"Alright, let's go share this good news with our Captain," Lafitte said with a faint smile, holding the newspaper as he strode toward the captain's quarters.
Burgess glared at Doc Q, his face twisted in frustration. "Damn it! Your bounty's higher than mine?!"
"Even though you two haven't fought, judging by appearances, you're no match for him," Hawkins remarked coolly before walking off to train.
Doc Q smirked at Burgess, his grin unsettling. "No need to get mad. You're just not on my level yet."
"Let's hold back for now. Once we enter the Grand Line, we'll show them our true strength," Law added calmly.
Burgess clenched his fists, glaring at Hawkins' retreating figure. "Hawkins! Stop with that damn fortune-telling bullshit!"
"A real man speaks with his fists, not some bullshit about fate!"
"You're always predicting things, huh? Then tell me—am I stronger than you or not?!"
Law, leaning on his nodachi Kikoku, said coldly, "You're no match for him. That's undeniable."
Burgess' anger flared. He raised his right arm, veins bulging.
"And you! Always acting all high and mighty, putting on that icy act—who the hell do you think you are?!"
"Let's settle this right now! The loser shuts the hell up!"
Hawkins' voice came from the side, calm but chilling. "Law, his bounty's gone to his head. He's lost his reason."
Then, he turned his sharp gaze to Burgess, his tone icy. "Remember what you said today. Don't forget it."
"Train hard before we enter the Grand Line—or I might just kill you."
With that, he walked off to train with Law.
Bepo, sitting by the railing, cheered loudly, "Captain—uh, no, Boss! You can do it!"
Penguin, holding a fishing rod, chuckled. "How many times do I have to tell you? Our Captain's name is Chris, not 'Boss'."
"If you keep messing up, you'll get punished again, yoi~"
Bepo nodded eagerly, his large bear head bobbing. "I'm working on it! I'll get it right next time, yup!"
Burgess, overhearing them, gritted his teeth. "Damn it! All of you looking down on me?!"
Doc Q grinned. "Big talk. But can you back it up?"
"Your so-called strength? In front of me, it's just child's play."
"Want a real fight? I could kill you in seconds, cough cough~"
Hawkins and the others watched coldly. "Seems like you've all forgotten about me."
"But don't worry—soon, I'll make sure you remember."
"Except for the Captain, none of you can make me submit!"
"Just you wait! Once we enter the Grand Line, I'll beat you all until your teeth scatter!"
With that, he stormed off to train.
Meanwhile, in the captain's quarters…
Lafitte knocked and entered, finding Chris calmly reading a book.
"Captain, our bounties have been posted."
Chris barely glanced up. "Oh?"
Lafitte placed the newspaper on the table. "Yours is 100 million Berries."
Silence.
Chris turned a page, unfazed.
Lafitte blinked. "…That's the highest first bounty in the history of the Four Seas."
Chris nodded. "I see."
Lafitte: "…"
Is he really this calm about it?!
Outside, the crew was in an uproar over their new bounties—yet here was their Captain, utterly indifferent.
Nami, who had just rushed in, gasped. "Chris! Your bounty is—!"
"One. Hundred. Million. Berries!"
She stared at him, waiting for a reaction.
Chris sipped his tea. "Hmm."
Nami: "…"
Reiju giggled. "That's just how he is. Unshakable."
"Future Pirate Kings don't get excited over small things like bounties~"
Nami clutched her head. "Small?! It's 100 million!!"
Chris finally looked up, his gaze steady.
"Bounties are just numbers."
"Strength is what matters."
Then, he went back to reading.
The crew exchanged glances.
…Their Captain was on another level.
----------
T/N:
Access 55 chapters in advance on my Patreon: [email protected]//OnePieceChronicles
+5 Advance chapters available to all free members !