Fang Ming Jing was very well-behaved.
But that was only in the Holy Land, in front of his aunt, Gu Shi Yun—
He always enjoyed lively situations, and while he acted recklessly, he was also very good at improvising.
“Haah～!”
Fang Ming Jing stretched comfortably.
After a short nap, he felt like he was in paradise.
The sunlight falling on the deck was so warm and comfortable.
Time flowed slowly and steadily.
The only sounds he could hear were the gentle rocking of the small boat against the waves, and the cries of seabirds.
“Awake?”
Hawk-Eye Mihawk's gaze turned to him.
The world's greatest swordsman was sitting in a large chair, a bottle of freshly opened red wine beside him… the dark red liquid swirled gently in a clear glass.
They were at sea.
Because of his realm power, Yellow Ape had been unable to hold them back. Fang Ming Jing simply opened a rift, easily shaking off the Admiral.
Oh, and the Celestial Dragon woman named Charlotte Lylia was also taken along.
“Mm, a good sleep is definitely more comfortable.”
“Have you decided what to do with this Celestial Dragon?”
“Not yet...”
Fang Ming Jing stroked his chin.
U… U… U!!
As they spoke, the Celestial Dragon who was tossed in the corner struggled. Her mouth was stuffed with a cloth, making it impossible for her to speak.
But no one paid her any attention.
At this moment, a messenger seagull flapped its wings and landed on Hawk-Eye's chair arm, chirping.
When the latter pulled out a Beli, the messenger seagull promptly turned its head and used its beak to retrieve a newspaper from a pouch on its back.
Hawk-Eye unfolded the newspaper, but didn't expect to find a wanted poster sandwiched inside.
“Heh, you’re wanted by the World Government, Group Leader.”
“Oh? How much?”
“One Billion Berries, dead or alive.”
“... That's rather cheap.”
Fang Ming Jing took the wanted poster from the other man.
It clearly showed his face, but unfortunately, since Fang Ming Jing hadn't revealed his name, and the World Government couldn’t find anyone matching his profile, the space for his name on the bounty poster was filled with question marks.
If only this single wanted poster spread across the seas, it would surely be a source of great confusion to everyone involved, right?
But the newspaper detailed his crimes: kidnapping the World Noble Rozvald family on Sabaody Archipelago, even killing two Celestial Dragons right in front of a Navy Admiral—
This was an unprecedented malicious act since the establishment of the World Government.
The World Government even made a public statement in the newspaper, vowing to capture him, the criminal who dared to attack the World Nobles.
“For a newcomer who's been wanted for the first time, that's already an incredibly high bounty.”
“You’re not worried about being removed from the Shichibukai?” Fang Ming Jing flipped through the newspaper. “Speaking of which, how much is your bounty?”
“I’m not a pirate. I haven’t been wanted before.”
“Is that so?”
There was nothing strange about that, after all, no one stipulated that only the Navy and pirates could roam the seas.
Fang Ming Jing put the newspaper down.
He looked around, then, under Hawk-Eye's gaze, found a fishing rod in the corner of the small boat.
Well, this fishing rod was important for Hawk-Eye, after all, this small boat didn’t seem to be able to store much food... every time he sailed the seas for a long time, he would use this fishing rod.
“You’re not putting on bait?”
Seeing Fang Ming Jing directly cast the hook into the sea, Hawk-Eye asked curiously.
“Bait?”
As if he didn’t understand, Fang Ming Jing looked at Hawk-Eye strangely.
At that moment, the fishing rod in his hand suddenly sank. The tugging sensation urged him to lift the fishing rod forcefully—whoosh! A large, fat fish was easily pulled out of the water. In mid-air, its beautiful scales shimmered under the sunlight.
“…”
Hawk-Eye silently pressed his hat down.
Only then did he remember that Fang Ming Jing had mentioned his exceptionally good luck.
After releasing the fish he caught, Fang Ming Jing threw the hook back into the sea once more.
“Fishing isn't interesting. It’d be great if I could catch a Devil Fruit instead.”
“…”
Hawk-Eye didn’t answer this time.
But while he didn't respond, he felt deep down that this was impossible.
Even though Devil Fruits often appeared by chance beside their eaters, it was an absolute fantasy to try to get one in the vast ocean with a simple fishing rod.
“Oh, there’s something!”
This time, it took a while for something to take the bait. And from the feeling on the fishing rod, it wasn’t a living creature…
Fang Ming Jing expertly pulled the rod forcefully. In an instant, a worn, moss-covered chest broke the surface of the water and landed on the deck, rolling a few times.
Click.
The chest rolled a few times and opened itself, revealing a strange-looking fruit inside.
“…”
“Oh, I caught it.”
Compared to Fang Ming Jing’s cheerful voice, Mihawk’s sharp eyes were now only filled with bewilderment.
You really just say you caught it, and you catch it?
The world's greatest swordsman felt his worldview being violently shaken. It took him a long time to regain his composure.
Luckily, he didn't understand any of the fantasy memes, otherwise, he might have blurted out: “Whoa! The chat group leader is terrifying!”