Scenes like the one in the tavern unfolded across various locations.
Pirates were stunned by the emergence of a figure as prominent as Bacardi Maude, while the Marines in the East Blue territories found themselves under immense pressure.
This invisible weight pushed the Marines to their limits, prompting them to tighten security across their jurisdictions.
The sudden change caused many pirates to find themselves in a miserable state.
During this period, some unlucky pirates even ran straight into the barrel of a Marine's gun.
East Blue, Loguetown.
Located near the entrance to the Grand Line, this town was known as the "Town of the Beginning and the End."
Because of its proximity to the Grand Line, Loguetown served as a resupply point for many pirates before venturing further.
It was also one of the more prosperous towns in East Blue.
As such, Marine Headquarters placed considerable importance on Loguetown, stationing a headquarters Captain there.
At the Marine Base.
Inside an office filled with white smoke...
"Cough, cough! Captain Smoker, I'm opening the windows!"
"Go ahead."
Captain Smoker, with his white hair and trademark pair of lit cigars, leaned back on the couch with his legs crossed and resting on the table.
Shirtless, with a casual air, he paid no mind to the discomfort of those around him.
Smoker's subordinate, Tashigi, glanced at her unorthodox superior, her face full of exasperation.
After habitually adjusting her glasses, she strode to the windows and threw them wide open, letting the thick smoke waft out.
Watching the smoke dissipate, Tashigi let out a small sigh of relief before walking over to a wall plastered with wanted posters.
She pinned up the latest one: Bacardi Maude's bounty poster.
"Who would've thought Bacardi Maude would appear in the East Blue?"
Tashigi's eyes lingered on the photograph on the poster.
The young man in the image looked younger than her but already had a bounty exceeding 100 million berries—a staggering figure.
On the couch, Smoker sat up straight and glanced at the newly posted bounty.
His mind wandered to the phone call he had received from Headquarters the previous night.
It was from Admiral Aokiji.
The conversation was brief, but the message was clear: beware of Maude.
Recalling Aokiji's tone, Smoker furrowed his brow slightly.
A pirate with a bounty over 100 million was already a significant threat—Aokiji's personal warning only underscored that fact.
"Bacardi Maude..."
Smoker muttered the name.
Most pirates heading for the Grand Line passed through Loguetown.
If Maude and his crew were aiming for the Grand Line, they would almost certainly come through here.
Smoker's gaze grew cold.
If Maude did appear in Loguetown, as the Marine stationed in this territory, he would ensure the pirate wouldn't escape.
East Blue, Cocoyasi Village.
In the orange grove, two graceful figures busied themselves with work.
Not far away stood a modest house.
Inside, on a table near the kitchen, a bounty poster held down by an orange fluttered in the breeze blowing through the open window.
East Blue, A Small Town.
A swordsman with moss-green hair stood at a crossroads, deep in thought.
At his waist hung three swords, and in his hand was a bounty poster he had just acquired from a tavern owner.
A criminal with a bounty exceeding 100 million berries!
Such a feat was unprecedented in East Blue.
For the bounty hunter Roronoa Zoro, this was a tantalizing challenge.
East Blue, Baratie—The Floating Restaurant.
After seeing off the last group of diners, the younger staff were busy cleaning up.
Meanwhile, the more experienced chefs gathered around a table for a short break.
"Tch, a pirate with a bounty over 100 million berries!"
A scar-faced chef held Maude's bounty poster.
"He must be insanely strong!"
"No kidding. You don't get a bounty like that without being dangerous."
"What if this guy shows up here to eat?"
"Shut your mouth! Don't jinx it!"
The group of chefs bantered while a blond-haired, curly-browed young man passing by glanced at the poster.
"100 million, huh? Speaking of which, what was the old man's bounty again?"
He thought about it for a few seconds before shrugging off the thought and focusing on tomorrow's menu instead.
East Blue, Syrup Village.
A peaceful and unassuming little village.
The latest bounty poster had not made its way here yet.
Under a cloudless sky, a sharp cry shattered the tranquility.
"Bad news!"
"A pirate ship has docked on the eastern shore!"
"A lot of pirates are heading into the village!"
"Everyone, run for your lives!"
A long-nosed boy wearing a yellow checkered headscarf ran through the village streets, shouting at the top of his lungs.
The villagers peered out their windows, showing little reaction to his alarm.
"Ugh, it's just Usopp again."
"Doesn't he get bored of this nonsense?"
"He's so loud!"
One villager, irritated, grabbed a ladle and hurled it at Usopp.
He dodged and stuck out his tongue.
"Missed me, ha-ha-ha!"
"You brat! Get back here!"
"Catch me if you can, ha-ha-ha!"
Usopp took off, taunting the villager chasing after him with exaggerated faces.
As he turned to mock them further, he collided with someone standing in his path.
"Ahhh!"
With a heavy thud, Usopp fell backward, landing hard on the ground.
"Ow, ow, ow! Who's standing in the way—whoa, so tall!"
Looking up, he saw a tall, black-haired young man: Maude.
"You alright?" Maude asked, looking down at Usopp.
Seeing Maude's amicable demeanor, a sly glint flashed in Usopp's eyes. He began to groan dramatically.
"Ow! My back! I think I broke something!"
"Broke something?"
Maude chuckled.
"It hurts so bad! My legs are giving out! I might be paralyzed! You've got to make it up to me! A free meal would be a good start!"
Usopp whined like an amateur con artist trying his luck.
"Alright, sure. Let's head to the village restaurant. Order whatever you like," Maude said, extending his hand to help Usopp up.
As Maude bent down, his coat shifted, revealing the long blade Chidori and the short-barreled flintlock Dark Crow* at his waist.
Usopp's expression froze as he noticed the weapons.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as panic set in.
Moments later, Usopp sprang to his feet and bolted.
"Uh, never mind! My injuries miraculously healed! No need for the meal, thanks!"
"Can't let you off that easily."
In a flash, Maude reappeared in front of Usopp, cutting off his escape.
Usopp stared, dumbfounded, at Maude's sudden appearance.
"G-g-ghost!"
At that moment, the young con artist deeply regretted his decision.
[TL/N: This isn't the blade Maude used earlier in the novel. That was broken long ago. The raw mainly says its name here without further context.]
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