One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

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In the peaceful East Blue, at Foosha Village's Makino Tavern…

"Everyone! Look! It's Ace's bounty!"

A villager burst into the tavern, waving a newspaper, instantly breaking the calm. The once-quiet tavern became a buzz of excitement.

"What?! Ace has a bounty now? Let me see!"

One of the drinkers snatched the newspaper and began counting the numbers.

"One... ten... hundreds... thousands... tens of thousands... millions... tens of millions...!!!"

"'Fire Fist', Portgas D. Ace, wanted dead or alive, bounty: 35 million Berries!!!"

The drinker's exclamation echoed through the tavern.

"Amazing! Ace's first bounty is 35 million Berries!"

"A real big-shot pirate has come from our Foosha Village!"

"Cheers! To Ace!" 

The tavern erupted in laughter and toasts.

"Quiet, everyone!"

The village elder Woop Slap, slammed his cane on the ground, his voice stern.

"A pirate with a massive bounty coming from this village is nothing to celebrate! It's disgraceful! And yet, you're all so cheerful about it."

Woop Slap scolded them loudly. But despite his words, the old man was already holding the newspaper with Ace's bounty in his hands.

"Let's throw a party for Ace!"

The regulars, long accustomed to the elder's tough talk, raised their mugs even higher, shouting louder than before.

Woop Slap could only watch in exasperation as the villagers celebrated. His gaze softened as he silently read the bounty notice.

I hope you're doing well, Ace...

——

At the Dadan Household...

"Ace has a bounty on his head?!"

Dadan stared at the newspaper in disbelief, sweat beading on her brow as she carefully read the numbers below Ace's image.

"35 million Berries?! What did Ace get himself into?!"

Dadan shouted in a panic, clearly worried about him.

"Hehehe, that's so like Ace. Thirty-five million Berries! How cool!" Luffy grinned widely from the side.

"Boss, you care about Ace, don't you?" Dogra teased Dadan, smiling knowingly.

"W-who said I care about that brat?!" Dadan stammered, flustered. "I'm just worried that if he's caught, it'll cause trouble for us!"

Luffy held up the wanted poster, grinning brightly as he looked at Ace's face.

"In three years, I'll definitely have a higher bounty than you, Ace!"

——

Meanwhile, aboard the Going Merry...

During their voyage, Ace had been training Nami, Kaya, and Nojiko using his observation Haki. All three women had shown tremendous improvement.

Nami was becoming more skilled with her Clima-Tact, Kaya had refined her healing fruit powers, and Nojiko had honed her sniping abilities. Their physical strength had also increased at an astonishing rate.

At this point, the three of them could easily handle a squad of ordinary Marines.

Soon, the Going Merry neared Loguetown.

"Next time, if prices go up, I won't pay!" Nami complained, pointing angrily at the news bird that had just flown off.

After grumbling for a moment, Nami turned her attention to the latest newspaper. Since they were about to arrive at Loguetown, she wanted to gather some intel.

"!!!"

Suddenly, Nami gasped.

"What's wrong, Nami?" Nojiko asked, quickly glancing over from the helm.

"A-Ace! You've got a bounty!"

Nami stammered, her voice trembling with shock.

"Oh? Let me see." Ace, who had been lounging in the sun, perked up with interest.

Kaya, who was sitting nearby reading a medical book, set it down and hurried over as well.

"Fire Fist Ace, wanted dead or alive, bounty: 35 million Berries?!" Nami's voice grew louder as she read the poster.

"35 million Berries? Not bad." Ace smiled as he glanced at the bounty.

It was higher than Luffy's first bounty of 30 million Berries from the same point in the original story.

Is it because I killed Colonel Nezumi in front of Naval Headquarters? Or because of my Mera Mera no Mi powers? Ace mused for a moment but quickly dismissed the thought.

The higher the bounty, the better.

"But seriously, couldn't the Marines come up with a better title than 'Fire Fist'?"

Ace grimaced at the nickname they'd given him on the bounty poster.

But this won't last long. Soon, I'll be known as the Flame Emperor...

"Wait, how can this be? Arlong only had a bounty of 20 million Berries!" Nami muttered, her face filled with concern as she stared at Ace's wanted poster.

35 million Berries... The Marines will definitely keep a close watch on us.

"Maybe it's because I killed Colonel Nezumi right in front of Naval Headquarters personnel," Ace replied nonchalantly.

"Wait, what?!" Nami and Nojiko were stunned.

"When did you...?" Nami bit her lip, her expression complex as she gazed at Ace.

"When you were planting Bell-mère's orange trees, I went and took care of him," Ace said with a gentle smile.

"..."

Nami stared at Ace in silence, remembering his words.

"Anyone who makes my navigator cry... will die."

Suddenly, without warning, Nami threw herself into Ace's arms. Startled at first, Ace then gently patted her head.

"Thank you, Ace," Nami whispered, her voice soft and full of emotion.

"In the future, I don't want to hear any more thanks. Just rely on your captain."

Ace smiled warmly as he ruffled her hair.

"Hey! You still need me to get to the Grand Line!" Nami quickly pulled away, her pride evident in her tone.

"Yes, yes. I'll rely on you," Ace laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender.

Kaya, standing nearby, watched Nami with a hint of envy on her face, her emotions conflicted.

"!!!"

"Well, the ship's doctor needs her captain too," Kaya said suddenly, her face flushed as she snuggled into Ace's arms.

"Of course."

"But I also want to take care of you," Kaya whispered shyly.

Ace chuckled. "It looks like I'm the one who has to rely on my adorable crew."

Just then, Nami's voice rang out from the helm.

"Ace! We've arrived at Loguetown!"

"Oh? We're here?"

Ace gently released Kaya and stepped toward the bow of the ship, gazing at the town slowly coming into view.

The town of beginnings... and ends...

A smile tugged at the corners of Ace's lips.