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Chapter 121 - 9

Chapter 211"Well, that's the general direction of the plan."Luffy broke the silence, standing up as he said, "As for the specific details, we'll discuss them once we find Rayleigh. Auntie Shakky, do you know where he's most likely to be?""That man of mine is always on the move."Shakky spread her hands with a helpless expression. "Right now, he might be losing everything at some casino in the Lawless Area, or he could be dead drunk in some bar, or perhaps staying with some lady friend of his. Who knows?""Whenever he runs out of the house, he often disappears for months. I suppose that's just the nature of a pirate.""Hahaha, that's true."Luffy laughed heartily in agreement.This fit perfectly with the image of the free-spirited First Mate of the Pirate King he had in mind.However, before his laughter could fade, he felt both of his shoulders sink at the same time.Nami and Robin each placed a hand on his shoulders with beaming smiles, but the pressure they applied was not light.Not far away, Vivi was also watching him quietly with a smile so gentle it made his scalp tingle.Luffy's laughter came to an abrupt halt, and a drop of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.Taking the whole scene in, Shakky couldn't help but let out a chuckle and shook her head.There really is always someone who can keep another in check.Shakky took a deep drag of her cigarette, her eyes sweeping over Luffy's left and right with a hint of playfulness. "However, with so many of you—especially with several beautiful ladies—you'll need to be careful going into those rough areas. This year's Sabaody Archipelago is quite unsettled; too many Supernovas have arrived."Vivi had noticed the term 'Supernovas' being mentioned repeatedly and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Miss Shakky, what exactly are these 'Supernovas' you mentioned?""Oh? You don't know yet?"Shakky was a bit surprised, but then nodded understandingly. "I suppose it's no wonder, considering how much has happened since you formed your pirate crew."And so, Shakky began to explain.The so-called Supernovas refer to rookie pirates whose bounties exceed 100 million Berries within a year of entering the Grand Line.One must know that having a bounty over 100 million is enough to be called a great pirate. For many pirates, reaching that amount is a lifelong struggle, let alone doing it within a year of entering the Grand Line. They must have done something truly sensational.These standouts, who have fought their way through thousands of pirates, attract a lot of attention every year."There are seven routes from the four seas into the Grand Line, but all pirates who wish to head to the New World eventually converge here at the Sabaody Archipelago to coat their ships and head for Fish-Man Island. Generally speaking, the pirates with bounties over 100 million who successfully arrive here are called the Supernovasof that year—the rookie kings with immense potential among pirates."Shakky's gaze drifted over Luffy's group, saying with a playful tone, "And as for your Straw Hatcrew, aside from Vivi, who has a special bounty of 500 million, you have four members with bounties exceeding 100 million.""Eh?! Four?"Nami pointed at herself as the realization dawned on her. "Am I one of them?"She remembered that her bounty had exceeded 100 million for some reason.Vivi felt a bit embarrassed, but hers was indeed a special bounty, and she was the princess of a country after all.Robin held her teacup, taking an elegant sip as she chuckled. "By that standard, it seems I am one as well."Shakky nodded affirmatively. "Exactly. Monkey D. Luffy, 660 million Berries; Roronoa Zoro, 150 million Berries; Nico Robin, 140 million Berries; and you, 'Cat Burglar' Nami, 100 million Berries. If you count Vivi's special bounty of 500 million, your ship has five individuals with bounties over 100 million. This is extremely rare across the entire ocean."Five people with bounties over 100 million on a single ship.To be honest, it was a bit exaggerated.Generally, there is a distinction between officers and non-officers within a pirate crew. Having bounties all over 100 million means almost everyone on the ship is an officer. The Red Hair Pirates among the Four Emperors Pirates have such a configuration, which is why many people view the Straw Hat crew as the second 'Red Hair' crew."Supernovas attract a lot of attention," Shakkysmiled.Hearing Shakky say this, Nami looked bewildered. Her body went limp, and she practically hung off Luffy's shoulder, lamenting, "This makes no sense! Why am I one too? Are those Marines blind? I'm not even a combatant!""One, two, three... Wow! So many zeros! Luffy, Zoro, Robin, Nami—there really are four. No, five including Vivi! Are there really that many bounties over 100 million?"Chopper counted on his fingers, his eyes wide and round.Even though there were many on the ship, Chopperstill found it incredible every time he heard the specific numbers. They were so many times his own bounty!But Chopper's bounty could only buy two pieces of cotton candy.Chopper didn't know whether to cry or laugh, and then he glanced at Nika.Nika: "..."Are you a raccoon dog?"Including your crew and 'Big Eater' Bonney, who is currently with you, there are a total of thirteen Supernovas gathered on the Sabaody Archipelagoright now. It's an unprecedented year."Shakky smiled and pulled out a compiled list from under the bar, pushing it toward Luffy. "None of these fellows should be underestimated. Several of them would be renowned great pirates in any other year.""Thirteen?"Even Luffy raised an eyebrow at this.Shakky pointed to the list. "Besides your group and Bonney, there are eight other guys on the island, belonging to seven different pirate crews. The information is fairly accurate; you should take a look and be careful."Chopper leaned in to look at the list filled with bounty amounts and was once again dumbfounded. "Are there really that many bounties over 100 million?!"Robin picked up the list and summarized the information of the other Supernovas for everyone:"Drake Pirates Captain, 'Derailed Rear Admiral' Red Flag X Drake, bounty: 222 million Berries.""Fire Tank Pirates Captain, 'Gang' Capone Bege, bounty: 138 million Berries.""Fallen Monk Pirates Captain, 'Mad Monk' Urouge, bounty: 108 million Berries.""On-Air Pirates Captain, 'Roar of the Sea' Scratchmen Apoo, bounty: 198 million Berries.""Heart Pirates Captain, 'Surgeon of Death' Trafalgar Law, bounty: 200 million Berries.""Hawkins Pirates Captain, 'Magician' Basil Hawkins, bounty: 249 million Berries.""Kid Pirates Captain, 'Captain' Eustass Kid, bounty: 315 million Berries.""And Killer, the combatant of the Kid Pirates, 'Massacre Soldier', bounty: 162 million Berries."Robin paused and added, "The list also records some scattered information, including that several of them are Devil Fruit Users. It seems the proportion of ability users among this year's Supernovas is quite high."Besides basic data, the list also contained bits of intel on their abilities, such as Hawkins' Straw-Straw Fruit and Drake's Ancient Zoan type.Shakky blew a smoke ring and added from the side, "Up until now, it's been quite rare for so many powerful rookies to gather on one island at the same time.""They all sound like troublesome guys," Luffy said, not particularly happy.Normally, hearing about so many opponents would be exactly what he wanted.But right now, he didn't have time to mess around with these people."Yes, they are all troublesome fellows."Shakky looked at Luffy, her smile carrying a deeper meaning. "And Little Monkey, although you're classified as a Supernova, your bounty is already more than double that of the second-place Kid. Plus, with your past feats of defeating Crocodile, causing an uproar at Enies Lobby, and repelling Admiral Aokiji... quite a few arrogant guys have their eyes on you. They plan to use you as a stepping stone to make a name for themselves.""Why?!"Chopper cried out, anxious and afraid. "We just got to the island and haven't even provoked them!""Chopper,"Luffy grinned, showing a look of understanding. "Think about it from another perspective. If we enter the New World, wouldn't we want to challenge those high-and-mighty Emperors of the Sea?"Chopper blinked and nodded instinctively. "I guess so?""Exactly."Luffy clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking. "Pirates will do anything to gain great fame."Thinking about it, if he entered the New World, he would definitely be sharpening his blade against those Four Emperors entrenched there.Few pirates on this sea aren't eyeing that single throne of the Pirate King.Everyone is in their first year in the Grand Line; how much stronger could you be?Why should you be the one getting all the spotlight?It wasn't surprising at all that there were so many challengers.Shakky smiled. "So, if you want to carry out that plan quietly, you might have to deal with these potential troubles and challengers first. The Lawless Area is a high-risk zone for conflicts.""It doesn't matter."Luffy stood up, saying with absolute confidence, "I won't let anyone interfere with my plan. It's the perfect time to stretch my muscles!"With the discussion settled, Luffy's group prepared to leave.Before leaving, Robin lagged behind. She pulled a bulging purse from her coat and placed it gently on the bar, smiling. "Miss Shakky, this is the information fee. Thank you for the snacks and drinks, but we can't take such detailed and valuable intelligence for free."Shakky was stunned for a moment, then smiled as she took the purse. "Little Robin, you really are a reliable person who knows the rules."Robin smiled and turned to catch up with the team.Chapter 301 Uta: Damn it, Nami, you're useless!Shakky blew a smoke ring. She had originally thought the Sabaody Archipelago would be in chaos, but now it seemed that saying it would be turned upside down was an understatement.The plan was good.The person had courage.But various accidental events would inevitably still occur.Most importantly..."Tyrant Kuma?"Shakky couldn't understand why that Shichibukai would send Luffy to find Rayleigh. Did he know something?...Stepping out of the bar and getting back on the Bubble Bikes, the expression on Bonney's face was still complex and conflicted.She looked at Luffy, and then at his crew members, who seemed to treat kidnapping Celestial Dragonsand the gathering of Supernovas as if they were nothing. Her heart was in turmoil.This was just too much.Could the world she knew be wrong?Shouldn't a normal person be as anxious as she was?Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she gritted her teeth and shouted at Luffy:"Hey, Straw Hat! I'm coming with you guys for what's next.""Eh? Haven't you been with us all along?" Luffysaid."Those are clearly two different things!" Bonneycouldn't help but scratch her head."Ara ara, how cute, Miss Bonney," Robin laughed."You guys still have the heart to joke around."Bonney really couldn't understand the way these people's minds worked. She crossed her arms in a somewhat resigned manner and said:"You guys saved me and helped me escape Zephyr's pursuit. I'll consider this as paying you back! Until you leave the Sabaody Archipelago, I'm sticking with you! Don't you dare think of leaving me behind if something goes wrong!"...24GR.This was one of the Lawless Areas in the Sabaody Archipelago that the World Government couldn't control.It wasn't a desolate place; on the contrary, due to the lack of regulation, various industries and organizations that were not allowed in the open flourished here.Casinos, bars, underground exchanges, weapon black markets... everything was there, attracting a large number of pirates, bounty hunters, and other outlaws.Inside a fairly well-decorated restaurant, the crowd was bustling.Near the window, a girl was particularly eye-catching.She had a unique hairstyle, bright red on the right and pure white on the left. Wearing headphones and an outfit decorated with feathers along with a white miniskirt and a black bowtie, she was slowly enjoying the dessert in front of her."Teacher, Luffy and the others should have arrived by now, right?"The girl was Uta.She swallowed a mouthful of cake and asked Gordon, who was sitting opposite her."Yes, there's news that their ship has arrived at Grove 44."News travels fast in the Sabaody Archipelago, and information brokers play a huge role in that.For famous people like the Straw Hat crew, any news about them spreads very quickly.

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