The North Blue Hunting Expedition!

My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror; all my deeds are righteous.

Storm's statement was extremely well said.

However, the vast majority of the Storm Pirates still firmly declined Storm's invitation to "become a Marine."

I was very touched, but then I declined.

The actual situation is not much different from Storm's previous estimates.

Of all the members, only Nami accepted Storm's invitation and chose to become a "righteous" Marine.

But this Little Thief Cat wasn't after the "navy" label at all.

She was only after the "Navy" identity and the annual salary of at least several million Beli that came with it!

Since being recruited by Storm, Nami has not had any income for quite some time.

Although a salary of a few million Beli isn't much—in fact, if Nami were to become a pirate now, she could probably make that much money in a single raid.

But even a mosquito's leg is still meat!

Nami never looked down on Beli.

Moreover, Beli was obtained through "legal channels"!

Then I'm even less likely to mind.

Apart from Nami.

The rest of the members, like Ace and Kid, who hadn't yet received a bounty, had no interest in things like the "Navy" or "Beli"; they were determined to become pirates.

As for Robin, Brook, and other members who already have bounties on their heads...

To be honest.

If Robin and Brook really want to join the Navy.

Storm does have a solution.

For details, Jango, a subordinate of Rear Hina, who will later Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral.

He was also a pirate with a bounty of 9 million Beli, who was later recruited by Hina.

Not only did the Navy cancel his Jango, but he was even able to join the Navy and eventually became Marine Headquarters Major...

Jango can be considered a good example of "turning over a new leaf".

For Storm...

If Brook and Robin wanted to join the Navy, it wouldn't be difficult to do so.

Unfortunately, whether it was Robin, Brook, or even Law who joined last, they all failed.

None of these three members had any interest in the "navy".

Storm had no choice but to give up.

He didn't necessarily want his subordinates to join the navy.

His original intention was simply to use his "naval" identity to secure some wages and benefits for the crew.

Unfortunately, none of these guys appreciated it!

Then Nami will have to enjoy the benefits of being a "permanent employee" all by herself.

Storm was in a fairly good mood after recruiting a new member for the "Sword Unit.

He also took a large amount of food from Ichi's body—before leaving Dressrosa, he had specifically purchased a batch of grain from King Riku and stored it in Ichi's "swamp space" for future use.

An unlimited capacity swamp space – everyone who's used it raves about it!

"Everyone! To celebrate the addition of the 'ship's doctor'! To celebrate Nami becoming a 'naval officer'!"

Storm placed a mountain of Dressrosa specialties among the crowd, raised his hands, and cheered.

"Let's continue the banquet!"

No pirate could refuse an invitation to a banquet.

While the members were preparing food for the banquet.

Storm called Luo aside by himself.

"Luo, welcome to the team."

Luo smiled, but didn't say anything more.

Since Mr. Corazon died on the Minion Island.

Law then set his life's goal as revenge against the Donquixote Family and Donquixote Doflamingo!

Now, Donquixote Doflamingo and the entire Donquixote Family have been wiped out by White Dragon.

White Dragon gave away the [Calm-Calm Fruit] and Baby 5...

Luo "sold" himself to the other party willingly.

"There's one more thing."

Storm pulled a Den Den Mushi from his pocket and then handed it to Law.

"Aren't you really going to call your 'grandpa' with a Den Den Mushi?"

"... grandfather!"

Luo's smile vanished instantly, and his lips twitched.

"Captain, I've been wanting to ask you this for a while now: why did you say that Fleet Admiral Sengoku was my grandfather?"

"Hmm? Didn't you notice before?"

Upon hearing this, Storm frowned.

"The late Lieutenant Colonel Rosinante was the adopted son of Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

"Mr. Corazon is actually the adopted son of the Fleet Admiral..."

Upon hearing this, Luo was immediately taken aback.

"Isn't he Celestial Dragons?"

"That's a long story..."

Storm was initially reluctant to talk about it, finding it a bit of a hassle.

But under Luo's earnest gaze, he still gave a brief account of the Donquixote Family's past.

"... And so it was, and so it was... Donquixote Doflamingo, his life is truly heartbreaking."

There's a saying that goes like this:

If someone had experienced Donquixote Doflamingo's childhood, they might not have been half as kind as Doflamingo.

Storm is willing to believe that statement.

Even after he learned about Bartholomew Bear's tragic childhood...

All I can say is...

Bear is truly a very special kind of person...

"Doflamingo... Mr. Corazon..."

Luo murmured a few words.

Before today, he had no idea that Mr. Corazon had such a terrible childhood...

Fortunately, he was adopted by Fleet Admiral.

"Wait a minute!"

Luo suddenly came to his senses and looked at Storm with great confusion.

"Mr. Corazon is the adopted son of Fleet Admiral Sengoku... but I have no relation to Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

"Yeah?"

Storm frowned and asked in return.

"Aren't you Lieutenant Colonel Rosinante's 'adopted son'?"

"Isn't an adopted son's adopted son just a grandson?"

The adopted son of Lieutenant Colonel Rosinante...

Luo's lips moved a few times.

But he didn't utter a single word of denial.

He never considered Mr. Corazon as a "father".

But hearing what Storm said, Luo suddenly couldn't bring himself to deny it.

Perhaps in Luo's heart, Rosinante's existence truly illuminated his dark childhood like the sun...

For Ronaldo, Rosinante was not a father figure, but he was more than a father figure to him.

"... No matter what! I have no connection with Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

Luo pursed his lips and said firmly.

Even if he has a close relationship with Mr. Corazon... I have nothing to do with him anyway!

"Think what you want."

Storm waved the Den Den Mushi in his hand.

"Would you like to contact him? I can directly dial the Fleet Admiral Sengoku's private Den Den Mushi."

"... In no mood!"

"OK."

Storm put away the Den Den Mushi and patted Law on the shoulder.

"There's something else I need your help with later."

"Now, let's enjoy the banquet!"

Luo Wuyan nodded.

At the banquet later.

Storm then delivered news that surprised and delighted everyone present.

"Can we set sail now?"

"Can we leave the Germa Kingdom now?"

"Can we go fight other pirates now?"

Slap! Slap!

Storm stretched out his hands and clapped vigorously a few times, silencing the excited guys.

"I know you're all tired of just exercising all the time..."

Storm's gaze swept over Ace, Kid, Kid, Nami, Perona, and the Killer.

"I also believe that training without actual combat is meaningless."

"I got this list from Dressrosa!"

Storm removed a ledger from Ichi's body.

He looked around and handed the ledger to the newcomer, Luo.

"This list records the names, locations, and approximate size of the Donquixote Family's remaining influence in the North Blue."

The Donquixote Family started in the North Blue and grew into a world-class organization.

Four Seas, Paradise, New World...

The Donquixote Family left their mark on almost every corner of the sea.

North Blue is the "hometown" of the Donquixote Family.

While the Donquixote Family's influence in the North Blue cannot compare to Dressrosa's "true headquarters," it should not be underestimated.

The members of the Storm Pirates are currently gathered in the North Blue.

Storm planned to find them something to do.

Just as he said.

Simply burying yourself in hard work won't work.

Real-world experience is the best way to cultivate strong individuals.

"That's awesome, boss!"

"This is the kind of pirate I've always imagined!"

"The remnants of the Donquixote Family... do they also have a lot of money?"

Ace, Kid, and Nami were all itching to get started, eager to leave the Sky Garden and rush towards the free sea.

"That's why I didn't let you go out before..."

Storm rubbed his temples, looked at Luo who was flipping through the account lists in his hand, and gave him earnest instructions.

"Luo, you're from the North Blue, so be extra careful when you're leading these guys on voyages."

"I understand, Captain, you're so long-winded!"

Luo looked down at the accounts in his hand and answered casually.

"Spider Eri... I haven't heard that name in years! So it's here after all! Humph!"

Law was unable to personally avenge Doflamingo.

Cleansing up the remnants of the Donquixote Family is something he can be happy about.

The Storm Pirates' activities in the North Blue --

Storm intends to call it the "North Blue Hunting Project" for the time being.

He does not intend to participate in this project personally.

But the good news he announced in public still brought smiles to the faces of most of the members present.

After the banquet ended.

Most members remained in the Sky Garden.

Storm, along with Law, Bepo, and Robin, rode the Blue-Eyes White Dragon back to Minion Island below.

Law instructed Bepo to deliver the news of Bepo joining the Storm Pirates to the other members of the Heart Pirates.

Immediately afterwards, he followed Storm and Robin to the Germa Kingdom!

"The Germa Kingdom..."

Luo stood atop the head of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, gazing into the distance at the giant snails on the sea surface.

"A snail castle moving on the sea... Just like in the comics!"

"Garuda, Poison Pink, Sparkling Red, Electric Blue, Stealth Black, Winch Green..."

"And there's Ocean Hero Sora!"

Robin originally thought Law had a very calm personality, unlike Ace and Kid who were "out of the loop".

But now, it seems she misunderstood something.

"Luo, you're very familiar with the Germa Kingdom?"

"This is common sense in North Blue!"

Law reluctantly looked away, glanced at Robin, and answered seriously.

Then he quickly shifted his gaze back to the giant snails on the sea surface.

"Hero Sora... Hero Sora... Am I really meant to become Hero Sora?"

"Luo! Wake up!"

Storm reached out and placed his hand on Luo's shoulder, then shook him vigorously.

"I brought you here not so you could destroy Germa 66!"

"As a doctor, have you ever heard of a condition called 'Azure Jade Scales'?"

Thank you very much to the boss of "Independent Hanqiuli" for the 1500 starting coin reward!!

Two updates today, as usual.

--

Let me give you an update.

I feel much better today.

At least my throat isn't as hoarse as it was yesterday.

My mind is also relatively clear.

I expect to start adding extra chapters tomorrow (just kidding) --

Paying off debts.

As long as the condition doesn't recur...

Um.

One more update to come, later today.