clatter...
clatter...
clatter...
Luo Chen was slightly dazed for a moment before continuing to follow them forward. After walking through a bright and clean corridor, they arrived in a bright and tidy large guest room, where the people had already prepared various meat dishes to entertain him.
"Hahaha... You must be Mr. Luo Chen. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I am Vice Admiral and Commander Romas, stationed at G18 Base. It's an honor to have heard so much about you..."
A short while later, as soon as Luo Chen stepped into the guest room, a man walked towards him. He was about two meters tall, with a strong build and a resolute appearance. A scar on his left cheek added a touch of fierceness. He walked towards Luo Chen with an aura of iron will and loudly welcomed him, extending his hand.
brush...
Luo Chen reacted at the same time, reaching out to grasp the outstretched hand, a joyful expression on his face.
"It is I. I never expected that my petty deeds would reach the ears of Vice Admiral Romas. However, I never imagined that someone as powerful as you, who fought against strong pirates at sea to become Vice Admiral, would be far inferior to you!"
The two greeted each other with polite smiles, as if they were old friends despite their age difference.
"Hahaha, alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Mr. Luo Chen, you must be tired from your long journey. Come sit down with me and have a few drinks. Let's reminisce and hear you tell me about that incredible battle at sea with Sweet Commander Katakuri and Jack the Drought!"
Romas, still beaming with enthusiasm, invited him to sit down and, like any other person, praised the battle while inquiring about its details.
"Well, it's nothing much. It's just that I disturbed their business and interests on a certain island, so they sent their Admiral to attack me."
But perhaps my strength was decent enough to hold out against those two great pirates for a little longer.
If it weren't for my companions rescuing me, I probably wouldn't have escaped that place alive. The fact that you're here is also because I'm incredibly lucky; there's no point in bringing it up..."
Luo Chen shook his head slightly when he heard his probing.
"Uh... how could that be? Even without your companions, Mr. Luo Chen, I believe you could have escaped from them unscathed. Let's not talk about that, Mr. Luo Chen, please enjoy your meal. These are ingredients prepared by our base's head chef. I don't know if they'll suit your taste, but please don't mind..."
Seeing that he couldn't get any information no matter how much he asked, Romas changed the subject and urged him to start eating.
"Well, then I won't be polite..."
Luo Chen skillfully picked up a pair of chopsticks, took a piece of sushi, opened his mouth slightly, ate it, and slowly savored it before swallowing it with a gulp.
"How was it? Did the food suit your taste? If not, you can ask the chef to make another dish..."
Seeing Luo Chen's slightly intoxicated expression, Romas asked politely.
"Hmm, no need. The food was delicious, comparable to what my companions cook. I'm sure the other dishes were just as good..."
Luo Chen shook his head.
"By the way, Vice Admiral Romas, judging from your expression, you seem to have something to discuss with me. There's no need to hide it anymore; tell me, and I might be able to help you..."
Luo Chen had already realized that as the base commander and Headquarters Vice Admiral, he shouldn't be treated with such enthusiasm even if he had been appointed as Shichibukai. On the contrary, some Headquarters Vice Admiral didn't seem to care about his status at all. This attitude and behavior aroused his suspicions, so he asked directly.
"Well, since Mr. Luo Chen has already seen through it, then I'll be frank... Please bring it here!"
As he spoke, Romas Palm Strike, signaling to his men.
"Yes, sir! Please review the file you provided!"
One of Romas's adjutants saluted him and handed him a file folder.
"Okay, you can all leave now..."
Romas took the file and immediately gestured for everyone present to step back.
"Yes, we'll take our leave now... You all come with me quickly, so as not to disturb the conversation between the commander and Mr. Luo Chen..."
The adjutant saluted again and waved for the men to follow him and retreat.
The staff present, upon hearing their superior's order, dared not hesitate for a moment and immediately took their leave and exited the room.
"These are the documents. Please take a look. These are confidential documents that headquarters instructed us to deliver to you..."
When Romas saw that everyone had left and only the two of them remained, he handed the file to Luo Chen.
"Oh!! Confidential? Is there something headquarters needs my help with? Let me make it clear beforehand, I'm just taking a look. I won't help you with anything too difficult!!"
Seeing how serious he was, Luo Chen became even more curious about the documents in his hand. To ensure they wouldn't do anything unreasonable, he gave him a heads-up beforehand.
"Hehe, as subordinates, we have no right to interfere in this matter. If you are dissatisfied with it, you can raise it with headquarters, and I will certainly be at your service..."
Romas replied, half-laughing and half-crying, that the matter had been specifically reported to him by the Marine Headquarters, and he had no idea what had happened, let alone be able to make a decision for it, so this was the only answer he could give.
"Hahaha, alright, since Vice Admiral Romas has put it that way, then I'll open it and take a look..."
tear...
Seeing his reaction, Luo Chen knew he had no authority to make decisions for him, so he laughed and opened the file. After taking out the document and glancing at it, his eyes widened sharply, and he stared at Romas as if demanding an explanation.
What exactly caused Luo Chen to react so strongly?
When Luo Chen opened the package, he found over a dozen bounty posters with different faces, including one for their group. This surprised and puzzled Luo Chen, who turned to Romas to see what he had to say and whether he understood the matter.
"Forehead..."
Seeing that Luo Chen was staring straight at him, looking as if he would attack if he didn't give an explanation, Romas could only pause in surprise for a moment, then took the bounty poster from his hand and carefully read it through, and found a letter that explained the cause and effect of the matter.
"Hmm... Mr. Luo Chen, you should take a look at this yourself. Here, please take a look, and then let me know your decision later."
Romas grew increasingly astonished as he looked at it, and sensing something was terribly wrong, he handed it back to Luo Chen and said...
"Hmm... let me take a closer look..."
Seeing his expression, as if the letter contained some terrible news about him, Luo Chen took the letter back and read it carefully again.
"Hmm, I see. So this was written by Vice Admiral Tsuru, the naval strategist. Heh, as expected of the Navy. They're using me as a gun, wanting me to defeat the Supernovas gathered on the island and help the Navy capture them? She probably knows I wouldn't do something so pointless. Did Vice Admiral Romas's letter from headquarters contain anything else...?"
After reading it, Luo Chen understood why their bounty posters were included. It turned out they were assigning him the task of defeating the Supernovas. The fact that their pirate crew's bounty posters were attached to the posters implied that even without this requirement, the Supernovas wouldn't miss such an opportunity and would continue to challenge him.
But who is Luo Chen? How could he be easily ordered around without any benefit? He also believed that for someone as cunning as He to send this letter asking him to take action, there must be an irresistible benefit to come along. Only by using both soft and hard tactics, coercion and enticement, could he be made to act willingly.