NOVEL NEXT Chapter 52: Chapter 52
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Grand Line
Somewhere on an island
Meanwhile, on the Grand Line, Mihawk lands on a deserted island and walks towards a camp where a group of people appear to be either waking up with a terrible hangover or still sleeping like a log.
As he approaches the group, those awake immediately become alert at Mihawk's presence.
"This is quite an unusual place for a man of your stature", Mihawk says, approaching without concern for their cautious reaction to him.
And then, from a hammock in the center of the camp, a tall, well-built man gets up, rubbing his forehead, trying to ease the hangover he was feeling.
"Hold on, everyone, lower your weapons, we're in the presence of a powerful Shichibukai, show some respect", Shanks says, still massaging his forehead.
"Sorry, Hawkeye, but I'm really not in the mood to fight today. Last night was rough, and I've got a killer hangover", Shanks says after pausing to recover.
"I'm not here to fight, especially when you're only half the man you used to be", Mihawk says, rolling his eyes.
"Heh, look at the nerve of this guy! Just so you know, I still beat the crap out of you, and with one arm tied behind my back. Pfthh... Dahahahahaha", Shanks starts laughing along with his team as he pretends to put his non-existent arm behind his back.
Mihawk rolls his eyes, then pulls a rolled-up poster from inside his coat and hands it to Shanks, saying, "The other day, I came across a boy from the East Blue who might interest you, the one you mentioned in the past."
Unrolling the wanted poster and seeing Luffy's smiling face, Shanks laughs happily, "Dahahaha, it's Luffy! Look how big he's gotten!"
"Haha, he did it! Luffy became a pirate", Lucky Roux says joyfully as he sees Luffy's face on the wanted poster.
"Not just that, he's the captain! And look at the size of this bounty", Benn Beckman says with a grin, taking a drag from his cigarette.
"Yeah, the kid made a big entrance, and look at that, my son's with him", Yasopp says, pointing to the image of Usopp, seen from the back in the picture.
"This calls for a celebration! Men, bring more booze and food! We're celebrating!", Shanks yells, holding the poster up high.
"I thought you said you had a hangover", Mihawk comments, intrigued.
"Relax, big sword, this is a big deal! It deserves a proper celebration. So stop being a drag and come have a drink with us", Shanks says, inviting Mihawk to join in the drinking.
"I suppose one drink won't hurt", Mihawk says before joining the Red-Haired Pirates' celebration.
=Scene Break=
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Grand Line, Ace laughs heartily as he looks at a wanted poster in his hands. "Ahahaha, look at this!"
"What are you looking at, Ace?", Marco, who was nearby, asks curiously.
"Check this out, Marco. My little brother finally set out to sea and already got his first bounty", Ace says proudly, showing Luffy's wanted poster to Marco.
"So this is the brother you keep talking about? Fifty million Berries on his first bounty? Not bad", Marco says, a bit impressed by Luffy's high starting bounty.
"Hehe", Ace just chuckles happily, puffing out his chest with pride for his little brother's accomplishment.
=Scene Break=
Meanwhile, entering the Grand Line through the Calm Belt, a large ship heads towards Water 7.
In the captain's quarters, we see Reiju sitting in an armchair, looking at Luffy's wanted poster with a slight smile on her face.
"We'll meet soon, Cap", she whispers, wishing time would pass faster so they could meet again.
=Scene Break=
Meanwhile, at the Baratie, "Chef Zeff, look at this! The Straw Hat got a bounty", Gin says as he enters the kitchen, holding a wanted poster in his hand and handing it to Zeff, who stops what he's doing to take a look.
"Fifty million? This little shit eats his fill in my restaurant, can't pay his bill, works for me for a day, breaks a bunch of plates, steals from my sous chef, and then runs off without paying what he owes," Zeff says angrily, before walking over to the poster, pinning it to a board and scrawling "Worst Employee This Establishment Has Ever Had" over it.
=Scene Break=
Meanwhile, in Old-Town, Maria comes running into the station, holding a wanted poster and a rolled-up newspaper in her hands.
As she bursts into the sheriff's office without knocking, Sheriff Jerson stops what he's doing and scolds her, "Maria, how many times have I told you not to just barge into my office without knocking first? What if I were in an important meeting?"
"But you weren't, so it's all good", Maria says, unbothered and unrepentant.
"...Sigh... What do you want, anyway? You know I'm busy, especially now that the town is restructuring. My desk is overflowing with paperwork", Jerson says with a tired sigh.
"Look at this! Big brother Luffy became a pirate and already got his first bounty!", Maria says, handing the newspaper and the wanted poster to Jerson.
"So the kid became a pirate, huh", Jerson says to himself as he reads the paper.
=Scene Break=
Meanwhile, back in Foosha Village, Dadan is drinking non-stop with the bandits and townsfolk, all gathered at Makino's bar to celebrate Luffy's first bounty.
"Bring more beer and food, Makino! This deserves a celebration", Dadan says after downing a large mug of beer.
"On it! I'm so happy Luffy's doing well. He looks so happy in the picture", Makino comments as she heads off to get more food and drinks.
"Yeah, who would've thought that brat would get a bounty this fast? And it's the biggest bounty in the East Blue", Dadan says, pleased with the troublemaking kid.
"I don't see why you're all so happy. This just brings a bad reputation to the village", Mayor Woop Slap says, looking grumpy.
"Stop being annoying, you wrinkled old man! bad reputation is still a reputation. At least now we'll be recognized", Dadan says, getting irritated.
"Stop arguing! What's important is that Luffy is happy", Makino says, returning with more food and drinks.
=Scene Break=
Back on the Merry, we see Luffy celebrating his first bounty while some of the crew members seem a little worried about the fact that they'll probably be hunted now because of Luffy's bounty.
"So what's the plan now? Are we heading straight for the Grand Line?", Usopp asks, unsure.
"No, first we're stopping in Loguetown to stock up as much as we can with the help of your Akuma no Mi, and then we're heading to the Grand Line", Luffy explains the plan.
"Wait, isn't the Grand Line dangerous? Are we really going there with just eight people?", Nojiko asks, a bit concerned.
"Relax, we're strong. And actually, it's ten people, not eight. It's just that the other two crewmates will join us later", Luffy says confidently, certain that they can handle it.
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(AN: 1,168 Words)
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