"Twenty years ago, a pirate with a thirty-million-Beli bounty should've been at least as strong as the Fish-Man Arlong, right?"
"How'd he end up this weak..."
Though he hadn't managed to test his strength, Leon hadn't made the trip for nothing.
The Panther Pirates had thoughtfully gathered all the timber and iron, and Panther himself had enthusiastically offered up his head, worth thirty million Beli.
Murder and arson bring a golden belt...
The ancients hadn't lied.
Leon quickly cleared away the severed limbs aboard the pirate ship. The grisly scene didn't dampen his good mood one bit.
Perhaps Leon himself hadn't even noticed that, even in human form, he was becoming more and more like a real Godzilla...
Leon had punched a huge hole in the pirate ship's lower hull, and it was already taking on water.
Leon found the ship's towline, tied it around himself with practiced ease, then jumped into the water. Turning himself into a human engine, he dragged the pirate ship back to Water Seven.
"Director! This is bad! Pirates are attacking!"
"What!"
Votery, the Mediterranean-looking director of the Marine shipyard, was startled. A moment later, suspicion arose in his mind.
This was the Marine shipyard!
Could there really be pirates audacious enough to attack the Marines in broad daylight?
"It's true, Director! Their flag looks like it belongs to the Panther Pirates."
"Double Hammer Panther, with a thirty-million-Beli bounty!"
Votery shot to his feet.
"Get to the Marine Base and fetch Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Director!"
Another messenger rushed in, gasping for breath. "The ones coming aren't pirates. It's Lord Leon, who came here last time!"
"Oh?"
Votery's eyes widened, and he let out a long breath of relief.
The first messenger looked at Votery questioningly. His meaning was clear: Vice Admiral Garp's disciple was here. Should they still go fetch Vice Admiral Garp?
"Idiot!"
"How did someone who gives false reports ever become a messenger?"
"Hurry up and come with me to welcome Lord Leon!"
Outside the shipyard, Leon dragged the pirate ship ashore and saw the Marine shipwrights standing in neat formation, as if facing a great enemy.
A drill?
Leon waved his right hand in greeting.
"Busy, everyone?"
"No, not at all."
The Marine shipwrights hurriedly waved with one hand, while secretly hiding their weapons behind their backs with the other.
"That's good. Could you tell me if I can collect a pirate's bounty here?"
At Leon's question, the shipwrights all looked at one another.
Collecting a bounty at a shipyard?
And... weren't you a Marine?
"Of course! We'll do anything Lord Leon asks."
Votery finally arrived, panting.
Leon had a strong impression of the Mediterranean-looking director too. He nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble you."
"But I don't know any Lord Leon..."
"My name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a Pirate Hunter."
Votery wiped the sweat from his brow. He had no idea what this disciple of Hero Garp was playing at.
If you wanted to collect the bounty while hiding your Marine identity, you could at least change out of your Marine uniform first...
Though everyone in the Marines turned a blind eye to privately collecting bounties, being this brazen was a bit...
While Votery was grumbling to himself about how the young man didn't know the rules, Leon had already returned to the pirate ship and tossed Panther's head down.
The head hit the ground, drawing a round of gasps from the crowd.
In recent months, Double Hammer Panther's infamy had spread throughout these waters. No one had expected him to die so easily...
Seeing Panther's head, eyes still wide open in death, Votery was also shaken.
As expected of Hero Garp's disciple. He'd actually wiped out the Panther Pirates all by himself.
It was only thirty million Beli. The shipyard could afford it. With that money, he could make a good impression on this future big shot in the Marines. Once Leon rose to prominence, perhaps he could even get Votery transferred back to Marine Headquarters...
At that thought, a glint seemed to flash across Votery's smooth forehead.
"Leon... no... Lord Sparrow, please come with me."
The process for collecting a bounty was quite complicated. First, the pirate's identity had to be verified. Then a report had to be sent to Marine Headquarters. Once everything was confirmed, Headquarters would order the corresponding bounty notice revoked, and only then could the bounty be collected.
However, with Votery's help, Leon quickly completed every step.
Thirty million Beli, even in cash, made for a huge bundle.
The weight of it in his hand lifted Leon's spirits.
"Director Votery, I've found someone to help me repair my warship."
?
Weren't you Jack Sparrow?
Now that you've got the money, you're not even pretending anymore?
Votery obligingly put on a surprised expression.
"Oh? Which shipwright could repair damage that severe?"
"Shipwright Tom from Scrap Island!"
"Oh, him... Tom certainly has the skill..."
"What do you think, Votery? Want to send some people over to learn from him?"
"Well..."
Votery looked troubled.
"Lord Sparrow, you may not know this yet, since you've only just arrived, but Tom's skilled, even if his background..."
"In any case, as Marines, it would be best not to associate with him..."
Before you continue