Chapter Sixty-Four: The World in Uproar [Second Update]

Shu Mingyuan was sent flying by a slap from Bartholomew Kuma, wrapped in a shockwave shaped like a bear’s paw, hurtling at supersonic speed in a certain direction.

“That guy didn’t intend to kill me. What purpose does he have in sending me flying like this? I just wonder where he’s taking me.”

He sped through the air for three days, and during those days, the world outside was in an uproar.

A sensational, explosive piece of news spread across the entire world in a matter of moments. The ghost hunter, Monkey D. Shu Mingyuan, who had been captured and imprisoned in the Deep Sea Grand Prison six months ago, became the second man to successfully escape, following the legendary pirate Golden Lion.

Inside the prison, he committed countless crimes—assaulting guards, slaughtering inmates, his methods bloody and cruel beyond belief!

The World Government issued a bounty of 350 million Berries, declaring him an arch-criminal and putting him under permanent worldwide pursuit, elevating his ranking on the Ghost List to number 50!

The wanted poster caused a global commotion. Who exactly was this ghost hunter, Monkey D. Shu Mingyuan, who managed to break out of Impel Down, the infamous prison thought to be impossible to escape?

That prison held the world’s most vicious criminals; even the most notorious villains couldn’t get out. The only previous escapee, Golden Lion, the legendary pirate rivaled only by the Pirate King Roger, lost both his legs during his breakout.

Who was Monkey D. Shu Mingyuan? Rumors claimed he escaped Impel Down without a scratch—neither Chief Magellan nor Warden Rain Shiryu could do anything to stop him.

There was even word that one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Bartholomew Kuma, known as the Tyrant, personally tried to capture him—yet he still managed to slip away.

For a time, the name Monkey D. Shu Mingyuan echoed across the world.

Naval officers, the Seven Warlords, the Four Emperors, countless pirates, and civilians all discussed his name. His wanted poster, along with his bounty, spread to every corner of the globe.

The image showed a man in prison garb, standing atop the head of a giant sea king, his gaze cold and detached, with the Deep Sea Grand Prison Impel Down looming in the background, lending credence to the story.

At the same time, information about Monkey D. Shu Mingyuan was unearthed:

Place of birth: East Sea Fishing Village
Age: 15
Identity: Pirate Hunter
Background: Orphan

Deeds: Defeated local East Sea pirates—Alvida, Buggy the Clown, Arlong the Fishman
Previous bounty: 50 million Berries

But now, his bounty had soared to 350 million Berries. Overnight, this obscure kid who had never truly set foot on the Grand Line became a household name across the world, all because he had accomplished a feat that shattered the heavens.

Becoming the second man to escape Impel Down was weighty enough to command the attention of anyone!

Location of the Four Emperors:

“This brat managed to escape Impel Down? All on his own? Since when did Impel Down’s defenses become so weak?”

“Hahaha, interesting. Another kid breaks out of Impel Down—a name worthy of the history books.”

“What’s Impel Down to me? Even if they tried to kill me, they couldn’t. But this kid is intriguing.”

“So this is the brat who once sailed with Luffy for a while? Who would have thought he could escape from Impel Down—unbelievable.”

Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Admiral’s Office:

“Karp, why does that escapee’s surname so closely resemble yours, differing by just one letter? Don’t tell me he’s family? Naval intelligence confirms he set out to sea with your grandson, Monkey D. Luffy!”

“Hahaha, Sengoku, I don’t have such a formidable grandson. That kid’s surname is odd, but I can assure you—” Karp laughed heartily, munching on a rice cracker.

Sengoku glared at him, unconvinced. He knew this old man’s family was a mess: a Navy hero, his son the leader of the Revolutionary Army bent on overthrowing the World Government, one grandson now second division commander under Whitebeard, the other newly a pirate but already causing a stir.

Now, with a pirate hunter thrown in the mix, even though Karp denied it, Sengoku considered Monkey D. Shu Mingyuan as another of his kin.

Naval training grounds:

Tashigi stared at the wanted poster in her hand, remembering three months ago when she personally escorted him to prison. Ghost Hunter Shu Mingyuan had told her, in an arrogant, domineering tone: Impel Down, he would come and go as he pleased.

“You... you actually pulled it off.”

Suddenly, her lips—once violated by that scoundrel—grew hotter and hotter...

...

Grand Line, Sainting Island, Kingdom of Alabasta.

This was a country that seemed to exist within a desert; three years had passed without a drop of rain. Once a prosperous realm, it was now transformed into a desert nation.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Shu Mingyuan, sent flying by Bartholomew Kuma’s slap from Impel Down, landed at the frontiers of the Grand Line—the very first kingdom, Alabasta.

That day, a shockwave in the shape of a bear’s paw descended at supersonic speed, imprinting a giant paw-shaped crater in the northern desert of Alabasta.

Dust billowed into the sky, and after a long while, a thin figure slowly crawled out of the crater.

“Damn it, that bear’s slap really hurt,” Shu Mingyuan cursed, spitting out a mouthful of sand before scrambling out of the pit.

“This is...”

He looked around—nothing but endless yellow sand, no other scenery in sight. In his memory, only one island fit this description: Alabasta.

“Don’t tell me I got slapped straight from Impel Down to Alabasta...”

He muttered, his lips twitching. The distance from Alabasta to Impel Down covered nearly half the Grand Line. In the original story, Luffy and his friends had experienced Kuma’s special slap treatment—who would have thought it was his turn now?

Even with all his mental preparation, he was still stunned. Traveling at a speed faster than an airplane, undertaking such a journey personally—anyone would find it utterly incredible.

“Alabasta, huh? Well, since I’m here, might as well settle in. I wonder if Luffy and the others have already passed through? Judging by the timeline, they must have.”

He murmured, then quickly got his bearings and plunged into the wind and sand.

ps: [Today, favorites and recommendation tickets are down. Dear readers, have you stopped loving me?]