The room fell silent.
Everyone knew Bedolo supported the Navy's bounty hunter program. Miller was his main ally.
"This morning, Miller's life card burned," Bedolo said, his eyes cold. His voice was sharp. "Killing our bounty hunter challenges the Navy. Find the killer in five days."
"Yes!" The officers stood and saluted.
Karina sat back in her chair, legs crossed, licking a lollipop. She looked at Bedolo, calm.
Bedolo's eyes softened on her. He stayed quiet.
Four days later, a pink Den Den Mushi, a snail phone for communication, rang on a warship. "Bolu Bolu…"
"This is Lieutenant Karina's warship, 89th Branch," a short-haired warrant officer answered. "Who is this?"
"Rear Admiral Bedolo. Get Karina," the voice said.
"Hold on." The warrant officer ran to the deck.
Karina swam in a heart-shaped pool, her pink hair floating. She was the only lieutenant bold enough to have a pool on a warship.
"Lieutenant, your call," the warrant officer said.
Karina swam to the edge and grabbed the Den Den Mushi. "Hello."
"Karina, relaxing?" Bedolo's voice was kind.
"No." Karina stretched, her swimsuit shining in the sun. "You called to check on me?"
"Not just that," Bedolo said, laughing. "I want to know about my fiancée's day. But for work: go to Coralshade Island. The lieutenant there was moved. Keep order."
"No need to find Miller's killer?" Karina asked.
"Others will do that," Bedolo said. "Go to Coralshade Island. There is a summer beach festival. You like crowds."
"Got it." Karina's voice was sweet. She hung up and tossed the Den Den Mushi aside. Her face grew serious.
"Sana, set course for Coralshade Island," she said to the black-haired warrant officer.
Karina dove back into the pool, noticing sailors staring at her like she was a mermaid.
"Yes!" Sana replied.
Meanwhile, on the Blue Raccoon Pirates' ship, a crew member shouted, "Captain Nobita, Coralshade Island is ten nautical miles away!"
Nobita leaned on the rail, looking at the island. "Good. Prepare to dock!"
Coralshade Island was big, with piers on its east and west sides. The Blue Raccoon Pirates sailed to the east pier, packed with pirate ships, fishing boats, merchant ships, and passenger liners.
Before leaving the ship, Nobita called Mafei and two crew members to come with him. The rest stayed to guard the ship.
Mafei grabbed a sack from the cabin's storage. Something round bulged inside.
"What is that?" Nobita asked, poking it.
"Miller's head," Mafei said, smiling.
Nobita pulled his hand back and dunked it in the sea. "That is disgusting!"
"You did not know, Captain?" Mafei said. "Miller's head is worth 300 million Berries at the Falling Gull Club. We can cash it in here."
"300 million? Falling Gull?" Nobita asked.
Mafei nodded, excited. "Besides Navy bounties, pirates have underground clubs to target enemies, like Marines. The Falling Gull Reward Club is one. It is like crowdfunding to hunt seagulls, meaning the Navy. It started at the dawn of the Great Pirate Era. Nobody knows the leader, but it is trusted across the four seas. It causes trouble for the Navy."
"Who runs it?" Nobita asked.
"No one knows the top boss, but their leader, Kael Vortex, is as strong as a Shichibukai," Mafei said. "The club lets pirates post bounties on Marines they hate, adding money. Others chip in. Unlike Navy bounties, Falling Gull rewards grow big, attracting killers. When the price is right, pirates, bounty hunters, or even secret Marines take the job."
Mafei's voice turned grim. "Some admirals secretly post bounties to remove rivals."
Nobita nodded, thinking.