"Ga! Ga! Ga!"
Shen Yuan patted the head of the news coo, paid for the paper, then leaned back on the recliner and began to read leisurely.
"Here's your bounty," Rayleigh said with a smirk, holding a bottle of sake in one hand and a newly printed bounty poster in the other.
"How much?" Shen Yuan asked, suddenly alert.
"Five hundred and thirty million Berries. 'Death God' Shen Yuan." Rayleigh raised the paper. The poster displayed Shen Yuan mid-battle pose—one hand gripping the hilt of his blade, the other curled into a fist.
Shen Yuan's lips curled upward as he scanned the headlines about his recent exploits.
"Rayleigh, looks like I stepped on your shoulders to reach this level."
He chuckled. "And that old man Sengoku is trying to kill me with flattery? Naming a fourteen-year-old 'Death God'... well, I suppose it suits me."
Rayleigh merely smiled, walked over, and glanced at the paper beside him. His eyes lingered on the bounty amount, but he said nothing.
Meanwhile, out at sea, Smoker stood at the bow of a ship with a sour expression, both hands gripping the helm. His face was pale from frustration.
"I'm a Captain of the Navy… why am I steering like a low-rank sailor?" he muttered.
---
East Blue – Cocoyasi Village
Nami darted through the streets, waving Shen Yuan's bounty poster overhead, excitement bubbling in her voice.
"Five hundred and thirty million Berries! FIVE HUNDRED AND THIRTY MILLION! Shen Yuan-nii is AMAZING!"
"Nami! Stop running around like that!" Bell-mère shouted, balancing a basket of tangerines while trying to catch up. "You'll trip!"
Ahjiru (Genzo) frowned at the paper in his hand. "That brat… thankfully, he's not the type to slaughter civilians, or I'd have kicked his butt myself."
Bell-mère only laughed and tossed him a sly look. "If you're gonna touch little Yuan, you'll have to go through me first."
Genzo flushed, dropped the newspaper, and stormed off in embarrassment.
Bell-mère giggled as she retrieved it. Her eyes followed the horizon.
"Go on then, Shen Yuan. Show the world what your dream really means."
---
East Blue – Foosha Village
Garp slapped the bounty poster onto the bar's bulletin board, puffing out his chest.
"Oi! Makino, give me a drink!"
Makino poured a glass with a gentle smile. "Vice Admiral Garp, you're in a good mood today."
Garp slammed his drink down. "My grandson beat Silvers Rayleigh! His first bounty is five hundred and thirty million Berries!"
He roared with laughter, utterly unfazed by the public danger status or Sengoku's inevitable scolding.
"Your grandson really is something…" Makino admitted.
"Old man," Ace said, staring at the board. "That kid's bounty is insane."
Luffy's eyes were sparkling. "Woooah! He's so cool!"
"What did big bro do to get that kind of bounty?" Ace asked.
Garp tossed the paper at them. "You've got eyes. Read."
Luffy blinked. "I can't read!"
Ace frowned and began reading aloud:
> "'Death God' Shen Yuan sets sail as an independent adventurer. Took down corrupt Marine Captain Nezumi in Shells Town, eliminated pirate hypnotist Jango and his crew in Syrup Village, and defeated Navy Captain Smoker in Loguetown. Most notably, emerged victorious in a duel against the 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh."
Ace's voice trembled. "He beat… Rayleigh?"
Memories surged up: Shen Yuan's words echoing in his head—
> "No matter who you are—pirate, Marine, noble—you need belief. Conviction. A dream of your own."
Ace quietly walked to a corner and sat down, lost in thought.
---
Somewhere in the East Blue – A Remote Island
"Drink up, drink up!" The Red-Haired Pirates were in high spirits, raising mugs high.
"Shanks, there's an interesting kid on the rise." Mihawk approached, holding a fresh bounty poster.
"Oh?" Shanks accepted it, still grinning. He glanced down—and paused.
That name. Shen Yuan.
This was the brat who once said he'd challenge him. And now?
"Five hundred and thirty million already?" Shanks murmured.
"I'm familiar with him," he added, handing the poster back. "He's bold. Wild."
Mihawk nodded. "That posture—when he grips his sword—it's not just Busoshoku. That's Ryuo. He's channeling internalized Haki."
Shanks's tone darkened slightly. "Yeah. That's no mistake."
"If he continues like this, he could disrupt your plans," Mihawk said bluntly. "You should cut him down while he's young."
Shanks shook his head, rubbing his missing arm. "I've already bet on the next generation. That kid… he's more than just dangerous. He's driven."
Mihawk's eyes gleamed. "If I get the chance, I'd like to cross blades with him."
Then, unusually, Mihawk picked up a drink and joined the feast.
---
New World – Various Reactions
In the New World, Kaido and Big Mom showed no great reaction. To them, another rising star meant nothing.
But on the Moby Dick—
Whitebeard chuckled, examining Shen Yuan's bounty with interest.
"Gurarara… this kid's Garp's grandson, huh? If I take him in as my son, wouldn't I become Garp's junior?"
The thought made him grimace.
"A genius like this sails alone, not tied down to the pirate world or the Marines. That's why he stands out."
Marco wandered over. "What's got you laughing like that, Pops?"
Whitebeard passed him the poster.
"'Death God' Shen Yuan?" Marco raised an eyebrow. "Strange title."
"He fought Rayleigh… and won? That's hard to believe."
"Could be government propaganda."
Whitebeard roared with laughter. "Gurarara! You think the newspapers can fake Ryuo mid-strike?"
Marco couldn't help smiling too. "This world's full of monsters…"
"The world's already full of holes," Whitebeard muttered. "Maybe a crazy brat like him will shake it up."
The crew broke into laughter again.
---
Orange Town
Buggy the Clown now ruled Orange Town, holding a Red-Hair bounty in one hand, and Shen Yuan's in the other.
"Damn that red-nosed bastard! And who the hell is this Shen Yuan kid? First bounty five hundred and thirty million?! What did he do, punch the Celestial Dragons?!"
He smirked. "If I find him, I'm claiming that bounty for myself!"
"Captain! Dinner's ready!"
"Prepare the banquet!"
"Profound!"
---
Marine Headquarters
Akainu slammed his fist on the table. "This kid is Vice Admiral Garp's grandson."
Beside him, Kizaru lazily picked up the report. "Oh~ scary… Vice Admiral Garp's genes really produce monsters."
Aokiji remained silent, brow furrowed.
Akainu's fury was palpable. "He's destabilizing Marine credibility at age fourteen!"
He stormed out of the war room, door slamming shut.
Kizaru sighed. "That was very Danzo-like of him…"
---
System Notification – Awakening Path Unlocked
As Shen Yuan leaned back, enjoying the sea breeze, his system suddenly chimed.
> [Ding! Congratulations, Host! Your influence and strength have triggered a new evolution path.]
[System Unlock – Awakening Tree Available!]
[Please choose a path: Sword Saint Lineage, Ryuo Mastery, or Forbidden Devil Awakening.]
Shen Yuan narrowed his eyes.
"A new path, huh?"
His fingers closed around the hilt of his blade.
"Let's see where this 'Death God' road takes me next."