Pirates in the Marine Branch

The port bustled with people, with numerous merchant ships moored there. It was a scene of thriving activity.

Many sailors eagerly showed off their diligence, unwilling even to wipe the sweat from their heads. It was proof of how hard they worked, and they hoped some important figure would notice their efforts and recruit them into one of the larger fleets.

Amid all this busy work, however, an older man and a young man were slacking off in a corner. The youth looked somewhat uneasy. "Sir, is it really okay for us to hide here? At this rate, we won't get paid for today."

"What do you know, brat? They may all look like they're working their asses off, but those bloodsuckers won't give them one extra Beli in the end. Better to do only as much as we're paid for, like us. After all, your life is the only thing that truly belongs to you." The middle-aged sailor was clearly an old hand, speaking as though he had seen through the ways of the world.

"But if they join those big fleets, wouldn't they be able to make something of themselves?" The youth was still unconvinced.

"Bullshit. You'll die even faster in those big fleets. To plenty of pirates, those fleets are nothing but fat sheep. Those idiots of sailors charging in are just throwing their lives away."

"Then... then I'll become a pirate. Maybe I can find the treasure that Pirate Kings left behind." The youth spoke with longing in his eyes.

The middle-aged sailor hurriedly covered his mouth. "You idiot! Is that something you can say here? Besides, what pirate would dare come here? Angolo is guarded by the Marines 371st Branch. No pirate has dared attack this place for decades."

"Hm? What's wrong with you?" The middle-aged man had been about to boast about his own voyages when he suddenly saw the youth staring wide-eyed behind him.

"S-Sir, is that what the pirates you were talking about look like?"

"Hahaha, how could there possibly be... pi... rates..." His voice gradually weakened before disappearing entirely, because what appeared before him was truly terrifying. Three enormous sailing ships led the way, followed by another four or five smaller ones. Yet compared to the cargo ships before them, even those could still be called leviathans.

In his memory, even the Marines' warships might not have been able to assemble such a massive force. Panic began spreading through his heart. "Towns guarded by a Marine branch may be much safer, but if they attract the attention of truly vicious pirates, the result could be an entire city slaughtered and a whole town wiped out. After all, any pirates bold enough to directly assault a Marine branch and provoke such a colossal force must be demons."

By then, the others had also recovered from their shock. One after another, they fled screaming and crying as if the world were ending.

The youth sprang to his feet, rubbing his fists together. "I'll go notify the Marines right now! I'll help stop these pirates and become a hero! Ohohoho!"

"Idiot! If you want to die, don't drag me down with you! Hurry and hide while we still can. Don't let them see us!"

"Huh? Didn't you just say this place was absolutely safe because there's a Marine branch stationed here?"

The middle-aged man no longer had time to argue as he ran, answering, "Those aren't ordinary pirates! That flag at the bow belongs to the Violent Wolf Pirates! Their captain is a notorious pirate with a bounty of 35 million Beli!"

The one who had arrived was naturally Roy. The few sailing ships behind his own had also been subdued by Roy along the way. After all, the young masters aboard Roy's ship were hardly qualified sailors. He might as well send them back; they would be more useful within their respective families.

Seeing that his arrival had apparently caused quite a stir, Roy felt strangely amused, though he made no effort to explain himself.

Once the flagship docked, Roy stepped ashore in a coat, carrying a wooden box in his right hand, and headed straight for the local Marine branch.

Quite a few bold people poked their heads out. When they saw Roy heading toward the Marines, they grew even more terrified, constantly praying that the two sides would not come to blows.

Inside the Marines 371st Branch, Colonel Morris carefully polished the saber in his hand as though it were his beloved.

Bang!

The door was rudely shoved open, and a noncommissioned officer rushed in frantically. Morris frowned and said in a deep voice, "Sergeant, mind your conduct. You are a Marine. You must always make the people feel that they can rely on you, yet I cannot see the slightest trace of composure in you."

"Yes, sir!" He hurriedly saluted, then reported, "Colonel Morris, a large pirate fleet has docked. It has been identified as the Violent Wolf Pirates, whose captain carries a bounty of 35 million Beli."

When he mentioned the Violent Wolf Pirates, his Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably. The crew's reputation in the North Blue was simply too vile, and their high bounty gave many Marines a headache. To a rookie Marine like him, the Violent Wolf Pirates were indeed terrifying.

Colonel Morris no longer had the mind to reprimand him. Upon hearing the news, his brows had already furrowed deeply. As a Marine colonel, he naturally did not fear a pirate. In fact, if they had been out at sea, he would certainly have chosen to give chase and throw that infamous Tyrant Wolf Monroe into Impel Down Great Prison, where he could repent for the rest of his life.

But this was the town under his protection. If war broke out with the Violent Wolf Pirates, this peaceful, tranquil town might become a living hell. That was absolutely not something he wished to see.

Still, as the highest-ranking officer of the branch, he naturally could not show any concern. "Sergeant, relay my orders. Have Captain Wade lead part of the Marines to help the civilians evacuate. Gather the rest of the Marines and prepare for battle."

"Yes, sir!" Having found his backbone, the sergeant spoke with renewed confidence. His gaze toward Morris was filled with admiration. Colonel Morris was exactly the sort of dependable commander they needed.

When Roy entered the Marine branch, he was somewhat puzzled. Where was everyone? He had visited quite a few Marine branches before, and a situation like this usually only happened when the entire force had been deployed to hunt down some pirates. But he had come to this town without hearing even the slightest bit of news.

Before Roy could ponder it for long, a swordsman wearing a Marine coat of justice emerged, leading a large group of people. They looked fierce, as though they were about to fight someone to the death.

Morris's body stiffened when he saw Roy. By a swordsman's intuition, the young man before him was definitely a master of the blade. He stood there casually, yet gave Morris the feeling that there was nowhere to strike, no opening to exploit.

A Marine behind him suddenly shouted excitedly, "It's him! It's him! It's him!"

"Our friend Little Nezha!" Roy blurted out.

The Marines all stared at Roy in confusion. Roy's old face reddened—he had given away his age. He coughed a few times theatrically. "Ahem, nothing. Carry on."

The Marine came back to his senses and continued pointing at Roy with a terrified expression. "I saw him with my own eyes! He was the first one to get off the pirate ship. He must be that Tyrant Wolf!"

Upon hearing that, the other Marines looked at Roy in horror and hurriedly raised their guns.

Roy frowned slightly. To him, those guns were no different from fire pokers, but nobody liked having guns pointed at them. Since these Marines were so incapable of reading the situation, then...

"No, he isn't Tyrant Wolf. I've seen Tyrant Wolf's wanted poster." Colonel Morris stopped them in time. The Marines had no idea they had just taken a stroll along the edge of hell.

"May I ask who you are, sir, and what business brings you here?" Though he had said that, Morris did not lower his guard. The man before him gave him an exceptionally terrifying feeling. He was definitely no ordinary person.

"Well, it's nothing much. I'm just here to collect some money." As he spoke, Roy tossed the box in his hand toward the sword-bearing officer at the front.

After all, 35 million Beli was no small sum. It would be a waste to throw it away carelessly. Since arriving in this world, Roy had never relaxed for even a moment in his training, but he had never deprived himself when it came to enjoying life either. As a result, the bounty money he earned on each voyage was only enough to fund his extravagance for a while.

Colonel Morris's expression shifted slightly. Anyone capable of becoming a colonel was no fool. Connecting Roy's arrival from the Violent Wolf Pirates' ship with his actions now, he quickly guessed what was in the box.

Without any hesitation, he opened it. Inside was a grotesque human head. However, Morris was a battle-hardened Marine and naturally would not be frightened by such a sight.

A faint smile appeared on Morris's stern face. "It really is Tyrant Wolf Monroe. This villain has finally been brought to justice. Sir, thank you for your contribution to the Marines. Please wait a moment. I'll have someone bring the money immediately."

It seemed Colonel Morris was a decent man. He did not harbor much prejudice against Bounty Hunters. At some of the Marine branches Roy had visited before, the Marines' attitudes had been exceptionally bad. In their eyes, Pirate Hunters were not much different from pirates.

Roy merely sighed inwardly. What a pity. I won't be a Bounty Hunter for much longer. Who knows how many Bounty Hunters will be eyeing my handsome head in the future?