Pirates Are Here

In the fields outside the village, Luo Ya leaned against a large tree, keeping a constant watch on the surroundings and eliminating any possibility of danger.

Not far away, Kaya frolicked happily in the grass.

"I haven't felt this relaxed in so long."

Since setting out to sea, he had barely had any time to train during the day. Like someone who worked out, if he skipped a day, his whole body felt off.

He was the same way.

Life at the branch was completely different from life outside, and while he still had trouble adjusting to the pace, he could also feel the beauty of life.

Just like the scene before him.

Relaxed and peaceful.

If Kaya were a little older, with an adorable little daughter at her side, mother and daughter picking flowers and chasing butterflies together...

Thinking of how things might look ten years from now, a smile unconsciously appeared on Luo Ya's face.

This was probably happiness.

Kaya came closer, tilting her head.

"You seem really happy?"

"Yeah. I was thinking about ten years from now."

The corners of Luo Ya's mouth curled up. His motivation to strive grew even stronger. Wasn't working hard all for the sake of a beautiful future?

"Ten years from now?"

Kaya looked a little confused, unable to understand what was so funny about ten years from now.

"You're such a strange person!"

"I think so too."

Luo Ya burst out laughing.

Maybe he had spent too long in the barracks and caught a soldier's common affliction: even a sow looked pretty to him.

Nothing had even begun yet, and he was already nearly done thinking up names for their children.

Ke Sui? Or Keli?

Kaya sat beside Luo Ya, breathing a little heavily. She had been having so much fun earlier that only after calming down did she feel tired.

After resting for a while, Kaya curled up and hugged her knees. Somewhat shyly, she softly asked, "Luo Ya, can you tell me about the world outside?"

"Of course."

A client's request naturally had to be fulfilled!

Just as Luo Ya racked his brains, preparing to tell a thrilling tale of adventure and slip in some boasting about his own abilities...

"Oh no!"

"Pirates are here!"

"Everyone, run for your lives!"

From the forest in the direction of the Coast, a Young Man ran out in panic, repeatedly shouting, "Pirates are coming!"

Luo Ya's expression changed instantly. He sprang to his feet and shielded Kaya behind him, his gaze incomparably grave. "Miss Kaya, please rest assured. I will protect you!"

"Ah, thank you."

Kaya hid behind Luo Ya, nervously clutching the hem of his clothes.

When the person reached Luo Ya and Kaya, he immediately stopped and shouted at them in terror.

"Run for your lives! Pirates are here!"

"Calm down!!!"

Luo Ya suddenly bellowed, instantly startling the other party into silence. He then pressed, "How many are there? What does their Pirate flag look like?"

"This..."

Usopp was left speechless.

He had only been lying to scare the villagers for fun. There were no Pirates at all, so how could he know their numbers or what flag they flew?

Looking at the Young Man who could not say a word, Luo Ya realized he had overreacted. He had not expected Miss Kaya to be put in danger on his first day here, so he could not help feeling anxious.

"I'm sorry for frightening you. I'm Luo Ya, a Marine from the 153rd Branch. Please tell me any information you have about the Pirates. Don't worry, our Navy will protect Syrup Village!"

"Ah, I..."

Usopp became even more flustered.

The man before him was actually a Marine.

It was over, it was over! He had only made a tiny joke. How was he supposed to clean this up? Would he be arrested and tortured?

Just as Usopp was so frightened he nearly wet himself, three vicious-looking men holding weapons rushed out from the forest in the direction of the Coast.

"Boss, there really is a village ahead!"

"Gahahaha, good thing that little brat showed us the way."

They were Pirates!

The three had spotted Usopp and followed him all the way here, successfully finding the village. When they saw Luo Ya and the others by the roadside, they immediately raised their swords with malicious intent.

Perfect. They needed to learn the village's exact situation.

Luo Ya took a deep breath and turned to look at the panicked Kaya. With the girl's condition, forget running—she would be out of breath after taking only a few steps.

He could carry the girl and flee, but exposing his back to the enemy's blades was foolish no matter how he thought about it. Besides, he was a Marine. He could not ignore the people of Syrup Village.

Luo Ya smiled gently and softly comforted Kaya. "Hide behind the tree trunk. Close your eyes and count to one hundred. By the time you finish, everything will be over."

"Okay!"

Kaya nodded firmly.

She was smart. She knew she could not help and would only become a burden. Not causing Luo Ya trouble was the greatest help she could offer.

The girl hid behind the tree and closed her eyes, praying for Luo Ya.

After arranging Kaya's safety, Luo Ya looked at the panicked Usopp and ordered in an unquestionable tone, "Young Man, I'll hold them back. Please notify the villagers to take shelter, then go to the Syrup Family estate and find a Marine named Fullbody."

There might very well be other Pirates. They had to prepare for the worst.

"Ah, got it!"

Usopp fled in panic. He had not expected Pirates to actually appear, and fear swiftly consumed his heart.

Run. Run as far away as possible!

Seeing Usopp flee, the Pirates immediately quickened their pace in pursuit. If he warned the villagers, their mission might fall through.

But a figure blocked their path.

Luo Ya stood alone in the middle of the road and coldly asked, "Who are you people?"

"We're the Black—"

"Shut up! Do you want the captain to kill you?!"

One of them had tried to answer, but another immediately stopped him, apparently unwilling to expose the Pirate crew behind them.

They were scouts!

Luo Ya quickly realized this.

The stronger a Pirate crew was, the more thorough its preparations before a raid. After all, many villages were so poor they could barely afford food. Where would they get wealth for Pirates to plunder?

Pirates did not want to do work that was difficult and yielded nothing.

Sending scouts to gather intelligence was a common tactic among Great Pirate crews. It allowed them to quickly learn the wealth of several islands and choose the most suitable target.

Take them alive!

Luo Ya quickly made up his mind.

The three Pirates also realized that Luo Ya would not be easy to deal with. They quietly exchanged glances and quickly reached an agreement.

"Kill him!"

The three charged together, their blades slashing at Luo Ya's neck, waist, abdomen, and head from particularly tricky angles.

Though they had never received formal training, years of living on the edge had forged in them the particular ruthlessness of Pirates.

Facing the three men's attack, Luo Ya became increasingly calm and composed. His mind automatically constructed routes for evasion and counterattack.

Luo Ya stepped back half a pace, letting the blade tip sweep past before his eyes. He kicked out with his left foot, sending the Pirate rushing in from the side flying with a single kick. At the same time, his right hand shot out like Inazuma and seized the wrist of the Pirate on his right.

He stopped all three Pirates' attacks at once.

Crack!

Luo Ya exerted force through his palm, snapping the Pirate's wrist with another crack. He then dragged the screaming Pirate along and flung him into the Pirate directly in front of him, smashing the man to the ground.

"Bastard!"

The lead Pirate angrily shoved his companion off himself. Just as he tried to get up, a sharp blade stabbed into the ground beside his head with a clear hum.

His body froze.

"98, 99, 100."

Behind the tree trunk, Kaya counted to one hundred with her eyes closed.

When she opened her eyes and cautiously peeked around the trunk, the three Pirates had been tied together. Their bruised and swollen faces made it obvious they had taken a beating.

"Yo!"

Luo Ya sat on a nearby rock with one leg crossed over the other, smiling as he greeted the girl.

"Not bad, right?"

"Yeah!"

Kaya covered her chest.

He was amazing!