"One... ten... hundred... thousand... ten thousand..."
"Luffy, you actually got a 50 million Berries bounty right off the bat?!"
Zoro stared in astonishment at the bounty poster, exclaiming:
"I can't believe it! You haven't even done anything that bad, yet they already placed such a high bounty on you!"
"This is seriously interesting."
In the East Blue, a bounty above 5 million Berries already marks someone as a big-time pirate.
Luffy getting a 50 million bounty right off the bat left Zoro, a former bounty hunter, utterly stunned.
Luffy, for his part, grinned ear to ear, nearly squinting from joy as he clapped his hands:
"Shishishi~! Looks like the Marines got some people who really know their stuff!"
"Alright! Let's keep this momentum going and raise that bounty even higher!!!"
"Hey!!"
Watching the two laugh and celebrate, Nami sighed and facepalmed.
"You guys! Can you not be so optimistic!?"
"Do you even realize what this bounty poster means!?"
"This is the East Blue!"
"Where the average bounty is around 3 million, and the highest bounty barely reaches 20 million!!!
"Do you two not understand what it means for the Marines to issue a 50 million bounty on Luffy!?"
"And you say he hasn't done anything bad."
"Did you already forget about provoking the Marines and taking that photo at the base!?"
Nami was on the verge of tears.
At that moment, she could already picture them being chased by countless Marines warships.
She could only hope Red's new technique would be enough to deal with the Marines' fleet.
Speaking of Red...
Nami suddenly turned to look at Red, hoping that the usually composed one would talk some sense into Luffy and Zoro.
Then she heard Red say:
"Only 50 million? That's still a bit too low!"
"Looks like the East Blue's limited perspective has affected the Marines' judgment."
"With your current strength, Luffy, you'd easily be in the hundred-million range if we were in the Grand Line!"
Nami: 'We're doomed. These people are hopeless.'
"Oh, right, Nami!"
Red suddenly turned to the speechless Nami, now serious:
"Even though you're not a fighter, since Luffy is now officially wanted, the enemies we'll be facing from now on are only going to get stronger…"
"To avoid unnecessary danger, starting today, you'll begin some training too."
"And if nothing unexpected happens tonight, you'll be the one entering the Pokémon World with me."
"Huh!?"
Nami froze for a moment, her expression turning to disbelief.
"Pokémon World!?"
"W-Wait! Isn't that a super rare opportunity!? You don't need to waste something that valuable on me!"
She still didn't fully understand what the Pokémon World was, but from what Luffy and Zoro had said, she could sense its mysterious nature.
Becoming stronger through battle…
It sounded like a miracle!
From any perspective, it made more sense for Luffy or Zoro to enter that world and maximize its value.
She didn't want Red to waste their opportunity just to take care of her.
But Red just smiled and asked in return:
"What are you talking about, Nami?"
"From the way you're talking, it sounds like you're questioning my judgment as a Trainer~!"
"Relax. If I chose to bring you into the Pokémon World, then it means there's a reason for it."
"Well… alright then."
Since Red insisted, Nami didn't argue any further.
Besides, deep down, she was curious about what the Pokémon World was really like.
Red smiled gently and waved off Luffy and Zoro, who were still daydreaming about the future, sending them off to train.
Then he returned to the stern of the ship, training himself with Ancient Power while using Surf to speed up the ship.
These two Pokémon moves had practically become Red's signature skills!
As for bringing Nami into the Pokémon World…
It wasn't just out of consideration for her.
Red clearly remembered that, while playing the game, he once found a Rare Candy hidden in a corner of Cerulean City!
Previously, in places like Viridian Forest and Mt. Moon, he had found items encased in Poké Balls on the roadside, just like in the game.
So he believed the system wouldn't have missed this hidden item in Cerulean City.
Therefore—
Red planned to spend a full day's worth of energy exploring Cerulean City thoroughly.
After all, Rare Candies, which instantly level up Pokémon, were worth the gamble.
And the reason he wanted to bring Nami was to take advantage of her special Trait.
[Pokémon: Nami]Level: 12
Gender: Female
Nature: Calm (+Sp. Atk / -Speed)
Type: Electric / Flying
Ability: Pickup (After battle, can pick up a used item from the opponent. Even without battling, has a chance to pick up items unknowingly. The higher the Pokémon's level, the better the items it can find.)
Moves: None
EXP: 0 / 586
Stats:
HP: 49
Attack: 31
Defense: 30
Sp. Atk: 48
Sp. Def: 32
Speed: 31
Compared to recovery-focused abilities like Regenerator or intimidation-focused ones like Pressure...
Nami's Pickup might not help in battle, but it had a unique effect; she could pick up Pokémon items out of thin air!
From Red's memory, Pokémon with Pickup could occasionally find Rare Candies, and even TMs!
He wasn't sure how this ability would work in the One Piece world, but if he was searching for a Rare Candy in Cerulean City, Nami would be his best bet!
Meanwhile...
As Red and the others sailed toward Syrup Village...
Thanks to the Marines' urgent efforts, Luffy's bounty poster quickly spread across the world.
Back in their hometown, Foosha Village.
"Cheers!!!"
Inside Makino's Bar, villagers raised their glasses and shouted excitedly.
"A toast to Luffy!!!"
"Unbelievable! He's only just gone to sea and already has a 50 million Berry bounty! Looks like our village has produced a big shot!!!"
"Hahaha! The Marines haven't even noticed Red yet. I bet half of that bounty is thanks to him!!!"
"A toast to Red!!!"
"Hey, hey, hey! A notorious criminal just came from our village, and you guys are still in the mood to celebrate!?"
An old man with a cane suddenly burst through the bar doors, scolding the cheering crowd.
But instead of calming down, the villagers cheered even louder:
"To Luffy and Red!!!"
"You guys…"
The village chief sat at the bar, his face full of exasperation.
"Calm down, chief."
Makino, the kind bar owner, smiled as she brought him a cup of hot tea.
"Everyone's just happy that Luffy is chasing his dreams."
"Look how happy the kid looks~!"
Makino picked up Luffy's bounty poster from the table, her eyes shining, and a gentle smile spreading across her lips.
"Honestly! What was Red thinking!? Why did he choose to go to sea with Luffy!?"
The chief took a sip of tea and sighed:
"I was hoping he'd be the next village chief, but he got dragged off by that little brat!"
"This is madness!"
"Red, huh…"
When Makino heard his name, her eyes sparkled once more.
Having spent over two years together, she probably understood Red better than anyone in the village.
And yet, even she couldn't understand why he suddenly decided to become a pirate.
But...
If he made that decision, it must mean the sea holds something he truly wants to find.
Watching the joyful bar scene, Makino's lips curved into a soft smile, and in her heart, she silently whispered:
"Don't forget to eat on time, Red…"