Luo Ya's Return

East Blue, Shells Town.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Steady bells rang out from the harbor.

"The Navy is back!"

Hearing the bells, the residents gathered spontaneously along both sides of the streets, waiting for the heroes who had protected them to return.

Unlike the crushing defeat half a year ago, every sailor from the 153rd Branch held their head high this time, marching forward in neat formation.

In the middle of the formation was an iron cage holding over a dozen surviving members of the Black Cat Pirates. Their captain, "Hundred Plans" Kuro, was among them.

A triumphant return!

"It's that Demon!"

"That's wonderful!"

"The Navy won!"

The townspeople cheered and leaped with joy. Those whose family members had died at the hands of pirates were especially overwhelmed, weeping tears of happiness.

However, no war came without sacrifice.

At the rear of the formation, carts carried more than a dozen corpses wrapped in white cloth. Over twenty soldiers had also been severely wounded or disabled, unable to fight again.

Compared to the astonishing achievement of wiping out the Black Cat Pirates, those losses were not severe. It could even be called a complete victory.

In the Navy's long war against pirates, sacrifice had long become commonplace. After all, this world was so cruel.

The lively atmosphere dimmed considerably.

Food Tavern, entrance.

Lilyca held her daughter Lilyca's hand as she waited anxiously. When she saw the end of the Navy formation and still failed to spot Luo Ya, all color instantly drained from her face.

"Luo Ya, Luo Ya!"

Luo Ya was not in the formation!

Lilyca's body went limp, and she nearly fainted. Looking toward the cart carrying the bodies, she covered her mouth in anguish as tears filled her eyes.

"Wahh~~"

Little Lilyca did not yet understand. Tugging at Lilyca's sleeve, she asked softly, "Mama, where is Big Brother Luo Ya?"

"Luo Ya, he..."

Lilyca fought back her tears. The image of her husband's death surfaced in her mind, along with Luo Ya's farewell to her half a year ago.

No way.

Luo Ya was so smart. He would not die!

Lilyca picked up Lilyca and ran uncontrollably toward the Navy formation, stopping Colonel Rhode. Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"Colonel Rhode, did Luo Ya come back?"

"Luo Ya..."

Colonel Rhode looked dazed.

He still remembered how helpless he had been when he returned half a year ago and faced the residents' questions, how deeply he had hated himself.

This time, he could hold his head high.

Seeing Lilyca's pale face, Colonel Rhode smiled and gently reassured her. "Please rest easy, Mrs. Lilyca. Luo Ya rendered great merit this time. He is recovering in Syrup Village and will return to the 153rd Branch in a few days!"

"Huh?"

Lilyca stood frozen on the spot.

It was only after the Navy formation had gone far away that Lilyca came back to her senses.

Joy replaced sorrow.

Luo Ya was all right. Luo Ya was all right!

Lilyca touched Lilyca's cheek and asked uneasily in a quiet voice, "Mama, why are you crying?"

"Lilyca, Big Brother Luo Ya is all right. He'll be back in a few days."

Lilyca wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes. The fear and helplessness in her heart gradually faded, and her bright smile returned.

"Let's go home and wait for Big Brother Luo Ya to return."

"Mm!"

At noon three days later, the Syrup Go arrived at Shells Town.

"I'm back."

Standing by the shore, Luo Ya waved goodbye to Kaya and her family. If the little girl had not been so worried about him, he would have wanted to return the very next day.

First, he had to report back to the branch!

He had contributed so much this time, so he would definitely get leave afterward. He could visit Sister Lilyca and Little Lilyca again in a few days.

A short while later, outside the gates of the 153rd Branch.

Linus and Karok were on guard duty that day. When they saw Luo Ya return, they immediately straightened their backs.

They saluted!

"You've worked hard!"

Though they were all sailors, the two saluted and greeted him as if he were a superior officer. They even put more vigor into it than when facing Colonel Rhode.

"Mm."

Luo Ya smiled and nodded, swaggering into the branch.

"Luo Ya is back!"

Before long, news of Luo Ya's return spread throughout the branch. As the greatest contributor to the campaign against the Black Cat Pirates, the entire branch had been waiting for his return.

Tower, Colonel's Office.

Luo Ya stood tall.

"Second Class Soldier Luo Ya reporting for duty!"

"No need to be so formal. Have a seat."

Colonel Rhode smiled and shook his head, gesturing for Luo Ya to sit.

The two moved to the sofa area. Colonel Rhode took out a pack of Special cigarettes from a drawer and tossed it to Luo Ya.

"Here, smoke up. I know you like this stuff, kid."

"Thank you, Colonel."

Luo Ya grinned and shook one out as soon as he took it. Since the colonel already knew his true colors, there was no point pretending anymore.

Colonel Rhode began discussing the latest developments.

"I've already reported the Black Cat Pirates incident to my superiors. The escort ship should arrive in around three days."

When Navy Branches in the Four Seas successfully defeated a pirate crew, they had to report it to their superiors according to protocol. A designated warship would then escort the pirates to the Local court for trial.

As for an important wanted criminal like Kuro, he would most likely be escorted to Enies Lobby and ultimately imprisoned in Impel Down.

It was not that they did not want to execute Kuro directly. Those were simply the government's regulations. On one hand, they prevented branches from falsely claiming credit; on the other, they prevented the Navy from becoming too powerful.

The Navy had no authority to judge pirates.

"Luo Ya, you earned the greatest merit this time."

Colonel Rhode's expression grew serious. "I have already reported your performance, along with your achievement in single-handedly defeating the Tulip Pirates on Glass Bead Island. Just wait patiently."

"Mm, I understand."

Luo Ya nodded.

The procedures still had to be followed, especially for something as important as a promotion. The Navy belonged to the World Government, after all. It was not an independent organization.

His merit would not disappear. He only had to wait.

After chatting for a while, Luo Ya rose to leave.

He still had some personal matters to handle.

153rd Branch, Prison cell.

All the Black Cat Pirates were being held there. From their original number of over fifty, only a dozen or so remained.

Although people in this world were generally remarkably resilient, surviving Kuro's slaughter had been no easy feat.

However, nearly all of them would face the death penalty.

As Luo Ya passed outside the cells, he glanced at the listless Kuro before heading toward the innermost cell.

To prevent retaliation from the pirates, Jango was being held in a Separate room.

Fullbody was also outside the cell, looking deeply despondent.

"Luo Ya, you're back."

"Mm."

Luo Ya patted Fullbody on the shoulder. He could understand how he felt. If he could not fulfill the promise he had made to Jango, he would probably feel guilty for the rest of his life.

"Don't worry. It'll be fine."

Luo Ya offered reassurance. He had just spoken to Colonel Rhode about it, and Colonel Rhode had agreed to guarantee Jango in the name of the 153rd Branch.

Jango's contribution to the campaign against the Black Cat Pirates had been immense. With the 153rd Branch's guarantee added to that, the judge should weigh the matter carefully.

"I'll go see him."

Luo Ya entered the cell.

Jango sat crouched in the corner. Hearing the door open, he merely raised his head slightly, without the slightest trace of his former sharpness.

Luo Ya spoke calmly.

"Do you regret betraying your companions?"

"Regret? Don't be ridiculous."

Jango sneered.

"Do you think we were playing house?"

"Pirates are nothing but stray dogs abandoned by the world. For treasure and power, pirates can plunge blades into the hearts of those closest to them. Betrayal and slaughter among them will never end."

"To Captain Kuro, everyone is just a pawn. Once they lose their usefulness, Captain Kuro disposes of them without mercy. Even me."

"The same goes for those useless idiots. If they saw even the slightest opportunity, they would kill me without hesitation and take my place!"

"That's what pirates are!"

Jango roared.

Yet his tightly clenched fists exposed the turmoil in his heart. Having personally doomed all his subordinates was something he could not let go of.

Luo Ya remained silent for a long time before turning to leave.

"After you come back from court, live properly!"