On the deck of the Swordfish, Sami and the others quickly returned with the Berries earned from the transaction.
The moment they stepped aboard, the crew rushed forward impatiently.
"The captain's back!"
"How'd it go, Boss? Did we get the money?"
"You're back already!"
Everyone spoke at once, their faces filled with eager anticipation for their share of the profits.
While Sami and the others had gone ashore for the deal, the crew had already discussed exactly how they planned to spend the money.
Sami didn't answer immediately. Instead, he gave a small nod to the officers behind him.
Marcus understood instantly. He stepped forward and cleared his throat.
The noise vanished. Every eye on the deck focused on him.
"Listen up—our captain's bounty… and the bounties of quite a few of you… have been updated!"
He deliberately paused, building suspense.
"Captain of the Jellyfish Pirates—Riberra Sami! Bounty: 150,000,000 Berries!!!"
"..."
For three full seconds, the deck fell completely silent.
Then—
"BOOM—!!!!!!"
Like a suppressed volcano finally erupting, deafening cheers exploded across the deck, nearly shaking the masts of the Swordfish.
"One hundred… one hundred and fifty million?!"
"He broke a hundred million! He really broke a hundred million!!!"
"A hundred-million-berry pirate! Our captain is a hundred-million-berry pirate!!"
"Jellyfish Pirates—long live! Captain Sami—long live!!!"
The crowd went wild.
Only then did Sami toss a thick stack of fresh bounty posters onto a wooden crate in the center of the deck.
"See for yourselves."
Before he even finished speaking, the crowd surged forward like a tidal wave, scrambling to flip through the posters.
Sami picked up the one on top—his own—and looked at the photograph capturing that oppressive moment.
"Ha…"
His fingertip brushed the astonishing number, and the corner of his mouth lifted.
"Now that's more like it. A photo like this actually looks cool."
"One hundred and fifty million… The Marines must be really furious this time, Boss."
Cahelo had quietly appeared beside him.
"The amount is higher than I expected… but it suits me just fine."
"The captain is amazing!"
"That's our boss!"
In the pirate world, a bounty was a symbol of strength. The higher the bounty, the more powerful the pirate was considered.
The thick stack of posters meant that almost all the officers had received major increases this time.
Among them, the most eye-catching were Ardo and Marcus—both had broken through the 50 million mark.
Ever since the Drum Island incident, their bounties had both been stuck at 40 million Berries, and the two had been competing openly and secretly over who was the true second-in-command.
Now, the result was revealed.
[Bone Crusher – Kate Ardo]
Bounty: 55,000,000 Berries
[Chaotic Sakura – Theresa Marcus]
Bounty: 60,000,000 Berries
"Hahaha! See that, Ardo?!"
Marcus practically shoved his bounty poster into Ardo's face.
"Sixty million versus fifty-five! I'm the stronger one! The position of second-in-command belongs to me!"
"Bullshit!"
Ardo snatched the poster and stared at it repeatedly before pointing angrily at the sword hanging at Marcus's waist.
"'Chaotic Sakura'? Bah! The Marines clearly recognized your Fine Grade Sword and changed your nickname because of it! Riding your weapon's coattails—what's there to brag about? Without that sword, your bounty might be lower than mine!"
"What do you know!"
Marcus slammed the sheathed sword onto the table.
"A famous blade chooses its master! Being recognized by Chaotic Sakura is part of my strength! The Marines changed the nickname because they know quality! My reputation was carved out with this sword! If you're jealous, just say so!"
"Jealous my ass! My strength comes from these fists!"
Ardo puffed out his chest.
"So what if your bounty's five million higher? Next time we're in real combat, we'll see who knocks down more enemies. That's who the real second-in-command is!"
"Bring it on!"
The two glared at each other like fighting bulls.
But the veteran crew members around them only laughed. Everyone knew this was just the prelude to yet another sparring match.
Other officers soon found their bounty posters as well, each discovery triggering waves of amazement.
[Gentleman – Nostra Cahelo]
23,000,000 → 45,000,000
[Iron Helm – Isaac]
24,000,000 → 30,000,000
[Harpoon – Leon]
14,000,000 → 30,000,000
[Heavy Cannon – Blaze Feich]
22,800,000 → 35,000,000
[Mute – Alberto]
10,000,000 → 20,000,000
Additionally, several squad leaders who had performed well in battle were placed on the bounty list for the first time or received small increases.
Although their bounties were only in the millions, it was enough for their comrades to toss them high into the air like heroes.
The deck quickly split into two moods.
Those who had made the list were surrounded by cheering crewmates, enjoying the admiration and endless questions of their junior fans.
Those still without bounties gathered eagerly around them, asking for advice on how to get noticed by the Marines.
Sami clapped his hands.
"Three squads stay on watch tonight. Everyone else—ashore! Empty the taverns' entire stock! We're throwing a celebration banquet on the beach of Bolse Island!"
"OHHHHHH—!!!"
Night fell.
On the seaside beach of Bolse Island, blazing bonfires pushed back the chill of the autumn night.
The grand banquet had begun.
For people who spent their lives drifting across the harsh seas, nothing relieved stress better than a wild celebration.
Meat sizzled on open flames, grease dripping and releasing mouthwatering aromas.
Barrels of alcohol were opened, and countless drinks poured down thirsty throats, igniting even more excitement.
"Yohohoho~ Yohohoho~"
Someone started singing "Binks' Sake."
The familiar melody quickly swept across the entire beach.
More and more voices joined in the chorus. Alcohol erased any sense of technique—rough, even off-key singing only gave the song greater vitality.
The singing blended with the sound of waves and laughter.
Ship doctor Hiluluk seemed especially excited.
Having spent most of his life trapped on the winter island of the Drum Kingdom, and later remaining mostly within port areas after joining the crew, this was his first time experiencing a warm autumn island and attending a beach banquet.
Holding a wooden mug, he swayed clumsily to the rhythm.
The red glow on his face—whether from the firelight or drunkenness—made him grin like a child.
The officers also abandoned their usual restraint and fully joined the celebration.
One moment Ardo and Marcus were still arguing about their bounties; the next they were slinging arms around each other's shoulders and roaring along with the song.
Even the normally quiet Cahelo gently swayed his wine cup and hummed softly with the melody.
In one corner of the banquet, Hawk's "Crash Course in Getting a Bounty" had reached its climax.
Hawk—the squad leader whose chest literally had a 3.7-million-berry bounty poster sewn onto it—was surrounded by a circle of eager crew members who still didn't have bounties.
"So you think you're good at fighting? Who cares!" Hawk declared, one hand on his hip while gesturing dramatically with the other like a teacher delivering a lecture.
"Listen carefully! If you want a bounty, the Marines have to notice you! When you fight, your expression has to be fierce! Like this—"
He contorted his face into what he thought was a terrifying grimace.
"Your eyes have to be vicious! Roll up your sleeves! Show some presence!"
"Laughing? What are you laughing at?! You want the Marines thinking, 'Wow, that guy looks dangerous—we'd better put a bounty on him!'"
The rookie pirates nodded vigorously.
Some even began imitating his exaggerated expression and posture.
"And another thing!"
Hawk grew more animated, picking up a tree branch and pretending it was a pistol.
"There's an art to holding a gun! Stand sideways like this, point the muzzle slightly downward but ready to raise it instantly—yes! Make your eyes even more arrogant! Exactly! That 'I'm awesome but too cool to care about you' look! When the Marines see it, they'll think, 'Wow! That guy's definitely not ordinary—he must be a master!'"
"Mhm! Mhm!"
The rookies' eyes sparkled as they tried to memorize every detail.
"That's right! Practice like that!"
Hawk tossed the branch aside and looked proudly at the crowd he had impressed with his "theory."
"Trust me! As long as you master the secret techniques of Hawk-Eye Hawk, one day your names and faces will appear proudly on bounty posters too! Hahahahaha!"
"PFF—COUGH COUGH!!"
Not far away, Sami suddenly sprayed a mouthful of alcohol and began coughing violently.
"Boss? What's wrong?" Marcus asked with concern.
"N-Nothing…"
Sami waved his hand, finally catching his breath.
He glanced at Hawk, who was still enthusiastically preaching to his audience, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
Hawk-Eye… kid, you've got some nerve calling yourself that.
He pointed at the rough wooden cup in his hand, trying to change the subject.
"What kind of alcohol is this? The taste… is pretty unusual."
"Oh, that?" Ardo leaned over to take a look. "That's a specialty of Bolse Island—persimmon wine. This island produces tons of persimmons, but they spoil easily. So the locals ferment them into alcohol to sell."
"Too sweet!"
"Yeah, I don't like it either," another slightly disgusted voice joined in. "It's sickeningly sweet."
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