The first-floor lobby of Hunter Association headquarters.
"Wow!"
"Holy shit!"
"That's incredible!"
"Is that real?"
A wave of astonished cries echoed through the lobby, spreading from the entrance deep into the building.
Countless pirates, nobles, ordinary people, and disguised CP0 and Revolutionary Army members were stunned by the sight before them. They stood rooted at the entrance, their eyes darting between devices they had never seen before.
The first-floor lobby was thoroughly modern.
White and pale gray made the space feel open and clean. Evenly spaced rows of LED lights were set into the ceiling, casting bright, gentle light that left no corner in shadow.
Surveillance cameras were mounted in the corners.
More than twenty security guards stood around the lobby in matching dark uniforms with Hunter Association badges pinned to their collars. They held assault rifles and shotguns, standing straight-backed.
Most pirates couldn't withstand a barrage of gunfire. That alone was enough to deter some of those with bad intentions.
Bullet would deal with anyone the guards couldn't handle.
Water dispensers and self-service photo booths stood in the corners, leaving pirates who had never seen such things dumbfounded.
A row of counters lined the back of the lobby. Transparent glass separated them from the visitors, with only a small opening for passing documents through.
Many pretty young women sat behind the counters in matching light-colored uniforms. Each had a computer, printer, and speaker on her desk. The glow of the screens lit their faces, making the counter area look as though it came from the future.
Several enormous high-definition screens hung on the surrounding walls, showing images and text that introduced the Hunter Association and laid out its written rules.
Endless Stone supplied all the electricity these devices needed.
Leo, Shizuku, and Asher had brought everything back on another