One Piece: Raijin

Asa had no idea that his bounty would increase following his battle with Garp.

His bounty poster was revised and reissued, spreading across the world and forcing people to reevaluate him.

"Thor" Hippolyte D. Asa!

This was his current title, now engraved in Garp's memory as the strongest form he had displayed so far.

New World

"Gu la la la la la! I miscalculated last time."

The Moby Dick sailed freely across the sea as Whitebeard drank heartily, his signature laughter booming across the ship. He casually glanced at the newspaper Marco had handed him.

"Dad, this Hippolyte D. Asa actually managed to escape after fighting Garp?" Marco said in surprise.

They knew exactly how powerful the old man was. Among the Whitebeard Pirates, only Whitebeard himself could stand on equal footing with such strength.

"When he arrives in the New World… Well, we'll see. For now, drink!" Whitebeard waved his hand dismissively.

There were very few people he truly cared about—his family always came first.

"Ohhh!!" The crew cheered, raising their drinks and throwing their arms around each other in celebration.

"Gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp!"

A massive gourd of wine was lifted as "Hundred Beasts" Kaido downed its contents in one go. His enormous frame was packed with muscle, resembling forged steel, and a pair of horns jutted from his head like spikes piercing the sky.

"Thor"? How arrogant. Let me know when he reaches the New World. I'll go kill him myself!" Kaido scoffed, tossing the newspaper aside. His eyes gleamed with menace.

"Set course for Whitebeard's waters!"

"Yes, Lord Kaido!" The Beast Pirates trembled, fearing him far more than they respected him.

The New World was shifting.

"'Thor' Hippolyte D. Asa?"

Charlotte Linlin—still far from the massive figure she would later become—delicately sampled the dessert brought to her.

"This young man is quite impressive… Very well. Send him an invitation to my next tea party. If possible, I'd like him to marry one of my daughters!"

As Asa's revised bounty poster circulated the world, the man himself remained completely unaware. Standing high above the bustling streets of Pukei, he gazed down at the crowded city below.

"So many people… A food festival?" Asa's eyes lit up with excitement. He loved festivals, especially when they involved indulging in all kinds of delicious food.

Just as he was about to descend, a news bird leisurely soared across the sky.

"Stop right there! Hand over the newspaper!"

With a flash, Asa moved directly in front of the bird.

"Qu-qu-quck!" The startled news bird hastily pulled a newspaper from its pack and fled in panic.

Asa nodded in satisfaction and flipped through the thick stack of headlines.

"The Roger Pirates have vanished in the first half of the Grand Line. Authorities suspect a brewing conspiracy. Civilians are advised to remain cautious!"

"The movements of 'Hundred Beasts' Kaido remain unclear, but he is suspected of launching an attack on Whitebeard's territory!"

"Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, has once again seized a nation in exchange for sweets, leaving devastation in her wake! The targeted kingdom was under the rule of the pirate admiral Golden Lion Shiki…"

Asa read through every article carefully. He never missed an issue of the newspaper—it was crucial to stay informed about the world's events.

However, distinguishing truth from deception was a skill in itself. One couldn't blindly trust the press, much like with the first report.

"The last issue reported that Roger had landed in Alabasta… and now they claim he disappeared near Mock Town. If this information is correct… Could he have found his way to an island in the sky?" Asa frowned.

A strange feeling crept over him.

Sky Island was his domain. Any outsider wandering in uninvited was nothing short of an intruder.

"I hope the construction of my Ark Maxim isn't delayed because of him. Otherwise, there will be hell to pay." He licked his lips, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Kaido challenging Whitebeard? That reckless bastard… But I have to admit, his thirst for battle suits him."

"Big Mom seizing a nation under Golden Lion's control for mere sweets? That's as good as a direct insult. It seems her Whole Cake Island plans might be delayed for a while."

His eyes moved across the page—until they landed on something unexpected.

"Huh? My bounty has changed?"

The newly updated posters were printed in the newspaper, and Asa's was at the top of the list.

His old frontal portrait had been replaced by an image of his Thor Form—a divine, thunderous figure, radiating absolute power.

"Thor" Hippolyte D. Asa

Bounty: 500,000,000 Beli!

Crimes: Plundering gold from the sky, attacking the Carnival City Marine branch!

A criminal of the highest order! Wanted dead or alive!

"Five hundred million?" Asa smirked.

"I could've guessed as much… But what's this nonsense about attacking the Marine base in Carnival City? I don't remember doing any such thing!"

He almost laughed. If the Marines hadn't provoked him in the first place, he wouldn't have had to kill anyone!

Descending at high speed, Asa landed unnoticed in the port area. He manipulated the electromagnetic field around his face, bending the light to obscure his identity.

As a pirate with a 500-million-bounty—before even entering the New World—he had built quite the reputation. He couldn't afford to draw unnecessary attention.

Besides, bounty hunters and overconfident pirates were bound to swarm him for fame and riches. That would just be a hassle. He had come here to eat, not to deal with pests.

The port was packed with people, a sea of heads stretching as far as the eye could see.

Asa moved along with the crowd, using his electromagnetic abilities to subtly push away anyone who got too close, making his way onto the island with ease.

"Hey, old man!" Asa called out, patting a nearby figure—an elderly man built like a round boulder, his entire body shaped like a sphere.

In the world of pirates, strange appearances were nothing unusual.

"You seem like a man with experience. Mind telling me why the city is so lively today?"

The old man, with no visible neck, turned and chuckled.

"Heh heh heh! You've got a good eye, young man! Today is the annual Food Festival here in the City of Gourmet! You can eat all kinds of delicacies at dirt-cheap prices! But the real event is the Chef's Competition, held only once every three years!"

With that, the old man rolled away into the crowd.

"A Chef's Competition?" Asa stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with interest.

This trip to the City of Gourmet had two purposes:

Find a top-tier chef to handle his daily meals. Enjoy an absolute feast.

This competition might just be the perfect opportunity to fulfill both goals.

This island was unique—almost everyone here was a chef. The winner of this competition would surely be a culinary master.

"Whoever takes first place… will be coming with me." Asa smirked.

(End Of Chapter)

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