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Arthur hadn't expected his clash with Garp to increase his bounty. A revised wanted poster—featuring his new epithet—was circulating the world.
[Thunder God - Seabury D. Arthur!]
The name, bestowed upon him by Garp in recognition of his most powerful form—now preceded him.
"Gurararara! I underestimated him." Whitebeard, aboard the Moby Dick, drank deeply, his trademark laughter echoing across the deck. He glanced at the newspaper Marco had handed him.
"Pops, that Seabury D. Arthur escaped after fighting Garp?" Marco asked, surprised.
They knew Garp's strength. Only Whitebeard himself could match him.
"We'll wait for him in the New World—Now, drink!" Whitebeard declared, raising his massive hand. Few earned his attention. He only cared about his family.
"Yeah!" The crew cheered.
Hundred Beasts - Kaido—his massive, muscular frame like sculpted steel, his long horns reaching for the sky, guzzled from his sake gourd.
"Thunder God? How conceited. When he reaches the New World, tell me. I'll go crush him!" Kaido tossed the newspaper aside, a ferocious glint in his eyes.
"Now, set course for Whitebeard's territory!"
"Yes, Lord Kaido!" The Beasts Pirates trembled, their fear of their captain outweighing their respect.
New World, Whole Cake Island—under construction.
"Thunder God Seabury D. Arthur?" Charlotte Linlin, not yet the obese behemoth of later years, sampled a dessert offered by a servant.
"This young man is that strong? Good. Send him an invitation to the next Tea Party. Perhaps a marriage alliance with one of my daughters?"
Arthur's new wanted poster was making waves, but he remained oblivious, standing among the clouds, looking down at the bustling crowds of Gourmet Paradise, Pucci.
"So many people. A food festival?" Arthur's eyes lit up. He enjoyed festivals—a chance to indulge in his favorite foods.
As he prepared to descend, a News Coo flew past.
"Hold it! Give me that newspaper!" Arthur flashed forward, intercepting the bird.
'Squawk!' Startled, the News Coo dropped the newspaper and fled.
Arthur nodded, satisfied, flipping through the thick pages.
[Roger Pirates disappear in Paradise, suspected of plotting! Citizens, be vigilant!]
[Hundred Beasts' Kaido's movements unknown, suspected of targeting Whitebeard's territory!]
[Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin, ravages another nation for sweets! The nation was under the protection of 'Flying Pirate' Shiki...]
Arthur read carefully. He never missed a news cycle, keeping abreast of events in the New World. He knew, however, to take the news with a grain of salt. Some stories were fabricated. Like the first one, for example.
"The last report placed Roger in Alabasta. This time, it's Mock Town. Disappeared—Could he have gone to Skypiea?" Arthur frowned, a surge of irritation rising within him.
Skypiea was his territory. Uninvited guests were trespassing.
"I hope this doesn't delay the completion of the [Thor]. Otherwise, I'll have a bone to pick with him." He licked his lips, a hint of madness in his eyes.
"Kaido challenging Whitebeard? Not surprising. He's the King of Suicide, after all—I'm not on that level yet."
"Big Mom attacking Shiki's territory for sweets? That's a slap in the face. Looks like his plans for Whole Cake Island are on hold…" Arthur continued reading.
"What? My bounty has changed?"
Among the news articles, several updated wanted posters were tucked in. The first one was his. The original photo had been replaced with an image of his Thunder God form, majestic and imposing, like a God descending from Heaven.
[Thunder God - Seabury D. Arthur!]
[Bounty: 500,000,000!]
[Crimes: Stealing the Heavenly Tribute, attacking the Carnival City Marine Base!]
"Five hundred million Belly? Not bad…Thunder God, huh?"
"But attacking the Carnival City Marine Base? What's that about? I don't remember doing that!" Arthur was almost amused by the Marines' fabrication. If they hadn't attacked him, would he have retaliated?
Arthur descended from the sky, landing in the harbor district at speeds imperceptible to the human eye.
He manipulated Electromagnetism to distort the light around his face, obscuring his features. As a 500 million Belly pirate—even in The New World, he was a big deal.
He couldn't be bothered with unwanted attention. He was sure to attract bounty hunters and pirates eager to make a name for themselves—a constant annoyance. He wouldn't even have time to eat.
The harbor was packed, a sea of people.
Arthur moved through the crowd, Electromagnetism subtly pushing people aside, creating a path.
"Hey, old timer! You look... distinctive. I bet you were a real lady-killer in your youth. Mind telling me what all the commotion is about?" Arthur clapped a nearby man on the shoulder. The man had no neck, his body a perfect sphere.
In the world of One Piece, strange appearances were common. Arthur wasn't surprised.
There was no way a simple food festival would draw such a massive crowd. Something else must be happening.
The island was too noisy. Activating his Observation Haki here was overwhelming—a cacophony of thoughts and conversations flooding his mind. It was too much to process. Asking someone directly was easier.
"Hehehe! You're a smooth talker, young man. Today is the annual food festival of Gourmet Paradise. You can eat your fill for next to nothing. But the real main event is the triennial Chef's Tournament!" The spherical old man explained, then rolled away into the crowd.
"Chef's Tournament?" Arthur mused, a glint in his eyes. He had come to Gourmet Paradise for a feast and to find a skilled chef to handle his meals. This tournament seemed like the perfect opportunity.
Gourmet Paradise was a unique island. Almost everyone here was a chef, capable of preparing all sorts of delicacies. The winner of the tournament must be exceptionally skilled.
"Whoever wins first place, comes with me…" Arthur smiled.
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