East Blue, Cocoyasi Village.
The tangerines in the orchard were ripe, their sweet fragrance filling the air.
Genzo and Nojiko stood quietly before Bellemere's grave.
The bounty poster in Genzo's hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
In the photograph, Nami wore a golden crown, lightning cascading around her like a storm.
Her gaze no longer held the timid hesitation of the girl who once hid in the orchard drawing maps—
It was now noble, cold, almost divine, as if it could pierce through everything.
"Seven hundred fifty million Beli… 'Thunder Goddess.'"
Genzo's lips trembled as his fingers brushed gently over Nami's face on the poster.
"Bellemere… if you could see this, you'd be proud, wouldn't you?"
He wiped the moisture from his eyes, voice hoarse.
"That little girl who once fought so hard for the village…"
"…has become someone worth 750 million Beli."
"She's not just free anymore…"
"She has the power to protect that freedom."
Nojiko leaned against the gravestone, smiling softly at the image.
"That's Nami for you."
"No matter where she is… she'll always shine the brightest."
The evening wind rustled through the orchard, leaves whispering—
Like Bellemere's hearty laughter echoing in the breeze.
—
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village.
The sunset here always carried a sharp, sword-like chill.
The wind swept through bamboo groves, their rustling blending with the steady clatter of wooden swords in the dojo.
"One! Two! Three!"
Inside, children swung their practice blades with all their strength.
At the edge of the corridor, Koushirou stood smiling with his eyes closed, holding a freshly delivered bounty poster.
His gaze lingered on the image of "Pirate Hunter" Roronoa Zoro.
In the picture, Zoro stood with all three swords drawn, his aura fierce as a demon, violet energy coiling around him.
"Five hundred million Beli…"
Koushirou murmured softly, his gentle smile deepening.
"Everyone! Look! It's big brother Zoro!"
The children rushed over.
When they saw the long string of zeros, gasps filled the dojo.
"Five hundred million… how many wooden swords could that buy?!"
"Idiot! Big brother Zoro is already one of the strongest swordsmen on the seas!"
Koushirou lifted his head, gazing toward the distant hills cloaked in dusk—
Where once, a boy had sworn to make his name reach the heavens.
"Not just a top swordsman…"
He adjusted his glasses, a sharp glint flashing across the lenses.
"To possess such a will to 'cut through anything' at this age…"
"Zoro… you've walked far further down that path of Asura than I ever imagined."
Moonlight spilled across the dojo floor.
And faintly—
It was as if the echoes of a green-haired boy training with relentless determination still lingered.
—
East Blue, Baratie.
The dinner rush was in full swing.
Plates clinked, steaks sizzled, and laughter filled the air.
"Hey! Look at this newspaper! That cook who used to work here—that damn pervert Sanji!"
Patty burst through the door, waving a soaked newspaper, his grin stretching ear to ear.
Carne leaned in beside him, both staring at the bounty poster.
"'Black Leg' Sanji—300 million Beli!"
"Three hundred million?!"
The entire restaurant froze, forks dropping to the floor.
"That brat who made soup worse than foot-washing water is worth 300 million?!"
Patty shouted dramatically, though his eyes had turned red.
"That kind of money… you couldn't buy this entire restaurant with it!"
"Damn it, why does he look so cool in this photo? Makes us look bad!"
Carne grumbled, secretly cutting out the poster to hang in the most visible spot.
In the kitchen—
Red-Leg Zeff stood quietly by the stove.
His wooden leg tapped softly against the floor.
He held the poster, staring at the young man with flaming legs and a fearless stance.
"Three hundred million, huh…"
He closed his eyes.
As if seeing that stubborn kid walking into the kitchen for the first time.
A fierce yet fatherly smile crept onto his face.
"In the Grand Line—the so-called graveyard of pirates…"
"You didn't starve to death…"
"You even escaped from an Admiral's encirclement."
"Sanji… your cooking has finally reached a passable level."
He turned and roared at the chefs:
"What are you standing around for?! Everything's free today!"
"For that brat's '300 million'—bring out the best dishes we've got!"
"YEAH—!!!"
The Baratie rocked with the waves—
A celebration filled with the rough, heartfelt pride of men.
—
East Blue, Syrup Village.
Morning remained as peaceful as ever.
Sunlight bathed the green hills, and windmills creaked gently in the distance.
The boy who once shouted "Pirates are coming!" every morning had long since left.
The village was quieter now—
But something felt missing.
"Caw—!"
A News Coo swooped overhead, dropping several bounty posters that fluttered down before three small figures on patrol.
"Is that… a new bounty poster?!"
Carrot-top, Pepper, and Onion—the former Usopp Pirates—stared wide-eyed.
"100 million Beli?!!!"
Though Usopp had changed, his long nose and sniper goggles made him instantly recognizable.
"100 million!!"
Onion wiped his nose, eyes burning with admiration.
"Captain Usopp… he really became a great pirate who shakes the world!"
The three ran wildly, waving the poster as they rushed into the white mansion.
"Miss Kaya! Miss Kaya! Look at this!!"
Inside the study, filled with the scent of herbs, Kaya looked up from her medical books.
Her golden hair glowed softly in the morning light.
Behind her, Merry the butler paused mid-step, teacup in hand.
"What is it?" Kaya asked gently, smiling.
"…This!"
When the poster was placed before her—
Silence filled the room.
Kaya's slender fingers traced the image of the now determined young man.
Then—
A smile bloomed on her face, soft and radiant.
Outside, the wind rustled through the trees—
Carrying echoes of laughter from a long-nosed boy who once dreamed among the branches.
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