Riberra Sami stood at the bow of the Flame Fang, the salty sea breeze brushing against his face.
The outline of Jaya Island gradually came into view. That oddly shaped island looked no different from when they had left half a year ago.
"Full speed ahead."
The Flame Fang cut through the waves, while the Jet Dials at the stern intermittently released bursts of air, leaving fleeting trails across the sea.
"We're already here? That was way too fast!" a crew member exclaimed, leaning over the railing as he stared at the familiar silhouette of the island.
"Of course!" another said proudly, patting the ship's side. "Our Flame Fang is equipped with Jet Dials—its speed is absolutely top-tier!"
"Though refilling the wind is kind of a hassle… if only there were an easier way."
"Don't be greedy. What we have now is already something countless people dream of."
As the Flame Fang slowly entered Jaya's chaotic and crowded harbor, an invisible sense of disparity spread instantly.
This ship… was different.
It lacked the exaggerated, menacing decorations of typical pirate ships.
Yet—
Built by the future legendary shipwright Tom…
Constructed entirely from the mythical Adam Wood…
Just sitting there, it radiated a restrained but overwhelming pressure.
And that cold, gleaming metal ram at the bow—
made every pirate who saw it feel a chill in their chest.
The sailors from other ships at the dock were already staring in shock.
"Hey… what—what kind of ship is that?"
"I've never seen that design before… that texture, that presence… it's on a completely different level from ours!"
Then—
someone spotted the flag atop the main mast.
That unmistakable jellyfish skull flag fluttered violently in the wind.
The entire dock—
froze.
On one pirate ship unloading cargo, a sailor dropped his crate onto the deck.
His mouth hung open as he pointed at the massive vessel.
"Th-that flag… Jellyfish… It's the Jellyfish Pirates! Damn it—they're back!!!"
Panic spread like ripples across water.
"The Jellyfish Pirates?! That three-hundred-million Predator Riberra Sami?!"
"Why are they here?!"
"What are you standing around for?! Get away from their ship! Move!"
"Run! Inform the captain! Run for your lives—!!!"
"Damn it, stop pushing! Let me on first!"
The harbor descended into chaos.
Some sailors scrambled off ships and sprinted toward town.
Others frantically untied ropes, their faces pale with fear.
At the same time—
inside the busiest tavern in Mock Town—
the atmosphere was lively.
Several pirate captains were drinking and boasting, arms wrapped around women—
when suddenly, their Den Den Mushis rang simultaneously.
"Buru buru buru…"
"Who the hell is this? I was just getting into it!" one bearded captain grumbled as he picked up the receiver.
The Den Den Mushi mirrored a face twisted in terror.
The shrill voice nearly pierced his ears.
"C-Captain! Run! Get out of the tavern! The Jellyfish Pirates—their ship is at the dock!!!"
Clang!
The mug slipped from his hand, spilling ale all over him—but he didn't even notice.
"Wh… what did you say?!"
"It's true! That flag—it's definitely them!"
The music in the tavern stopped.
The moment the words Jellyfish Pirates were spoken—
all noise vanished.
Countless eyes turned toward the captain holding the call.
Then—
fear began to spread.
"The Jellyfish Pirates…?"
"Three hundred million bounty… the ones who destroyed a Marine warship…"
"Why would they come to a place like this?!"
"Could it be… they're here to settle that bet?"
A newcomer pirate, clearly unfamiliar with the situation, grabbed a trembling veteran.
"Hey—what are you all scared of? What bet? What's going on?"
The older pirate swallowed hard.
"H-half a year ago… Riberra Sami came here… back then his bounty had just reached 150 million… he got drunk and insisted Sky Island exists… then some idiot challenged him to a bet—said if Riberra Sami could prove it within a year, he'd win…"
"Sky Island? That fairy tale nonsense?" the newcomer scoffed. "You people actually believed that?"
"The problem is…" the veteran's lips trembled, "he's back now… if he didn't find Sky Island, but still remembers the bet… then why would he return?"
Another pirate suddenly realized something.
His face turned deathly pale.
"Wait… if they didn't find Sky Island… then coming back now means they're planning to…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to.
Silence.
Then—
a collective shiver ran through everyone present.
Logic?
Evidence?
None of it mattered.
In the face of overwhelming strength—and the terror carried by a 300 million bounty—
fear crushed everything.
"WHY ARE YOU STILL STANDING THERE?! RUN!!!"
Someone screamed.
The tavern exploded into chaos.
Tables overturned.
Chairs smashed.
People shoved and trampled each other toward the exit.
Glass shattered.
Cries and screams filled the air.
Even the most ruthless pirates—
now only wished they had been born with two extra legs.
"That idiot! Why did he provoke a monster like that back then?!" someone shouted in despair.
"Damn it! Who was the fool that made that bet?!"
"Where is he now?! Don't drag us down with you!"
"Move! Get out of my way!"
The chaos at the docks and the collapse of the tavern—
merged into a tidal wave of panic sweeping across Jaya Island.
And at the center of it all—
the Flame Fang.
The ship had already docked.
Riberra Sami stepped onto the wooden planks of the harbor with his crew.
He looked around.
Overturned crates.
Rolling barrels.
Even abandoned boots.
In the distance—
people fled in panic.
Doors slammed shut one after another.
Riberra Sami raised a hand and rubbed his chin, a strange expression mixing amusement and helplessness appearing on his face.
He leaned toward Aldo, who was equally stunned.
"Hey, Aldo… don't you think this welcome is a bit… over the top?"
Aldo scratched his head.
"Boss… I think it's because your bounty is just… way too high. Look how scared they are."
Marcus crossed his arms and grinned.
"This is more like it! A pirate worth 300 million should get this kind of reception!"
Riberra Sami shook his head and looked toward the now eerily silent Mock Town.
"Let's go."
He stepped forward first.
"To the tavern."
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