On the Island (Please Bookmark and Recommend)

By the time they arrived at Lukesen Island, it was already dusk. The setting sun cast its final glow, and the sea reflected dim yellow ripples. The pursuit underwater had taken only thirty minutes, but the return trip took three hours—six times as long.

Lukesen Harbor, aboard the warship.

When they learned that Zhong Hao had brought back the bodies of the last seven pirates, including the pirate captain, everyone erupted in cheers. It signified the complete success of the operation: every single pirate had been wiped out.

Smoker viciously stomped on Jeff's corpse twice to vent his hatred.

Inside the submarine, Zhong Hao and Zephyr inspected its interior. Zhong Hao said, "This submarine obviously wasn't something Jeff could have possessed. There should be someone backing him. Mr. Zephyr, can you use this to find them?"

By killing Jeff and rescuing Nico Robin this time, he had clearly offended the person behind it all. Zhong Hao did not want to be plotted against someday without even knowing who his enemy was.

After examining it carefully, Zephyr shook his head. "There are no obvious markings, and I can't tell where this submarine came from. Still, we can tow it back to Headquarters and have the intelligence personnel investigate it, or get researchers to dismantle it. There aren't many forces capable of submarine technology. Once we rule some out, whoever remains will be the one behind this."

Zhong Hao nodded in understanding. "Then when are we returning to Headquarters? One battle with pirates doesn't seem like enough practical training."

As they spoke, the two left the submarine and came onto the deck. On the distant shore, the recruits were crowding around Genghu, examining it in amazement. From time to time, they reached out to touch its snowy white fur. A few bolder ones even climbed up its sturdy paws and laughed triumphantly atop its back.

The moment Genghu spotted Zhong Hao, it immediately looked at him pleadingly. It wanted several times to swat away these annoying humans, but it forcibly endured them because Zhong Hao had ordered it not to hurt anyone. It let out irritated low growls.

The two jumped ashore. After Zephyr barked a few reprimands and drove the group away, he turned to Zhong Hao. "The Marines at this branch have been completely wiped out, and the base was blasted into ruins. Before a new Marine unit can be dispatched here, I need to remain on Lukesen Island to organize reconstruction and clear out the surrounding seas. It will take an estimated two months."

Zhong Hao pushed away Genghu, which had stuck out its tongue and was about to lick him, then patted its huge head. "Two months, huh? That works. During that time, I'll take it around the West Blue, see the local customs of different places, and cause some trouble for pirates along the way. It'll improve my combat experience and help me develop the Six Powers and my swordsmanship."

Zephyr nodded approvingly. "That's a good idea. With your ability to move freely through the sea, along with this sea beast, you shouldn't face any danger to your life in the West Blue. I have to say, your luck is quite good. Even searching throughout the Four Blues, it would be difficult to find a sea beast so intelligent. If it is trained well, it will be a great help in sailing."

Hearing that, Genghu gave Zephyr an approving look. Zhong Hao shook his head with a laugh when he saw it, while Zephyr burst into hearty laughter, utterly unconcerned.

Afterward, Zhong Hao rode Genghu back into the sea and dragged a fifty-meter-long Sea King ashore. Genghu ate its fill, and Zhong Hao had kept his promise to it. The remainder was divided among the Marines and the surviving islanders.

After eating and drinking their fill, Zhong Hao sat down beside the dejected Smoker. He first glanced at Hina, who was sitting far away and unwilling to acknowledge Smoker, then said:

"This world has never been peaceful. Large and small wars happen every day. Since you chose to become a Marine, you must be prepared for sacrifice. In today's events, you were qualified as a Marine because you charged at the front lines and inspired the others. But as a leader, you were too impulsive. And the result of that impulsiveness was the meaningless deaths of twenty-three comrades who had lived and trained beside you day and night. In that respect, you let down your comrades' trust and Mr. Zephyr's expectations."

Smoker clutched his head and began to tremble. One fallen comrade after another appeared before his eyes, questioning him, asking why he had gotten them killed.

Hina had seen Zhong Hao walk toward Smoker long ago and had been watching from afar. Seeing Smoker on the verge of collapse, she suddenly felt a little sorry for him and a little guilty. She regretted saying those things to him.

Zhong Hao continued, "Do you think endlessly regretting and suffering like this means you have done right by them? As a Marine, as a soldier, after making a mistake, you should not simply remain depressed. You should make amends. They all had families. You can take on their responsibilities as fathers and sons—support their elderly parents and raise their children. And when you hunt pirates in the future, you must fulfill their share as well. Think about it carefully."

After saying that, he patted Smoker on the shoulder, nodded to Hina, greeted Zephyr, then sat atop Genghu's head and ran off into the distance.

The recruits behind him drooled with envy at his imposing appearance.

Although many comrades had died in this battle, if they had not been especially close or spent much time together, there would not be much grief.

It was like middle school in his previous life. You could be classmates with someone for three years and barely exchange a few words. If you suddenly heard that they had died of illness, you would feel some sorrow, but you would not be devastated. You might even be laughing and playing with friends again moments later.

Zephyr watched Zhong Hao's retreating figure and smiled with satisfaction. Then he looked at Smoker, shook his head, and thought, The older one has to be comforted by the younger one. How pathetic.

He had experienced far too many battles in his life and had grown accustomed to sacrifice and death. Though the deaths of several dozen students saddened him somewhat, the feeling would not last long. That was either strength of heart—or numbness.

In the woods of Lukesen Island, Genghu carried Zhong Hao beneath a large tree. It let out a roar, and Nico Robin poked her head out from the tree. After taking a look, she jumped onto Genghu's back.

Zhong Hao handed Nico Robin the roasted meat he had packed earlier. "You must be hungry. This is for you. The island's residents hid in these woods to take refuge before and built a few crude wooden huts. We'll stay there for the next two days."

Nico Robin had just torn off a piece of meat and put it in her mouth when she froze. "We?"

After showing Genghu the direction, Zhong Hao nodded. "Yes. Things in the Euro Kingdom probably haven't started yet. We'll wait two more days, then I'll take you there on the third day."

Nico Robin shook her head, looking somewhat hesitant. "No, I mean... you'll be staying in the wooden hut too?"

Zhong Hao glanced at her and laughed. "You're overthinking it! What do you think this body of mine could do to you? I'm just worried about you. If I left you there alone, you'd probably disappear by the next day."

Seeing that he had exposed her thoughts, Nico Robin's face flushed faintly. She lowered her head and took small bites of the roasted meat.

Before long, they arrived at a cluster of crude wooden huts. Calling them huts was generous—they were really just a few planks put together to count as houses. They wobbled precariously, as if the wind could blow them away at any moment.

"I heard they were crude, but I didn't expect them to be this bad. Apparently it's going to rain today. These things won't keep out anything," Zhong Hao complained. He left alone for a while, then returned carrying the frames of two tents. "We should stay in tents instead."

Nico Robin shrugged indifferently. After seven years on the run, what kind of rundown place had she not lived in?

Early the next morning, Nico Robin was awakened by a series of whistling sounds. After straightening her clothes, she stepped out of the tent and saw Zhong Hao bare-chested, wearing black trousers as he swung his legs toward the forest. Every kick raised a whirlwind that made branches and leaves tremble.

"What are you doing?" Nico Robin could not help asking.

Hearing movement behind him, Zhong Hao stopped and turned around. "Rankyaku, one of the Marine Six Powers. It's the technique I'm worst at. I don't know why, but I can never produce a vacuum slash. There are toiletries for you over there, all new. There's also a stream nearby."

Nico Robin nodded. After washing up, she sat beneath a tree and began reading a book.

Suddenly, a hand reached over and took the book away.

Zhong Hao closed the book and said softly, "Let's talk."