Chapter 36: Way Stronger Than Shanks

The Grand Line, the New World.

The Moby Dick.

Whitebeard Edward Newgate was once hailed alongside Pirate King Gol D. Roger and Golden Lion Shiki as one of the Three Legendary Pirates.

As the top figure in the pirate world,

now that the Pirate King has been executed and Golden Lion imprisoned in Impel Down, Whitebeard, crowned the strongest man in the world, became the first Sea Emperor after the dawn of the Great Pirate Era.

“Papa, Papa, big news!”

Marco, with his pineapple hairstyle, handed Whitebeard the newspaper he had just bought.

“Papa, that guy Seven who cooked so well on Roger’s ship—he’s got a bounty of one billion.”

Whitebeard stared closely: the front-page headline showed the side profile and chin of Barzab Seven, with his signature white hair.

“Guraguragura.”

Thinking of the fine liquor brewed by the white-haired chef, Whitebeard’s lips curled into a smile—he remembered how that kid once traded three bottles of liquor for a strand of his beard.

It left both crews utterly stunned.

“So Seven’s set sail too?”

“One billion bounty? That’s incredible.”

“But something’s odd,” Marco added: “It doesn’t say what Seven did.”

Normally, newspapers extensively detail the crimes of bounty targets as reference for the Marines’ issued bounties.

Such an unusual case—a one-billion bounty with no details whatsoever—is extremely rare.

Remember, a one-billion bounty today is nothing like it was twenty years ago when Luffy set sail—the value is on an entirely different level.

After a moment’s thought, Marco voiced his guess.

“It must be connected to the World Government.”

“Guraguragura,” Whitebeard slapped Marco’s shoulder. “Go prepare a feast—to celebrate our chef Seven’s fame spreading across the seas.”

Long ago, when Roger asked Whitebeard to let Oden join his crew, Whitebeard had joked: “I’ll trade you Seven the chef.”

He never expected Roger to kneel on the spot—or that Oden himself agreed—so Whitebeard had to back down.

Whitebeard had two great passions in life: family above all, and an unquenchable love for liquor. Seven, who brewed exquisite wine and cooked masterfully, was practically his dream man.

Unfortunately, Roger got there first.

On this sea, whether happy or not, throwing a feast was always the most important thing.

With Whitebeard at the center, his sons gathered around him, raising cups, singing, and dancing.

Only one fat black man, upon learning the feast was to celebrate Seven’s billion-bounty, suddenly clutched his cheek, his teeth aching terribly.

The two missing teeth—knocked out by the red-nosed brat and the red-haired brat together, with two of them picked up by the white-haired brat.

And he still denies it! How infuriating!

Worst of all, they never searched him properly—damn it!

Tite stared blankly at the side profile in the newspaper: the Gura Gura no Mi—quite a powerful ability, but unfortunately it’s also a Logia, like the Yami Yami no Mi.

“This guy… already has a one-billion bounty.”

“When will my chance come?”

“Tite, come drink with us!”

The moment a voice called from behind, Tite switched instantly to a wide, innocent grin: “Coming, Sachi.”

…

East Blue, the Organ Islands.

The waters of Orange Town.

Buggy lay on the deck of his pirate ship, unleashing his Four Divisions technique to snatch a passing news bird, then pulling out the newspaper.

“Let old Buggy see…”

The moment he saw the snow-white hair, sculpted profile, and refined chin, his entire body instantly split into dozens of pieces.

“Seven… one billion?!!!”

Buggy rubbed his eyes, afraid he’d misread the number—but when he saw the bold headline, he froze in stunned silence.

【Barzab Seven, former member of Roger’s Pirate Crew, bounty: one billion, alive or dead!】

In the tiniest corner of the paper, Buggy finally found his own small-print bounty.

【Buggy, captain of the Buggy Pirates, active in the East Blue’s Organ Islands, bounty: five million.】

One billion versus five million—the gap didn’t upset Buggy; instead, he felt proud for his brother’s fame spreading across the seas.

“No wonder it’s Seven!”

“Way stronger than Shanks.”

Thinking of Shanks, Buggy’s good mood vanished halfway, and he grew red with anger.

If Shanks hadn’t changed his mind two years ago—if they’d formed a crew together and invited Seven aboard—the three of them might have become Pirate King.

Instead of how things are now—

Shanks vanished without a trace, wandering some forgotten corner, while Buggy was stuck in the weakest sea, the East Blue, scraping by digging for treasure.

Only Seven’s one-billion bounty had truly made waves across the ocean.

Two years ago, Buggy sailed to the Grand Line’s Paradise, trying to follow in Seven’s footsteps…

But now, Buggy had changed his mind.

He feared: Seven might refuse him, just like Shanks did.

After all, Seven had once sailed with the captain to the final island, Laugh Tale—what if Seven had no intention of inheriting Roger’s will?

He’d already broken with Shanks—he couldn’t afford to lose his last good brother too.

If Seven ever plans to form a crew, he could consider joining then. Buggy wasn’t good at fighting, but he was excellent at making money!

Give Buggy enough treasure maps, and he could dig up the entire world’s hidden riches.

…

West Blue, Twin Serpent Island.

On a small wooden boat resembling a coffin, Mihawk set down the newspaper, his hawk-like eyes flashing a sharp gleam.

“One billion. Not bad.”

The two-year deadline has passed. After challenging the last great swordsman, it’s time to reunite with the captain.

Over these two years, Mihawk, wielding the black blade Yoru, had traversed the Grand Line from Paradise to the New World, challenging every formidable swordsman and winning nearly a hundred battles without a single defeat.

He had the air of a man who had long sought—and found—no worthy opponent.

His target this journey: thirty-two years old.

A Paramecia user of the Gura Gura no Mi, wielding one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords—Gamblers Fireline—a rare master.

On the verge of reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship, opponents who could truly stir Mihawk’s interest had become as rare as phoenix feathers.

Perhaps for the rest of his life, only Captain Barzab Seven would be worthy to stand as his rival.

“My path is not lonely.”

Mihawk felt profoundly grateful: his chosen captain, too, was a swordsman, wielding a mysterious supreme-grade blade equal to Yoru.

The only regret these past two years: no more sweet iced black tea.

And the food on this sea…

Compared to Seven’s cooking, it fell far short. Mihawk only now realized: his palate had grown far too refined—thanks to Seven.

He docked the small boat steadily at the harbor, slung Yoru over his back, and strode confidently into Twin Serpent Island, following the intelligence he’d gathered.

They say he’s addicted to gambling—so he’s probably in the casino right now.