In the pouring rain, Dragon walked alone through Loguetown, unnoticed by the crowds.
"As expected, there's still no trace of Shirogai Yamikuro's origins?"
From under Dragon's coat, a small Den Den Mushi relayed a voice:
"It's impossible for someone to appear out of thin air. If there isn't a single clue, it must mean someone intentionally erased his background. Could Shirogai Yamikuro be a covert agent planted by the World Government?"
Dragon responded calmly:
"Sabo, don't draw conclusions without enough information. Shirogai gives off a strange feeling. I'm curious about his background because I want to understand what kind of country can produce someone with such calm strength and openness."
Sabo's interest was piqued on the other end of the call.
"To earn that kind of praise from you, Commander... he must be something else. If you're that curious, why not meet him directly?"
Dragon let out a hearty laugh:
"I was planning to, but during his fight with Smoker, I overheard something interesting through the wind. Shirogai Yamikuro claimed to have eaten a Devil Fruit called the [Talent Talent Fruit]. According to him, he can simulate other users' abilities."
Sabo was shocked.
"He can mimic Devil Fruit powers? Is there even such an ability? I've never seen that Devil Fruit recorded anywhere!"
Dragon's tone held intrigue.
"I haven't either. If something like the [Talent Talent Fruit] existed before, there would be records of it. But there are none."
"You think he's lying?"
Dragon shook his head slightly.
"No. I saw it with my own eyes. He copied Smoker's Smoke Smoke Fruit, but the version he used was even more refined than Smoker's."
Sabo was speechless.
"A mimic ability stronger than the original? That's absurd…"
Dragon remembered the battle vividly. His voice grew serious.
"You're underestimating it. The [Talent Talent Fruit] is beyond what most can comprehend. Shirogai is a walking nightmare for Devil Fruit users. He had just seen the Smoke ability for the first time and already surpassed Smoker's years of experience with it."
"Someone with a weak mind would've broken from that kind of defeat."
Sabo inhaled sharply.
"With that kind of power, Shirogai will rise fast in the Grand Line."
Dragon's expression returned to normal.
"That's why I won't meet him just yet. If he's an enemy, and he mimics my ability... it would become problematic."
Sabo imagined a threat with Dragon's wind-based powers.
"Yikes…"
Having been raised by Dragon, Sabo fully understood the weight of those words.
Dragon added:
"Until we learn what he's after, I won't approach him. You'll handle making contact."
"Understood, Commander. Leave it to me."
---
Meanwhile, aboard a Marine ship…
Smoker sat alone on the deck, drenched in silence. Speaking into his Den Den Mushi, his tone was bitter.
"Aokiji, he made me feel the same helplessness I feel when facing you. You monsters… You don't even try, and yet you surpass everything I struggle to achieve."
A lazy voice responded:
"I didn't even lift a finger, and you're already haunted by my image?"
Smoker's voice was low and serious.
"It's not just you. But people like you and him—make people like me look pathetic. You cruise through obstacles we break ourselves trying to overcome."
Aokiji chuckled.
"This new Pirate really rattled you, huh? He must be quite the character."
"You don't understand," Smoker growled. "He copied my power, the Smoke Smoke Fruit—something I've trained years to master—and wielded it better than I ever could, after just seeing it once."
He took a deep breath, calming his emotions.
"I'm not letting that happen again. I've been stagnant too long. It's time I push myself harder. Next time we meet, I won't let him play with my power like that."
Aokiji yawned lazily.
"So you're abandoning Loguetown just to chase a new Pirate?"
Smoker replied firmly.
"No. I want a bounty issued in the name of Marine Headquarters for Shirogai Yamikuro."
Aokiji raised an eyebrow.
"A bounty already? For a newcomer?"
"Yes," Smoker said resolutely. "To warn other Marines not to confront him carelessly. His bounty should be set at the level of a Shichibukai, so lower-ranked officers understand the threat."
Aokiji's voice lost its usual lethargy.
"You want his first bounty to rival the Warlords?"
Smoker's tone was unwavering.
"He has that level of strength—and more. He's shown signs of using Conqueror's Haki, something extremely rare. He's not a typical Pirate. We must take him seriously from the beginning."
Aokiji sighed.
"You sound terrified. The higher-ups won't like this."
"If they had seen what I saw," Smoker snapped, "they'd be more scared than I am. He can't be judged by normal standards."
Aokiji sighed again.
"If you're that convinced, I'll issue the bounty in the name of an Admiral. But won't it draw more attention to him?"
Smoker scoffed.
"Someone this powerful wouldn't stay anonymous for long. I'm just accelerating the inevitable."
Aokiji laid back down and grumbled.
"Fine. I'll authorize it."
Smoker's voice grew firm.
"One more thing. I have the perfect title for him."
"Oh? A title already?" Aokiji sounded amused. "You're really invested in this guy."
Ignoring the jab, Smoker's mind drifted to the battle.
"When he used my power, it felt like it belonged to him. The way he manipulated it, refined it... it made me feel like I had stolen it from him, not the other way around."
Thunder rumbled in the skies above the Marine ship, snapping Smoker from his thoughts.
He clenched his fist and whispered:
"The Plunderer."
---
The next morning…
Marine Headquarters issued a brand-new bounty.
On the poster, a white-robed Pirate stood confidently, dual swords at his side, smiling at the camera with charm and ease.
The Plunderer – Shirogai Yamikuro
Bounty: 100,000,000 Berries
Threat Level: Extreme
Crimes: Defeated Marine Captain 'White Hunter' Smoker in Loguetown, currently serving as the Vice Captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.
---
This unheard-of bounty for a newcomer sent shockwaves across the seas, shaking the Pirate world to its core.
---
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