Chapter 136: Over 2 Billion Total Bounty, Straw Hat Crew's Second-in-Command
"Goodbye, Mister Squirrel! Thanks for helping us build the ship!"
Luffy stood on the Going Merry's figurehead, waving and shouting goodbye with a smile to everyone on the shore.
"And Granny! Chimney! Rabbit! Rope Man! Everyone! Anyway, goodbye!"
"I have a name, damn it!"
Paulie yelled, exasperated, then, his face flushing red, he pointed at Nami and berated loudly:
"To actually wear such clothes so brazenly! You shameless woman! Quick, cover up your legs!"
"Just don't look then, Paulie."
Iceburg patted his shoulder. "We should be heading back soon. Seeing pirates off... it wouldn't look good if World Government officials saw."
"None of your business, old fossil!" Nami made a playful, mischievous face in response.
"Shishishi."
The Going Merry gradually pulled away from the shore. Luffy pressed his straw hat down and looked back. "Franky, your boys don't seem to have come."
"Mah~ It's fine."
Franky stood at the ship's rail, adjusted his sunglasses with his fingers, and grinned.
"They're probably afraid I'd regret it and wouldn't want to leave them. What a bunch of idiot underlings."
He crossed his arms, striking a cool pose with his back to them, and said:
"Parting doesn't need so much sadness. We'll definitely meet again in the future."
"You certainly take things well," Zoro smirked, somewhat impressed by him.
"But of course!"
Franky turned his head. From under his sunglasses, two streams of tears flowed uncontrollably down his otherwise composed face.
Everyone: "."
"A departed friend once said, tears are not suitable for farewells."
Reiner walked to his side, patted his shoulder, and smiled. "Otherwise, when we meet again in the future, everyone will feel very embarrassed."
"Waaah—!" Franky completely broke down.
Few knew that this iron-willed man was, in fact, so sentimental.
"So cool! If I have the chance in the future, I absolutely must meet this departed friend of yours," Franky said, still crying.
"Mah~ Probably no chance."
Reiner smiled faintly. "This departed friend... has already passed away."
Died in the year of the Xinshi era... (Translator's Note: "辛逝纪元年" seems like a fictional era name, possibly a pun.)
The Going Merry sailed slowly on the sea surface until its figure gradually blurred into the distance.
At the upper edge of Water 7, outside the shipyard...
"Woo woo!"
"Awooo!"
A group of men, clad in black diaper-shaped armor, faced the ship about to disappear over the sea horizon, continuously letting out mournful howls and wails.
"Goodbye, Big Bro!"
Zambai wiped his tear-streaked face with a handkerchief, then turned back to the others. "What are you crying for!? Big Bro is going to fulfill his dream! Let's all be happy for Big Bro! Waaah!"
"That's right!"
"We should be happy!"
"Boohoohoo!"
Under a clear sky, the azure heavens and the boundless blue sea merged into one. Seagulls skimmed over the gently rippling water.
Woo— Woo— Woo!
The Sea Train, Puffing Tom, which had already resumed operation, sped across the sea.
Its wheels rumbled loudly as it passed by the Going Merry, just as it had when they first arrived at this city.
Filled with excitement and anticipation, Franky began to give them a tour of the Going Merry.
"First, this ship is divided into three sections: fore, mid, and aft, each designated for different purposes. The central lawn where we are now is considered the first floor, and the deck below is the sub-first floor."
Franky pointed from the deck towards the bow, passionately explaining:
"The bow section... on the sub-first floor, I originally wanted to place the Franky series of cannons, but that idiot Iceburg crossed them all out, so now there's only one main cannon that also serves as a warehouse."
"Although there's only one cannon, its power will definitely surprise you! Above, the first floor is the men's dormitory, and the second floor is the women's dormitory. You can go take a look yourselves."
"Woohoo! Charge, ducks!"
Luffy, leading Chopper and Usopp, rushed in first. On either side of the bow, there was a staircase leading to the second-floor balcony; beneath the stairs was the washroom.
On either side of the second-floor balcony, two more staircases led up to the forecastle deck.
Reiner also went into the dormitory to take a look. Directly ahead was a wall cabinet; from now on, everyone would have their own place to store clothes.
To the left was a complete set of Aqua Sofas – several blue sofas surrounding an exquisitely crafted, light blue European-style long table. Reiner had bought two sets; the other was in the women's dormitory.
To the right were their hammocks. Unlike the previous rope-style ones, these hammocks were made of wood.
"Mah~ No more sleeping on the floor from now on."
Reiner couldn't help but feel pleased. The previous hammocks always gave him a feeling of being constricted when he lay down, which he greatly disliked.
Besides these, there was also a giant mirror in the corner, convenient for them to change and dress up – though probably no one besides Reiner and Sanji would use it.
"Wow— So comfortable!"
"This sofa is so bouncy!"
Luffy and Chopper were directly standing and bouncing on the sofa, making Reiner look on speechlessly. If this broke, he certainly couldn't just go back to Water 7 to buy another one.
"Hey you two! That sofa set is very expensive! How much pocket money do you have to compensate?"
"Hahaha! It's fine!"
Luffy grinned unconcernedly. "We still have a lot of pocket money!"
"Yeah, yeah! We're very rich now!" Chopper continued bouncing in agreement.
It seemed their trip to Sky Island had made them all filthy rich. The cost of modifying the ship this time was also paid by Reiner using his private funds as 'atonement'. Indeed, having too much private money makes one floaty.
But... isn't dealing with fools simple?
"That sofa set costs twenty million Beri."
Reiner stated this nonsense with a perfectly straight face.
"Nani!"
"So expensive!"
Hearing this, Luffy and Chopper immediately froze, not daring to move.
The two carefully climbed down, even brushing off the shoe prints on it, puffing their cheeks to blow it clean.
Zoro also looked shocked. "Hey! Twenty million is a bit too ridiculous, isn't it!?"
"Hah. Another fool."
Sanji raised an eyebrow mockingly. "Anyone can tell Four Eyes is bluffing. Only a brainless person like you would fall for it."
"Hahaha! Keep it down."
Reiner smiled faintly. "Although it's not that exaggerated, it's still worth two million."
"So expensive?"
This time it was Sanji's turn to be surprised. Though twenty million was ridiculous, two million wasn't cheap either! For just one sofa set?
"The furniture little bro Four Eyes bought is all high-end in terms of craftsmanship and quality. This price is nothing. Those two mattresses in the women's dormitory cost the same."
Franky grinned, then led the group outside.
"Come with me. Above the women's dormitory is the forecastle deck; nothing particularly novel there. Next, let me show you some other places."
"Yay! Coming!" Luffy impatiently ran out.
The group arrived on the lawn. Nami and Robin also came down from the dormitory, looking delighted.
It had to be said, the lawn on the central deck was indeed a super practical and aesthetically pleasing design.
After sailing on the sea for a long time, one always misses land. Although the ship would still sway, this patch of lawn still gave an incredibly comfortable feeling.
Following Franky's introduction, the group learned that the sub-first floor in the middle of the ship housed the Soldier Dock System. He just acted mysterious about it, saying he'd show them when there was an opportunity in the future.
However, Reiner knew about this invention. The submarine among them was quite a good thing. As for the others...
Reiner felt they weren't as useful as his undead.
Additionally, he also learned that the original Going Merry was directly used as the core main body for the bow and central deck sections.
The lawn they were standing on was created by dismantling and expanding the latter half of the original Merry's deck and deckhouse.
"Next is the stern section. This is also the main area for daily activities."
Franky led them towards the deckhouse, pointing to a patch of grass behind the mast.
"First, the sub-first floor can be accessed from here. Below is my Franky Factory, equipped with all sorts of tools, convenient for me to repair the ship. My invention room is also below."
Through his explanation, the group learned that the sub-first floors of the fore, mid, and aft sections of the ship were all connected.
Besides the front warehouse and the middle Soldier Dock System, the rear also housed a cola-fueled power system, and Franky and Usopp's workshops.
Basically, besides those two, no one else would likely go down to the sub-first floor.
"And then! This is the deckhouse you've all been looking forward to the most!"
"Woohoo~~"
Before Franky could finish, Luffy had already rushed straight ahead, opened the door, and charged in first.
"Waaaooow!!!"
"Sooo coool!!!"
Less than half a second later, exclamations of surprise came from inside.
"Looks like you designed something pretty good."
Reiner smiled, glancing at Franky. He roughly guessed what it was.
The main body of the ship was designed by Iceburg, with almost no changes to its appearance, preserving the Merry's characteristics for them as much as possible. So, from the outside, it just looked like an enlarged Merry.
The ship type was also still a fast sailing ship with a single mast and a triangular sail at the stern.
But the detailed interior design was integrated by Franky using his ready-made blueprints. From the tour so far, Reiner had already noticed many designs familiar from his memories.
Although the details were different, many things that had left a deep impression on him were present.
For example...
"That's right! That's my designed aquarium-themed bar!"
Franky puffed out his chest proudly. "I've already put some fish inside. Please, everyone, go in and admire it."
"An aquarium!"
Usopp's eyes widened, and he immediately rushed in.
Chopper paused for a moment. What's an aquarium?
But seeing Luffy and Usopp so excited, it must be something amazing!
Thinking this, Chopper's two little short legs scrambled, spinning like wind-and-fire wheels as he rushed inside.
"Wait for me, Luffy! Usopp!"
The others also followed. Upon entering, what greeted their eyes was a giant glass fish tank encircling the entire room!
Inside, it was a riot of color, complete with decorations like starfish, coral, and seaweed. All sorts of marine creatures swam about within.
A circular sofa hugged the giant fish tank, taking up half the room. Sitting anywhere, one could enjoy the view of fish swimming freely.
A large octopus had its tentacles pressed against the glass. Seeing Luffy approach, it immediately squirted ink, dyeing that section black.
"Waaah!"
Luffy was startled by the sudden ink, jumping back repeatedly, then angrily began to search for the octopus.
"Bastard! Just watch me eat you tonight! Sanji! I want takoyaki!"
"Alright, alright," Sanji slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, looking at the scene before him and couldn't help but sigh:
"It's practically like moving a miniature underwater world onto the ship."
"No wonder it's called an aquarium."
Nami also looked around, an unconscious smile playing on her lips. "This room is truly amazing! Did you design all of this, Franky?"
"But of course! This is one of my proudest designs!"
Franky took a bottle of cola from his stomach, walked to the sofa inside, sat down directly, crossed his legs, and said triumphantly:
"Whatever you catch while fishing can be directly thrown in here to be raised. It has an automatic water changing system. Not only can it be used for viewing, but more importantly, it can ensure you never lack fresh ingredients."
Although, because Reiner usually used his Fish-Man undead for hunting – their exaggerated underwater combat capabilities meant the group never lacked fresh ingredients anyway – no one pointed this out to Franky.
The design of this room was very thoughtful, and its viewing value was immense; everyone quite liked it here.
Franky then began to explain the structure of the entire deckhouse to them.
"I designed this aquarium to be used as a bar. You all saw the liquor cabinet at the entrance. But because it's very spacious here, any activities can usually be held here."
As he spoke, he pointed towards the ceiling. "There are several rooms on the second floor above. The largest among them is Curly Brows' territory – a combined kitchen and dining room. Besides that, there are also the medical office and cartography room you requested."
"Kitchen!"
"Medical office!"
"Cartography room!"
The three yelled simultaneously, impatiently rushing out.
Nami and Chopper rushed up the stairs on either side to the second floor. Sanji, even more eager, directly leaped up.
The others clearly weren't much interested in the medical office and cartography room, following Sanji to check out the kitchen.
This was a semi-open kitchen, separated from the dining room only by a bar counter. The entire set of tables and chairs in the dining room was also high-quality furniture bought from the furniture store.
And the most eye-catching thing in the kitchen... was a large white double-door refrigerator! Because it...
—Had a combination lock!!!
The combination was set by Sanji to Nami's and Robin's birthdays. Only the four of them on the ship knew it.
"Excellent! Plus this giant mousetrap..."
Sanji turned to look at Luffy. "From now on, we never have to worry about rats stealing food again!"
Luffy averted his gaze, his eyes darting around, lips pouting, and said with an extremely stiff expression, feigning innocence:
"Why are you looking at me? It wasn't me who did it."
"You're a terrible liar, Luffy."
Usopp gave him a light chop with his hand, even personally demonstrating lying techniques for him.
"Right, Franky."
After touring the cartography room, Nami came to the dining room and asked, "Where are my tangerine trees?"
"Relax, Big Sis."
Franky adjusted his sunglasses, grinned, and pointed towards the ceiling. "Up there. Let's go! There's a surprise on the rooftop terrace too!"
With that, he led the way out, taking the group up the stairs to the top of the deckhouse. He jutted out a leg, gestured with his hand, and yelled, "Ta-da! Open-air swimming pool!!"
"Wow!"
"A swimming pool!"
"Wahahaha! Even this is here!?!!"
Splash!
Everyone was thoroughly surprised. Luffy, in his excitement, was the first to jump in, and then...
"Glub glub glub~~"
"Are you an IDIOT!!?" x N
"You're a Devil Fruit user! You jump in without even a floatie!? Are you trying to die!?"
Sanji yelled, then directly leaped into the pool and fished Luffy out.
This ship was designed with a system to draw in, filter, and desalinate water. However, fresh water still had a weakening effect on Devil Fruit users.
Things like showering in rain were fine, but jumping directly into a pool was no different from falling into the sea.
With a floatie, one could still thrash about a bit. Luffy, diving in headfirst like that, was no different from seeking death.
As long as half the body was submerged in water, even fresh water would make an ability user go limp. The effect would vary slightly depending on physical constitution.
But even with Reiner's physique, if half his body was underwater, he could only barely move; fighting would definitely be out of the question.
Nami's tangerine trees were right beside the open-air pool, with several deck chairs and two parasols placed nearby.
"Behind this should be the stern deck, right?"
Reiner walked around the pool to the tangerine trees, leaned his hands on the railing, and looked down below.
That was the Merry's final space, also furnished with several deck chairs and two parasols.
Previously, Reiner and Zoro often trained on the Merry's stern, while Nami and Robin would sit there sunbathing.
The stern deck could be accessed directly from the balcony corridor on the side of the deckhouse, leading to the lawn on the central deck.
It could also be entered through the back door, leading into the aquarium bar or the second-floor dining room.
"Well then, that's roughly it for this ship."
Franky's lips curved as he turned back to look at Luffy, spread his hands, and asked, "Well? My design... isn't too bad, right?"
"Heeheehee! More than 'not too bad'!"
Luffy grinned widely. "It's absolutely fantastic! Thank you, Franky! You're truly a super amazing shipwright!"
"But of course!"
Franky wiped his nose, triumphantly raising his hands above his head in his signature pose. "This week's me—is SUPER Franky!!"
"Heeheehee! Everyone!"
Luffy grinned, head lowered, body trembling as he reached up to press down his straw hat, then suddenly looked up, his goofy smile revealed.
"Let's throw a party for the Going Merry!!"
"Oooh yeah!!"
"Party! Party!"
"Leave the food to me!"
Sanji had been itching to show off his skills for a long time. "Just right! Let me try out the new kitchen!"
"Takoyaki, Sanji!"
Luffy immediately jumped down below, yelling loudly as he rushed into the first-floor aquarium. "I'm gonna catch that stinking octopus and eat it!"
"Charge! Catch fish!"
"Wait for me, Luffy! Usopp!"
Chopper excitedly scrambled after them.
"Just right! My injuries have mostly recovered."
Zoro smirked and also jumped down. "Didn't get to drink to my heart's content at the last party. Got to make up for it this time!"
Franky walked over to Reiner's side. Looking down at Luffy and the others, he couldn't help saying, "Really full of energy, hahaha! Is your ship always this rowdy?"
"What 'your ship'? It's our ship."
Reiner glanced at him, then looked down below, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Well? Not bad, right?"
"It's SUPER not bad, that's what it is! Using this design for this ship was definitely the right choice! Suddenly thought, if I hadn't agreed to join you guys back then, I'd probably regret it for the rest of my life," Franky said.
"Hard to say. Our captain said he absolutely wanted you on the crew. If you hadn't agreed, I might have had to tie you up and bring you along," Reiner said jokingly.
Franky glanced at him and smiled faintly. "So violent. Just my style."
"Pervert. I don't accept this kind of improper relationship," Reiner said with a look of disgust.
"Speaking of which, have you seen today's newspaper? Your information has caused a sensation throughout the entire first half of the Grand Line! And everyone's got a bounty now! Total bounty over 2 billion! Such a terrifying amount!" Franky suddenly said.
"Bounties?"
Hearing this, Nami quickly walked up. "Wait, Reiner! I read the newspaper too! How come I didn't see any bounty posters!? And what do you mean, 'everyone's on the list'!? Don't tell me!"
"That's right. You're on the list too."
Reiner leaned back against the railing, taking out a stack of bounty posters. "And your bounty amount isn't low, Nami."
"—NANI!!"
Nami clapped her hands to her cheeks, exclaiming repeatedly, "I don't want it! I don't want it! Why is this happening!? I don't want to be wanted!"
Want it or not, it's useless.
"Our new bounties are out!"
Reiner yelled, jumping directly onto the lawn on deck. "Come see the bounties, everyone!"
Thump!
"Coming, coming!"
"Did my bounty go up!?"
"What about me!? What about me!? I fought like a man too!"
The first-floor door was flung open violently. Hearing about new bounty posters, everyone gathered around.
"Everyone's here, right?"
Reiner looked around, a slight smile playing on his lips. He pulled out Chopper's poster, then laid out the bounty posters in his hand one by one on the ground.
"Everyone gets one this time. First up, the little rookies who aren't over 100 million."
Sniper Usopp: Bounty 30,000,000 Beri!
Cyborg Franky: Bounty 44,000,000 Beri!
Nico Robin: Bounty 80,000,000 Beri!
"Nani!"
Usopp was both excited and scared, his feelings extremely conflicted. He suddenly reacted, grimaced, and yelled at Reiner:
"Hey! What did you just say!? What do you mean, 'little rookies not over 100 million', bastard!"
"Hahaha! Just kidding, Usopp."
Reiner smiled awkwardly and waved his hand, then continued laying out the bounty posters. "Next up, the big rookies who haven't surpassed 200 million."
Black Leg Sanji: Bounty 160,000,000 Beri!
Cat Burglar Nami: Bounty 130,000,000 Beri!
Roronoa Zoro: Bounty 200,000,000 Beri!
Blue Ogre, Red Ogre: Bounty 200,000,000 Beri each!
Usopp wasn't excited at all this time; his entire face had turned green with fright. "S-s-so many... over 100 million!!!"
"130 million Beri!"
Nami's pupils contracted. Her entire body instantly went limp, and she collapsed kneeling on the ground, staring intently at the bounty poster.
"Over 100 million... what do I do... so much money... even I'm tempted... really want it..."
"200 million Beri, huh."
Zoro shifted his gaze towards Sanji. "Mah~ Just so-so, I guess. But at least it reached 200 million."
"How could I be lower than you!"
Sanji gritted his teeth, a fire of rage seeming to burn behind him.
"What do you mean, Moss Head!? Believe it or not, I'll take your head and exchange it for bounty right now!"
"Oh? Someone with 160 million dares to talk to someone with 200 million like that?" Zoro rested a hand on his sword hilt and directly mocked him.
He was directly calling them by their bounty amounts as nicknames.
"Hey! Can you two rookies not argue!?"
Reiner smirked disdainfully. "All of you, open your eyes wide and see clearly who the Straw Hat Pirates' second-in-command really is, okay!?"
As he spoke, Reiner laid out two of the three bounty posters in his hand.
Logistics, 'Black Snake' Reiner — Bounty 520,000,000 Beri!!!
Captain, Monkey D. Luffy — Bounty 550,000,000 Beri!!!
"—Hiss!!" x N
Everyone sucked in a breath of cold air!
Seeing these ridiculous bounty amounts, everyone was utterly dumbfounded.
"T-t-two... two people!!"
Usopp, even more so, stammered, counting on his fingers, "Their bounties combined... are over a billion!?!!"
(End of this chapter)
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