The Grand Line, Jaya Island.
After evading the Marines' pursuit, Bege had arrived at this famous island aboard Laboon.
"So, this is Jaya Island...the island that was half-blasted into the sky by the Knock Up Stream four hundred years ago," Moria observed, gazing at the sprawling forest before them. Several small, thin apes swung through the trees within.
"That's right," Bege confirmed, checking the Log Pose in his hand. The needle trembled, pointing upwards.
"The Log Pose never lies," Kuse, the navigator, stated confidently. "If it's pointing to the sky, that means there's definitely an island up there that's stolen the magnetic signature."
"Even though it's the Godfather saying it, it's still hard to believe there's another sea up in the sky...and islands," Sam said, staring upwards in stunned disbelief.
On their journey, Bege had already explained their next destination: Skypiea. He'd also shared information about Jaya and Skypiea, and, understandably, his crew had found it difficult to comprehend.
There were two known routes to Skypiea. The first was to ride the Knock Up Stream in the waters near Jaya. This was a perilous path with only two possible outcomes: everyone survives, or everyone dies. One wrong move could send them plummeting thousands of meters.
The second route was the High West, an equally dangerous path. It was said that if a hundred people set out on this route, only a handful would reach their destination.
Bege had no idea where the entrance to the High West was, so he naturally abandoned that option. He had some understanding of the Knock Up Stream and knew how Luffy and his crew would eventually use it, which was why he dared to choose this risky method.
Bege had originally considered finding Mont Blanc Cricket, a descendant of the "Liar" Noland. Cricket was incredibly familiar with these waters and could have been a great help. However, after some thought, he realized that Cricket hadn't arrived on Jaya yet, so he gave up on that idea.
On the shore, the crew gathered while other subordinates began chopping down trees to build shelters.
"This area experiences the Knock Up Stream five times a month," Bege explained to Kuse and the other navigators. "We need a stream of enormous scale. I'm leaving the task of locating and observing the stream to you. You can go to Jaya and gather information from experienced sailors familiar with this island. Observe the sea currents for a month. I don't mind waiting an extra month or two, but you must understand the scale of the rising currents. To reach Skypiea, we need a massive Knock Up Stream, so your task is crucial."
"Understood," Kuse and the others nodded seriously.
"Riding the Knock Up Stream also places high demands on the ship. I'm leaving the modification and reinforcement of the ship to the shipwrights," Bege added, addressing the shipwrights.
Bege assigned tasks one by one, and everyone got to work.
While Bege and his crew were busy on Jaya, their bounty posters were being distributed throughout the world.
In the New World, on a certain stretch of sea, a massive pirate ship, resembling a Sea King, sailed slowly. Embedded in the ship's prow was a ram shaped like the head of a great white whale. This infamous ship was the flagship of one of the New World's overlords, the future Emperor Whitebeard's pirate crew: the Moby Dick.
On the Moby Dick's enormous deck, Edward Newgate, known as the World's Strongest Man, sat in his oversized chair, roaring with laughter as he read a newspaper.
"The Fire Tank Pirates' captain, Capone Bege...a rookie, huh? His first bounty is 350 million. Ah ha ha ha! Another promising pirate has appeared on the seas!"
A tall, sturdy young man beside Whitebeard spoke in a low voice, "Pops, this kid managed to escape from 'Mad Tiger' Simon at such a young age. He's no ordinary punk."
"Jozu, isn't that obvious? A bounty of 350 million! Your bounty when you debuted was only 50 million," a golden-haired, punk-styled youth scoffed, popping up beside them.
The sturdy young man's eyebrows shot up. He grabbed the youth and ruffled his golden hair, snorting, "Marco, are you itching for a beating?"
The punk-styled youth immediately erupted in blue flames. The sturdy young man's expression changed drastically, and his hand instantly transformed into glittering diamond. He swatted the punk-headed youth away.
The punk-styled youth sprouted two wings of blue fire in mid-air, soaring upwards, glaring at the sturdy young man.
This punk-headed youth was none other than the future first division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, the man known as "Marco the Phoenix." The sturdy young man was the future third division commander, "Diamond" Jozu.
Whitebeard watched the two squabble, his laughter growing even louder. He glanced at Bege's bounty poster and bellowed, "Such a fine seedling... I hope he doesn't die too soon!"
Around the same time, in the New World, the Roger Pirates, the Flying Pirates, and various other major pirate crews received Bege's bounty poster. Some were impressed, some envious, some harbored ill intentions... In any case, all the major forces in the world were scrutinizing the Fire Tank Pirates, and Bege and his crew were adding fuel to the fire of this soon-to-be-turbulent new era.
Back on Jaya, Bege also received his own bounty poster.
" 'Demon Dragon' Capone Bege... I like the 'Demon Dragon' title, hee hee hee! A bounty of 350 million... the Marines were generous this time," Bege laughed heartily.
The Marines had given Bege the epithet "Demon Dragon," which was quite imposing, far more so than "Gang" from the original story. Bege guessed that the "Demon Dragon" title came from his final attack, the Azure Dragon of Ruin, used during his battle with Vice Admiral Simon.
"Heh heh heh, my bounty also increased by 50 million," Moria exclaimed, pointing at his own poster.
" 'Wind Sword'... Not a bad title. And a bounty of exactly 100 million... also not bad," Modi commented, a faint smile playing on his lips as he examined his poster.
Amidst the joyful laughter, an angry voice erupted. Hank furiously tore his bounty poster to shreds. "Why is my bounty only 30 million?! I could easily kill a pirate worth 30 million! Are the Marines blind?!"
"Hank, my bounty is 5 million more than yours," Sam taunted, waving his poster in front of him.
"Damn it! Why are you worth more than me?!" Hank, enraged once more, ripped Sam's poster to pieces as well.
Everyone watched the two bicker, their laughter growing even louder.
"Tonight, we're having a banquet to celebrate our bounties!" Bege declared, and the crew cheered enthusiastically.
The coast was particularly lively that night. Burning bonfires illuminated the dark forest, and the crew members drank and celebrated freely.
Bege sat near a separate bonfire, surrounded by core members like Moria. Besides them, there were two unfamiliar faces.
They were the captain of the Riki Pirates, Egerd Riki, and his first mate, the martial arts expert, Gilon.
Both men were covered in bandages, sitting silently to the side.
Bege turned to Riki, raising his glass. "Come, let's celebrate your joining the Fire Tank Pirates!"
Gazing at the cup Bege extended, Riki smiled bitterly, then raised his own glass and clinked it against Bege's. Gilon did the same.
Bege laughed heartily and downed a large mug of rum in one gulp.
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