78 Paradox

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Every since the stunt, we pulled on Enies Lobby, our name had exploded. And I found myself in a dilemma, I hadn't given the subject much thought, but with how fast my crew was growing in fame and strength, it was a vital part.

So I sat down at my desk with a large piece of cloth and got to work. After hours of careful sketching and coloring, I held up the finished product. And just in time, too, as I heard someone scream above me on the deck. Running, I jumped up the last set of stairs looking for any threat, but I only spotted everyone looking at a pile of papers in Cal's hand.

"What's going on is something attacking?!" Leana smiled and shook her head, "It came with the newspaper today!" Interested, I walked over. There were three sheets of paper, each with a picture of the three girls. The detail was surprisingly accurate though the artist warped their faces to look dangerous and threatening.

Cal had the second-highest bounty of 100 million and earned the epithet: Iron Leg Cal. Leana was in a close third place with only ten million behind with the moniker: Thunder Claw Leana. Robin still had the same nickname, but her bounty had updated from 70 million to a whopping 130.

"Why does Robin have a higher bounty than me? I beat both of those giant guys all on my own. Doesn't that count for anything." Before Cal could start brooding, I stepped in, "It's because of her past and her unique ability. Right now, she's actually the biggest threat to the World Government right now."

Cal scanned Robin up and down, "If you say so, I still think my bounty should be 150 million." Smiling, I kissed my indignant lover, "Don't worry. Once you learn Haki and keep steamrolling people, it won't be long before you have a bounty in the billions."

Evos scoffed, "At least you have a bounty. People don't even know my face." I ruffled his hair which he hated, "Well, hopefully, what I have to show you will cheer you up."

Pulling my hands out from my back, I unfolded the black flag, "From this day forward, the world will know us as the Chain Breaker Pirates." There was a moment of silence before an eruption of cheers. Our jolly roger was a red and black oni head biting down on a chain which shattered in its mouth.

Summoning the ship's hollows to sail the flag, we all watched as the black tapestry waved in the wind, "You know I have to say it's about time." Leana commented, her tail wagging behind her. "Something always did feel off, like there was a missing piece. Soon that flag will be known all over the world."

"And everyone will know the name Evos the Silent Death." Though he tried to sound tough, I couldn't help but laugh, "What's so funny?!" Waving my hand, I couldn't stop picturing the teenager sneaking around and killing people with his farts.

"It's nothing. I just thought of something I saw a while ago. But I promise next time you'll be front right and center." Evos' still looked at me sideways, but I kept him at bay for now. "Anyways, what comes next. I doubt we can keep waltzing into town like we have been doing."

Robin brought up a good point, "Simple, we go on the offense, attacking ships and other marine assets. I know of several 'shady' operations the world government has a hand in that they won't like exposed. We might even gather a few allies in the upcoming months."

"Does that have to do with all those letters you sent out a few weeks ago?" Leana asked, biting on her tongue, "Well, either way, we need to get ready for the first wave." We all turned to look at Ace, "You're right. Damn, that's going to be annoying."

"What are you two talking about." Cal interjected, "It's a paradox which all pirates go through when they gain their first major bounty." Ace nodded, "Basically, what happens is that a bunch of bounty hunters will think they're invincible and come to collect the price on your head."

"They're not a real threat, though, then in the second wave, all the pro's come out when you've relaxed your guard to try and take advantage of you. But still a decent amount of beginners and novices." Talking about the topic started to bring back memories of getting up late in the night to take care of them.

"What comes after that?" Evos looked more intrigued than scared, and I almost wished he had a bounty now so he could experience the same fate as all of us.

"Then the last and final stage is both heaven and hell. The marines start to come after you themselves, which means there's a gap between attacks, but you're on the run most of the time." Leana turned to Robin, "Did you go through the same thing?"

"Though I did not know about it at the time, looking back on it, I did undergo a similar process. Though the World Government was always chasing me down."

After sharing my hard-earned wisdom, I took a break from creating the Poneglyph dictionary to cook lunch which I realized I hadn't done in a while. I was just done with clean-up when something struck the side of the ship, rocking the boat slightly.

'Speak of the devil.' Out on the deck, everyone was already looking out the starport where a marine ship bobbed on the waves. "Does anyone want to handle this, or should I get Gibby to handle it?"

Evos jumped off the ship running through the air on platforms of clouds, "I guess that's a no. Can someone keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn't call himself the Silent Death." Ace sighed but ran after Evos propelling himself with flames.

Sighing I turned back around, "Don't let them hit the ship, it's hard enough to write in the middle of the sea."