The top-floor office gradually fell silent.
Nezumi lay sprawled like a ragdoll, tossed aside by Shanu, right on the desk, staring dead-eyed at the ceiling.
Perhaps he had never expected this.
The very safe it had treasured so obsessively, polishing it daily, as if it were a priceless artifact, had become the weapon that killed it.
"…"
The phone bug remained silent, puffing steadily on his cigar.
"Good, good, good…"
After a long pause, the low, magnetic voice finally spoke. "Seems Nezumi's worry wasn't unfounded. The East Blue truly hides pirates of remarkable skill, bold enough to storm a Marine base and attempt to assassinate a base commander!"
Was he implying Shanu was a pirate? Or just fishing for information?
Shanu glanced at him, uninterested, and casually began collecting the money from the safe.
"Ah well, what can you do? This guy had cash, after all. Let's see… there's got to be at least 400–500 million Berries in this thing. Heh, cha-ching!"
In reality, it was barely over 100 million, just enough to mess with the poor sap.
"Four to five hundred million Berries?!"
The phone bug's eyes widened, and he leapt in fury. "Damn it! I knew that rat was unreliable, he even dared steal my money!"
Clenching his teeth, he barked:
"Hey! Kid, if you've got the guts, tell me, who the hell are you? No way someone could have the nerve to break in, kill, and then refuse to reveal their name!"
"Well, well, well…"
Shanu adopted the dramatic cadence of a storyteller, grinning. "I change neither name nor surname! I am Buggy the Clown, once a crew member on Gol D. Roger's ship for several years, and I've sailed across the New World. Not sure you've got the courage to come chase me down!"
A former member of Roger's crew?!
The person on the other end of the line drew a sharp breath. No wonder Nezumi had been so jittery, he had clearly faced a hidden powerhouse.
This identity… was terrifying. A major figure in the East Blue, yet completely invisible all these years.
He was about to speak when Shanu slammed the phone down.
Money secured in his backpack, he ceremoniously sacrificed the safe.
+200 points.
Given Nezumi's status and strength, this was more than expected. It seemed Nezumi truly loved that safe.
Before leaving, Shanu had one final bit of mischief. He pulled out several red bean buns, devoured the bread, and rolled the sweet filling into small red spheres.
With a snap, he stuck one onto Nezumi's nose.
"Done. A proper prank requires the full performance."
Satisfied, he nodded, climbed out the window, leapt across the rooftops, and vanished into the night.
Below, the two Marine guards at the building's entrance yawned, utterly oblivious.
...
Whoosh!
At dawn, Shanu's day-long trek brought him aboard the deck of the Orange Grove.
Scarface and the others had been waiting, quickly opening the ship's lower hatch to stow the small boat.
"All done at Branch 77?" Shanu tossed his backpack aside.
"Yes, boss. All the bounties delivered."
Scarface nodded frantically. "82 million Berries, not a penny missing. That rat colonel… lied shamelessly, claiming most of the bounty would be taken. By the way, that guy now…"
Shanu glanced at his two sisters approaching, raised an eyebrow, and said nothing.
Scarface caught on immediately, no further questions. He marveled at the speed, less than two days to finish and return.
"What now? Money again?"
A dissatisfied voice came from behind.
Shanu turned to see Nami sneaking into his backpack, only to frown and toss back a handful of bills.
"Ugh, I thought you brought something tasty! Money, money, money… seeing cash just annoys me."
With a laugh, Shanu ruffled her hair. "Patience. We're heading to Shimotsuki Village. That amazing chef I told you about is there. Tell me what you want to eat, and I'll make sure he cooks it all."
"Really?!" Nami's eyes lit up, counting on her fingers. "Seven dishes! Four, no, five desserts. And for mains… orange jam omelet rice!"
"I want squid tempura and the deluxe tamagoyaki!" Nojiko shouted excitedly.
"All covered," Shanu laughed, ruffling both their heads. "Let's go! Full sail to Shimotsuki Village!"
...
During the Orange Grove's voyage, two explosive reports spread across the East Blue.
First, the notorious Arlong Pirates, who had recently terrorized the East Blue from the Grand Line, were single-handedly wiped out by a swordsman.
The Marines confirmed it, the swordsman was none other than Shanu, former champion of the Asakura Island Kendo Tournament.
Memories resurfaced among East Blue citizens, the clean-cut, black-haired youth in photos. Only a year had passed, yet his swordsmanship had reached such heights. Even pirates from the Grand Line were no match.
Instantly, Shanu became headline news again. His title shifted from "Strongest Young Swordsman" to "Strongest Swordsman in the East Blue."
The second report was equally shocking.
Colonel Nezumi, head of Branch 16, was found dead in his office, nose decorated like a circus clown, a clear provocation.
The killer? Buggy the Clown, a mere 15-million-Berry bounty.
That wouldn't have mattered… except Buggy himself revealed he'd once sailed under Pirate King Gol D. Roger!
The revelation shocked the East Blue. If Shanu inspired pride and security, Buggy brought sheer panic.
How could the Marines allow such a pirate to operate freely in the East Blue?
Even the royal families of several nations pressured the Marine Headquarters, which was caught completely off-guard.
Emergency measures were launched: Buggy's bounty shot up to 80 million Berries, and the HQ announced that a fleet led by a vice admiral would hunt the Buggy Pirates down.