Forcibly Taking Nami Aboard, MultiverseLottery

The World Reacts to Bai Yu's Bounty

Baratie, East Blue

"Tch. The pirate crew you chose will have to crawl through the Grand Line on their knees."

Sanji exhaled a cloud of smoke, shaking his head as he flipped through the bounty posters. His gaze lingered on one particular image.

"A crew full of beautiful women? What a lucky bastard."

Then he turned to the newspaper, scanning through the details.

"Hiss…!" Sanji's lips curled into a smirk as he spoke, "If you've got some kind of grudge against this guy, I'd advise you to forget about it. There's no hope. No point."

"Impossible!"

Luffy and Zoro both spoke at the same time, their voices firm.

"Hah! If there's such a strong opponent waiting for me, then I just have to get stronger!"

Sanji glanced at them, intrigued.

"This green-haired swordsman is braver than I thought. Really doesn't fear death, huh?"

News Spreads Across the World

With newspapers and bounty posters flooding every corner of the world, the world itself began to take notice of the new pirate menace.

New World – Moby Dick

Onboard the Moby Dick, Marco lazily flipped through a fresh newspaper, only for his eyes to widen in surprise.

"Oyaji! Big news just came in!"

The legendary Whitebeard let out his signature laugh.

"Gurararara! What is it? Did Garp finally kick the bucket, or did that old man Sengoku retire?"

Despite his age, Edward Newgate remained a terrifying presence—so much so that ordinary men wouldn't even dare to stand before him.

As Whitebeard finally glanced at the bounty poster, his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Oh? This bounty is rare for a newcomer."

His gaze then shifted to another article, making him pause.

"Gurarara… That old bastard Shiki escaped again? That's unlike him."

Seeing news about the Golden Lion suddenly brought back old memories.

Meanwhile, Marco and the other Whitebeard Pirates carefully read the bounty details.

Some scoffed in disdain, others expressed shock, and some even voiced anger.

"The so-called future strongest in the world? Who does he think he is?"

"That's right! Oyaji is the true strongest in the world! That guy doesn't deserve that title!"

"Let's see if he even survives East Blue before making it here!"

While the Whitebeard crew continued grumbling, one man—Marshall D. Teach—would have surely mocked them all in secret if he were still present.

A bunch of lazy fools resting on their father's name.

Onigashima – Kaido's Reaction

Within the depths of Onigashima, the Beast Pirates feasted and drank, drowning in their usual revelry.

"Bai Yu? You think that brat can kill me?! Huh?! Answer me!!"

Kaido's thunderous roar shook the hall as he gulped down another barrel of sake. His drunken eyes burned with both rage and amusement.

"Absolutely not, Boss Kaido! He's not worthy!" Iron-headed Jack bellowed furiously. "Marine is getting more and more incompetent! A rookie with a billion berry bounty?! Ridiculous!"

"Tch. Jin, you bastard, why'd you even call me for this nonsense?" Queen scoffed, waving dismissively.

Unlike the others, King remained silent, his gaze locked on Kaido.

"He's important to us," King finally spoke. "The air force needs him."

"Whether it's the Goro Goro no Mi's air control or the Kumo Kumo no Mi's ability to drag ships and islands into the sky… he's valuable."

Kaido snorted.

"Fine! Then bring them to me! I'll train them myself!"

"Boss Kaido! I'll go immediately!" Jack declared, turning to leave.

Kaido and Queen ignored him, but King stopped him in his tracks.

"How do you plan on catching them? Fly up there and grab them?"

Jack paused. "…Brother King, I'll insult him. Newcomers can't resist a good provocation."

The room fell silent.

For once, the Beast Pirates were genuinely impressed.

Kaido grinned, slamming his empty sake cup down.

"Don't waste your time. Just wait for him at Sabaody Archipelago."

Whole Cake Island – Big Mom Pirates

At that moment, Big Mom was… otherwise occupied.

She didn't have time for newspapers.

In broad daylight, too.

Instead, her most capable son, Charlotte Katakuri, flipped through the article with mild interest.

"Hmm… Looks like Marine is taking him seriously. He won't be able to handle what's coming for him."

He put down the paper and sighed.

"We'll talk again when he actually reaches the New World."

A Snowy Island – Red-Haired Pirates' Reaction

On a snow-covered island, the Red-Haired Pirates were in the middle of yet another lively banquet.

The moment the newspapers arrived, the party grew even wilder.

"Wow! What an amazing newcomer!" Shanks exclaimed, laughing as he held up the bounty. "And he's from East Blue, huh?"

His fingers traced the brim of his straw hat, his mind drifting toward memories of a certain young boy.

"If he's from East Blue, maybe he's Luffy's friend! Let's drink to him!"

However, his first mate, Benn Beckman, took a long drag from his cigarette and suddenly spoke.

"If he's Luffy's enemy, then there's a chance Luffy might not make it out of East Blue."

The boisterous cheers instantly died down.

Silence fell over the entire crew.

Shanks froze, his face suddenly grim.

"Beckman… don't say that. What if something happened to Luffy?"

Beckman exhaled slowly, watching the smoke drift away.

"I trust your judgment. Luffy will definitely reach you as a strong man."

Shanks blinked, then immediately grinned.

"Then let's drink for Luffy!"

The crew erupted in cheers once more.

The Truth About the Nika Fruit

Deep in thought, Shanks gripped his missing arm, remembering why he had given up so much for Luffy.

Because Shanks had known the truth all along.

The Gomu Gomu no Mi wasn't just any Devil Fruit.

It was the legendary Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika—a Mythical Zoan Fruit.

"Zoan Fruits carry their own will," Shanks murmured. "They choose their user."

For 800 years, the World Government had hunted this one Devil Fruit, yet time and time again, it had evaded them.

Until Luffy ate it.

The first known user of the Nika Fruit had been the legendary warrior who freed the enslaved and built the Great Kingdom 800 years ago.

He was the Sun God, Nika.

Luffy wasn't just any pirate.

He was the hope of the world.

And because of that—

Shanks lost an arm.

Rayleigh trained him.

Many others waited for his growth.

Because only Luffy was worthy of inheriting the will of the world.

Meanwhile, Bai Yu…

Bai Yu: "…"

"…Really?!"

For some reason, his heart was burning with excitement