One Piece: Heroic Spirits Straw Hat Pirates!

Out on the sea, a Navy warship was speeding swiftly with the wind.

Inside the cabin, Gion was walking through the corridor with a deep frown on her face.

"Did you see what you were hoping for, Gion?"

Suddenly, Tsuru's voice rang out.

"Tsuru-nee."

Gion looked up and realized Tsuru was standing just two meters away.

"Judging by your expression, it seems you didn't find anything useful from that woman."

Tsuru walked over, patted Gion on the shoulder, and continued:

"We've already confirmed Pyscho·P's statement—he was indeed a Devil Fruit user."

"And now, his powers have completely vanished."

"It's highly likely that this woman named Nami has the ability to erase Devil Fruit powers."

Hearing that, Gion's eyes filled with shock as she followed Tsuru toward the warship's deck.

"Tsuru-nee, is there really such a bizarre ability in this world? Could Nami possess an extremely rare Fruit?"

"It's not impossible, Gion. But even if she didn't have such a unique ability, that woman is already dangerous enough for the East Blue. Since she's sticking close to Genrou, it's our responsibility to issue a bounty on her."

"But Tsuru-nee, according to the intel we gathered from Shells Town, this Nami was hired by Genrou with money to act as his navigator. She might not actually be a member of the Straw Hat Pirates."

"Even so, it's a fact that she infiltrated the Navy base at Shells Town and stole from it. That alone is enough grounds for us to issue a bounty."

Tsuru handed a sketch to Gion and said:

"She now also has the power to injure a Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, and possibly the ability to erase Devil Fruit powers. We can't afford to take her lightly."

"Even if she was only hired, it doesn't stop us from labeling her as part of the Straw Hat Crew."

"There aren't any official photos of Nami in the Navy's archives, so the image you're holding is a sketch Pyscho·P made from memory."

"Since that guy had the Iro Iro no Mi (Color-Color Fruit), his sketch should be reasonably accurate."

"According to the descriptions from those treasure hunters, the swordsman Zoro also possesses formidable strength."

"This is a good chance—we should issue bounties on all of them."

Gion held up the sketch and frowned even more deeply.

"Is this really what Nami looks like?"

You couldn't blame her for doubting. Pyscho·P's art style was far too... impressionistic. Full of artistic flair, it looked nothing like a photograph.

"For now, without a real photo, that sketch will have to do."

"If we manage to catch up to Luffy, Genrou, and the others, we won't need it anymore."

Tsuru smiled and came to a stop before a female Marine.

As the two talked, they had already arrived at the warship's deck.

"Well? Have you spotted the small boat Luffy and Genrou were using?"

Tsuru asked the female Marine.

"Reporting, Vice Admiral Tsuru! We've searched thoroughly, but haven't found a single trace of Genrou or the others."

"That's odd. They were on a small boat. By all logic, after all this time chasing, we should've found something."

"Vice Admiral Tsuru, maybe we got the direction wrong—or maybe those treasure hunters pointed us the wrong way."

"A false lead, huh? Could Genrou have sensed we were following them and deliberately changed course?"

Tsuru stroked her chin thoughtfully.

The warship had been pursuing based on Genrou's last known heading—information they'd gotten from the treasure hunters.

But after Genrou's battle with them, every single one of the treasure hunters was either dead or unconscious. Not one of them saw what direction Genrou ultimately took.

Tsuru understood—if Genrou really had sensed pursuit, then changing course was a very real possibility.

What she didn't know was that Genrou hadn't changed direction at all.

He had simply switched to the Golden Deer, a ship that sailed faster than any Navy warship.

"What a sly brat… Marines! Turn the ship around. We're going to search other directions."

"Yes, Vice Admiral Tsuru!"

The female Marine saluted and ran off to carry out the order.

After she left, Tsuru pulled out a Den Den Mushi from her coat and dialed.

"Sengoku, it's me. I've got some updated intel on Genrou and the Straw Hat Pirates that we need to talk about."

"By the way, has Garp arrived in the East Blue yet?"

…

Meanwhile, Genrou had no idea what Gion and Tsuru were doing—nor did he care.

After sailing the Golden Deer for a while, he stored it away again.

The crew was now continuing on a small boat toward Shimotsuki Village.

"Genrou, is Nami still not waking up?"

Luffy looked worriedly at Genrou as he laid Nami down gently on a spacious area of the boat.

"I already told you—she's fine."

"The power of Yousei no Kouki (Fairy Glitter) is way too strong for her to handle right now."

"The price of forcing its activation is a simple fainting spell. Honestly, that's already lucky."

Genrou waved dismissively.

In his opinion, Nami wouldn't be waking up for at least half a day.

"Yousei no Kouki huh… what a powerful Ougi (ultimate move). I wonder when I'll be able to grasp Kokushibou's Ougi."

Zoro shook his head and silently vowed to train even harder.

"By the way, Genrou… are you sure it was okay to let that Iro Iro no Mi user live?"

"I may not be a Devil Fruit user, but I know just how terrifying it is to possess the ability to strip others of their powers."

"You said the Navy was chasing us—if that guy ends up in their hands, won't that be really bad for you… for all of us?"

Zoro asked seriously.

"What? Zoro, are you scared?"

Genrou laughed.

"You know that's not what I meant."

Zoro responded with a stern look.

"Still so serious, Zoro," Genrou shrugged, sitting beside Nami and replying leisurely:

"I'm already a wanted criminal, hunted by both the Navy and the World Government."

"Even if the truth about my ability to steal Devil Fruit powers gets out, it's not like they'll suddenly dedicate more resources to chase me."

"Besides, I'm getting stronger every day—and so are my comrades. That includes you two."

"If I'm ever truly in danger, I trust my reliable partners will protect me."

Genrou smiled at Zoro and Luffy.

Luffy: "Of course! I'll punch all those people trying to catch you and send them flying!"

Zoro: "Tch. With your strength, I doubt you'll need my help. But fine, if you ever do, my sword's got your back."

"You two really are dependable," Genrou said with a smile. "But if I had decided to kill that guy… would you have supported me?"

Luffy: "Killing enemies during battle is one thing. But once the fight's over, there's no need."

Zoro: "I'm not interested in cutting down someone who's already lost the will to fight."

Genrou smiled. That was exactly the answer he expected.

"That's enough talking. Let's keep sailing."

With that, Genrou unfurled the sail, letting the sea breeze push their small boat onward.

At the same time, a flock of News Coo birds soared into the sky, carrying freshly printed wanted posters announcing to the world the names—and bounties—of Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and the rest of the Straw Hat Crew.

…

(End of Chapter)

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