Grand Line, New World.
Moby Dick.
Whitebeard Edward Newgate once stood alongside Pirate King Gol D. Roger and Golden Lion Shiki as the three legendary pirates.
As a top-tier figure in the pirate world.
In this sea where the Pirate King has been executed and the Golden Lion is locked in Impel Down, Whitebeard has been dubbed the World's Strongest Man, becoming the first emperor of the sea after the Great Pirate Era began.
"Pops, Pops, big news!"
Marco, with his pineapple hairstyle, handed the newly bought newspaper to Whitebeard.
"Pops, Seven, that kid from Roger's ship who cooked really well, has a one billion bounty."
Whitebeard looked closely; the front-page headline featured Barzeb Seven, showing his profile and chin along with his signature white hair.
"Gurararara."
Thinking of the fine wine brewed by the White-Haired Kid chef, a smile touched the corners of Whitebeard's mouth; back then, that little guy used three bottles of fine wine to trade for a tuft of his beard.
It truly left both crews' jaws on the floor.
"Has the Seven kid set out to sea as well?"
"A billion bounty, that's incredible."
"But it's a bit strange," Marco added. "It doesn't say what Seven did."
Normally, newspapers would provide extensive coverage of a wanted pirate's deeds to serve as a reference for the Marine's bounty issuance.
An anomaly like a billion-bounty reward with nothing written about the reasons was extremely rare.
One must realize that a billion bounty now wasn't the same as when Luffy set out twenty years later; its weight was on a completely different level.
After a moment of thought, Marco voiced his suspicion.
"It probably has something to do with the World Government."
"Gurararara." Whitebeard patted Marco's shoulder. "Go prepare a banquet to celebrate our Chef Seven's name spreading across the four seas."
Back then, Roger had asked Whitebeard to let the Second Division Commander, Oden, join his ship to help, and Whitebeard had joked: trade him for the little chef, Seven.
He hadn't expected Roger to kneel immediately, and Oden himself agreed, so Whitebeard had to let it go.
Whitebeard had two great loves in his life: family above all else and a passion for wine. Seven, who was skilled at brewing and a master chef, was practically the son of his dreams.
Unfortunately, the timing wasn't right, and Roger got to him first.
On this sea, whether happy or not, holding a banquet was the most important thing.
Led by their "Pops," Whitebeard, his sons gathered around him, raising glasses, singing, and dancing.
Only a fat black man, upon learning the banquet was to celebrate Seven's bounty breaking a billion, suddenly clutched his cheek, feeling a terrible toothache.
Those two missing teeth—three had been kicked out by the Red-Nosed Kid and the Red Hair kid working together, and two of them were picked up by the White-Haired Kid.
And then he wouldn't even admit it afterward, damn it!
The key was that he didn't find them even after a body search, how infuriating!
Teach stared expressionlessly at the profile on the newspaper: the Rumble-Rumble Fruit was quite a good ability, but unfortunately, it was a Logia type, just like the Dark-Dark Fruit.
"A guy like that... already has a billion bounty."
"When will my time to shine come?"
"Teach, come over and drink!"
The moment the shout rang out behind him, Teach switched to a simple, honest smile: "Coming, Thatch."
...East Blue, Windmill Village Islands.
Orange Town waters.
Buggy lay on the deck of his pirate ship, using his Chop-Chop Big Slap toward the sky, skillfully snatching a passing News Coo and taking the newspaper.
"Let Captain Buggy see..."
Snow-white hair, a sculpted profile, a refined chin... the moment they came into view, Buggy's entire body instantly split into dozens of segments.
"Seven... a billion?!!!"
Buggy rubbed his eyes, fearing he had misread the number, and when he saw the large characters printed on the front-page headline, he froze in shock.
[Barzeb Seven, former member of the Roger Pirates, bounty: one billion, Dead or Alive!]
In the most inconspicuous corner of the newspaper, Buggy finally found the small print regarding his own bounty.
[Buggy, Captain of the Buggy Pirates, active in the Windmill Village Islands of the East Blue, bounty: 5 million.]
A billion vs. five million—the massive gap didn't make Buggy feel bad; instead, he felt gratified that his good brother's name was known across the seas.
"As expected of Seven!"
"He's much stronger than Shanks."
Thinking of Shanks, half of Buggy's good mood vanished, and he even got red with anger.
If Shanks hadn't changed his mind two years ago and they had successfully formed a pirate crew together, then invited Seven aboard, their combined strength might have allowed them to become the Pirate King.
How could it be like this now—
There was no word from Shanks, who was wandering in some corner of the world, while he, Buggy, was stuck in the Weakest Sea, the East Blue, living day to day by digging for treasure.
Only Seven's billion bounty was famous across the sea.
Two years ago, Buggy had gone to the Grand Line's Paradise, trying to catch up with Seven's footsteps... but now, Buggy had changed his mind.
Buggy was afraid: Seven would reject him just like Shanks did.
After all, Seven had been with the Captain and the others when they reached the Final Island, Raftel... so, what if Seven didn't plan to inherit Captain Roger's will?
He had already broken ties with Shanks; he couldn't afford to fall out with his last good brother too.
If Seven had plans to form a pirate crew in the future, he would consider whether to join him then. Buggy wasn't good at fighting, but he was good at making money!
As long as Buggy had enough treasure maps, he could dig up the treasures of the whole world... West Blue, Amazon Lily.
On a small wooden boat that looked like a coffin, Mihawk put down the newspaper, a sharp light flashing in his hawk-like eyes.
"A billion, not bad."
The two-year period was up. After challenging the last Great Swordsman, it would be time to reunite with the Captain.
Over the past two years, Mihawk had wielded the black blade yoru across the Grand Line, from Paradise to the New World, challenging various master swordsmen and remaining undefeated through nearly a hundred battles.
He felt somewhat like a lonely seeker of defeat.
His target for this trip was Issho, thirty-two years old.
He was a Paramecia-type Zushi Zushi no Mi user, possessing the gamblers fireline, one of the supreme grade swords, and was a rare expert.
As he approached the peak of swordsmanship, the opponents on this sea who could excite Mihawk were as rare as phoenix feathers, becoming fewer and fewer.
Perhaps for the rest of his life, only Captain Barzeb Seven would be qualified to be his opponent.
"I am not alone on this path."
Mihawk felt extremely fortunate that the Captain he chose was also a swordsman, possessing a mysterious supreme grade blade no inferior to the black blade yoru.
The only regret was not having any Sweet Iced Black Tea to drink over these two years.
Moreover, the food on the sea... compared to Seven's cooking, it was ultimately lacking. Mihawk belatedly realized that his palate seemed to have been spoiled by Seven.
Steering the small wooden boat steadily into the port, Mihawk carried the black blade yoru on his back and strode into Amazon Lily according to the gathered intelligence.
It was said that Issho was addicted to gambling, so he should be in a casino right now.