I doubt that the 1b berry bounty is real. It came off like one of Usopp's lies. Plus Jack said that his subordinates talk too much. Not only that, but the scaling if the bounty makes zero sense. Up until now, the highest we had seen wa 500 million by Don Chinjao. It makes no sense for there to be a 500 million berry bounty between two characters from arcs that are right next to each other. Jinbe said that once you hit 400, it becomes really difficult to move up after. Until I see an actual bounty, I'll not believe it, because Luffy is only at 500, and anyone having a 1b bounty that isn't an emperor is sorta garbage imo.
Edit: Also, there's the fact that his trunk attack got stopped by the Duke with a single hand. If he was that much stronger, there wouldn't be anything left of ole yeller.
Yes the Duke stopped him. Why wouldn't he? That wasn't one of his ultimate attacks. To be an emperor's right hand man means he has several special attacks. Just charging forward isn't one of his top 20 techniques. And remember this is the New World. Why should only the government, marines, and pirates be strong?
We have found here, a New World island (on an elephant) that isn't afraid of anyone. I'm sure this won't be the last island we find full of men and women that can fight back and kill most of an emperor's army before their defeat.
I think a better question is, why isn't Zou protected under the Red Hair flag? If the Duke said he and the other king were friends with Shanks out on the sea, shouldn't Shanks put his protection on Zou?
