Chapter 59 – "The Cutest and Handsomest Bounty in the East Blue"
Sunny's POV
The morning sunlight spilled across the deck of the Going Merry like a lazy artist splashing gold paint over everything in sight. It danced on the waves, shimmered off the sails, and warmed the wooden planks under my feet. The air was thick with the familiar scents of the sea—briny salt mingling with the mouthwatering aroma of Sanji's breakfast sizzling in the galley (something involving fresh fish and herbs he'd foraged from our last island stop) and, of course, the ever-present undercurrent of chaos that had become our crew's signature perfume. It was one of those mornings where you could almost forget we were pirates on the run, training like demons, and probably one wrong turn away from a Marine ambush. Almost.
I leaned against the railing, sipping my manifested tea—black, steaming hot, with just a hint of citrus to cut through the salt in the air. The crew was stirring: Zoro was dozing in his usual spot by the mast, his swords propped up like loyal guards; Sanji was humming a tune while flipping pans; Nami and Nojiko were huddled over a table, counting berries from our latest "acquisition" (which Nami insisted was just smart business, not theft); Usopp was tinkering with some gadget that looked suspiciously like a fireworks launcher; and Aqua was beside me, absentmindedly polishing her trident with a cloth that sparkled like it was made of stardust. Her blue hair caught the light, making her look every bit the idiot goddess she was—annoyingly beautiful and dangerously mischievous.
Then there was Lucy, our indomitable captain, balancing precariously on the railing like it was a tightrope, her straw hat tilted at a jaunty angle. She was grinning from ear to ear, holding a rolled-up newspaper like it was the One Piece itself. "Oi, everyone! Gather 'round! We made it into the news!!" she bellowed, her voice carrying that infectious enthusiasm that could rally a crew or start a riot.
Zoro cracked one eye open from his nap, not bothering to move. "Now ? Didn't we basically blow up that Marine base last month? What's new?"
Sanji poked his head out from the galley, twirling his cigarette with flair as he balanced a tray of steaming plates. "If it's about me being the most handsome cook on the seas, I won't be surprised. Ladies love a man who can wield a knife—in the kitchen, of course." He winked at Nami and Nojiko, who both rolled their eyes in perfect sync.
"Keep dreaming, curly-brow," Nami muttered, stacking another pile of berries with a satisfied clink. "If anyone's getting a headline for looks, it's probably me—the brains and beauty of this operation."
Nojiko chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling. "Or maybe it's for your 'creative' navigation fees. You did charge that merchant double last time."
Aqua perked up from her polishing, her eyes lighting up like she'd just heard the punchline to a divine joke. "The News Coos came by earlier! It dropped something big—literally plopped it right on Lucy's head while she was stretching. I think the bird had a sense of humor."
Sure enough, the seagull-like bird was still circling overhead, squawking triumphantly as if congratulating itself on a job well done before flapping away into the horizon. The rolled-up World Economy Newspaper lay at Lucy's feet, sealed with a dramatic red wax mark that read: Bounty Update Edition. It looked official, ominous, and oddly exciting—like a gift-wrapped bomb.
Lucy tore it open with all the drama of a performer unveiling a magic trick, unrolling it with a flourish that sent bits of wax flying. "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves… for fame!" she yelled, striking a pose like she was declaring war on the entire World Government. Her rubber arms stretched out for emphasis, waving the paper like a flag.
I sighed, setting my teacup down with a clink. "I don't like the sound of that… Bounties mean trouble. More Marines, more hunters, more headaches."
Lucy's grin only grew wider, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Too late, Sunny. You're famous. Like, super famous." She leaned in closer to me, her face inches from mine, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just her— that bright smile, those determined eyes, the way she made even danger feel like an adventure. My heart did a little flip, but I played it cool.
---
The Headline
The newspaper unfurled with a rustle, revealing the bold, screaming headline in massive black letters: "NEW PIRATE CREW TAKES EAST BLUE BY STORM — THE STRAW HAT PIRATES!"
Below that, in even more sensational font, were the details that made my heart drop straight into the ocean depths. Two wanted posters stared back at us, fresh off the presses, with grainy photos that somehow captured us in the worst (or best?) possible light.
My heart sank further as Lucy slapped mine against the mast with a triumphant smack, pinning it there like a trophy. "Look at it, everyone!! Sunny's first bounty! Isn't it amazing?"
The poster read: Wanted: Sunny [Surname Hidden] – Dead or Alive – 100,000,000 Berries. And below the photo (me mid-battle, looking intense but apparently not intense enough), the description: "The most handsome and dangerously adorable man on the sea. Approach with caution—his charm may conquer before his power does."
Silence blanketed the deck for a solid three seconds. Then the dam broke.
Sanji choked on his cigarette smoke, coughing dramatically as he dropped his tray with a clatter. Plates of breakfast scattered across the deck. "WHAT!? Handsome!? DANGEROUSLY ADORABLE!? What kind of bounty description is that!? I slave away in the kitchen, charming ladies left and right, and this guy gets 'handsome' for existing? Unfair! Unjust!"
Zoro, who had finally sat up, nearly fell over laughing, clutching his sides as tears formed in his eyes. "Guess your face is a national threat now! The Marines are quaking in their boots—not from your Haki, but from your puppy-dog eyes!"
Aqua burst out laughing so hard she actually rolled on the deck, her trident clanging beside her as she held her stomach. "Oh gods— they called you adorable! You, the guy who levels islands with a glare! This is priceless! I need to frame this!"
Even Nojiko, usually the picture of composure, couldn't hold back a snicker, covering her mouth with her hand. "It's kind of accurate though. You do have that... boyish charm. Like a deadly teddy bear."
"EH!?" I yelled, my face heating up like I'd swallowed a flame-flame fruit. "No, it's not! I left that behind when I was fifteen! I'm not cute anymore, I'm scary! Menacing! Look at this—" I flexed dramatically, my muscles rippling under my shirt as I struck a pose that was meant to be intimidating but probably just looked ridiculous. The crew's laughter only intensified.
Lucy, of course, clasped her hands under her chin and smiled in dreamy admiration, her eyes turning into literal hearts (or at least it felt that way). "See? Even the newspaper agrees with me~ He's too cute for this world. My Sunny, the cutest pirate ever!"
My face went red instantly, a blush creeping up my neck like wildfire. "Lucy, please stop saying that in front of everyone! It's embarrassing!" But secretly, the way she said "my Sunny" sent a warm flutter through my chest—possessive, affectionate, and utterly Lucy.
She only smiled wider, stepping closer and whispering just loud enough for me to hear, "No one else gets to call you cute. Not even the World Government." A faint yandere glint shimmered in her eyes for half a second—enough to make me freeze, my heart pounding in a mix of fear and thrill. Sanji, catching the vibe, shuddered from his spot on the deck. "Remind me never to make eye contact with her again… That look could sink battleships."
Usopp, who had been peeking over the paper, burst into giggles. "Man, Sunny, with a bounty like that, you're gonna have fan clubs! Imagine—posters of your face in every tavern, girls swooning left and right!"
Nami smirked, fanning herself with a stack of berries. "And guys too, probably. 'Dangerously adorable'—that's marketing gold. We could sell merch!"
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "This is a disaster."
---
Lucy's Poster
Not one to be outdone, Lucy spun dramatically on her heel, her rubber body twisting like a pretzel for flair, and held up her own poster next. "And check this out! Mine's even better!"
Wanted: "Straw Hat" Lucy – Dead or Alive – 30,000,000 Berries. The photo showed her in full captain mode, fist pumped in victory. But the description? "Captain of the Most Handsome and Cutest Man on the Sea. Beware her protective wrath."
Everyone went silent again, processing the absurdity.
Usopp blinked slowly, adjusting his goggles. "Wait… your bounty's literally because you're his captain? Like, the Marines are scared of you for... babysitting Sunny?"
Nami raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a sly grin. "That's… both flattering and terrifying. It's like the government acknowledged your relationship status as a threat level."
Nojiko started giggling again, this time leaning on Nami for support. "So the government basically said she's dangerous for being his girlfriend. That's next-level romance—immortalized in ink!"
Aqua cackled from the deck, wiping tears from her eyes. "That's peak jealousy right there! The Marines must have a crush on Sunny and hate Lucy for 'stealing' him!"
Lucy beamed proudly, puffing out her chest like she'd just won the Grand Line lottery. "That's right! My bounty's higher than Zoro! I'm not just his captain, I'm the protector of the sea's cutest man! No one touches my Sunny without going through me first!" She slung an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close in a hug that was equal parts affectionate and possessive. Her warmth pressed against me, and I could smell the faint scent of adventure on her—sea salt and determination. My blush deepened, but I didn't pull away.
I buried my face deeper in my hands, mumbling through my fingers. "I'm never showing my face in public again. This is mortifying."
Zoro snorted, still chuckling. "Too bad, pretty boy. Your face is public property now."
Sanji, recovering from his earlier fit, lit another cigarette with a dramatic flourish. "Thirty million for being his babysitter? Meanwhile, I'm out here with zero recognition. The injustice!"
---
Elsewhere — Bell-mère's House
The scene shifted in my mind's eye—or perhaps it was [system] feeding me a vision, who knows with her tricks—to Cocoyashi Village, where the sun was shining just as brightly on Bell-mère's modest porch. She was lounging in her chair, sipping tea from a chipped mug, her signature cigarette dangling from her lips. The village was peaceful: kids playing in the streets, the distant sound of waves crashing on the shore. Then, thunk—the newspaper hit her doorstep like a poorly aimed cannonball.
"Hmm? What's this nonsense about a hundred million—" She picked it up, unfolding it casually.
She froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening as she scanned the page. Sunny's bounty stared back at her, complete with that ridiculous description. Her cigarette fell from her lips, landing in her tea with a sizzle. For a moment, she was silent. Then, she burst into laughter so loud it probably scared the nearby birds. "Handsome!? Oh, that boy! He's gonna die from embarrassment before the Marines even find him! 'Dangerously adorable'—ha! I knew he had that charm, but this? This is gold!"
She flipped the page, spotting Lucy's poster. "And Lucy got thirty million just for being his captain!? Oh, this I've gotta frame! Nami, Nojiko—your little crew is making waves!" She wiped a tear from her eye, still chuckling as she pinned the posters to her wall like proud family photos. In the background, villagers peeked in curiously, whispering about the "cute pirate" from their village.
---
Back on the Merry
The deck was still pure chaos, with laughter echoing like thunder. Zoro was wiping tears from his eyes. "You're doomed, Sunny. Every pirate and Marine girl's gonna chase you now. You'll have a fan club bigger than Whitebeard's crew."
"Not if I burn every poster," I grumbled, manifesting a small flame in my palm for emphasis—only for Aqua to snuff it out with a splash of water from her powers.
Lucy just smiled too sweetly, her arm still around me. "Anyone who tries will be sunk. Personally." Her tone was light, but that yandere glint was back, making the air feel a tad heavier. I swallowed, but couldn't help smiling—her protectiveness was endearing, in a terrifying way.
Even the News Coos, circling above, looked like they were gossiping, squawking as if sharing the joke with their feathered friends.
Aqua leaned toward me with that mischievous smile, her hand brushing mine as she whispered, "You know, Sunny… maybe you should use your bounty picture as our flag. The crew of the Cute King." Her touch lingered, sending a spark up my arm—flirty, teasing, classic Aqua.
"NO!" I yelled, but everyone was already laughing harder. Sanji suggested plushies, Usopp sketched a quick "Cute King" flag on a napkin, and Nami calculated potential merch profits.
Lucy, of course, was the loudest, her laughter ringing like bells. "Sunny the Cute King of the Seas~!" She pulled me into a full hug, her head resting on my chest. "My cute king."
My heart raced, the romance cutting through the comedy like a warm breeze. "Lucy..." I murmured, hugging her back despite the embarrassment.
The World Economy Newspaper had never sold so fast in history. All across East Blue, the News Coos screeched through the sky, scattering papers like divine confetti. Taverns erupted in laughter, islands buzzed with gossip, and every few seconds, someone's breakfast was ruined by a headline so absurd it broke the laws of reason itself.
> "WANTED — SUNNY: 100,000,000 BELI. 'The Most Handsome and Cutest Man on the Sea!'" > "WANTED — LUCY: 30,000,000 BELI. Captain of the Handsome and Cutest Man."
---
Marine HQ — Chaos and Coffee
Inside the grand halls of Marine Headquarters, the atmosphere was anything but orderly. A young ensign tripped over a stack of papers in his haste, shouting breathlessly, "S-sir! You need to see this— It's him again! The Straw Hat crew!"
Vice Admiral Garp was snoring in his oversized chair, half a doughnut stuck to his cheek like a badge of honor. "Huh? What's it this time? That brat blowing up a fort again? Or eating all the crackers?"
The ensign gulped, holding up the paper with trembling hands. "No, sir. He… he's been declared the cutest man alive. Bounty of 100 million—for charm!"
Garp blinked twice, processing. "...The what now? Cutest? Bahahaha!" He slapped his knee, roaring with laughter that shook the room.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stormed in like a thundercloud, newspaper crumpled in his iron grip, veins bulging on his forehead. "WHO SIGNED THIS DESCRIPTION!? 'Dangerously adorable'? This is a mockery of justice!"
Behind him, the report desk was an active warzone—marines crying with laughter, others frantically trying to erase the phrase 'cute face that conquers hearts' from official wanted posters. Ink smeared everywhere, coffee spilled on desks.
"Sir!" one shouted, holding up a draft covered in red marks. "We even received fan letters addressed to the criminal! From marine wives! They're asking for autographs!"
Sengoku's glasses cracked under the pressure of his glare. "Burn them. Burn everything! This is not how we do bounties!"
From the corner, Garp howled with laughter, pounding the table. "BAHAHAHAHA! That's my kind of pirate! A heartbreaker instead of a fort breaker! Reminds me of my granddaughter—wait, don't tell her I said that."
Meanwhile, the ensign whispered nervously, "Uh… and the girl— Lucy— got her own bounty too, sir. Says here she's 'Captain of the Cutest Crew on the Sea.' Thirty million for... association."
Sengoku slammed his desk so hard it splintered. "THEY'RE MOCKING THE ENTIRE NAVY! Get me the Cipher Pol— no, better yet, call in the Admirals! This ends now!"
The room devolved into pandemonium: phones ringing off the hook, officers arguing over whether "adorable" constituted a valid threat level, and one poor soul fainting from secondhand embarrassment.
---
Syrup Village — Kaya's Home
In the serene gardens of Kaya's mansion in Syrup Village, the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and fresh-baked pastries from the kitchen. Kaya sat gracefully on a bench, sipping tea from a delicate porcelain cup, her long blonde hair cascading like sunlight. The newspaper arrived via News Coo, landing neatly at her feet with a soft thud.
She unfolded it calmly— then dropped her cup, the china shattering on the stone path.
Her golden eyes widened in shock. "S-Sunny-san… one hundred million!? For... being cute? That's... unexpected."
But her focus shifted as she turned the page—a familiar face with a long nose and a ridiculous grin under the words: Crewmate of the Cutest Pirate — Usopp of the Sea. No bounty amount, but the implication was clear: he was part of this infamous crew.
Her cheeks turned a deep crimson instantly. "U-Usopp… he's part of this…? My brave captain..." She clutched the paper to her chest, a soft smile breaking through the blush. Memories flooded back—of his tall tales, his courage, the way he'd protected her.
Merry, the loyal butler, peeked over her shoulder with a knowing smile. "My, my. Seems our brave liar's finally become a real pirate. And with quite the company."
Kaya nodded, her eyes misty. "Then I'll believe in him too. All of them." She paused, frowning at Sunny's photo. "Still… one hundred million for being cute? The Marines are losing their minds. Poor Sunny-san—he must be mortified."
Merry chuckled. "Indeed, miss. But it does add a certain... charm to their legend."
---
Going Merry — Chaos at Sea
Back on the Merry, the celebration (or mockery) was in full swing. "WOOOHOOO! WE GOT OUR FIRST BOUNTIES!" Lucy yelled, waving the papers around like victory flags, her laughter infectious.
I looked pale, staring at my poster like it was a death sentence. "Why— why does it say cute?! Why not strong? Or scary? Or— I dunno— mysterious?! I trained for years to be intimidating!"
Aqua leaned on my shoulder with a grin, her body pressing close in a way that was both comforting and flirty. "Because, darling, even the Navy can't resist your face~♡ You're like a weaponized puppy." She batted her eyelashes, her hand trailing down my arm.
I groaned, but couldn't suppress a smile. "This is a nightmare."
{ego}: "Correction. This is divine comedy. The gods are laughing upstairs."
[system]: "I might frame this on my wall. You look so adorable, Sunny~♡ Even cuter than in my simulations."
I facepalmed. "Can I unsubscribe from both of you? Please?"
Lucy laughed so hard she almost fell overboard, her arms stretching to catch herself. "Bwahahaha! Look at me! Thirty million! I'm the captain of the cutest man alive! Eat that, world!" She tackled me in another hug, her face buried in my neck. "You're mine, cute king."
The possessiveness hit me like a wave—her closeness, her protectiveness. I hugged back, whispering, "Yeah... yours."
Nami smirked, tallying profits. "Captain of cute, huh? That's one title I didn't see coming. But hey, fame means more berries."
Zoro muttered, sharpening his swords. "Can't believe we're sailing under the Pretty Boy Flag… What a legacy."
Sanji, meanwhile, was curled up dramatically in the corner, fake-sobbing. "A hundred million… for being cute! Life is unfair! I demand a recount!"
Usopp puffed up proudly, sketching merch ideas. "Well, technically I'm the marksman of the cutest crew in the world! That's prestige! We could sell action figures—Sunny with a 'charm attack' button!"
Nojiko giggled, joining the fun. "You mean chaos. But it's our chaos."
---
Marine Broadcast — Official Statement
Hours later, across the seas, a shaky news broadcast aired from Marine Base 16, transmitted via transponder snails to every corner of the East Blue.
A terrified marine reporter stood before the camera, stammering under the lights. "T-today, two new dangerous pirates have emerged. Sunny, the 'Cutest Man on the Sea,' and his captain Lucy—"
Behind him, another marine whispered frantically, "Don't say cute! The Admiral said not to!"
He froze, sweat beading on his forehead. "R-right! I mean— terrifying! Absolutely terrifyingly cute— I mean— AAHH!"
The feed cut to static, but not before Sengoku's scream echoed through the snails: "I SAID DELETE THE WORD CUTE! This broadcast is over!"
Laughter erupted in homes and taverns alike.
---
Meanwhile, on the Merry
I slumped over the railing, staring at the horizon. "A hundred million beli. For my face. This world is doomed."
Lucy grinned, leaning beside me, her hand slipping into mine. "Hey, it's not so bad. Now you've got proof that even the World Government can't resist you." Her thumb traced circles on my skin—soft, romantic.
I squeezed her hand. "That's not helping... but thanks."
Nami smirked from afar. "Look on the bright side— we're rich in fame now. Berries will follow."
Usopp puffed out his chest. "And feared! People will tremble when they see our flag!"
Zoro: "Yeah, tremble from laughter maybe."
Everyone burst out laughing again, the deck alive with joy.
[system]: "You know, my darling captain, this might be my favorite chapter of your legend yet~♡"
{ego}: "Same. Can't wait for the fanclubs to start. Maybe we'll get merch."
I slammed my head on the railing playfully. "Please. No merch."
Lucy: "Too late! I already sent Usopp to design plushies!"
"WHAT?!"
Cue everyone's laughter echoing across the endless sea— while the world's most adorable chaos crew sailed toward their next adventure, hand in hand, heart in heart.