Bounty Hunter

(Few weeks later)

Gaku leaned back in his chair at the arcade, an intense glow from the screen lighting up his face as his fingers flew across the buttons, lost in the final round of a combat game. Around him, the sounds of clinking tokens and excited shouts filled the air, blending with the flashing lights and the smell of fried food. It was paradise—a whole world of games he'd only dreamed about, completely out of the government's reach.

Suddenly, he felt a prickle on the back of his neck, a familiar warning he couldn't ignore. A moment later, the door to the arcade swung open, and in walked a group of men in dark uniforms. They moved with precision, eyes scanning the room, and every instinct told him they were after him.

Casually, he leaned forward, feigning focus on his game, though his mind was now racing. "It took them long enough," he muttered under his breath, almost smirking. He'd known this day would come, just... maybe not this soon.

As he continued to play, one of the uniformed men approached, standing right behind him. Gaku could feel the weight of the man's presence, his eyes watching him closely.

"You're coming with us," the man said, voice low and cold.

Gaku didn't even pause the game, his finger pressing the attack button as his character delivered a finishing blow. "You guys seriously sent someone after me already? That was fast," he said, still playing. "Didn't think I was that popular."

"Enough." The man reached forward, but Gaku's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist in a vice-like grip. He finally turned, his red eyes meeting the agent's.

"If you wanted an autograph, you could've just asked."

With that, Gaku released the man, stood up, and raised his fists. Around him, arcade-goers scattered, watching in awe and terror as he took a fighting stance, ready for what was about to unfold.

The agent lunged, throwing a punch, but Gaku sidestepped it easily, delivering a swift counter that sent the man crashing into a row of machines. Two more agents rushed him, one aiming low while the other went high, but Gaku deflected them both with effortless skill, his every movement precise, trained. It was as if he was still playing his game, but this time, the stakes were real.

In the chaos, Gaku spotted an emergency exit sign glowing above a back door. With one last blow, he sent the final agent to the floor and took off toward the exit, skidding out into the alleyway.

He paused, breathing heavily but grinning. His heart pounded, a mix of adrenaline and excitement flooding through him. Freedom was within reach again, but he knew this was only the beginning. The government would keep coming after him, and he'd have to be ready every single time.

But he couldn't deny it—there was a thrill in the chase, and this time, he was determined to make it the best game he'd ever played.

The arcade was suddenly swarming with government agents. They flooded in from every entrance, an army of black-suited men converging on the rows of flashing machines and startled players. Gaku saw at least a dozen of them, their movements coordinated, closing in on him as if he were prey.

"Didn't realize I was getting the VIP treatment," he muttered, dodging as two agents lunged at him.

His hands moved with precision honed over years of brutal training. He took out one agent with a sweeping kick, and another with a swift punch, all without breaking his rhythm. He could feel their eyes on him, calculating, noting every move he made, but he didn't slow down. His eyes flicked to the emergency exit in the back, and with a quick burst of speed, he dodged past the last line of agents and pushed through the door, sprinting into a narrow alley.

As he ran, he could hear the agents shouting orders behind him, their footsteps pounding after him. But with each step, the thrill of freedom surged, his smile widening as he darted into a maze of streets, putting more and more distance between him and his pursuers.

Finally, he slowed, catching his breath and listening to make sure no one was following him. But before he could revel in his escape, his stomach let out a low, growling rumble. He placed a hand over it, realizing he hadn't eaten in hours. He needed food—and quickly. But to get it, he'd need beri.

"Well, that's a problem," he said to himself, scratching his head.

Gaku glanced around, trying to think of the quickest way to make some cash. Working odd jobs would take too long, and he'd already ruled out anything that involved working for the government or anyone with a badge. But then it struck him—pirate hunting. He'd heard the pay was good, especially for someone with his skills, and it didn't come with the restrictions of the government's chains. A pirate bounty or two could keep him fed and let him play as many games as he wanted.

"Guess I'll be a bounty hunter, then," he said with a grin. "Let's see what kind of high scores I can get in that game."

Gaku strolled through the misty North Blue harbor, tracking down his target with an unhurried ease. His prey, a small-time pirate captain named "One-Eyed Dirk," had a minor bounty on his head—barely worth the trouble, but he was a start.

When he finally spotted Dirk in an alley, Gaku barely had to lift a finger. As Dirk whipped around, surprised by Gaku's sudden appearance, Gaku gave a swift swing of his mace, knocking the pirate unconscious before the man even had a chance to draw his weapon. Dirk hit the ground with a heavy thud, completely subdued.

Hauling the unconscious pirate over his shoulder, Gaku made his way to the nearest Marine outpost. He could feel a twinge of hesitation. If the Marines connected him to Project Mirage or the government's secrets, things could get messy fast. But he doubted that would happen here; North Blue was a long way from the secrets of the Grand Line, and even the government preferred its shadows hidden from the average Marine's sight.

As he stepped into the Marine base, he was greeted by a few surprised officers. Gaku dropped Dirk's limp body in front of them without ceremony, and one officer, clearly impressed, looked at him with an appraising smile.

"Quite a catch you've brought in," the officer said, eyeing Dirk before glancing back at Gaku. "Who should we thank for this? What's your name?"

Gaku paused, considering. He could invent an alias, slip through their system under a new identity—but no. He'd spent too long in the shadows, and a part of him craved the freedom that came with being recognized, even if it was risky.

"Gaku," he finally answered. "Just Gaku."

The officer nodded and took down his name, handing Gaku a pouch of berry in payment for the bounty. "Well, Gaku, North Blue could use someone with your skills. Thank you, and good hunting."

Gaku nodded in return, turning to leave as a small flicker of satisfaction crept into his chest. For the first time, he had begun building his own reputation—not one built by the government, but one he could claim as his own.