The Great Pirate Extermination Campaign

"Remember, from now on, you're an apprentice Marine!"

"Yes, sir!"

Bullet shouted his response, then turned and left.

Compared to Evens, Crocodile, and the others, Bullet clearly possessed the discipline of a soldier. After all, he was a battle-hardened warrior who had first taken to the battlefield at a young age.

A short while later, Bullet appeared before Xia Le in an apprentice's uniform and a Marine cap.

"Even I'm impressed by your physical conditioning."

"So, starting today, you'll be helping me train them."

Xia Le pointed at Crocodile, Evens, and the others.

"I won't let you down!"

Bullet bared his teeth in a savage grin.

Rosinante, Evens, Crocodile, and the others all looked a little uneasy.

An apprentice Marine training officers like them? It sounded rather absurd.

But no one actually objected. For one thing, Xia Le's orders were absolute. For another, they all knew exactly how strong Bullet was.

His burly frame and bulging muscles held a strength none of them possessed.

There were probably only a handful of people in the world who could match their commanding officer in hand-to-hand combat and physical power.

Over the days that followed, Bullet certainly lived up to expectations.

Crocodile and the others found their training load increased nearly fivefold. The pain they endured could only be described as hellish torture.

Even a short conditioning session left them aching all over, barely able to move.

"Too weak!"

Bullet sneered.

Then he turned to look at Xia Le, whose body was covered by a white justice coat and Marine uniform.

Even through his clothes, the bulging muscles beneath were apparent, hard as granite. His physique was perfectly proportioned, every inch of muscle and skin brimming with explosive power.

This man had put even more work into honing his body than Bullet had!

At a glance, Xia Le now stood around two meters eighty tall, but given his age, he probably still had room to grow.

His bulging muscles nearly burst through his thin Marine uniform, and even the fierce contours of his Demon Back were faintly visible.

Compared to this guy...

I've still got a long way to go!

Bullet gritted his teeth at the thought.

Xia Le, however, hadn't noticed Bullet's gaze. He was looking ahead.

Amid the rolling waves, the warship had drawn close to the enormous Gate of Justice.

Looking off to one side, he could see a massive whirlpool. Even at this distance, its deafening roar reached his ears.

Soon, the warship passed through the Gate of Justice and entered the Inner Bay.

"Identify that warship's unit."

"It's Rear Admiral Xia Le's ship."

"Rear Admiral Xia Le, please dock at berth A8!"

The Marine directing traffic at the Inner Bay's harbor shouted the instructions.

A short while later, under Slo's guidance, the warship docked smoothly at berth A8.

"Xia Le!"

He had barely stepped off the ship when hearty laughter rang out from beside him.

"Simboo!"

Xia Le turned and called out with a smile.

"Hahaha, it's been ages! You look completely different. You've gotten taller and sturdier!"

Simboo approached, gesturing at their considerable height difference in amazement.

"It's been two years. All thanks to the good food at the Navy Academy."

Xia Le laughed.

He wasn't wrong. Before joining the Navy Academy, he had stood about one meter ninety-five, a normal enough height by the standards of his previous life. Compared to this world's monsters, however, he was short.

Kuzan, for instance, had often needed to bend down to put an arm around him back then.

But over two years at the Navy Academy, a combination of training, food, and his natural growth spurt had sent his height shooting up to two meters eighty-five.

And with Life Return, a unique ability that gave him perfect control over his body, he was fully confident he could grow past three meters.

He was quite pleased with that sort of height.

After all, height meant presence!

"You've been promoted too!"

He added a moment later.

"Hahaha, that's all thanks to you back then."

Simboo laughed.

Two years ago, he and Xia Le had served aboard the same warship before transferring to Garp's ship. After returning to headquarters, he had somehow been promoted to colonel for taking part in the battle against the Roger Pirates.

That battle had undoubtedly brought him closer to the faction surrounding Vice Admiral Garp and Rear Admiral Xia Le. With help from some of his fellow officers, he had secured a posting at headquarters.

He also stood a good chance of reaching flag rank in the future.

Even now, many Marines considered Simboo something of a minor legend.

Fighting Pirate King Roger was, in itself, something worthy of pride and even admiration.

"Vice Admiral Garp is already back at headquarters!"

"Kuzan arrived three days ago too."

Simboo added.

Then he looked at the Marines following Xia Le, and a wave of emotion washed over him.

"You've already gathered a crew of your own!"

"They all look strong!"

Xia Le smiled. "I handpicked them. Every last one is capable!"

"I can tell!"

Simboo nodded, then hurriedly added.

"You'd better head inside. You're the last of headquarters' well-known commanders to arrive!"

As he spoke, he lowered his voice and leaned toward Xia Le's ear.

"There seems to be some important meeting that requires every flag officer to attend."

Xia Le nodded thoughtfully at that.

The two embraced, then said their goodbyes.

They were comrades who had weathered hardship together, after all. Simboo had even taught him how to survive at sea, and they shared a deep bond.

A short while later, Xia Le reached the Headquarters Building and checked in with a beautiful female officer on the first floor.

"Welcome back to Marine Headquarters, Rear Admiral Xia Le."

"Fleet Admiral Kong left instructions for you to report to him as soon as you returned."

Then the blonde officer looked behind Xia Le.

The sight of Bullet, Crocodile, and the others made her eyes narrow in alarm, and fear crept onto her face.

These men were terrifying.

Not one of them looked like a decent person. If anything, they looked more like pirates!

"I'll leave you to arrange accommodations for my men, then."

"They can stay with me or somewhere nearby."

Xia Le smiled.

He had clearly seen the fear in the woman's eyes. In fact, many of the officers on the first floor of the Headquarters Building looked tense and frightened at the sight of Bullet and Crocodile behind him.

"Ah? Y-yes, of course!"

The beautiful officer answered hurriedly.

Xia Le then nodded to Crocodile and headed toward the Fleet Admiral's Office.

"Does this count as infiltrating deep into enemy territory?"

Watching Xia Le disappear from view, Bullet chuckled, glanced around at the Marines, and suddenly made a teasing remark.

"We're Marines now."

Crocodile said flatly.

"There's no need to worry, Bullet. Just as Crocodile said, we're all Marines, and we serve under Rear Admiral Xia Le!"

"He's highly respected here at headquarters!"

T Bone said earnestly.

Bullet glanced at the skeletal man. "You've got a nasty face, but you're surprisingly gentle."

Crocodile smiled silently.

"I'm sorry!"

"For frightening you!"

T Bone opened his mouth, then actually bowed in apology.

Bullet was speechless, but eventually let out a laugh.

This fellow hadn't frightened him at all.

The Great Pirate Extermination Operation

The Fleet Admiral's Office, Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

When Xia Le reached the door, he found people bustling in and out of the office.

Kong sat directly opposite the entrance at a large wooden desk, frowning as he worked through a mountain of documents.

"Rear Admiral Xia Le!"

A young staff officer nearby spotted him and called out in delighted surprise.

"Hello!"

Xia Le nodded in greeting.

He didn't know the man, but the excitement in his eyes revealed deep admiration and longing.

Had he just happened upon a young fan outside the Fleet Admiral's Office?

"It's Rear Admiral Xia Le!"

"My god, Rear Admiral Xia Le? The monster among monsters, the one they say surpasses the Three Monsters?"

"Is it really him?"

"Rear Admiral Xia Le, who fought the Pirate King's right-hand man, Dark King Rayleigh, to a draw and crushed a Supernova's pirate crew with lightning speed! He's practically the Marines' rising young hero!"

Nearly every officer nearby turned to look, leaving even Xia Le momentarily stunned.