Mutual Respect

About forty minutes after receiving the distress signal, the 32nd Branch's warship from the East Blue finally arrived at Glass Bead Island.

When they saw the pirate corpses piled up at the harbor, along with Luo Ya sitting atop the heap, bare-chested and holding a bloody blade, the Branch Marines instinctively raised their guns.

Luo Ya's face immediately turned quite green.

"Don't shoot! I'm one of you!"

He had only wanted to show off a little in front of his colleagues. Was there any need to be so nervous? Couldn't they see he had already dealt with all the pirates?

Three minutes later, after Luo Ya painstakingly explained himself, the branch Marines finally understood what had happened, though they still found it hard to believe.

Including the captain, seven had been killed and more than ten captured. Though it was only a little-known pirate crew, even ordinary Lieutenant Officers could not achieve such results.

The Major leading the team looked at him with solemn respect and personally lit a cigarette for Luo Ya.

"Brother, did you really do all this alone?"

"Of course."

Luo Ya took a satisfied drag, a perfectly measured hint of pride appearing on his face. "153rd Branch Second-Class Private Luo Ya, serial number xxxx9527. You can verify my identity."

"Alright, brother. Please wait a moment."

The Major was shocked once again. He had assumed Luo Ya was at least a captain, but he was only a second-class private.

If he remembered correctly, the 153rd Branch was merely a remote minor branch. Its branch number alone showed that it lacked any real strength.

The Major did not dare neglect the matter and immediately ordered his subordinates to contact the 153rd Branch for verification. Once Luo Ya's identity was confirmed, he could only marvel inwardly.

This young man had limitless prospects!

"We will truthfully report this incident to our superiors. Please leave the remaining cleanup to us!"

"Alright!"

Luo Ya did not waste words. This island was not within the 153rd Branch's jurisdiction to begin with. As long as they recorded his contribution, that was enough.

After taking the pirates' rocket launcher, Luo Ya immediately headed for the alleyway. He had no idea how Fullbody's fight was going.

Inside the alleyway.

The two were bruised and battered, covered in injuries. One threw a punch, the other answered with a kick. There was no technique at all—only emotion.

In other words, two rookies pecking at each other.

Fullbody punched Jango in the face, sending him staggering back. "Give up! You can't escape!"

"Who would just wait to die?!"

Jango caught his breath, steadied himself, then kicked Fullbody in the stomach, sending him flying several meters away.

"Ahhh!!!"

"Whoa!!!"

The two charged at each other again. At least they had managed to build up some momentum.

When Luo Ya arrived in the alleyway, this was the scene he found. He did not interrupt them. Instead, he sat on a wine barrel and switched into spectator mode.

The sun set, then rose again.

The two fought through the entire night. By the end, they could barely stand, and their limp punches were weaker than children fighting.

"Haah..."

Luo Ya yawned.

Well, these two had actually developed feelings for each other.

Not only had neither used a weapon, neither had any real killing intent. Instead, it felt like, Hurry up and defeat me, I can't bring myself to hit you, mixed with the contradictory feeling of, As a Marine, it's my duty—to stay alive—I have to defeat you.

His teeth were almost aching from the sweetness of it.

"Kaya should be waking up soon."

Luo Ya shook his head, stepped forward, and knocked both of them flat with two heavy punches. Then he dragged their unconscious bodies toward the ship.

Seven in the morning.

"Splash, splash..."

The sound of water echoed by her ears.

Kaya frowned her pretty brows, let out a soft groan, and opened her eyes. She sat up blankly.

Just then, Luo Ya came out of the bathroom with a towel in hand. He wore only a pair of shorts, with plenty of water droplets still clinging to his skin.

He had been covered in pirate blood, and his clothes had been torn to tatters. If he did not wash up, he might scare the little girl.

He just had not expected Kaya to wake up.

"Yo!"

Luo Ya greeted her without changing expression, then walked into the changing room.

"Ah?"

Kaya sat on the bed, her eyes and mouth wide open. She remained frozen like a wooden doll the entire time. Only after Luo Ya entered the changing room beside her did her face suddenly turn crimson and her mind begin to smoke.

She had seen Luo Ya's muscles before, but that had been while he was training. It was completely different from how he looked after a bath.

He looked so good.

"Huh?"

As Kaya recalled the scene from earlier, she suddenly realized something was wrong.

There were scars on Luo Ya's back!

Because of the pirates' appearance, the defenses on Glass Bead Island had clearly been strengthened. Marines from the 32nd Branch patrolled everywhere to prevent any escaped fish from slipping through.

Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Syrup's business went smoothly, giving them plenty of time to spend with Kaya. This gave Luo Ya a bit of free time.

The Syrup Go, lower cabin.

Fullbody was wrapped in bandages from head to toe and looked thoroughly depressed. On the chair beside him sat Jango, also covered in bandages and tied up.

"Don't be so sad, Brother Fullbody. You're a Marine, and I'm a pirate. There's nothing wrong with this outcome."

Compared to Fullbody, Jango was much more emotionally stable. When he had decided to duel Fullbody, he had already prepared himself for this.

On this cruel sea, friendship was more precious than life and death!

"I'll be sentenced to death, right?"

"Yes."

Fullbody clenched his fists.

Jango was a wanted criminal with a bounty of nine million, and he was also the First Mate of the Black Cat Pirates. Unless something unexpected happened, he would certainly be sentenced to death.

And because he had captured Jango, Fullbody would be promoted. At the very least, he could become a sergeant. But he would rather not have that credit.

"Damn it!"

If his rank were that of a Marine Headquarters captain, perhaps he could vouch for Jango in court and save him. But he was only a second-class private now. He did not have that kind of influence.

He had been far too lax!

"Creak..."

Luo Ya pushed the door open. Looking at the despondent Fullbody, he spoke calmly. "I have a way to keep him alive."

"What?"

Fullbody's pupils contracted.

Jango also perked up. If he could live, no one would want to die.

"Luo Ya, what way?"

"It's simple."

Luo Ya stared at Jango.

"Help us Marines capture Kuro!"

"Impossible!"

Jango blurted it out, deep fear showing in his eyes. "You have no idea how powerful Captain Kuro is!"

"No, I know exactly how strong Kuro is."

Luo Ya responded calmly.

Kuro was strong—strong enough to face the 153rd Branch alone.

But no matter how strong Kuro was, he was only a wanted criminal with a sixteen-million bounty, a human who could be killed by guns and cannons.

Kuro had not yet entered the realm of superhumans!

As long as they prepared thoroughly and laid a trap to lure Kuro in, the full strength of the 153rd Branch might be enough to kill him.

Taking the initiative and passively taking hits were completely different things!

It was better than waiting for some day in the future, when Kuro boarded a 153rd Branch warship while they were completely unprepared and slaughtered every Marine aboard.

Luo Ya did not know when that incident would happen. Maybe a year later, maybe within half a year, or perhaps it was right around the corner.

Waiting would only make him uneasy and leave him passive.

That was why he had to seize this opportunity.

To take down Kuro, the 153rd Branch could only rely on its own strength!

"This is your only chance to survive, Hypnotist Jango!"