Arrival: Marine Branch 153

A blood-red sail, emblazoned with the golden characters "Moya," fluttered in the wind.

A sailing ship with a ferocious, blood-red dragon figurehead slowly appeared at the pier of Marine Branch 153.

This was none other than the Yanhuang of the Moya Adventure Group.

The island's residents watched in panic as the Yanhuang approached, noting how it differed slightly from a typical pirate ship.

Mistaking it for a pirate raid, they scrambled back to their homes, though a few civic-minded youths rushed off to report the sighting to the Marine branch.

Inside the Marine branch.

Because a pirate in a straw hat had rescued the pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro two days ago and defeated Colonel Morgan, who had long enslaved them, the highest-ranking officer in the branch was now only a lieutenant commander.

Just then, a Marine rushed in, breathless.

"Report, Lieutenant Commander! The islanders have raised an alarm! Pirates are attacking! Please, sir, go and drive them off and arrest the pirates immediately!"

The lieutenant commander was startled. The straw-hat pirate had only left yesterday, and now another pirate attack? Colonel Morgan was already in prison.

But Morgan had been the strongest combatant of Marine Branch 153.

The lieutenant commander could only hope the incoming pirates were small-time crooks. Without time to overthink, he immediately issued his orders.

"Attention! The entire branch is to assemble and repel the pirates!"

"Yes, sir!" the Marine saluted.

Meanwhile, Moya watched the panicked islanders with indifference; he had no interest in dealing with these ignorant, clamoring people.

Moya ordered his crew to disembark and procure the necessary supplies.

Moya had strictly forbidden any looting or plundering of innocent civilians, and to that end, he had brought out all the treasure Alvida had accumulated.

By now, the Marine lieutenant commander had arrived at the pier with his men, staring at the strange, ferocious sailing ship that lacked a pirate flag.

The lieutenant commander was certain he had never seen this ship before, and as he looked at the young man leading them—who was so handsome it felt unreal—he shook his head to clear his thoughts. He guessed these must be small-time pirates who had just set sail, and his tension eased slightly.

"What kind of small-time pirates are you? State your names! How dare you attack a Marine branch!"

The lieutenant commander raised his hand and shouted his interrogation at Moya.

Moya crossed his arms and replied with an expressionless face.

"Greetings, Mr. Marine. We are not pirates!"

His tone turned serious.

"My name is Moya! We are adventurers! We also work as merchants. We are simply here to replenish our supplies; please do not misunderstand."

The lieutenant commander did not lower his guard at Moya's response and began to issue a warning.

"If you are not pirates, then follow the rules and put away your weapons!"

Moya turned his head to scan his crew, who were still holding their weapons; it seemed they hadn't yet adjusted to their identity as non-pirates.

"Put your weapons away. You look like a bunch of thugs, it leaves a bad impression!"

Hearing this, the crew members stowed their weapons.

"Those going to procure supplies, go ahead. Remember to pay—we are adventurers and merchants!"

Moya ordered, not forgetting to remind them.

"I am truly sorry, Mr. Marine, for the disturbance. We encountered pirates yesterday and are still a bit shaken, so my crew is still on edge. I hope you can understand."

Hearing Moya's explanation, the lieutenant commander relaxed his vigilance a little more.

He figured these rookies wouldn't dare openly attack a Marine branch, and he prepared to lead his men away.

Just then, Moya's polite voice drifted over.

"Excuse me, Mr. Marine, have you seen a pirate wearing a straw hat pass through here? Or has the pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro appeared on this island?"

Moya didn't know if the plot had changed, so he had to ask.

The lieutenant commander frowned: "Young man, don't be a busybody! Behave yourself."

He walked away after speaking, afraid that if he looked at Moya any longer, he might start questioning his own orientation.

Moya's expression shifted. It seemed Luffy had already been here. He didn't know how far the plot had progressed, and a sense of urgency began to grow in his heart; he couldn't afford to waste any more time.

With the Marines gone and the danger dismissed, the people on the streets gradually began to reappear.

Moya walked onto the street and asked a woman running a stall.

"Ma'am, may I ask if a pirate wearing a straw hat has been here in the last few days? Has the pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro appeared? And what has become of Colonel Morgan?"

The woman looked at Moya, who seemed to be the leader, and seeing that he was both handsome and polite, her expression softened considerably.

"Oh my, just two days ago, that straw-hat boy caused a huge scene at the Marine branch and defeated Colonel Morgan and his son, who had been oppressing us for so long. It was truly satisfying!

They just left yesterday. Are you looking for them? You're a step too late."

Moya's heart sank. Roronoa Zoro, it seemed, was not meant to be with him after all!

However, the good news was that Luffy and his crew had only left a day ago. At their speed, it was highly likely that he could catch up to them at Orange Town.

At that time, he would not let Nami be taken by Luffy again!

Moya immediately gave orders to Dis.

"Tell the crew to finish purchasing the items on the list quickly, board the ship, and prepare to depart as soon as I return!"

Dis hurried off upon hearing this to notify the others.

Moya walked alone in silence when he suddenly spotted a cute girl.

Wasn't this Rika, the girl who fed Zoro rice balls?

Although Moya's mindset had changed, facing these grown men on the ship every day was something he, a modern shut-in, could not stand. His attitude toward lolis, young maidens, and mature women was exactly like that famous internet catchphrase.

"Children make choices; I want them all!"

Moreover, Rika might just become a bridge to getting to know Zoro; having an extra bond or even a [threat] over Zoro wouldn't be bad at all.

Moya considered himself a profit-driven modern man, but if he could feast his eyes while achieving certain goals, why not?

Moya curled his lips into a smile; besides, lolis could be nurtured!

He activated his fruit ability: Instant Slide.

Seeing the handsome man suddenly appear before her, Rika couldn't help but look startled.

"Is there anything you would like to eat, sir?"

"As long as it's something you made yourself, I'll take anything."

A faint smile actually appeared on Moya's face, which had been expressionless for days.

Hearing this, Rika's face flushed red, and she stammered.

"The rice balls here are all made by my mother and me. I can recommend this one; it's the best-tasting rice ball in our shop, and it's one I made myself!"

Moya ate Rika's specialty rice ball and suddenly felt it was truly quite good.

Watching the shy Rika, his personality from before he transmigrated began to resurface, and his "loli-loving heart" exploded before he even realized it.

But there was no need to rush; he spoke in a gentle, hypocritical tone.

"My name is Moya. Actually, I'm a friend of Zoro's, and I've come to thank you for saving him."

When little Rika heard the name Zoro, her eyes lit up as she asked.

"Is Lord Moya also a powerful pirate hunter? Can you beat pirates until they're scattered and broken? Oh, right, Rika—my name is Rika."

The little girl waved her hands, her eyes sparkling with stars as she looked at Moya with pure admiration.

Moya looked at the adorable Rika, patted her head, and said.

"I'm not a pirate hunter; I'm an adventurer. But I can also beat pirates until they're scattered and broken. One day, I will become a great adventurer and make my name known throughout the world! Would you like to come with me on an adventure?"

Upon hearing this, a flash of panic crossed Rika's heart amidst her admiration.

She admired Lord Moya's strength and his grand ideals, but she was panicked that he would actually invite her to go on an adventure.

Rika immediately fell into a state of troubled contemplation.

She was just a little girl; why would Moya invite her? Could it be because the rice balls she made were delicious?