Luo Ya's Crew

Food Tavern had been closed for an entire week.

When it finally reopened, Luo Ya returned to the 153rd Branch clutching his aching kidneys. It was not that his body could not take it, but he feared that if he stayed a few more days, even his will of steel would be worn away.

The Land of Tenderness was too terrifying.

He could finally understand why those Ancient Emperors had become obsessed with wine and women, ultimately neglecting state affairs and squandering their fortunes.

Damn it, what old comrade could withstand this kind of test?!

Wine Pools and Meat Forests—I also yearn for them!

Tower, Colonel's Office.

"Second Lieutenant Luo Ya, reporting back for duty!"

"You brat actually managed to drag yourself back."

Colonel Rhode sized Luo Ya up, his eyes full of teasing. Shells Town was not that big, and some things were not easy to keep hidden.

The rumors had long since spread everywhere.

Pah, you little bastard!

Colonel Rhode sighed regretfully. "You brat moved fast. What a pity—I had originally planned to introduce my daughter to you."

"Colonel, you have a daughter?"

Luo Ya looked stunned.

"Is it that strange for me to have a daughter?"

Colonel Rhode shot Luo Ya an annoyed glare.

His daughter was twelve this year, about the same age as Kaya. She was a little young, but Luo Ya was not much older either; there was only a five-year gap between them.

In his eyes, Luo Ya was an excellent choice for a son-in-law. But this brat was clearly a restless sort, daring enough even to knock on the Pretty Widow's door.

Damn it, I'm so jealous!

Luo Ya chuckled and sat down in the sofa area with practiced ease, grabbing an apple from the Fruit Plate and taking a big bite.

"Colonel, what Work Arrangement is there next?"

"Of course there is."

Colonel Rhode picked up a stack of Bounty Posters and handed them to Luo Ya.

"After the Black Cat Pirates were defeated, pirate crews of every size started crawling out of the woodwork. The areas under our branch's jurisdiction are nearly a pot of porridge now."

"That sounds serious."

Luo Ya put away his smile and began carefully flipping through the Bounty Posters.

It was a thick stack, with no fewer than twenty sheets.

Moreover, every criminal on those posters was a Pirate Captain, meaning at least twenty pirate crews were active.

"Adamantine Rod" Alvida, "Iron Hammer" Beigaru, "Skinner" Lamus.

Their bounties were mostly between five million and ten million Beli, with only a few exceeding ten million Beli.

"Huh, this guy."

Luo Ya spotted a familiar face.

"Clown" Buggy, bounty: fifteen million Beli!

Seeing the Bounty Poster in Luo Ya's hand, Rhode gave him a grave warning. "Do not provoke that guy for the time being."

"I understand, Colonel."

Luo Ya nodded slightly.

After Roger's death, "Clown" Buggy had begun operating in the East Blue. More than a decade had passed, and he was now one of the East Blue's Veteran Forces. The Marines had suffered plenty of headaches because of him.

That opponent was strong!

Although the 153rd Branch had campaigned against Kuro under his planning, that had required the strength of the entire branch.

Taking down Buggy would not be any easier than taking down Kuro.

Colonel Rhode said solemnly, "Luo Ya, the 153rd Branch will soon join forces with the 32nd Branch to form a Patrol Team and sweep out the rampaging pirates. You will be in charge of this mission!"

"Me?"

Luo Ya looked astonished.

"Colonel, is it appropriate to give such an important mission to me?"

"Appropriate or not, it has to be!"

Colonel Rhode spread his hands helplessly. "I originally intended to have Lieutenant Morgue lead the team, but his personality is too rigid. It would be easy for him to clash with the Lieutenant Officers of the 32nd Branch. Compared to him, you are more flexible."

"I understand."

Luo Ya nodded in understanding.

In terms of experience fighting pirates alone, Morgue was certainly more experienced than him. But his personality was indeed rather forceful, and he was not very good at handling interpersonal relationships.

Meanwhile, Luo Ya had dealt with the 32nd Branch during the Glass Bead Island incident. At the very least, he would not need to worry too much about trust.

"When does it begin?"

"Soon. The 32nd Branch has already dispatched its personnel, and they will arrive within the next few days. You will act together then."

The pirates involved in this unrest were active not only within the 153rd Branch's jurisdiction, but also in the territory of the 32nd Branch. That was why they were conducting a joint patrol.

Such situations were actually quite common. Pirates roamed everywhere; there was no such thing as them being permanently fixed in one sea region.

Colonel Rhode smiled. "You decide on the personnel yourself. You may deploy up to twenty-five people. You are a Marine Second Lieutenant now, so it is time you cultivated some trusted Luo Ya's Crew."

"Thank you, Colonel!"

Luo Ya felt grateful.

Going out on missions meant earning merit, and it also allowed him to cultivate loyal subordinates. For a Captain, those were tangible benefits.

He was being trained as a successor!

Colonel Rhode added with a smile, "One more thing. Go to Syrup Village tomorrow. There is a surprise waiting for you."

"Understood!"

A surprise?

Luo Ya began to wonder.

Could it be that Mr. and Mrs. Syrup had taken a liking to his outstanding looks and were preparing to choose him as their son-in-law?

Though he was only a lowly Branch Lieutenant for now, and did not amount to much, youth was his greatest asset. His future prospects were promising enough that he was worthy of Kaya.

Hehe, that really was a surprise!

"Oh, right!"

Colonel Rhode took a ring of keys from the wall and tossed it to Luo Ya. "These are the keys to your office and dormitory. Go take a look."

"Thank you, Colonel!"

Luo Ya scampered off happily.

He was a Marine Second Lieutenant now. He had his own office and dormitory, and would no longer have to smell the stinky feet of other Marines.

"Third floor."

Colonel Rhode's office was on the top, fourth floor of the Tower, while Luo Ya's office was at the edge of the third floor.

Luo Ya arrived at his office.

It was around forty square meters, fully furnished with a desk, sofa, and everything else he needed. Though somewhat old, it was clean, and from the window, he could see the Training Ground below and Shells Town.

The view was quite expansive.

"Phew, this is the feeling."

Luo Ya sat in the boss's chair, propped his legs on the desk, clasped his hands behind his head, and sprawled out comfortably like a corpse.

He had wanted to do this for a long time.

Knock, knock!

Not long after, someone knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Fullbody pushed the door open, with Jango, who had returned from court, beside him.

"Second Lieutenant Luo Ya!"

"No need to be so formal. Sit down and talk."

The three sat in the sofa area.

The return of his close friend brought a long-lost smile to Fullbody's face.

"Luo Ya, the court exempted Jango from all his crimes and left our branch to handle him. Jango and I just met with Colonel Rhode, and he said you should decide."

"Mm."

Luo Ya smiled and nodded. He was not surprised by Jango's verdict.

Voluntarily surrendering to the Marines was indeed a major help in reducing one's sentence, not to mention that Jango had rendered great service.

Luo Ya looked at Jango.

"Congratulations. You have gained your freedom."

"Thank you."

Jango could not feel happy at all. He was even somewhat lost.

After being a pirate for so many years, his family had long since disappeared, and he could no longer remember what his hometown looked like.

Though he had gained freedom, he had nowhere to go. Other than going back to sea as a pirate, he truly did not know what else he could do.

I'll leave this place first and figure it out later.

Jango stood up, preparing to leave.

"Then I'll be going."

"Going? Where do you think you're going?"

Luo Ya chuckled and looked at Fullbody.

"Later, take Jango to collect a set of New Recruit supplies. Starting today, he is a New Recruit of the 153rd Branch!"

"Ah!"

Both of them froze.

Delight appeared on Fullbody's face.

But Jango anxiously slammed the table. "Hey, isn't that too underhanded? Didn't you say you were giving me freedom? I don't want to be a Marine!"

"Freedom does not mean letting you run around recklessly. Being a Marine is plenty free too."

Luo Ya chuckled.

Freedom without the restraints of order and morality would inevitably spiral out of control sooner or later. Besides, he was short on people under his command.

"Fullbody, what do you plan to do?"

Luo Ya turned toward Fullbody, his expression more serious than ever. "I know you want to go to Headquarters to gild your credentials, but I promise you this: if you remain under me, you will go even farther in the future!"

"I..."

Fullbody froze.

He knew Luo Ya was not speaking empty words.

After more than half a year together, he was certain that Luo Ya would become an important figure. If he followed him, he would undoubtedly go farther in the future, perhaps even surpassing his parents.

If he had a choice, he did not want to be a useless man living off his parents' influence either.

"Phew..."

After struggling for a long while, Fullbody stood up.

He saluted!

"Sergeant Fullbody, reporting for duty!"