A Letter of Recommendation to Marineford

At that moment, the chest was opened.

Junichi reached out and placed a hand on the stacks of Beli. His fingers lightly brushed across them as he carefully sensed them with Observation Haki.

In an instant, he knew the exact amount.

540 million Beli!

"You can count it yourself." Vice Admiral Lei Zuo said, making an inviting gesture.

He was indicating that Junichi could inspect it however he wished.

"No need. 540 million Beli—I'm the one getting the better deal." Junichi withdrew his hand and casually closed the chest.

Surprise flashed through Vice Admiral Lei Zuo's eyes again.

The subordinates beside him also looked astonished.

A sweep of his fingers, and he knew how much money was in the chest?

"Observation Haki?" Lei Zuo secretly guessed. What sharp Observation Haki. It's definitely monster-level!

Thinking of this, Vice Admiral Lei Zuo felt even more fortunate that he had treated this young man with such seriousness.

He would write a report when he returned.

Roger had ushered in the Great Pirate Era, and the Marines were increasingly short on manpower.

They were desperate for talented people.

Anyone with talent and ability was warmly recruited. Even if recruitment failed, they still hoped to establish a good relationship.

Otherwise, the other party might choose to become a pirate for one reason or another.

That would only add to the Marines' burden.

"This may be a little presumptuous..."

Lei Zuo suddenly spoke with a smile. "Junichi, would you be interested in joining the Marines?"

He had only mentioned it casually.

His superiors had instructed him to extend invitations whenever he encountered promising talent.

But few people ever accepted.

Those who ventured out to sea were unwilling to be bound.

Vice Admiral Lei Zuo did not think Junichi would agree. He was merely extending the invitation as standard procedure.

Unexpectedly—

"Yes." Junichi gave him an answer he had not expected. "I was just planning to go to Marine Headquarters and enlist."

"Huh?"

Vice Admiral Lei Zuo froze for a moment before coming back to his senses. His eyes suddenly lit up. "Really?"

"Our Marines need outstanding young men like you!"

"I'll write you a letter of recommendation and save you all those tedious procedures!"

At those words—

A smile appeared on Junichi's face.

Sure enough, personally coming to collect the bounty had been the right move.

The Great Pirate Era had only just begun.

The Seven Warlords system was not yet complete, and the Four Emperors had not yet emerged.

The entire Grand Line was practically chaotic from beginning to end.

The Marines could not even spare attention for the Four Blues.

At a time like this, as long as someone had talent and showed an intention to enlist, every path would immediately open for them.

"I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Lei Zuo." Junichi smiled and thanked him.

"You're too polite."

Lei Zuo grinned from ear to ear.

This would count as one of his achievements as well.

If he introduced a gifted young man to enlist, he would definitely receive substantial internal rewards.

Perhaps he might even have a chance to obtain a Devil Fruit?

Even an ordinary Zoan would be precious enough to help him break through the ceiling of his potential.

"Please wait a moment. I'll go write it in my office right away." Lei Zuo hurriedly got up and rushed back to his office.

Junichi was in no hurry and waited patiently.

The other soldiers' gazes toward Junichi changed.

Because he intended to join the Marines.

In the soldiers' eyes, his identity changed from "bounty hunter" to "future colleague."

He was one of them now!

For a time—

The soldiers became far more enthusiastic. They proactively refilled his tea and handed him the latest newspaper.

Before long—

Vice Admiral Lei Zuo returned with an envelope, laughing heartily. "Junichi, there are two copies of the recommendation letter. I'll send one to Headquarters through official channels, and the other is for you to prove your identity."

"When you arrive at Marineford, show this identification and you can skip the tedious examinations and enlist directly."

"Would you like me to send a warship to take you there?"

"No, I still have some matters to handle." Junichi accepted the letter of recommendation and politely declined the offer.

He still needed to return to the Sabaody Archipelago and say goodbye to Rayleigh and the others.

"Then all right. I'll see you out." Lei Zuo was somewhat disappointed.

Junichi was escorted to the base docks and boarded one of the Ten Thieves Rat Pirates' small boats.

Every large ship came with several smaller boats.

He had sold the Ten Thieves Rat Pirates' large ship to the Marines as part of the package, while he himself would take a small boat back to the Sabaody Archipelago.

"This is far enough, Mr. Lei Zuo." Junichi waved goodbye.

"All right. Take care."

Lei Zuo stood on shore, waving with a cordial smile.

Junichi nodded, raised the sail, and departed from the Marine base.

Only after his figure disappeared from view—

Did Vice Admiral Lei Zuo reluctantly withdraw his gaze and return inside the base with his soldiers.

Marineford.

The location of Marine Headquarters.

"Hm?"

Sengoku suddenly let out a surprised sound.

The G-4 Branch had urgently sent over a recommendation document, recommending that a fifteen-year-old boy join Marine Headquarters.

"Fifteen years old."

"Single-handedly defeated the Ten Thieves Rat Pirates without injury?"

"Tamed the cursed blade Demon Eye, suspected to be a Great Swordsman, suspected to have mastered Armament Haki and Observation Haki?"

Seeing this—

Sengoku took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

He wondered whether he was hallucinating.

How could such an absurd document have appeared on his desk?

However—

When Sengoku looked again, the document was still the same document.

Its contents were still just as exaggerated.

"...Is Lei Zuo playing some kind of joke on me?" Sengoku said irritably as he picked up the Den Den Mushi and called him.

Pururururu...

The Den Den Mushi connected.

"Hello, Fleet Admiral?" Lei Zuo's voice came through.

"What kind of joke are you playing, Lei Zuo?" Sengoku immediately snapped. "A fifteen-year-old Great Swordsman who has comprehended both types of Haki!"

"Do you think that's possible?"

"Have you read too many novels, or are you still half-asleep?"

As soon as he finished speaking—

The Den Den Mushi took on Lei Zuo's aggrieved expression.

"No, Fleet Admiral, how would I dare joke with you?" Lei Zuo said quietly. "That boy really is strong. Standing in front of him gave me goosebumps all over."

"Hm?"

Hearing that, Sengoku raised his brows.

He knew Lei Zuo's strength.

He had comprehended Observation Haki, but not Armament Haki.

Among vice admirals, he ranked around the lower-middle tier.

Generally speaking, vice admirals at Headquarters had comprehended both Armament Haki and Observation Haki.

Only some people who had risen through seniority lacked the power of Haki.

Lei Zuo was the sort who had risen half through strength and half through seniority.

"He actually made you feel threatened?" Sengoku fell into thought. "Then your speculation may indeed be possible."

A mere swordsman would not be enough to make a vice admiral feel threatened.

And Lei Zuo possessed Observation Haki.

For this boy Junichi to threaten Lei Zuo, he had to possess both types of Haki and be stronger than an ordinary swordsman.

"And he tamed the cursed blade Demon Eye, one of the Great Grade Blades?" The suspicion in Sengoku's heart gradually faded.

"Fleet Admiral, he may arrive at Marineford soon. You'll know once you see him yourself," Lei Zuo's voice said through the Den Den Mushi.

Sengoku nodded. "True. Then I'll verify it with my own eyes."

With that, he ruthlessly hung up.

Puff... puff... puff...

Looking at the bubble-blowing Den Den Mushi—

Lei Zuo helplessly put down the receiver. He had not even had the chance to ask for his reward.

He could only wait until next time.

Sabaody Archipelago.

Shakky's Rip-off Bar.

Lunchtime.

"Why are there so few Sea Kings today?" Hancock looked at the day's dishes with a face full of disdain.

After getting used to eating precious Sea Kings, everything else had become bland and tasteless.