Long time no see, Major Nezumi

But it was hard to say.

Dunn had just let this thought arise before shaking his head.

He knew the overall layout of this world; the Red Line and the Grand Line formed intersecting belts that divided the world into four seas.

However, compared to the four seas of the East, West, North, and South, the scope of the Grand Line was actually not that large.

Of course, that was only in comparison to the four seas.

The Navy had limited control over the four seas; after all, the Navy's focus was placed on the Grand Line.

With so many sea areas in the four seas, relying solely on these naval branches was not enough to completely clear out the Pirates; as the saying went, it was just too vast.

Or rather, the islands that Monkey D. Luffy passed through during his adventure in the East Blue were merely the tip of the iceberg.

Dunn tried hard to pull himself out of the story.

This was a real world.

It was a world where people killing people was a common occurrence.

"Sir!"

Just as Dunn was working on his own mindset, the female captain brought the awakened Pirate over with her crew.

"Bastards, you bastards actually dare to capture me! Admiral Krieg will not let you off!"

The Pirate being dragged over roared, but when he saw Dunn, a flicker of fear flashed in his eyes.

Dunn's move earlier had made him realize that the gap between him and Dunn was massive.

Now, he hoped to use the name of Krieg to intimidate these people.

"Krieg?"

Dunn was stunned, looking at the still-shouting Pirate with surprise.

"Scared, aren't you? Since you're scared, why don't you hurry up and let me go? Otherwise, when Admiral Krieg arrives, everyone will die, including you!"

Hearing Dunn's words, the Pirate thought the name of Krieg had frightened Dunn and continued his intimidation.

Dunn's expression remained unchanged, but in his mind, the image of a massive ship being cleaved in two by Hawkeye emerged.

A Pirate crew of five thousand men had encountered the ocean wanderer Hawkeye just as they entered the Grand Line, and were then chased all the way back to the East Blue by the bored Hawkeye.

Of course, that was also the moment in the story that first showcased the power of a Great Swordsman.

Or rather, Hawkeye was the first top-tier powerhouse to appear in the story.

Therefore, Dunn still had a very deep impression of those scenes.

However, was Krieg already building his Pirate crew in the East Blue now?

Dunn pondered, while the bound Pirate, seeing no reaction from Dunn, struggled violently.

"Hurry up and let me go! Are you not afraid of Admiral Krieg?"

"Do you know where Krieg is?"

Dunn's train of thought was interrupted by the Pirate, and he looked up calmly at him.

"As a great Pirate, Admiral Krieg is naturally sailing the Dreadnought Sabre to conquer those islands."

Dunn's inquiry made the Pirate answer subconsciously.

"So, you don't know Krieg's current location?"

Dunn nodded upon hearing this, then waved his hand.

"Uh, Lord Dunn?"

Dunn's action left the female captain somewhat confused.

"Take him down and interrogate him. If there's no bounty, deal with him yourselves."

"And if there is a bounty?"

The female captain was stunned.

"If there's a bounty, keep him; we'll exchange it for the reward when we reach our destination."

Dunn said as a matter of course.

Dunn wasn't about to rely on his strength to take things for free; these Pirates would be his personal ATMs from now on.

"Understood!"

"You bastard, you actually dare to use me to trade for..."

The Pirate was furious upon hearing this, but before he could finish his sentence, the female captain punched him in the nose, turning his remaining words into a cry of pain.

After that, Dunn never saw that Pirate again.

In the following time, they encountered over a dozen more waves of Pirates, and from the mouths of the captured ones, Dunn finally understood the situation regarding Krieg.

Krieg was indeed active, and the Pirates gathered here had indeed been summoned by Krieg to be recruited.

It was just that these were all the rejects left over after the selection process.

Or rather, they simply lacked the ability to join the Krieg pirate crew, which is why so many of them had gathered here.

As for Krieg, no one knew his whereabouts.

That made sense; if the story held true, Krieg would remain active in the East Blue until Monkey D. Luffy set sail, only entering the Grand Line then, before being chased back in defeat.

After passing through this area teeming with pirates, they encountered a few more pirate groups along the way and even captured two pirates with bounties on their heads.

Two months later.

Marine Base 16.

Dunn stepped off the merchant ship carrying his sword, looking at the pier, which hadn't changed much in over a year, and the distant Marine Base 16.

"The contract is finished!"

Dunn said.

"Yes, Lord Dunn, thank you for your protection during this time!"

The female captain spoke with great respect, handed over a money bag, and then waved her hand.

Two dejected-looking pirates, bound by ropes, were dragged off the ship.

Dunn turned his head to glance at them, reached out to take the ropes, and began walking toward the Marine base.

People on the pier cast curious glances, but no one approached to ask questions.

Even the patrolling Marines did not come over.

This was because the direction Dunn was heading was toward the Marine branch base.

Dragging the two pirates, Dunn arrived at the gates of the Marine base under the curious gazes of the townspeople.

"Halt, who goes there?"

Seeing Dunn approach, the Marines at the gate immediately went on alert.

"Pirate Hunter, here to collect bounties."

Dunn said, giving the ropes a tug and tossing the two pirates at the other end forward.

The Marines at the gate were startled by Dunn's movement and nearly pulled the triggers on their muskets.

Pirate Hunter?

The Marines heard Dunn clearly. After looking at Dunn and then at the two dejected fellows, a soldier immediately trotted off to report, while Dunn was invited inside.

Base Commander's office.

Colonel Mouse was examining himself in a floor-length mirror with a look of delight, adjusting his collar from time to time.

The previous base commander had been promoted to Major at Marine Headquarters after reporting for duty, and he, in turn, had been promoted to become the commander of a branch base.

A promotion was, naturally, a happy occasion.

Of course, it was also possible that the intelligence he had provided a year ago had contributed to his success.

After all, he still remembered that a Vice Admiral from Headquarters had even contacted him to inquire about the situation at the time.

That was the true upper echelon of the Marines.

"Sir!"

The shout of a Marine from outside made Colonel Mouse jump, and he turned to look at the open office door with annoyance.

"What is it?"

Colonel Mouse feigned authority, though his rat-like whiskers made his demeanor appear somewhat sleazy.

"Sir, a Pirate Hunter has brought two pirates to collect bounties!"

Pirate Hunter?

The term made Colonel Mouse shudder.

Although many bounty posters were issued, there were actually very few who truly captured pirates with bounties and came to the Marines to collect the reward.

Of course, that also had to do with the general environment of the East Blue.

The last time a Pirate Hunter had collected a reward, it was that youth suspected of being a devil fruit user—what was his name again? It seemed to be Dunn.

Colonel Mouse stroked his whiskers, recalling the situation from a year ago.

And his own promotion seemed to be related to that person as well.

But as for now, if that person had been discovered, he might have already entered Headquarters.

Perhaps the next time they met, that person would be his superior.

After all, a Major at Headquarters was comparable to a branch base commander.

Thinking of this, a sense of envy rose in Mouse's heart.

However, that emotion faded quickly.

Although promotion at Headquarters was fast, being a commander at a branch base meant being the master of an entire base.

Each had its own advantages.

"Sir?"

Seeing Colonel Mouse smiling without saying a word, the reporting marine cautiously called out to him.

"Ahem!"

Startled, Colonel Mouse gave a light cough.

"Since a Pirate Hunter has captured a pirate, as the base commander, it is only natural that I meet him and offer some encouragement."

Colonel Mouse spoke with a serious expression, but in his heart, he was already calculating how to pocket a portion of the bounty.

It is hard to learn to be good, but sliding into bad habits is easy.

Having suffered for half his life, was he not allowed to embezzle a little money to enjoy his life?

He dared not touch the navy's official funding, but he certainly had the guts to skim off the bounties of bounty hunters.

Not only did he have the guts, but he had plenty of them.

Colonel Mouse led a squad of marine soldiers to the location where Dunn was staying.

"Ahem, I am Colonel Mouse, commander of this marine branch base. You are the one who captured the pirate?"

Mouse saw Dunn sitting there and spoke after a light cough, but soon, he felt that Dunn looked somewhat familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

"Long time no see, Major Nezumi. You've actually been promoted in just a year!"