The Rocks Pirates fleet was on its return voyage.
On the transport ship laden with Celestial Tribute.
The cabin door was wide open, revealing piles of gold, silver, and treasures that nearly spilled onto the deck.
Rare treasures, exotic specialties, and century-old fine wines from countries around the world—a dazzling and bewildering array.
Further inside, specially arranged display stands held the most valuable spoils of this mission—
Devil Fruits and named blades.
Raiver Sky leaned against the ship's railing, sipping precious wine originally intended as tribute to the Celestial Dragons.
It was said to be fermented from a hundred rare flowers and fruits over a century, with a single jar worth enough to buy a small town.
"Ding! Mission Completed: Intercept Garp!"
"Rewards Distributed: Congratulations, you have obtained Advanced Observation Haki and Ryuo usage techniques!"
Raiver's eyes flickered slightly.
Advanced Observation Haki... Ryuo...
These rewards came at just the right time.
His battle with Garp had made him acutely aware of the gap between himself and the top-tier powerhouses.
It wasn't about Devil Fruit abilities or swordsmanship—it was about the profound application of Haki.
After all, in this world, Haki reigns supreme above all else!
Garp's Armament Haki had been cultivated to the level of Ryuo, even internal destruction, each fist carrying terrifying power that could penetrate defenses and strike vital points directly.
If he hadn't used Voidification in time, he might have been injured in that fight.
Just look at Shiki—his face still hurt from taking that surprise punch from Garp.
The difference between Ryuo and Conqueror's Haki Coating was: the former enhanced penetration, while the latter increased critical damage.
"Gehahaha! Kid Raiver, you really stole the spotlight this time!"
Shiki, clutching a jar of the precious wine, took a hearty swig and walked over, slapping a newspaper into Raiver's hand:
"Look! Those Navy fools work pretty fast!"
Raiver looked down.
On the Bounty Order, his young, handsome face was clearly printed.
The photo seemed to have been captured by a Visual Den Den Mushi during the battle, showing him raising his blade to meet Garp's Iron Fist.
Below, striking text read:
[Rocks Pirates Officer · Raiver Sky]
[Bounty: 2,500,000,000 Belly]
[Dead or Alive]
2.5 billion!
Even though he had been mentally prepared, Raiver's eyes still flashed with surprise at seeing the number.
A first bounty of 2.5 billion... This was unprecedented.
It seemed the Navy had truly been pushed to the brink this time.
"Gurarara!"
Heavy footsteps approached as Whitebeard strode over carrying an even larger wine jar than Shiki's, laughing heartily:
"The Navy's still the same—keeping the news of their failed operation tightly under wraps, only announcing publicly that we took the Celestial Tribute."
"Setting a first bounty at 2.5 billion... The Navy really went all out this time."
Whitebeard took a large gulp of wine, then added:
"However, this is also a form of 'setting up for a fall.'"
Raiver looked up: "Setting up for a fall?"
"Correct."
Whitebeard speculated:
"They're elevating you to a high position, making you the target of everyone.
A rookie with a 2.5 billion bounty—countless ambitious figures on these seas will have their eyes on you now.
"Pirates who want to step on your head to make a name for themselves, marines who want your head for promotion, and assassins from the underworld who work for money..."
"But on the other hand, the Marines are truly forced by circumstances.
The hijacking of the Celestial Tribute is a world-shaking event that cannot be concealed and must be made public.
And when making it public, they must give the people an explanation.
Why was the Celestial Tribute hijacked? Because the Rocks Pirates are too strong, because they've produced a monstrous rookie."
"This way, the Marines' failure becomes 'understandable.'
It's not that they're incompetent, but that the enemy is too powerful."
Whitebeard's analysis hit the nail on the head.
Raiver Sky smiled faintly:
"So, my name... has spread across these seas? That's just as well!"
Now the entire sea knows that the Rocks Pirates have a new Officer as powerful as a monster.
This means that from today onward, he has officially joined the ranks of the "big shots" in these seas.
Wherever he goes, this face, this name, will bring awe, fear, covetousness, killing intent...
But also power and status.
"An initial bounty of 2.5 billion... worthy of being the disciple I, Golden Lion Shiki, trained!"
Shiki said without shame, slapping his chest proudly as if Raiver Sky's achievements were entirely his doing:
"It seems the Marines have completely set their sights on you! But it doesn't matter, with me here, anyone who dares touch you, I'll tear their base apart!"
Raiver Sky rolled his eyes: "Hey, hey, Shiki, since when was I your disciple? We were just sparring, alright?"
Just then, a figure slowly emerged from the ship's cabin.
Rocks walked up to the three of them—Raiver Sky, Shiki, and Whitebeard—his eyes sweeping over the Bounty Order in Raiver Sky's hand, a meaningful curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
"You three, come with me."
The three followed Rocks deep into the ship's cabin.
The interior space was much larger than it appeared from outside. In a vast area over fifty meters long and wide, it was piled high with...
Treasure.
A true "mountain of gold."
Various gold, silver, and jewels were heaped into mountains.
"Is this the Celestial Tribute?"
Raiver Sky couldn't help but murmur in awe.
This treasure was likely equivalent to the national treasury of a major country.
He roughly estimated that just the gold, silver, and jewels before him were worth over a hundred billion Belly.
And this was only the ordinary treasure.
"No need to be surprised."
Rocks, walking ahead, didn't turn back: "The real treasures are in the inner chamber."
Shiki placed a hand on Raiver Sky's shoulder, lowering his voice:
"That's right, this is just stuff to keep the crew satisfied.
Let them plunder some coins and jewels to keep them happy and prevent trouble."
"What we Officers want..."
"Are things that can truly enhance our strength—"
The four continued deeper, passing through valleys formed by treasure piles until they reached a door.
The moment he stepped into the room, Raiver Sky's pupils contracted slightly.
On the exhibition shelves in the room, seven exquisitely carved brocade boxes were neatly arranged.
On both sides stood weapon racks made of ebony, displaying precious swords with gleaming blades.
On other exhibition shelves, priceless treasures were displayed one by one.
"Gyehahaha! This is what we're here for!" Shiki laughed heartily.
These Devil Fruits and famous blades were crucial for Shiki, who harbored ambitions of establishing his own faction.
He had long contemplated: if he could have his promising subordinates on the ship consume the Devil Fruits, their strength would surely surge, providing him with a stronger foundation when he eventually broke away from the Rocks Pirates to establish his own faction.
Raiver Sky and Whitebeard exchanged a glance, then walked toward the treasures, yet their reactions were rather indifferent.
Both already possessed top-tier Devil Fruit Abilities.
Raiver Sky's Space Fruit held boundless potential, while Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit was hailed as the "Strongest Paramecia"—though, of course, the Space Fruit was an exception.
Moreover, since a person could only con
sume one Devil Fruit, they had little interest in these.
As for famous blades, Raiver Sky wielded "Black Dragon," and Whitebeard had "Cloud Cutter" in hand—both Supreme Grade Sharp Blades.
Though the treasures before them were precious, they still fell short of catching their eyes.