Inside the inn.
Ryan lounged in the plush leather cushions, a cigar between his fingers, its ember glowing faintly red. Smoke rings drifted lazily toward the ornate ceiling, the air around him thick with an aura of indolence.
"Captain, the latest newspaper," Zala said, her stiletto heels clicking as she approached. Her blue hair swayed dramatically with each sway of her hips as she handed him a rolled-up newspaper. "It's news about the Straw Hat Pirates."
Ryan took it without much interest, unfurling it casually.
"Oh my god!" Mikita, who had been pressed snugly against him, suddenly leaned in closer, her eyes widening as they landed on the front page. "Three hundred million Belly?! That bounty's insane!"
The wanted poster tucked inside the newspaper was impossible to miss—Luffy's grinning face beside the glaring red number "300,000,000 Belly."
"Attacking Enies Lobby, humiliating the World Government in front of the entire world—this bounty isn't unreasonable," Ryan mused, unfazed by Mikita's weight pressing against his arm. His gaze lingered on the "300,000,000" figure.
Thanks to Ryan's interference, the Straw Hat Kid hadn't personally dealt with the Arlong Pirates nor defeated Crocodile, so he hadn't reached the original one hundred million Belly bounty. But bounties were always tied to the level of threat posed to the World Government. To turn Enies Lobby upside down—three hundred million Belly was well-deserved.
Ryan continued flipping through the newspaper. Zoro: 120 million. Sanji: 77 million… These figures matched his memories. But when his eyes landed on Robin's wanted poster, the image of her biting her lip in restraint in that alley flashed through his mind. A faint, inscrutable smirk tugged at his lips.
So pliant...
"Captain, what's so special about this woman?" Mikita couldn't help but ask, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing," Ryan replied dismissively, turning the page. The next photo showed a girl in a swimsuit, exuding a sensuality far beyond her years, prompting Ryan to click his tongue softly.
Back in Cocoyasi Village, Nami had been a lively, spirited girl. Yet in just a few months, her demeanor had changed so much—her figure filling out even more.
Well, I certainly had a hand in that.
He remembered how Nami had owed him a favor back on Little Garden but had never repaid it. Maybe it was time to collect some compensation from the navigator.
As for the other wanted posters, Ryan spared them no further glance, tossing the newspaper and bounties onto the sofa.
"Just a bunch of kids making noise—nothing worth looking at," Ryan said, rising from the sofa. "Let's go check on the ship's progress."
"Yes, yes!" Mikita immediately sprang up, looping her arm around Ryan's with familiarity. "I've been wanting to pick the room with the best view! And we should set up a hammock on the deck—sunbathing while napping sounds perfect~"
"Exactly~" Porche chimed in, rising languidly, her voice dripping with her usual saccharine tone. "I also want a vanity in the cabin~"
"Fine, you two pick first."
Ryan wrapped an arm around Mikita and Porche, giving their waists a playful squeeze before heading for the door. Zala straightened up from where she had been leaning, while Daz Bonez and BABE, who had been silently gnawing on jerky in the corner, stood as well.
Just then, a sharp, urgent ringing cut through the air.
Zala pulled out a Den Den Mushi from her front—its shell bore unique markings, starkly different from ordinary models. Her previously lazy expression instantly sharpened into seriousness. "It's the Warlord-exclusive Den Den Mushi."
Ryan raised an eyebrow, releasing the two women to take the receiver. With a soft click, the call connected.
"Is this Warlord Ryan?" The Den Den Mushi immediately mimicked the cold, bureaucratic tone of a World Government official.
"That's me," Ryan answered, his voice dripping with nonchalance.
"Lord Ryan," the voice on the other end turned noticeably colder, adopting an authoritative, no-nonsense tone. "Under emergency orders, you are hereby commanded to immediately apprehend the Straw Hat Pirates."
"Apprehend the Straw Hat Kid?" Ryan's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of mockery in his tone. "Isn't the Marine hero's warship docked at the port? And isn't there a Marine Admiral aboard? With all those capable hands at your disposal, you're ordering me instead?"
"Given Vice Admiral Garp's… special relationship with the target, Marine forces have been excluded from this operation," the Den Den Mushi replied, its voice still devoid of inflection. "The World Government has decided that you will be solely responsible for the capture."
Ryan's lips curled into a low chuckle.
In the original timeline, Garp had been sent to arrest the Straw Hat Kid—but with them being grandfather and grandson, Garp had put on a show while secretly letting his grandson escape. Now, with Ryan—a Warlord with no ties to the Straw Hat Pirates—conveniently in Water 7, he had become the obvious choice.
Seems the higher-ups are well aware of Garp's slippery nature.
"I don't have time for your nonsense," Ryan said, his tone laced with disinterest. "I'm waiting for my new ship to set sail—I'm not in the mood to play cat and mouse with a bunch of brats."
"Lord Ryan," the Den Den Mushi's voice dropped, its rigid tone now edged with pressure. "You seem to have forgotten the obligations of a Warlord. Accepting the World Government's directives is the responsibility that comes with the privileges you enjoy."
Ryan's brow twitched.
"Furthermore," the Den Den Mushi continued pointedly, "in Alabasta, we released Daz Bones and his crew at your request. During the Enies Lobby Incident, you were present yet took no action. According to Spandam's report, you even covertly assisted Nico Robin. CP9 even revoked her kill order at your behest… The World Government has overlooked all of this."
"Tch." Ryan scoffed, his voice turning icy. "Are you trying to settle old scores with me now?"
"We merely believe that Lord Ryan should demonstrate a corresponding attitude," the Den Den Mushi's eyes bore into Ryan. "Apprehending the Straw Hat Pirates is both an order and an opportunity for you to prove your stance. Should you refuse…"
A pause. Then the final threat.
"The World Government will have no choice but to reconsider revoking your Warlord title."
The air froze. Mikita and Porche's smiles vanished, and even the ever-silent Daz Bonez looked up at Ryan.
"Threatening me?" Ryan stared at the Den Den Mushi before letting out a low laugh.
"This is not a threat, but a hope that Lord Ryan will adopt a clear stance," the Den Den Mushi blinked, its voice still rigid but now carrying an unyielding edge. "While you enjoy the privileges of a Warlord, you must also contribute. Capturing the Straw Hat Pirates is the World Government's most basic demand of you."
"Fair point. I understand." Ryan tapped the Den Den Mushi's shell thoughtfully before his lips curled into an enigmatic smile. Without another word, he pressed the disconnect button, and the snail instantly shrank into itself.
"Captain," Mikita took half a step forward, hesitation in her voice. "Are we… really going after the Straw Hat Pirates?"
"I want to keep the Warlord title, but I don't want to capture the Straw Hat Pirates," Ryan mused, scanning the group. "What do you all think?"
Truthfully, the World Government wasn't wrong—privileges came with obligations. The conveniences of being a Warlord were too useful to give up lightly. But the Straw Hat Pirates? He had no real interest in arresting them.
Especially Nico Robin. They had an agreement. Ryan might not be a good man, but he wasn't one to break his word either.
How else could he keep her under his thumb forever?
"Captain~" Porche finally piped up, her voice sugary. "Keeping the Warlord title and not capturing the Straw Hats—since when does the world work that way~?"
"What the World Government wants is just a gesture," Daz Bonez spoke up, his voice steady as he met Ryan's gaze. "They need to see that the Warlord acted on their orders. As for the actual outcome… capturing them isn't strictly necessary."
"Oh?" Ryan smirked. "Good point."
Daz was suggesting they put on a show—letting the World Government believe they had tried, then allowing the Straw Hats to escape.
Mikita frowned. "But if they don't get caught, what if the World Government holds us accountable?"
"Accountable?" Ryan scoffed. "They can try."
Ryan turned, his gaze sweeping over them, his tone brooking no argument. "This world has always belonged to the strong. The Warlord title is just a piece of paper. If they want to tear it up, let them see who dares to stop me."
The privileges of a Warlord were convenient, but he wouldn't let the title shackle him.
As for the World Government's orders… A performance would suffice. If they wanted a fight, he'd be happy to show those high-and-mighty bastards what true cruelty looked like.
"Captain's the best~" Porche giggled, batting her lashes. "Warlord or not, I'll follow you anywhere~"
Mikita relaxed, looping her arm back around Ryan's. "Exactly! With the captain's strength, who wouldn't let us walk all over them?"
"Let's go." Ryan chuckled, swatting Mikita's hand away before resting his palm on the hilt of the Seven Star Sword at his waist. "Time to go play with the Straw Hats."
With that, he strode out first.