https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-898-Pansha-Family-Has-Only-One-Master/13540103/
Chapter 897: [White Admiral] Sam William
Chapter 897: [White Admiral] Sam William
A few days later, William returned to Sweats Island.
At the same time, his bounty notice spread across the seas via news birds.
On the Wanted Poster was a photo—or rather, a near-perfect reproduction of his face. The image showed only William’s expressionless visage, his head bowed slightly as if lost in thought.
[White Admiral] Sam William. Bounty: 30 Million. Dead or alive.
“So the Navy’s finally placed a bounty on me,” William muttered, flicking the Wanted Poster. “I suppose I’ve officially entered their sights.”
He frowned. “But I don’t recall ever taking a photo this clear. Who captured this?”
Elmira studied the poster intently. “This isn’t a real photo, William. It’s… a sculpture.”
She was right. After Kuro spotted William, he immediately reported to Headquarters. Without needing instructions, he used his ability to carve a stone statue identical to William and transmitted it to the Navy. From there, professionals refined the sculpture, added color, and finally photographed it—producing this lifelike yet slightly stiff image.
As for the epithet, the Navy carefully selects nicknames to summarize a pirate’s defining traits.
For those with overwhelming dominance and grand fleets, titles like “Admiral” or “Governor” are common. Others, like Shanks and Whitebeard, are named after their most striking characteristics. Some, like Charlotte Big Mom, combine personal quirks with titles—her immense build and maternal obsession earning her the name “Big Mom.”
Others, like Kaido, define their crews as much as themselves. With Zoan Devil Fruit users under his command and his own Zoan transformation, he became the “Beast King.”
Epithets evolve over time. Buggy, for instance, upgraded from “Harlequin” to “Thousand-Lion Coin Doker.” The Navy ensures each label captures the pirate’s essence.
Kuro’s intelligence confirmed William’s vast fleet, his covert operations in the East Blue, and his rising influence. His white necktie and pristine appearance—paired with his signature steam-based ability—sealed his codename.
Pirate: White Admiral Sam William.
An initial bounty of 30 million Berries—unprecedented in the East Blue. Luffy, the Fifth Emperor rumored to reign the Grand Line, had the same starting bounty. Such a sum would draw attention from every corner: Navy, pirates, bounty hunters, and glory-seekers.
“Only after entering the Grand Line will this bounty fade into the background,” William mused.
He tucked the poster away. “Let’s accelerate operations. We need more ships, more crew, more supplies. We’re heading to the Grand Line!”
That perilous realm where the Golden Lion spent two years battling through danger to carve his legacy—he would soon tread the same path.
…
“Back on Sweats Island?”
In a Marine Branch Office, Kuro’s ship had docked. Uninvited, he’d claimed the office as his temporary base.
Klah reported, “Intelligence confirms his fleet has returned. They’re recruiting locals and gathering supplies. Preparing for the Grand Line.”
Kuro chuckled. “More ships won’t guarantee passage over Reverse Mountain. In fact, it’s a liability. That narrow channel’s currents are treacherous enough without a fleet colliding.”
History proved him right: the East Blue’s Captain Krieg once led fifty ships into the Grand Line—barely surviving by skillful navigation. Luck, however, wasn’t on his side. He soon clashed with Dracule Mihawk, the Warlord of the Sea who chased him all the way back to the East Blue.
Kuro smirked. “Let the White Admiral play. Once he’s in the Grand Line, we’ll deal with him.”
That cursed place—whether the perilous first half or the deadly New World—was a nightmare. Even Kuro tread carefully, fearing encounters with Devil Fruit users. Let William face the terror of the unknown, the anxiety of survival.
Just then, a Marine burst in, clutching a connected Transponder Snail. “Sir! Commodore Wilbur is calling!”
Kuro’s eyes narrowed. Klah took the receiver, speaking carefully. “Wilbur? This is Vice Admiral Klah. What’s urgent?”
“Vice Admiral? Tell Mr. Kuro—David’s been injured!”
“David?!” Kuro stood abruptly. “What happened?”
Klah placed the snail on the table, handing the receiver to Kuro.
David’s injury? Kuro’s mind raced. They’d worked together before, but David’s current mission was a national affair—something the Marines were forbidden to interfere in by World Government decree.
“It’s not political,” Wilbur rushed. “Pirates attacked him!”
“Pirates?” Kuro’s voice sharpened. David’s strength was no joke.
“An intruder raided Dressrosa’s ‘Consolidated’ region, abducting the nobles. David went alone with his fleet to deal with them, ordering us to protect the navigational routes and the opening ceremony of the new trade alliance.”
Klah raised an eyebrow. “So you two weren’t even there?”
“No, sir. We’re en route now. This is our failure.”
On a warship deck, Wilbur gripped the receiver, eyes locked on the looming island ahead. “Mr. Kuro, we’ll capture that pirate. We’ll uphold Justice!”
Regret gnawed at him. They shouldn’t have let David go alone. None anticipated he’d be injured and forced to call for help.
Wilbur clenched his fist. Once David was safe, he and Kas would beg Kuro’s forgiveness—after all, they’d failed their comrade. But for now, they had a pirate to catch.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
