It didn't take long after Eli Winters and his crew left the 16th Branch of the East Blue Marines for word of their actions to reach Marine Headquarters. The death of the branch's commanding officer shocked the upper ranks but so did the accompanying report that detailed Captain Madrew's corruption and atrocities. By the time the files reached Fleet Admiral Sengoku's desk, the incident had become a political wildfire.
Since the matter involved a man of Eli's power, Sengoku had no choice but to convene an emergency council.
The conference room at Marineford was unusually tense. Sengoku sat at the center of the table, his face solemn. To his right sat Vice Admiral Tsuru, the tactical genius of the Marines; next to her was Vice Admiral Garp, the "Hero of the Marines," looking bored as always. On Sengoku's left lounged Admiral Kizaru, sunglasses reflecting the dim light, his casual slouch an open insult to the meeting's gravity. Beside him sat former Admiral Zephyr the stern, battle-scarred instructor now serving as the Marines' chief trainer. Finally, there was Vice Admiral McArthur the father of the slain Madrew and the man whose presence made the air feel heavy.
No one else had been invited. Some were too busy; others, too unqualified.
As soon as the meeting began, Sengoku slammed his hand on the table, his temper breaking through the thin veneer of formality.
"Do you have any idea what your son has done, McArthur? He's brought shame upon the entire Navy! And you you have the gall to ask Headquarters to avenge him? You'd better give me a damn good reason right now, or I'll personally have you thrown into Impel Down!"
The old vice admiral froze in terror. Whatever schemes he'd had to manipulate the situation vanished instantly. Now, he only prayed not to be punished himself. His voice trembled.
"F-Fleet Admiral, I swear, I had no idea what my son was doing! He was... just a little unruly, that's all. I sent him to the East Blue to toughen up, never imagining he'd go so far astray. If I had known, I would've dealt with him myself executed him even, for the Navy's honor!"
Sengoku's glare hardened. "You think a simple 'I didn't know' excuses everything? Don't take me for a fool! This isn't something we can sweep under the rug. Headquarters will conduct a full investigation. Until then, you are confined here at Marineford. You're not to leave under any circumstances. If we find evidence you were complicit, you'd better walk yourself into Impel Down quietly because if we have to drag you, it'll be worse. Understood?"
McArthur's legs went weak. Cold sweat streamed down his face as he bowed again and again before stumbling out.
Garp, who rarely spoke seriously in meetings, finally opened his mouth. His voice was low, uncharacteristically sharp.
"Hmph. Trash like that deserves what he got. I spent half my life cleaning pirates out of the East Blue, only to find Navy scum worse than the criminals we lock up."
Even Kizaru tilted his head slightly, sensing how angry the old hero really was.
Sengoku rubbed his temple, frustration clouding his tone.
"Be that as it may, Garp, Eli Winters executed a Marine officer in front of witnesses. He didn't even try to appeal through proper channels. No matter how guilty Madrew was, Eli took justice into his own hands. That kind of arrogance undermines everything the Navy stands for."
His voice grew darker. "I understand the anger behind it, but the world is watching. He could have reported Madrew's crimes to us, and we'd have acted. Instead, he publicly executed him, making the Navy look powerless. Now people are questioning our authority."
Vice Admiral Tsuru folded her hands. "Eli Winters is far too strong. We currently lack the manpower to capture someone of his caliber."
Garp yawned. "Then why bother? The kid did us a favor by getting rid of a rotten apple. Didn't Aokiji say that same man once saved Marine soldiers before? Seems to me we should be sending him a thank-you note, not a bounty."
Zephyr frowned. "You're missing the point, Garp. It's not about whether Eli was right it's about reputation. If the Marines let this go unpunished, people will think anyone can kill an officer and walk free. That would cripple morale."
Garp shrugged, waving a hand lazily. "So what do you suggest, Z?"
Tsuru spoke up before Sengoku could answer. "If we can't arrest him now, we issue a bounty. A high one. Let the world's balance handle itself. With his strength, Eli's bound to clash with someone like Kaido eventually. That's when the problem will solve itself."
Sengoku thought for a moment, then nodded. "Agreed. Tsuru, have the intelligence division set the bounties immediately."
The meeting concluded, but as the officers began to stand, Garp scratched his head.
"Hey, Sengoku. I'm taking some leave to visit my grandson in East Blue."
Sengoku nearly jumped from his chair. "You just got back from vacation, you old fool!"
"Eh? Really? Hahaha, must've slipped my mind. Anyway, since Eli's in East Blue, I might as well check on him for you."
Sengoku glared, but deep down he considered it. Having Garp one of the few who could test Eli's strength wasn't such a bad idea. He sighed. "Fine. One month. No more. If you're late, I'll revoke every vacation you've got left for life."
Garp's face fell. "Aw, c'mon…"
Sengoku smirked, satisfied at last only to look up just in time to see Garp snatch something from his desk drawer and bolt for the door.
"GARP, YOU DAMN THIEF! Those were my last two packs of senbei! GET BACK HERE!"
Garp's laughter echoed down the hall. "Finders keepers!"
The sound of their bickering shook Marineford from top to bottom.
Within days, the bounty posters hit the seas and the world exploded.
Eli Winters
Captain of the "Dream Exploration Voyage Crew"
User of the Space-Space Fruit
Bounty: 3,300,000,000 Berries
Big Pan
Crew Pet of the Dream Exploration Voyage Crew
Bounty: 800,000,000 Berries
Delos Felina
Navigator of the Dream Exploration Voyage Crew
User of the Cloud-Cloud Fruit
Bounty: 230,000,000 Berries
Delos Fiona
Swordswoman of the Dream Exploration Voyage Crew
Bounty: 150,000,000 Berries
Dortai the Fishman
Helmsman of the Dream Exploration Voyage Crew
Bounty: 120,000,000 Berries
Simon the Fishman
Lookout of the Dream Exploration Voyage Crew
Bounty: 110,000,000 Berries
Chiyo Mochizuki
Chef of the Dream Exploration Voyage Crew
Bounty: 40,000,000 Berries
Vinsmoke Reiju
Member of the Dream Exploration Voyage Crew
Bounty: 11,000,000 Berries
The seas erupted in disbelief.
A bounty higher than Kaido's? Higher than Big Mom's? Eli Winters, an unknown name only months ago, now rivaled the emperors themselves.
Pubs, ports, and pirate dens buzzed with rumor. Some scoffed that it had to be a misprint; others remembered whispers from the West Blue of a "mysterious traveler" who had defeated Kaido in single combat.
In Onigashima, Kaido himself burst into laughter when he saw the poster.
"BAHAHAHA! Now that's more like it! A man who beat me should damn well have a bounty to match!" He drank straight from a barrel, grinning wide.
Young Jack clenched his fists but said nothing. One day, he'd prove himself.
On a distant island in the New World, Fisher Tiger watched the news with a smile.
"So, Eli Winters… You've come far."
Beside him, a young fishman asked, "Captain Tiger, is he really that strong?"
Tiger nodded. "You remember the story I told you how I saved our kin from the Holy Land? I didn't do it alone. He was one of those who helped."
"Then should we help him in return?" asked a burly blue-skinned fishman.
Tiger laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Patience, Jinbe. The man doesn't need help. We'll meet again in the New World soon enough."
Meanwhile, aboard the Moby Dick, Marco handed Whitebeard the newspaper.
"Old man, that guy Eli's got a bounty 3.3 billion."
Whitebeard let out a booming laugh. "That much? For killing a corrupt Marine? Sengoku's gotten stingy since becoming Fleet Admiral."
Marco nodded in agreement.
Even Captain Fokfa the first Marine Eli had ever met stared at the bounty notice in silence. Once, he'd hoped to recruit Eli into the Navy. Now, fate had turned them into enemies. His jaw tightened, anger welling up not at Eli, but at Madrew, whose corruption had caused this mess.
All across the seas, reactions varied admiration, sorrow, regret but one thing was certain: Eli Winters and his crew had made their mark.
As for Eli himself?
He merely glanced at the bounty poster, raised an eyebrow, and laughed. "Well, that's new."
Then he tossed it aside, clinked glasses with his friends, and went back to eating, drinking, and laughing.
To them, the bounty was just a piece of paper.
No Marine alive could stop them now.
_________________________________________________
Already sailing with Eli on this fog-shrouded journey?
Drop your thoughts and reviews every word keeps this grand voyage alive! And for every 300 Power Stones, a bonus chapter will set sail, bringing Eli's wild adventure closer to its next storm!
The seas are vast, the dreams are boundless, and Eli Winters' legend is only just beginning. Stay aboard One Piece: I'm Just an Adventurer, and let's ride the tides toward freedom, laughter, and the greatest treasure of all!
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a