Chapter 18 - Straw Hat Pirates Shocked by the Bounties
The sea breeze blew steadily across the Grand Line. All across the New World and beyond, a single piece of paper—no, a series of them—fluttered into the hands of pirates, marines, civilians, and kings. These were no ordinary wanted posters. These were bounties that shook the foundations of the world.
The newly emerged crew known only as the Voidreign Pirates had erupted into the world's consciousness like a violent storm, and now, thanks to Morgans' World Economy News Paper, the world knew their names.
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"BREAKING NEWS! THE VOIDREIGN PIRATES: THE NEW ERA OF MONSTERS!"
Morgans' voice screeched with excitement as he hovered in his flying newspaper ship. His laugh echoed into the skies, "KUEEEHHAHAHA! Print it! Spread it! Let every sea know! The Void King has arrived!"
Within hours, newspapers fluttered across the Four Blues, the Grand Line, and even the Red Line. Kingdoms froze. Pirate captains dropped their bottles. Revolutionaries exchanged nervous glances. The entire world paused.
The bounties read:
- Jessie - 4.8 Billion Berries "Void King"
- Uta - 3.6 Billion Berries "World Diva"
- Vash the Stampede - 2.9 Billion Berries "The Crimson Mirage"
- Kuina - 2.3 Billion Berries "Sword Saint"
- BlackEye (Panda) - 2.1 Billion Berries "Beast of the Void"
- Seraphim Mihawk - 2.0 Billion Berries
- Seraphim Hancock - 1.9 Billion Berries
Thousand Sunny - Somewhere in the New World
The Straw Hat Pirates sailed calmly, enjoying a rare peaceful morning. Luffy, chomping on meat, shouted, "Yosh! I feel like today's gonna be a good day!"
"Oi! Luffy! Check this out!" Usopp ran with a paper. "New bounties just got published. There's some insane stuff here!"
Nami took it, her eyes widening. "These numbers... This crew came out of nowhere!"
Sanji whistled. "A 4.8 billion bounty? That's Emperor-level!"
Robin narrowed her eyes. "Voidreign Pirates... Where did they come from?"
Zoro glanced at the paper lazily... until he saw the name Kuina.
His hand trembled. The sake cup dropped from his fingers.
"...Kuina?" he murmured.
The crew turned to him.
"What's wrong, Zoro?" Chopper asked.
Zoro's hands balled into fists. "That's not possible. She died when we were kids. But... this bounty... this sword style..."
Franky leaned in. "Sword Saint? She must be hella strong."
Luffy grinned. "Oi, Zoro. Is she a friend of yours?"
Zoro looked away. "She was my rival. My first promise. If she's alive... I have to meet her."
Behind him, the Straw Hats talked in whispers. Robin's eyes narrowed in curiosity. "These aren't random pirates. They formed out of nowhere but are already shaking the balance of power."
Franky was loud as always. "2.1 Billion for a panda?! Super terrifying!"
Usopp hid behind Chopper. "We can't fight pandas now?! I'm done!"
Brook laughed. "Yohohoho! I wonder if they'll come for tea?"
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Cross Guild – Emperor Buggy
Buggy the Clown nearly fainted reading Jessie's bounty. "4.8 billion?! Why does everyone pass me so fast?! I'm an Emperor now!!"
Crocodile lit a cigar calmly. "This Jessie... he's not trying to be king. He's declaring himself as one."
Mihawk didn't speak. He only stared at the name Kuina, and a small smile played across his lips. "So she's grown into the blade..."
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Wano - Flower Capital
The papers had reached the shores of Wano. Kids ran through the market, shouting the names on the posters.
"Jessie-sama! Void King! 4.8 billion berries!"
"Kuina-sama! Sword Saint!"
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Impel Down - Level Six
Former prisoners laughed in disbelief.
"New Emperor? Void King? Hah!"
"Oi, but 4.8 billion? That's no joke. They're even scarier than Teach."
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On the Calm Belt - Amazon Lily
In the aftermath of the battle, Kuja Warriors were still repairing the damage. But they were alive. Because of Voidreign.
Hancock, now in a more relaxed robe, held her bounty in hand, smiling gently. "This Jessie... he saved me. This is no ordinary pirate. He carries an aura stronger than the Emperors."
The two Seraphim knelt beside her. No longer weapons—now crew.
Hancock looked out to the sea. Behind her, the Kuja warriors buzzed with excitement.
"He's our king now," one said, referring to Jessie.
Two former enemies—Seraphim Mihawk and Seraphim Hancock—stood like statues, loyal only to Jessie after their gene repair.
Kuina polished her blade beside them. Uta sat nearby, humming a soft tune.
"Is this our calm before the next storm?" Kuina asked softly.
Uta smiled. "Or the eye of it."
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Elbaf - Giant Kingdom
Even the giants respected the might of the Void King. Dorry and Broggy roared with laughter.
"A new monster rises! Ha! Let's see if he dares step foot on Elbaf!"
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Revolutionary Army Headquarters
Dragon stared at the poster.
"They're not allies. But they're not enemies either. A third force..."
Ivankov nodded. "Another power to watch."
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Back on the Thousand Sunny
Zoro stood alone at the deck.
Luffy walked up beside him. "You okay?"
Zoro didn't respond for a moment. "If that's really Kuina... if she's reached this level... then I'm not far enough yet."
Luffy smiled. "Guess we both got more climbing to do, huh?"
Zoro smirked. "Yeah."
Robin looked toward the sea. "The world's changing, captain. The Voidreign Pirates... they've rewritten the map."
Luffy grinned wider. "Then it's gonna be even more fun."
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