Seeing Carrot suddenly appear, Wanda was visibly startled.
"Carrot? Why did you follow me?"
Carrot pursed her lips, her expression filled with frustration.
"Our home and our people have been completely twisted by that man. I don't want to stay here anymore!"
Wanda hesitated, concern surfacing in her eyes.
"You're still too young. The outside world is dangerous."
"I'm not a child anymore, Wanda! I've wanted to see the world for a long time. Please, take me with you!"
Wanda's expression grew complicated.
"Carrot, this isn't a simple journey. I'm not leaving just to explore. I am going to..."
Before she could finish, a detached voice interrupted.
"What a coincidence, meeting you here."
Both Wanda and Carrot turned at once.
Joy Boy approached them at an unhurried pace.
The moment Carrot saw him, her face twisted with undisguised anger.
"Unbelievable. Why do I keep running into you, you terrible person!"
Wanda subtly exhaled, then fixed him with a serious gaze.
"Are you here to take us back?"
Carrot immediately stepped forward, raising her guard, her eyes locked onto him.
Joy Boy waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't misunderstand. I have no interest in stopping you. In fact, I'm rather pleased you're leaving. We were never the same kind of people."
As he spoke, his figure blurred.
In an instant, he appeared behind Wanda, looking down at the vast sea of clouds below.
"I happen to be leaving as well. If you want, I can take you down."
Before Wanda could respond, Carrot snapped.
"Drop the act. If you really wanted to help, then don't come back at all!"
Joy Boy gave a faint smile.
In his eyes, Wanda and Carrot were no longer relevant to his standing within the Mink Tribe. Their hostility carried no weight.
"That won't happen. I'll return soon enough. When I do, no matter where you are, you'll hear my name echo across the world."
Carrot did not hesitate.
"I'd rather hear news of your death than your so called legends!"
Joy Boy paused briefly, clearly not expecting such sharp words from her. His expression cooled slightly.
"Given your age, I will overlook it this time. Take care of yourselves."
Without another word, he stepped forward.
With a powerful push, his body shot downward into the sea of clouds like a streak of white light.
By the time Wanda and Carrot reacted, he had already vanished.
Wanda stared downward, her brows knitting.
"He just jumped? That's over ten thousand meters above the sea. Even if he can withstand the fall, what about the ocean?"
Carrot clapped her hands, her mood instantly lifting.
"Perfect. That idiot is definitely dead. Wanda, are we leaving now?"
Wanda remained silent for a moment before shaking her head.
"No. He won't die that easily."
Almost immediately after she spoke, the sea of clouds below began to churn violently.
Gradually, it formed a massive smiling face, unmistakably Joy Boy's.
The expression carried a mocking undertone.
Carrot bristled, nearly lunging forward in anger, only to be restrained by Wanda.
Wanda sighed.
"Carrot, let's go."
"Alright. But where are we going?"
"I'll tell you once we reach the ground. Just know this isn't a sightseeing trip."
...
After redeploying Marine forces across the Four Seas, Lloyd returned to Marineford aboard a fleet of warships.
This campaign had ended in decisive success. The remaining forces of the Revolutionary Army had been completely eradicated, and the majority of pirate activity in the Four Seas had been purged.
The only lingering regret was Joy Boy's escape. Once again, he had slipped away without a trace.
The moment Lloyd arrived at Marineford, he issued orders without delay.
The CP Organization, along with all naval intelligence divisions, was commanded to intensify the global search for Straw Hat Luffy.
At the same time, Luffy's wanted poster was updated.
The new poster was striking.
The image was split diagonally. The upper half displayed Luffy's normal appearance, while the lower half revealed his Nika form.
Beneath the name Monkey D. Luffy, an additional designation had been added within brackets.
Joy Boy.
His bounty had also been raised to an astonishing five billion Berries, matching the historical value once placed on the Ope Ope no Mi.
The moment this poster spread across the world, it ignited chaos.
A global frenzy began.
Yet the most fervent participants were not bounty hunters, but pirates.
The Navy's announcement made it clear. Capturing Luffy was not required. Providing credible information alone would earn a substantial reward.
Even pirates were eligible.
Furthermore, those who were not deemed irredeemable criminals could receive a pardon from the World Nobles, allowing them to abandon piracy and return to civilian life.
The temptation was overwhelming.
After all, the man who had escaped from the grasp of Fleet Admiral Lloyd possessed strength that rivaled, or perhaps exceeded, that of the Yonko.
This alone made direct confrontation nearly impossible.
Even Red Hair Shanks would think carefully before making a move.
The previous Yonko, Kaido, Whitebeard, and Linlin, had all fallen, each meeting a grim end.
Now, the Navy's dominance was absolute.
The Great Pirate Era was nearing its conclusion, and pirate forces had dwindled significantly.
Most pirates kept their heads down, fearing detection.
The pursuit of the One Piece had become secondary to survival itself.
Many had long desired to abandon piracy, yet their identities were already recorded. There was no easy escape.
Under such circumstances, Luffy's bounty represented an opportunity unlike any other.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, Lloyd sat behind his desk, reviewing a stack of reports.
Each document detailed sightings and intelligence related to Joy Boy.
After finishing the final report, a dark, flame-like energy ignited in his hand.
Without hesitation, he reduced every document to ashes.