Zhan Guo stood at the foot of the castle stairs, unable to resist turning back to glance at the structure behind him, a hint of self-mockery in his eyes.
The World Government's wickedness, to have a pirate do the work of justice.
For him and the Navy,
How ironic!
Was it also an extreme mockery of the Navy that this silver-haired fellow didn't kill a single marine?
He shook his head, finding no answer, and turned to walk towards the distant elevator.
Better to focus on the bounties for the silver-haired crew!
Since Morgans had called Silver Hair the Fifth Emperor of the Seas, let him become the Five Emperors and battle the monsters of the New World!
Sometimes, fame was also a burden.
Just like the Four Emperors, countless pirates wanted to take their heads every year to claim their position.
Pirates fighting pirates, dogs biting dogs, this was also one of the effects of fame brought by bounties.
...
The efficiency of the Navy and the World Government was still quite fast. Since they intended to increase Silver Hair's bounty and let Kong Tai's reputation soar, so that pirates and bounty hunters would seek him out, they had raised Silver Hair's bounty to an unprecedented level this time.
World Economic News Agency, President's Office.
Morgans looked at the fax from the Navy, gazing at Silver Hair's bounty on it, his face flushed.
Although he had known long ago that Kong Tai's bounty would skyrocket this time, he never would have imagined that the Navy and the World Government would place such importance on Silver Hair, raising it so much.
After thinking about it, he could understand.
This bounty was likely the most correct decision the Navy and the World Government could make under the circumstances.
He picked up the bounty order on his desk and strode out of the office, shouting loudly to his busy subordinates outside, "Little ones, work overtime and print these bounties. I want their bounties to spread across the world as quickly as possible."
"With the boost of these bounties, I will let Silver Hair firmly ascend to the position of Fifth Emperor."
His subordinates looked at their excited president. Although their eyes were bloodshot and tired, their hearts were filled with excitement.
For newsmen, nothing could bring more excitement than a big scoop.
They had just worked overtime to print and distribute the news of Silver Hair's battle against the Buster Call. Judging by the president's excitement, it must be another world-shattering piece of news!
"Truly amazing! Silver Hair, Kong Tai."
Ever since he set sail, it had been one big news story after another!
Morgans watched his busy subordinates, his excited expression fading. He thought for a moment and then said to a trusted subordinate, "After printing these newspapers and bounties, we need to move our headquarters. Although the World Government hasn't made a move this time, they must be thoroughly disgusted. These guys have always wanted to find him, bribe him, or even kill him!"
"Understood."
The subordinate replied calmly.
Having followed Morgans for so long, he was well aware of the president's precarious position. This news had indeed thoroughly disgusted the World Government.
Before long, countless messenger birds flew out of the newspaper office in unison, carrying the new bounties for Silver Hair's crew to all corners of the world.
...
Bass Island, in a underground space beneath Winter Island.
Kong Tai and the others were comfortably lying in a hot spring, bathing.
This was their second day back in Bass after returning from Ore Island.
At this moment, Kong Tai was leaning against the edge of the hot spring pool, tilting his head back, reading the newspaper in his hand.
"Fifth Emperor?"
Morgans was truly uninspired. Couldn't he think of a more novel title?
For instance, Emperor of Space, Sword God, Sword Saint, something more imposing!
Fifth Emperor, this clearly placed him behind the Four Emperors.
It lacked any majesty.
Thinking of this, he shook his head, tossed the newspaper by the pool, picked up the wine gourd on the side, and took a big gulp.
His addiction to alcohol was growing more intense.
It was understandable. With such a powerful body, drinking was like drinking water, and he disliked other beverages. Normally, he only drank.
Besides, he deeply enjoyed the slight dizziness and hint of excitement he felt after drinking.
"Ah! I feel so weak, I really want to sleep!"
Just then, Hua's voice came from beside him.
Hua's and the other two's injuries had long since healed under Indigo's superb medical skills, so there was no problem with them bathing in the hot spring.
"Yeah! I didn't expect the side effects of the Devil Fruit to be so severe that I don't even have the strength to bathe."
Beside Hua, A Lo's head and hands lay limply by the edge of the pool, his lower body and chest completely submerged in the hot spring.
"Kekekeke!!"
Across the pool, Indigo, leaning against the edge, chuckled as he looked at A Lo and Hua, who were like two beached fish lying by the pool. He said, "You'll be fine as long as you don't submerge more than two-thirds of your body in the water."
"There's such a thing?" Read books!
Hua and A Lo turned their heads in unison to stare at Indigo.
After eating a Devil Fruit, they hadn't bathed before. It was their first time learning that even a full bath could make a Devil Fruit user weak.
"Hahaha!! You two landlubbers, such a wonderful hot spring, it seems only I can enjoy it."
Just then, A Tao's head suddenly emerged from the water in front of them. A Tao stood up and began to mock A Lo and Hua.
"You fellow."
Hua and A Lo frowned simultaneously, looking at A Tao's smug face. These two who usually disliked each other joined forces, quickly stood up, and rushed to wrestle with A Tao.
Beside Kong Tai, Ba Da, who was sitting cross-legged in the water, watched the three of them frolicking in the middle of the pool. Hearing Li Ya's laughter from another hot spring pool just on the other side of the wall, the corners of his mouth curved upwards, revealing a smile.
Feeling the warmth from beneath him, even though two days had passed, it still felt like a dream.
How long had it been since he last bathed like this!
All of this was brought about by the man beside him.
He was genuinely grateful for fate.
Grateful for fate that Kong Tai chose Bass on his first island selection.
Grateful that it brought a hero to Bass, who saved him and their Bass.
Thinking of this, he slowly stood up and walked ashore.
He turned around, looked towards the pool, and slowly knelt down.
Seeing Ba Da's actions, Hua and the other two immediately stopped their playful banter.
"Hey! You're not the bounty hunter Ba Da anymore, you're the genuine King of Bass!"
Hua released his hand from A Tao's head, took off his glasses, wiped the water off the lenses, and put them back on, looking at Ba Da with surprise.
Ba Da looked at Hua and smiled, "In this bathhouse, there is no king. I! Am just representing a father and representing the tens of thousands of citizens of the Bass Kingdom, to sincerely say one thing to you..."
As he spoke, he placed his hands on the ground, bowed, and touched his forehead to the ground, saying loudly, "Thank you."
Kong Tai did not help Ba Da up this time. He raised his wine gourd, took a large swig, and then put it down. Turning to Ba Da, he let out a hearty laugh.
"Hahahaha!!"
"We've received your gratitude, Ba Da."
Ba Da raised his head, looking at Kong Tai, and seeing everyone in the pool smiling at him, he also grinned and burst into laughter.
His laughter, piercing through the thick earth above, drifted into the sky above Winter Island, lingering for a long time.