Chapter 32: 32- "Bounty Hunter Guild"
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32 "Bounty Hunter Guild"
The Bounty Hunter Guild is an organization founded approximately five years ago. It was created thanks to an anonymous individual who invested billions of berries in pure gold to build the world's best bounty hunter network.
Its purpose is simple: in exchange for keeping 10% of your earnings, the guild provides information on local pirates and criminals, organizes groups of similar skill levels to capture powerful pirates, offers assistance in case of danger or accidents, and supplies job lists that, beyond criminal hunting, include other tasks assigned by regular civilians and even the Marines themselves.
At first, many were skeptical of the organization since bounty hunters are notoriously independent and arrogant. However, once money started flowing in solely from civilian commissions, many bounty hunters began to join.
Many of its members are former Marines, who also created training courses for pirate capture and combat. Obviously, they don't teach the Rokushiki, but their battle experience is still invaluable.
The guild president remains a mystery, but its vice president is well known: the Warlord of the Sea, Thunder Fist Ace.
It is also said that Jinbe, another Warlord, often issues missions to rescue kidnapped mermaids and capture those responsible, offering large sums of money in return. These missions are highly sought after—after all, who wouldn't want to make money while rescuing a beauty and being invited to her kingdom as a hero?
On the other hand, the Warlord Boa Hancock usually accepts escort missions for merchant ships, but only if their captains are women.
After five years, the guild has grown into a major power, not just in the Grand Line but also across the Four Seas.
While they don't have anyone at the level of an admiral, they maintain many dealings with the Marines.
Even some criminals can join the guild; as long as their crimes are not too severe, the Marines will accept clearing their records.
Because of this, some consider it a "pseudo-Warlord" organization.
The guild's rules are simple, but the most important ones apply upon leaving:
1- You must never reveal personal information about the guild as long as you live.
2- You must never contact your clients for personal gain.
3- Even if we walk separate paths, one must live as strongly as possible.
You must never betray your own life, no matter how insignificant it may seem.
You must never forget the friends you love, for as long as you live.
Now, the guild president—who has never shown their face—is currently having a business meeting with one of the Marine high command: Admiral Aokiji.
—So, you freeze the sea… just the area in the middle of Marineford. That way, we can set up an ice-skating rink and charge for admission —said Kara, president and founder of the Bounty Hunter Guild.
—You already have plenty of money. Why do you need more? —Aokiji asked lazily, reclining in his chair.
—We need every penny, you know —Plata quickly replied.
—Alright, get out. I have things to do… though I feel like I forgot something —he said as he kicked Kara out of his office.
—Tsk. So boring. Grey used to do it… but I'd just beat him up if he didn't —Kara muttered as she wandered aimlessly.
Purupurupuru… Gacha.
—Kara speaking —she answered her Den Den Mushi calmly.
—We found him. I sent you the information; it should arrive any moment now —said the voice on the other end.
Just then, Kara saw an owl rapidly approaching with a package.
—Great! Good job, birdbrain! —Kara exclaimed cheerfully.
—Don't call me a bas— —the voice on the snail began to protest, but Kara hung up without paying attention and took the package.
—Thanks, little buddy. Here —she said, pulling out a pack of owl food she always carried with her. The bird chirped gratefully and immediately flew off as if nothing had happened.
Kara quickly read the document with a serious expression and then headed straight to Sengoku's office.
...….
—Where is Aokiji? —Sengoku asked, looking around at everyone in the office as a meeting took place with all the vice admirals of Marineford, as well as the admirals… except for one.
—Kara is also missing —Tsuru noted, realizing another absence.
—It's normal for Kara not to attend meetings —Tokikake commented calmly while sipping his tea.
Bam!
The sound of a loud impact echoed through the room as the wall next to the door crumbled.
—Kara, damn it! I told you to use the door! —Sengoku exclaimed, furious upon seeing the culprit rush in.
—No time, old man. Look at this. I'll be gone for a few days —Kara said, tossing some documents in front of Sengoku. Then, noticing Kizaru nearby, she stood before him.
—Great, Kizaru, give me your Golden Den Den Mushi —Kara demanded, extending her hand.
—Does someone need a Buster Call? So scary… —Kizaru lazily replied, pulling out his golden snail without a care and placing it in Kara's hand.
With a proud smile, Kara ran out… destroying the wall on the other side of the door instead of using the hole she had already made.
—Wait! You just gave that lunatic the golden snail! What if she aims it at Marineford?! —Tokikake exclaimed in alarm—. We have to stop her!
—So, if you receive a signal to attack Marineford, you'll do it? —a vice admiral beside him asked, looking at him like he was an idiot.
—No, of course not! It was just an example… —Tokikake replied, embarrassed.
—It's fine. Even if Kara acts like that, she's pretty serious about something like the Buster Call —another vice admiral commented calmly.
—Although… I'd like to know who she plans to fight to take one —Strawberry said, showing some interest.
—Hmph. If she can't handle some random pirate, she might as well fall in battle —Akainu scoffed with disdain.
Many fell silent upon hearing that, knowing full well that the two did not get along.
—Alright. Kara has her reasons. If she activates the Buster Call, decide who wants to go —Sengoku said, tossing the documents Kara had left onto his desk for everyone to see.
As soon as they saw the picture of the person in question, everyone immediately turned serious.
—I'm going —Strawberry declared without hesitation.
—Me too —added Tokikake, Momonga, Yamakaji, Bastille, Onigumo, and Dalmatian, one after another.
Seeing that everyone wanted to participate, Sengoku quickly spoke up.
—Anyone who wants to go, go, but return quickly. I'll call Garp to guard the base in your absence. In the meantime, Kizaru and Akainu will stay here. Have Aokiji go with you —Sengoku ordered firmly.
—Isn't that a bit excessive? —Tsuru asked, concerned about such a deployment.
—It's better this way. I doubt anyone wants to miss this —Sengoku replied calmly before returning to the topic of the meeting.
—It seems that the Whitebeard Pirates are up to something. They've mobilized parts of their fleet to search for someone. I want everyone prepared for a possible confrontation —he warned seriously.
—The Whitebeard Pirates… so scary… —Kizaru murmured.
—Tsk. Filthy pirates… We should just sink them all if they show up —Akainu said in annoyance.
—According to Kara's report, they're looking for a traitor. Vista has been roaming around the first half of the Grand Line —Sengoku explained—. Ace seemed to be following him, but Kara sent him to find this person instead —he added, pointing to the document on the table.
—Looks like Garp's grandson did a good job… Too bad he didn't join the Marines like Kara —Tsuru commented.
Sengoku remained silent, as he knew perfectly well why Ace could never be a Marine. Garp had told him, but he had no intention of sharing that information with anyone.
—A bounty hunter only works for profit. There's no justice in that —Akainu said, showing his disdain.
—Come on, don't say that. Some of my men have worked with guild members, and they were quite helpful —Kizaru replied nonchalantly while trimming his nails.
...
Meanwhile, on a ship carrying some recruits on a training mission, Zephyr received a report from Sengoku.
—Tsk. That girl is always meddling in other people's business… —he murmured in annoyance, though he couldn't help but smile proudly.
On the deck, Zoro was fighting against a young woman wielding two daggers, struggling to defend himself. Especially because now, he looked 12 years younger.
—It seems Kara taught you well in Observation Haki… But Ain already masters both Observation Haki and Armament Haki, before you. You need more experience, kid —Zephyr commented, watching the fight with interest.
For the past five days, Zoro had been fighting nonstop against Ain and Binz, the best current recruits. At first, he could barely defend himself… but now he could hold his own against them.
...….
Elsewhere
—Did you notify Kara? —Ace asked, sitting at the bow of a ship while playing cards with another man. Behind him, several men watched the game with excitement.
The ship belonged to the Bounty Hunters Guild, and the man in front of him was one of its officers. More precisely, he was the head of the intelligence department, Palé.
—Yeah, she should be on her way. She'll arrive in a few hours —replied a man whose body was partially transformed into an owl.
—I still don't get why you're always transformed —Ace commented, observing him with curiosity.
Sigh.
—When I was born, my parents fed me a Devil Fruit. Thinking I was possessed, they abandoned me in a forest in the middle of the night. The owls thought I was one of them and raised me. I've told you this a thousand times —Palé replied, annoyed.
—That part I understand… But why do you stay transformed all the time? —Ace insisted.
Sigh.
—I thought I was an owl until I turned five. So this is my true form —Palé said, tired of repeating himself.
—Hahahaha! So, your transformation became your real appearance because you didn't know you were human? —Ace laughed heartily.
—Don't laugh, you bastard! —the owl-man complained, indignant.
—Yeah, yeah, sorry. I was just joking —Ace said with a carefree smile as he stood up.
—You're leaving because you lost, aren't you? —Palé asked, looking at him mockingly.
—Of course not! I just want to see Kara's fight —Ace replied before turning into Lightning and disappearing.
Palé picked up the cards Ace had left on the table and, upon seeing his score, let out a sigh.
—These brothers are all the same… —he murmured with a tired smile.
At that moment, a messenger discreetly approached him and whispered in his ear:
—Sir Palé, Sabo from the Revolutionary Army wants to speak with you.
Palé let out a long sigh.
—Talking to all three of them on the same day… —he muttered as he stood up and headed to his office on the warship.
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