As Kouta had expected.
On the bow of the Freedom, Kuina tossed a few coins to the newspaper bird, then walked over with a stack of newspapers.
She plopped down next to Kouta, leaned her back against his left shoulder, and with a rustle, unfolded the newspaper and began to read.
It was all small news, nothing particularly noteworthy.
The World Government had indeed not reported any news about Deng Island. After all, the navy and the World Government's ambush had failed, with two Admiral-level figures, one of whom was the World Government's ace, possessing Conqueror's Haki, capable of infusing it, and possessing numerous special abilities, and who had died in the battle with Kouta.
How could the World Government report such a thing?
"Huh?"
Flipping to the next page, Kuina paused, then quickly sat up straight, turned her head to look at Kouta, the corners of her mouth curving upwards, two shallow dimples appearing on her cheeks.
"What is it?"
He put down the storybook in his hand.
It was a collection of stories, all about interesting rumors from the high seas.
For example, the one he was currently reading told of a golden island that would occasionally appear on the sea surface under the setting sun in an unknown sea area, but when those who saw it approached with their ship, they would find that the island had already disappeared into the sea with the setting sun.
There were many such rumors on the high seas, so some people saw a business opportunity, compiled these stories, and published them. Because the stories combined rumors and some of them were true, the books appeared vivid and interesting, so these books became essential items in the collections of many seafarers.
And coincidentally, Robin's collection had exactly this book. She took it out when she saw it and read it to pass the time.
Robin had many books of this kind in her bookshelf.
She bought a batch of books every time she visited an island.
Although most of them were history books, she would sometimes bring back very interesting storybooks.
Gradually, the number of such books increased.
Although she hadn't been with Kouta and the others for long, don't forget, she was the direct leader of Baroque Works. She had been to most of the islands in the first half of the Grand Line, so she had many books hidden in her room in Rainbase.
After boarding Kouta's ship, these books were naturally moved to the ship.
Turning to look at Kuina, Kouta's face showed a hint of a smile.
"Look, new bounties."
Kuina smiled and took out a few bounty posters from between the pages of the newspaper.
"Bounties?"
Looking at the bounties in Kuina's hand, a sharp glint flashed in Kouta's eyes.
"So it's here?"
This was a scheme by the World Government, and he couldn't stop it.
"Bounties~"
A Hwa and the other two, who were lying on the grass in the middle of the deck, dozing off, sprang up as if injected with adrenaline at the sound of Kuina's voice.
Bang, bang, bang, they quickly walked to the bow of the ship, stood beside Kouta, and looked at Kuina with eager faces.
Even Robin, who was quietly reading a book nearby, put down her book and sat up straight, looking at the bounty posters in Kuina's hand.
Seeing that Kouta didn't take them, Kuina had no choice but to withdraw her hand, then sat cross-legged on the lounge chair and began to read herself.
"Silver Hair Pirates, Captain, Silver Hair Kouta, bounty 2.5 billion Berries, dead or alive."
No one was surprised by Kouta's bounty. Even though his bounty had jumped by 1 billion this time, reaching an unprecedented 2.5 billion, everyone felt that the World Government had given him too little.
It was difficult for the World Government to give him a higher bounty!
They wanted to give Kouta a bounty that no one would dare to challenge, but if they set it too high, who would dare to cause trouble for Kouta's crew?
It was impossible to rely on the Four Emperors of the New World!
So after deliberation, they unanimously decided to set it at 2.5 billion.
It wasn't particularly high, so high that people would look up to it, but it wasn't low either. It was a moderate bounty that could arouse greed, which was just right.
Seeing that no one reacted, Kuina flipped over the bounty poster and looked at the next one. When she saw the bounty on it, a pleased smile spread across her lips.
Although she knew that Kouta hated pirates, the feeling of his strength being recognized still brought her a sense of joy.
"Silver Hair Pirates, First Mate, Blue Hair Kuina, bounty, 1.5 billion Berries."
"1.5 billion?"
Everyone glanced at Kuina with surprise in their eyes, but after thinking about Kuina eating the Goro Goro no Mi and her greatly increased strength, they felt relieved.
Being able to fight an Admiral and even injure one was a very reasonable bounty.
"It's our turn next!"
A Hwa and the other two leaned forward, their backs hunched, their heads stretched out like turtles.
"Heh heh!!"
Kuina glanced at the three of them and smiled faintly, "What's the hurry!"
Shaking her head, she withdrew her gaze, then turned over her own bounty poster and looked at the next one. Without pausing, she read it out directly.
"Silver Hair Pirates, Chef, Wallace Walger, bounty, 555 million Berries."
"555 million?"
A Hwa's head was filled with question marks. He stared at Kuina in disbelief, then reached out and took his own bounty poster from Kuina's hand. When he saw that it was indeed 555 million, he froze on the spot.
His previous bounty was 500 million, meaning that after so much time and with his strength increasing so much, his bounty had only increased by 55 million.
Ignoring A Hwa, who was stunned, A Luo and A Tao quickly looked at Kuina with anticipation in their eyes.
They didn't have to wait long. Kuina read it out directly.
"Silver Hair Pirates, Helmsman, Momotaro, bounty 150 million Berries."
"150 million Berries?"
"So-so!"
A Tao took the bounty poster handed to him by Kuina, pretended to glance at the bounty indifferently, and then stood proudly to the side. However, from the crescent-shaped eyes of this guy, it was clear that he was still very happy.
"Is this the last one?"
Robin looked at the last remaining bounty poster in Kuina's hand, without any disappointment in her eyes.
On the ship, the person least interested in bounties, besides Kouta, was probably her.
And whether it was A Hwa and the other two, or Kuina, although they no longer took pride in being wanted by the World Government, it was still a novelty, and it was also a recognition of their strength, so they couldn't help but be happy every time they saw a bounty poster.
"This last one must be mine!"
A Luo preened, touching his hair, then rolled his eyes at A Hwa and A Tao.
If he had to say who had made the World Government feel the most threatened on Deng Island this time, he believed it must be him, so his bounty should have the largest increase among the three of them.
Just like A Hwa last time.
Thinking of this, he became even more expectant.
Kuina didn't keep him waiting either. After glancing at the bounty poster, she read it out directly.
"Silver Hair Pirates, Sniper and Navigator, bounty, 200 million Berries."
This time it was no longer the Lookout, but the Sniper and Navigator, and as A Luo had guessed, his bounty had indeed increased the most among them.
"200 million?"
Hearing this, A Tao was displeased. He snatched A Luo's bounty poster from Kuina's hand before A Luo did. When he saw that it was indeed 200 million, his face immediately darkened.
"Why! Why are you 50 million Berries more than me?"
It was understandable for A Hwa. His bounty was already high, and the increase of 55 million should have been given because his strength had improved too quickly.
But why A Luo!
Was it because he could attack from a distance?
Alright!
He admitted that A Luo indeed felt more dangerous than him, but that was no reason for A Luo to have 50 million more than him.
A Luo ignored A Tao, gave him an arrogant look, and then stood proudly to the side, admiring himself.
This conceited behavior made A Tao's teeth itch, and he wished he could go up and fight with this guy.
Hmm...
If Kuina wasn't here, he really would have gone up and fought with this guy.