—by the Sharn Pirates! They fell from the sky!"
The officer on the other end hung up immediately.
"What nonsense," he muttered. "Sharn's crew crossing the Red Line? Impossible."
But as the sea wind blew through the Marine office, the wanted poster on his desk fluttered — "Rona D. Sharn — Wanted Dead or Alive."
Their whereabouts: Unknown.
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