"That's right," Nelson said as he pinned a yellowed bounty poster onto the tactical board.
[Blue Ogre Dorry, Red Ogre Brogy — Bounty: 100,000,000 Berries]
"A Giant pirate with a bounty exceeding one hundred million… from 56 years ago…" Vice Admiral Larde inhaled sharply, shock filling his gaze behind his round glasses.
A wave of suppressed gasps spread through the conference room. Several officers' expressions turned grim.
"The captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates… Blue Ogre Dorry and Red Ogre Brogy… it's actually them!"
A bounty of 100 million Berries might not be extraordinary in the present day. But 56 years ago, it was a figure powerful enough to shake an entire era.
What made things even more troublesome was the intelligence suggesting that these two legendary giants were still active on Little Garden.
"The Jellyfish Pirates… not only survived there for a year," Nelson paused briefly before continuing his analysis.
"So we cannot rule out the possibility that they formed some kind of connection with those two giant captains—or even received protection or guidance from them."
"Additionally, according to Colonel Brugras' report, the combat discipline and ferocity displayed by the Jellyfish Pirates' ordinary crew members far exceed that of typical pirates. The colonel's evaluation states that their individual combat capability already surpasses that of elite soldiers from Marine Headquarters, with some even reaching the level of a Lance Corporal."
"Combined with their year-long stay on Little Garden, it is reasonable to infer that they experienced extremely intense survival competition and brutal elimination there, causing their overall combat strength to surge dramatically.
Not only were the original crew tempered through ruthless selection—more importantly…"
He paused for emphasis.
"They also absorbed top combatants from other pirate crews."
Nelson moved without hesitation, quickly posting several new photographs and bounty notices.
One photo showed Alberto being photographed at Rapeseed Harbor while pinching his nose.
Another was a frontal image of Leon wearing prison clothing.
"It has now been confirmed that during the Drum Kingdom incident, the former captain of the Twilight Pirates, 'West Sea Gentleman' Cahelo, and his key officer 'Mute' Alberto, officially joined the Jellyfish Pirates after the event."
"And the target they risked an armed prison break to rescue in Alabasta—the former captain of the East Blue Cormorant Pirates, 'Harpoon' Leon—has also been successfully absorbed into their ranks, becoming part of their fighting force."
Nelson paused briefly to let the information sink in.
Then he placed another bounty poster on the board beside the others.
"Furthermore, according to testimony from the remnants of the Dog Pirate Crew captured in Alabasta, their captain Short-Legged Vena disappeared after being defeated in battle by Leon.
Considering the timing of his disappearance, and the Jellyfish Pirates' demonstrated pattern of efficiently absorbing defeated enemies and converting them into their own forces, we have made a reasonable inference.
There is a very high probability that Short-Legged Vena has also fallen into Sami's hands—and may already be under the control, or even integrated into, the Jellyfish Pirates."
Vice Admiral Bass frowned deeply.
"A pirate crew that has integrated at least three captains with bounties in the tens of millions within such a short period of time… It seems this Sami's ambition is far greater than we originally estimated."
The sheer amount of information plunged the entire conference room into silence.
At last, Steel Bone Kong's gaze shifted to the end of the long table, where a young commodore had been quietly reading through the documents.
"Sengoku, what do you think?"
All eyes turned toward him.
The man seated there was Commodore Sengoku of Marine Headquarters.
Though still young, his meticulous thinking and exceptional strategic insight had already begun to earn him recognition within the headquarters.
Sengoku set down the report copy, adjusted his glasses, and walked toward the tactical board.
"Based on the available intelligence, I believe Vice Admiral Bass's judgment about raising their bounties is absolutely correct."
He paused slightly.
"And… it may already be a little late."
Several officers glanced at him in surprise.
He picked up the pointer and indicated the locations of Drum Kingdom and Alabasta.
"From Drum to Alabasta, the targets they attacked were both World Government member states. This isn't random plundering by wandering pirates. It is a deliberate challenge to the order itself.
Their threat has shifted from the sea to the land—from robbing merchant ships to destabilizing entire kingdoms. That has already crossed the World Government's red line."
He paused when he noticed several colleagues nodding in agreement.
"Second, we've always been puzzled by the blank year when they disappeared. Now that we believe the answer is Little Garden… the situation is worse than we imagined."
His gaze landed on the two yellowed bounty posters of the giant warriors. The room's atmosphere grew heavier.
"They didn't just survive there—they completed a comprehensive improvement in strength. More importantly, they likely established contact with giants. That means the level of information, connections, and even potential allies they've gained may already extend into the New World."
"Think about it. A crew capable of surviving and growing in such an environment possesses resilience, combat experience, and exposure far beyond ordinary pirates in the first half of the Grand Line."
Then his eyes moved toward the photographs of Cahelo, Leon, and the others.
"But what concerns me the most… is Sami's organizational ability."
Sengoku's tone grew more serious.
"Look at these people. Cahelo from the West Blue, famous for his cunning strategies. Leon from the East Blue, an expert in naval combat. And possibly Vena as well…
Their backgrounds, styles, and abilities are completely different. Yet within a short time, Sami absorbed them and made them cooperate in coordinated operations—even launching a high-risk action like a prison break for his sake."
"The integration ability and expansion speed shown by this pirate crew are more alarming than simple growth in strength.
Whether it was seeking medical resources in Drum Kingdom or rescuing a crew member in Alabasta, Sami clearly intends to build a team with complementary functions and strong loyalty.
This level of strategic vision and planning already surpasses the vast majority of pirates."
Finally, the pointer tapped the blurry image of the Swordfish breaking through the encirclement.
"The fact that they caused incidents in two kingdoms in succession and still escaped proves that their operations combine boldness with careful planning and extremely fast adaptability.
That isn't luck.
It's the result of comprehensive capability."
Sengoku set down the pointer and turned to face the officers.
"In conclusion, this is an already-formed organizational threat with a clear expansion model and extremely high growth potential.
Therefore, they must not be treated like an ordinary pirate crew."
"Significantly increasing the bounties of their core members will signal to the world how seriously we take this threat. At the same time, it leverages the rules of the pirate world itself—higher bounties attract more greedy hunters and provoke internal conflicts among pirates, which can create opportunities for us."
"At the same time, we must mobilize appropriate resources and prepare to treat them as a long-term, high-priority target."
The conference room fell silent for a moment as everyone digested Sengoku's thorough analysis.
Even Vice Admiral Larde, who had initially shown reservations, nodded slightly in agreement.
"Excellent!" Steel Bone Kong nodded with satisfaction.
"Commodore Sengoku's analysis is very thorough. This Sami has clearly stepped beyond the category of a mere rookie. Raising the bounty is inevitable. The exact amounts will be drafted by the staff department as soon as possible based on the Jellyfish Pirates' latest actions, threat assessment, and the existing bounties of the pirates involved."
"Additionally, notify the G2 Branch and all surrounding Marine units to raise their alert levels. Strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering regarding the possible movements of the Jellyfish Pirates.
Sengoku, the coordination of subsequent tracking and analysis will be your responsibility."
"Yes, sir!"
The meeting concluded, and the officers gradually stood and left.
As Sengoku stepped out of the conference room, a large hand suddenly slapped his back, accompanied by a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha! Sengoku, not bad! You really held your own in front of those old guys!"
The voice belonged to the equally young Monkey D. Garp, whose bright grin looked completely out of place in the serious Marine headquarters corridor.
Sengoku staggered slightly from the force of the slap, adjusting his glasses helplessly.
"Garp, this is the headquarters corridor. Pay attention to your image!"
"What's the big deal! After all that talking, I'm starving! Come on, come on—the cafeteria has roasted meat today. If we're late, it'll all be gone! Hahaha!"
Hooking an arm around Sengoku's neck, Garp dragged the still-trying-to-remain-serious young commodore toward the direction of the cafeteria.
---------------------------------◇ Bonus Chapter Rewards ◇--------------------------------------
◇ Every 10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ You can read 60 chapters ahead on Patreon if you're interested:
patreon.com/Luna023
Your support helps the story grow and motivates faster updates.