Variables

Zephyr had entered the Marines in the same generation as Garp, Sengoku, and Tsuru. He was unremarkable at first and did not become a Marine corporal until he was twenty-eight. He could not compare to Garp or Sengoku, but through his formidable martial arts and peerless Armament Haki, he gradually rose to prominence. In just ten short years, he ascended to the position of Marine admiral!

Whether now or in the future, Zephyr was immensely popular within the Marines. Both his past experiences and his character could be called exemplary.

It was not until a year ago, after the God Valley Incident, when Garp earned the title of "Marine Hero," that Garp's popularity surpassed Zephyr's in one stroke. He became the Marines' biggest star, a true rising sensation.

Xia Luo's thoughts turned, and he felt a little hopeful. I wonder if I'll have a chance to go to Marine Headquarters ahead of time.

But on second thought, Xia Luo felt that was too unlikely. Sakazuki and Borsalino had probably joined Marine Branches first, gradually made names for themselves, and only entered headquarters after the Marine Elite Training Camp was established.

It could not be that the Marines had established the Elite Training Camp because Sakazuki and Borsalino joined, could it? Then, by coincidence, Zephyr's family was killed by pirates, leaving him disheartened enough to step down from admiral and become an instructor?

Or perhaps the Marine Elite Training Camp had just been established when Sakazuki and Borsalino immediately joined the Marines?

That would be far too much of a coincidence, wouldn't it?

Xia Luo would rather believe that Sakazuki and the others were like him—joining a branch first before eventually entering Marine Headquarters.

And strictly speaking, Xia Luo was not a true One Piece fan. He had watched the show only intermittently. He had to go to school and do homework, then later became obsessed with novels and games. Most of the plot after the Dressrosa arc was something he had come across in short clips on Kuaiyin and Doushou.

Besides, that old bastard Oda loved pulling the rug out from under people. The most famous example was the Paramecia-type Gum-Gum Fruit suddenly becoming the Mythical Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Nika Form.

Therefore, even though Xia Luo knew some of the plot and could be considered prescient, he would only treat it as an important reference. He would never regard it as absolute truth.

The future was never set in stone. Putting everything else aside, his very existence was the greatest variable.

"Glug glug glug..."

A mass of bubbles rose across the sea as the Blood Axe Ship slowly sank, until it was completely swallowed by the ocean.

Everything and everyone aboard the Blood Axe Ship had been transferred onto the warship. As spoils of war for the 15th Branch, after the portion that had to be handed over was deducted, the remainder was enough to give every Marine involved in the operation a handsome "business trip allowance."

Capturing pirates was certainly dangerous, but risk and reward were often directly proportional. When luck was good, the money they received could equal several years of salary.

Take Xia Luo this time, for example. He was sure to receive a sizable share. Though there were no explicit rules, the customary practice was that during pirate-capturing operations, whoever contributed more received more. Everything depended on strength.

West Blue 15th Marine Branch.

Two days later, Xia Luo and the others returned safely to the Marine base.

During that time, they had already inventoried all their gains. The Beli and treasures allocated to Xia Luo totaled roughly three million Beli, second only to Colonel Whiteman.

The other Marines received anywhere from a little over one hundred thousand to over two hundred thousand Beli, equivalent to nearly half a year's wages.

They had only been at sea for a few days, yet they had completed their mission perfectly. Only a few had suffered minor injuries, and no one had died. It was practically like going out and picking up money.

Thus, when they returned to base, everyone's faces were filled with joy and smiles.

It was all thanks to Staff Sergeant Xia Luo. Fortunately, he had been there. Otherwise, things would not have gone nearly so smoothly.

The Marines therefore looked at Xia Luo with eyes full of respect. If there was another similar mission next time, they would definitely fight to go. Who would not want to carry out missions alongside a strong person?

Under everyone's gaze, Xia Luo, walking behind Colonel Whiteman, gave them a slight nod. A faint smile remained on his face.

When it came to gains, he was undoubtedly the biggest winner this time. To say nothing else, he had earned over ten million Beli from this trip alone!

The three million Beli he had received, plus half of Ghost Hand's bounty—7.5 million Beli—came to a total of 10.5 million Beli!

Not only that, Xia Luo's rank had been promoted from sergeant to staff sergeant.

Ranks below lieutenant were not difficult to advance through; as long as one's military merits met the standard, promotion was possible. Above lieutenant, however, one had to receive an appointment from headquarters.

This was also one of the ways headquarters kept the branches in check, preventing them from becoming too powerful and slipping beyond headquarters' control.

After saying goodbye to Colonel Whiteman, Xia Luo carried a chest full of Beli back to his residence.

After recruit training ended, Xia Luo had been assigned a house of his own.

His home was on the third floor and covered around sixty square meters. Though small, it had everything he needed: a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, and balcony. It was the standard treatment for a noncommissioned officer.

Once one reached the rank of colonel, one could own a detached villa and bring one's family over to live together.

Colonel Whiteman lived with his family. Once, he had invited Xia Luo over as a guest, and Xia Luo had met his family then. Aside from his wife, Colonel Whiteman had a five-year-old daughter whom he spoiled endlessly. He was a complete doting father.

After returning to his room, Xia Luo casually set down the chest filled with Beli and headed straight into the bathroom.

When sailing at sea, fresh water was an important resource and could not be used for bathing. Seawater could not wash one clean either, and after bathing in it, one's body would feel sticky and uncomfortable.

Therefore, the first thing most Marines did after disembarking was go home and take a bath.

"Sure enough, a bath feels so much better. I feel completely refreshed!"

Xia Luo dried his hair, changed into fresh clothes, and left home again.

Because ingredients had been limited aboard the ship, his energy had not increased during this voyage. Instead, it had dropped by quite a bit. He planned to go to the cafeteria to replenish himself and make up for the loss.

When the cafeteria ladies saw Xia Luo, terrified expressions appeared on their faces. It had only been a few peaceful days, and this bottomless pit was back!

As for Xia Luo, when he saw the cafeteria ladies, it was as though he had seen family. An affectionate smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

"Long time no see. Is there still food today? Start me off with fifty portions."

"There is. Wait a moment."

Because of Xia Luo's arrival, the cafeteria ladies became busy once more.

Before long, the sound of vigorous eating echoed through the cafeteria.

Just as the cafeteria ladies were about to collapse from exhaustion, Xia Luo finally stood up, rubbed his stomach, and smiled.

"Thanks for the meal."

"Whew... What is wrong with you, kid? How can your stomach hold so much?"

"I'm curious about that too."

"You have to enter this year's big eater competition. I won't watch it if you aren't in it!"

Looking at Xia Luo's flat stomach, the cafeteria ladies wore expressions of utter disbelief. Good heavens, it was unbelievable! He had eaten so much, yet his belly had not changed at all!

Xia Luo remained calm. Of course. Everything he ate was instantly broken down the moment it entered his stomach. It would be strange if there were any change.

Huh? Did I just hear something about a big eater competition...

Xia Luo's eyes flickered.

"Alright, I'm full. Time to walk it off." He stood, waved goodbye to the cafeteria ladies, then went to the training grounds and began working out in earnest.