Assault on the Marine Branch

"30 million Beli!?"

"This bounty's a bit inflated!"

On the Tiga, the unknown-th morning sunlight streamed in.

Kael, who had only just gotten out of bed, sat comfortably at his desk.

He ate breakfast while looking over his bounty poster.

The photo on the poster captured the exact moment he fired and wounded Smoker.

The expression was perfectly captured, and the angle was just right...

He looked even more handsome in the photo than he did in person.

Rather than a wanted poster, it looked more like a promotional poster for some movie.

Kael almost wanted to reward the photographer with a few drumsticks.

And the bounty of 30 million Beli beneath it cemented Kael's status as the strongest pirate in the East Blue!

Clearly, Sengoku must have put in quite a bit of effort behind the scenes to have his bounty poster produced so quickly.

And in Sengoku's eyes, Kael had probably already eaten the Storm-Storm Fruit. Otherwise, he would not have set such a high bounty.

Thirty million Beli was still just small fry on the Grand Line.

But in the East Blue, it was enough to make people tremble at the very mention of it!

By the time Kael finished reading today's newspaper, he had also finished breakfast.

At that moment, Coby, who had been standing beside the desk, hurried over and took away Kael's plate.

"Thanks for your hard work, Coby."

Kael gave him a satisfied remark, only to receive an excited yet nervous expression from Coby.

"N-No trouble at all!"

After saying that, he moved even faster. The instant he gathered the plate, he even used the towel in his hand to wipe Kael's desk clean.

On the path of being a servant, Coby had clearly attained grandmaster-level mastery!

Something others could only admire from afar!

Ever since Coby learned that Kael's true identity was an agent under the Marine Fleet Admiral, he had remained in this highly excited state.

Coby had never imagined that, through such an inexplicable stroke of luck, he would indirectly fulfill his dream.

For someone who had wanted to become a Marine ever since childhood, it was practically like a dream!

Captain Kael had said it himself...

As long as Coby joined the Dusk Pirates and obediently stayed aboard this ship,

once the mission was over, he could apply for an official Marine Headquarters posting for him!

He could even get a rank!

Coby did not doubt it in the slightest.

First, there was no reason for Kael and the others to deceive an insignificant little servant like him.

Second, he had recognized Tashigi as the female Marine who had been kidnapped in Loguetown!

With that, everything made sense!

So Captain Kael's attack on Loguetown had been a grand act staged together with the Loguetown Marines!

The purpose was to let Captain Kael openly obtain the identity of a wanted pirate!

For justice, he had entered the darkness!

Wasn't that exactly the kind of hero Coby had always admired!?

To be a servant for such a heroic figure was, in Coby's heart, an honor worthy of being written on his tombstone!

As he watched Coby carry the plate out of the captain's cabin, Kael could feel his happiness just from his back.

Picking up a napkin from the desk, he elegantly wiped the grease from his lips and could not help shaking his head with a quiet laugh.

"That silly kid..."

"He's still too young~"

Life at sea became much less boring with the addition of a new companion.

During the day, Tashigi trained in the training room.

Meanwhile, Kael took Coby onto the deck for basic physical training.

After learning that the notebook contained knowledge only Marine officers could access, the little guy's enthusiasm for training soared to unprecedented heights!

Even when Kael repeatedly thought he could not keep going, he would discover in surprise...

Coby was still training!?

All he could say was, he truly was someone who mastered the Six Powers in half a year.

That talent was no joke!

What Coby lacked was only a good teacher and the motivation to keep going.

But because of that, Kael had no choice but to increase his own training intensity as well.

At the very least...

He did not want Coby to learn the Six Powers and both types of Haki while he still had not even mastered Armament Haki!

He had cheats, damn it!!!

And so, Kael and the others' days slowly passed amid training day after day.

In the blink of an eye, a week had passed.

"We're almost there?"

On the deck of the Tiga,

Tashigi stood by the railing and gazed into the distance.

Her black short-skirted Soul Reaper Uniform tightly wrapped around her perky hips. They were not particularly full, but they had a slight curve to them.

Smooth white silk stockings covered her from her toes all the way to her slightly plump thighs.

At Kael's suggestion, she had started growing out her hair. She quietly adjusted the square-framed glasses on her face, her entire body exuding an adorable yet demure air.

She did not look at all like someone capable of drawing a blade and killing.

But in truth, Tashigi's combat power had already reached the pinnacle of the East Blue pirate world!

After seven days, fed 800 experience points each day, she had completely left her former self behind!

Tashigi's displayed combat power was now about to break through the ten-thousand mark!

[Companion: Tashigi (Rukia Kuchiki)]

[Potential: A]

[Level: 21]

[Experience: 330/900]

[Combat Power: 9240]

After seven consecutive days of training, her current strength had reached roughly the level of Luffy and Zoro at the beginning of the story.

Instantly defeating a Colonel Morgan would be effortless for her!

This was also the main reason Kael dared to lead his pirate crew in challenging an entire Marine base!

Flying the pirate flag, the Tiga slowly approached the island where Shells Town was located.

Compared to the remote Ville Town, Shells Town was undoubtedly a prime location.

The island was rich in resources, densely populated, and backed by a Marine base. There was no need to worry about pirate attacks at all, and its sense of security was through the roof!

Unfortunately...

The backer they relied upon had now become the tyrant oppressing them!

Kael did not have the Tiga dock at Shells Town's port.

Instead, he bypassed the crowded public harbor and headed straight for the Marine base's private port.

His goal today was simple: make a big scene!

The bigger the commotion, the better!

It would also prove that his 30 million Beli bounty was well deserved!

As Tashigi's strength continuously improved, Kael, who could gain twenty percent of her combat power, had finally acquired a certain level of strength as well!

He might still not be worthy of a 30 million Beli bounty, but defeating small-time pirates like Kuro and Krieg would definitely not be a problem!

"Guys! Ready to make a big score!?"

On the Tiga, Kael grinned excitedly at the increasingly close Marine base.

Tashigi straightened her posture and adjusted her glasses.

With a flick of one finger,

the sharp blade suddenly slid from its sheath, flashing with cold light!

"If the Marine colonel here truly is as terrible as Captain Kael says..."

"I'll defeat him with my own hands and present him to you, Captain!!!"

Tashigi spoke in an icy voice.

Compared to pirates who committed every kind of evil...

Those who sat in the seats of justice while committing the deeds of villains filled the innocent, pure-hearted girl with even greater hatred!

Behind Kael and Tashigi, Coby was gripping a Nichirin Sword with pink blade patterns in both hands. His body trembled as though he was terrified of the coming battle.

But just like Tashigi, if someone truly tarnished the image of the Marines in his heart, he would gather every bit of courage he had and fight them to the very end!

Even though...

From beginning to end, Kael had never expected Coby to be of much use.

The nimble Tiga moved swiftly across the sea and soon reached the Marine base's harbor.

A massive stone gate separated the harbor from the outside world.

Inside the gate, a row of Marine warships was docked.

A large number of Marines were maintaining the warships and weapons at the harbor.

Then, at that moment...

A sharp-eyed Marine suddenly spotted the Tiga!

"Pirates! Pirates are coming!"

"Pirates? You didn't see wrong, did you? This is a Marine base! What idiot pirate would..."

"Holy shit! They really are pirates!"

"Quit fucking polishing! We've got work!!!"

As the cries spread, more and more Marines noticed the Tiga out at sea.

"These days, you can sit at home and achievements fall from the sky! Brothers, don't let them get away!"

"Oh, right. Someone with guts, hurry up and report this to Colonel Morgan!"

"..."

"..."

Although they lived under Morgan's tyranny, the Marines still retained their professional discipline.

Squads of Marine soldiers quickly sprang into action.

Some boarded ships, while others manned the cannons...

They were ready to set sail at once and destroy the pirate ship before it could flee too far.

But what puzzled them was...

After seeing the Marine base, the pirate ship not only failed to flee immediately.

Instead, it approached the harbor gate at an utterly unbelievable speed.

Then, two sticker-like objects flew from the ship.

A strange gust of wind blew past, and the two sheets of paper miraculously stuck to the left and right sides of the harbor gate.

Under the astonished gazes of the Marines, Kael, standing at the bow, spread his arms and laughed.

"Art is an explosion!"

BOOM!!!