Hunter License, Jealous Marines

"Since you are unwilling to join the Marines, then please accept this Hunter License.

Karen looked solemnly at Luo Wen and took out a certificate.

"A Hunter License?"

Luo Wen suspected he had misheard.

What was this? It had never appeared when he watched the anime.

"A Hunter License is professional identification issued by the Marines to Bounty Hunters."

"Those who hold it are friends of the Marines. They hold status equivalent to a headquarters colonel and receive a monthly salary as well."

"During your travels, you can resupply at Marine Bases and seek assistance from the Marines."

"When you need to enter the New World, you can cross the Red Line directly instead of sneaking through the seabed."

Commodore Karen solemnly offered the Hunter License, hoping Luo Wen would accept it.

The Marines of Loguetown were utterly shocked. This was also the first time they had heard of such a certificate.

Wasn't this treatment a little too good?

Among the Marines present, aside from Commodore Karen, only Smoker held the rank of colonel.

A bounty hunter who had not joined the Marines could receive a hunter license and immediately enjoy a colonel's treatment.

If not for Luo Wen's lingering intimidation and Commodore Karen's rank suppressing them, these Marines would have questioned it on the spot.

Karen understood how the Marines felt, but special cases always required special handling.

This Hunter License was Karen's second proposal, a special license he had applied for specifically for Luo Wen.

The Marines had never had anything like this before.

Before Luo Wen appeared, Bounty Hunters had amounted to very little. Even hunting pirates in the East Blue was difficult for them, so they were not worth such treatment.

To obtain this certificate, one first needed strength at least equal to a headquarters vice admiral, and one also had to remain friendly with the Marines.

It could be said that this certificate had been prepared specifically for Luo Wen.

With such harsh requirements, the Marines had not even planned to issue a second one.

"This good? There must be some conditions, right?"

Luo Wen did not immediately take the Hunter License. There was no such thing as a free lunch.

"Other than remaining friendly with the Marines, there are no additional conditions!"

Karen was utterly candid.

This license existed solely to build a good relationship with Luo Wen and prevent him from becoming an enemy.

There was no helping it. Luo Wen's potential was simply too great, and he was a Bounty Hunter who leaned toward the Marines.

Even if they could not make him join the Marines, they could not push him into the pirates' camp.

Even the World Government could establish the Seven Warlords of the Sea and recruit pirates through such a humiliating arrangement.

For Luo Wen, who currently possessed elite vice admiral-level strength and admiral potential, granting him a Hunter License was only natural.

"Then I'll accept it. I look forward to working together."

Since they had said this much, Luo Wen no longer stood on ceremony and accepted the Hunter License.

He currently had no intention of opposing the Marines. The Marines also issued his bounties, so there was no harm in accepting this goodwill.

If the Marines ever provoked him, he could still lose his temper then.

"I look forward to working together!"

Commodore Karen let out a sigh of relief and happily shook Luo Wen's hand.

Ever since Captain Nezumi had died at Luo Wen's hands, he had worried that Luo Wen and the Marines would become enemies.

Now that Luo Wen had accepted the Hunter License, he could finally rest easy.

"Then, until we meet again."

With Nami and Tashigi, Luo Wen turned and left.

Their purpose in coming to Loguetown had been fulfilled, and they had even unexpectedly gained a Hunter License. It was time for them to set sail once more.

Watching Luo Wen's group depart, Commodore Karen, having resolved one of his worries, left with a smile as well.

With the two main figures gone, the previously oppressed Marines immediately became lively.

"Commander Smoker, I want to become a Bounty Hunter too."

A Marine spoke gloomily. He wanted that kind of treatment too.

He had served in the Marines for five years and had not even come close to becoming a commissioned officer.

Luo Wen had not joined the Marines, yet he had directly received a colonel's treatment.

The vast difference in treatment left him indignant.

"Yeah, I want to become a Bounty Hunter too."

"We're both killing pirates, so why does he get such good treatment?"

The other Marines voiced their agreement. The longing in their eyes exposed what they truly thought.

The Hunter License had blinded them, and they could no longer see their own worth.

"You disgraceful fools! Think before you speak!"

Smoker looked at the group of Marines with disgust.

What kind of strength did Luo Wen possess, and what kind did they possess?

A moment ago, one look from him had scared them too stiff to move. Now that he was gone, they had become arrogant.

"Commander Smoker, we refuse to accept this! We want special treatment too!"

The Marines shouted back with red faces.

Normally, the Marines feared Smoker's authority, but envy had clouded their minds now, and they could not care about that anymore.

"Refuse to accept it? What exactly do you refuse to accept?"

"Do you have any idea how strong Luo Wen is? Who was trembling in fear just now? You were, weren't you?"

Smoker removed his cigar and blew a mouthful of smoke into the face of the Marine stirring up the crowd.

The Marine coughed violently from the smoke but still stared stubbornly at Smoker.

"I may not be as strong as him, but I've rendered meritorious service to the Marines!"

He recalled Luo Wen's imposing gaze from earlier, and his body trembled involuntarily, but he still refused to accept it.

As a Marine stationed in Loguetown, he had captured quite a few pirates.

He believed his achievements were considerable and often boasted about them.

"Luo Wen wiped out the pirates of the entire East Blue. Can those petty pirates you dealt with compare?"

Smoker was utterly disdainful. The pirates the Marine had captured did not even add up to five million Beli in bounties.

Compared to Luo Wen, that was merely one percent.

"If Luo Wen joined the Marines, his merits alone would be more than enough to make him a flag officer!"

Smoker jabbed a finger into the Marine's chest again and again, forcing him to stumble backward.

In the end, he fell to the ground, utterly dazed.

How could the other Marines retain their earlier arrogance? Every one of them hunched their heads like quails.

"Whoever wants the same special treatment as Luo Wen, I'll immediately transfer you to the West Blue."

"You don't need to wipe out the entire West Blue. If you can clear out even half of it, I'll let you have my position as colonel!"

Smoker swept his gaze around, but not a single Marine stepped forward.

Every Marine lowered his head. After Smoker's harsh scolding, they had all come to their senses.

Who was Luo Wen? His strength was so formidable that even the governor of the East Blue had personally tried to recruit him, and his achievements were known throughout the entire East Blue.

And what were they? Together, they could not withstand one of Luo Wen's hands, and all the pirates they had taken down combined did not amount to half of his.

How could they dare demand the same treatment as Luo Wen?

Smoker looked around, yet not a single Marine stepped forward. He was deeply disappointed.

If anyone had truly stepped forward, Smoker would have regarded him more highly and focused on training him.

Unfortunately, there was no one.

Smoker sneered inwardly.

Compared to Luo Wen's bold refusal of the Marines' invitation and his ambition to venture alone through the Grand Line—

These spineless cowards wanted special treatment too? What a daydream.

Suddenly, Smoker seemed to understand why Luo Wen had refused to join the Marines.

With parasites like Captain Nezumi, along with these hopeless Marines, how could they possibly accomplish anything great?

Without sparing these Marines another glance, Smoker turned and went back to rest.