A black speck drew closer, gradually revealing the outline of a warship.
Under thousands of watching eyes, the standard-issue warship slowly approached.
The seagull flag atop the warship snapped in the sea breeze.
Standing on the bow deck, Lin Xuan felt the sea breeze against his face and let out a long breath.
Finally back.
That assignment was exhausting. The Heavenly Tribute was safe, and I even took down a Shichibukai along the way. Surely I can get some proper leave now?
Yet as the warship slowly approached the pier and the dense sea of people onshore came into view, the relaxed expression on his face instantly froze.
What's going on?
Is this... a welcoming ceremony? For whom? Surely not me?
He instinctively rubbed his nose, his scalp prickling.
With a reception this grand, anyone who didn't know better would think I'd brought back the Pirate King.
Worse still, he spotted two familiar figures at the very front of the crowd-Fleet Admiral Sengoku, wearing a stern expression as though everyone owed him a million Beli, and his grandfather by circumstance, Garp, grinning and waving vigorously at him.
I'm screwed.
This definitely isn't anything good.
"Dock!"
Despite his utter reluctance, Lin Xuan braced himself and gave the order.
The heavy iron anchor plunged into the water with a splash, and the warship docked steadily at the pier.
The heavy gangway was lowered with a loud clang.
With one hand in his trouser pocket and a half-dead figure dangling from the other, Lin Xuan walked down the gangway.
The clamor on the pier stopped abruptly.
Every gaze focused on the person dangling from his hand.
The man was covered in blood, his clothes in tatters. His left arm was gone, leaving only a roughly bandaged wound.
His trademark Golden Hook hung to