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66.07% One Piece Navy Is Wrong / Chapter 37: A Treasure Hunter Driven by Interest

Chapter 37: A Treasure Hunter Driven by Interest

In just an instant, Kuro had assessed the strength of this Marine major. When Hailan and Hill talked earlier, Kuro tried to use his self-invented "Silent Step" to escape, but Hailan had effortlessly intercepted him.

Kuro knew that he had pushed his speed to the limit. If he accelerated further, his vision wouldn't keep up with his body's movements, leading to unknown consequences. The other person could move even faster, so Kuro realized he couldn't win through force and had to resort to cunning.

"So, you're not running anymore?" Hailan sat opposite Hill and Kuro. "Then introduce yourselves in detail first."

Today's meeting between Hill and Kuro had confirmed Lieutenant Bellemere's suspicions. Captain Hill was indeed engaged in covert dealings with the enemy. However, Hailan was in no hurry to judge Hill, as his main goal was to use this long-term strategy to catch the big fish behind them.

"... So, I didn't tell them you are the son of Admiral Zephyr from Marine Headquarters. I also hid your age, saying you were 18."

Quickly, Kuro shared all his plans and information with Hailan. He wasn't a pirate or a corrupt Marine, just a bounty hunter guild official. Usually, Hailan wouldn't have any reason to go after him. However, Kuro needed Hailan to lend him his sword to achieve true freedom. So, Kuro appeared to surrender but still acted in his interest.

"And you, Captain Hill. I can give you a chance to redeem yourself. It's up to you whether you can seize it."

Under pressure, Hill looked at Kuro's cold eyes. Intuition told him that if he didn't cooperate now, Kuro might sell him out as a stepping stone to gain favor with the Marine major.

With a helpless smile, Hill said, "Even though my rank is that of a headquarters captain, and Roy is just a branch captain, in the East Blue, I'm just Roy's dog. How could a dog know its master's specific plans?"

"All I know is that they might use some ambush to lure and attack you, Major Hailan. I don't know the details."

Hailan nodded, then asked, "Is there any powerful pirate in East Blue that even a headquarters major can't handle?"

"I know some," Kuro quickly volunteered to showcase his importance.

"East Blue has at least three groups of pirates capable of contending with a headquarters major or even a captain. One group is Admiral Sam's grand fleet. While no one has seen Sam's true strength, he has three combat captains under him, each capable of fighting a branch commodore. It's said that Sam alone can defeat these three captains.

"The second group is led by 'Red-Leg' Zeff's chef pirate crew. They have only one ship, but Zeff's strength is formidable. He can easily shatter rocks and leave marks on steel. Even Sam's grand fleet avoids provoking them.

"The third group is led by 'Treasure Hunter' Mad Treasure. They deny being pirates and claim to be treasure hunters, but their actions are no different from pirates. It's said that Treasure's strength rivals a headquarters vice admiral."

Hailan was slightly taken aback. "Mad Treasure, huh? Simple and straightforward name..."

A month later, a gem-studded iron warship was docked near the port in Sam's grand fleet's territory. Admiral Sam, who ruled a grand fleet of 2,000 pirates, welcomed the treasure hunter disembarking from the luxurious ship.

"Lord Treasure, please follow me!"

The once-arrogant Sam showed no airs before Treasure. Kreeg, who followed behind Sam, was star-struck by Treasure's gem-encrusted ship. However, like his admiral, Kreeg dared not show any disrespect in Treasure's presence.

Sam held up a newspaper in Sam's reception hall for Treasure to see.

"Lord Treasure, have you seen this? This Marine major from headquarters, Hailan, is being praised as a hero in Loguetown by the local newspapers. They're making him out to be the hero of East Blue."

Three years ago, the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was executed in Loguetown, East Blue. Seizing this opportunity, the Marines made Vice Admiral Garp, Roger's adversary, into a Marine hero, much to the pride of the East Blue people. But people tend to forget. Three years later, with more and more pirates, they had long forgotten the "Marine Hero" legend and even looked down on it because the hero couldn't save them.

A month ago, Hailan arrived in Loguetown. He led the Marine soldiers through rigorous training and cracked down on local crime and nearby pirates, earning widespread praise from the citizens. The local newspapers exaggerated his achievements every time he led a raid, making Hailan more famous than "Marine Hero" Garp in Loguetown. However, Sam saw this as just a young Marine playing house.

Even though Hailan had taken down pirates that didn't interest Sam, he dared not face the major from headquarters himself. Sam's principle was to avoid confrontation directly.

"Loguetown's hero? That's laughable. Doesn't he know the strongest pirate in East Blue is Lord Treasure?"

"Wrong. I'm not a pirate. I'm a treasure hunter driven by interest."

Treasure had no interest in Loguetown's news. "I only want to know what's in it for me after I eliminate him."

Sam gritted his teeth and said painfully, "If you solve this problem for me, you can take anything you want from my treasure hoard."

Treasure laughed heartily. "Alright, it's a deal!"

Sam and Treasure celebrated with a toast. But Kreeg, standing by, felt something was wrong. Fischer... Kork... where was Schroeder?

These three were Sam's combat captains and his most trusted men. But today, Schroeder was absent at an important meeting with Treasure. What if a conflict arose? Had Schroeder gone into hiding? Why wasn't Kreeg informed of an ambush?

The more Kreeg thought, the more uneasy he felt. His wandering eyes gradually focused on Admiral Sam.

4o


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Chapter 38: It's a Trap

The news agency in Loguetown was eager to trumpet Hailan's "heroic deeds" because of Hailan's secret plan. To lure out the big fish behind the scenes, Hailan played along, disguising himself as a young, passionate Marine. He hid his true identity, telling the news agency he was just a major from headquarters assigned a mission. Of course, Hailan didn't manage this all by himself. It was Kuro who orchestrated everything from the shadows.

One month ago, on the night Hailan captured Hill and Kuro, Hailan had a long, private conversation with Kuro.

Hailan smiled at Kuro. "You want a respectable life, don't you?"

Kuro remained silent.

Hailan wasn't in a hurry. He slowly said, "Do you think my life is respectable right now?"

Kuro adjusted his glasses. "Do you want the honest truth or flattery?"

"Say what you want to say."

Kuro momentarily thought and answered truthfully, "I heard you lead your soldiers in devilish training daily. To me, that's not respectable at all."

"But without enough strength, how can you live a respectable life?"

Hailan placed his right hand on Kuro's shoulder. Kuro felt a bit repulsed but didn't resist.

"You and Hill acted like respectable people in this bar earlier, but since I appeared, have you felt respectable?"

Kuro frowned and asked, "Are you trying to recruit me into the Marines?"

"Talking to smart people is always easy."

"If I dared to betray the Thousand Year Dragon Bounty Hunter Guild, I could just as easily betray the Marines. How will you guarantee my loyalty?"

These words were open and honest in the current context. However, if he had joined the Marines and then betrayed them, it would have been a different matter.

Hailan had expected this question and had his answer ready. "You want a respectable life. I can give you that."

"You are a smart person, and smart people should be placed in positions that require intelligence. Even if you join the Marines, I won't make you a mere combatant."

"If an employee wants a promotion, there are generally two ways to achieve it."

"One way is to get rid of their direct superior and take their place."

"The other way is to assist their direct superior. When their superior gets promoted, the position left behind naturally goes to them."

"So, Mr. Kuro, which kind of employee are you?"

"And in your eyes, which kind of superior am I?"

After saying this, Hailan turned to leave. "Think it over and come find me at the Marine base."

"Wait."

Kuro suddenly stood up straight and, imitating a Marine soldier, saluted Hailan. "Recruit Kuro reporting to Major Hailan!"

If it were an ordinary Marine major, Kuro might have hesitated. But this Major Hailan had an extraordinary background. As Kuro had said about Hill earlier, he might never get another chance if he missed this golden opportunity.

Hailan was slightly surprised by Kuro's quick decision. He had expected Kuro to ponder it overnight. He didn't anticipate such a swift surrender.

Hailan smiled and returned Kuro's salute. "That's why I love smart people!"

...

Fast forward to the present.

Pirates near Victoria's territory attacked a passenger ship returning to the East Blue from the Grand Line. Most passenger ships without critical personnel usually didn't have headquarters' warships escorting them, but they did have their armed forces. After all, in the Calm Belt, there was no need to worry about pirate attacks. And if they were unfortunate enough to encounter Sea Kings, only a headquarters vice admiral could fend them off. A vice admiral wouldn't escort an ordinary passenger ship.

After crossing the Calm Belt, some ships continued sailing alone, while others with local ties received escorts from branch warships. This time, however, the passenger ship sent a distress call to the Marines in Loguetown.

"This is a passenger ship returning from the Grand Line to Victoria Kingdom. We're under attack by dozens of pirate ships. Whoever you are, we urgently need your support!"

"A passenger ship from Victoria Kingdom? Shouldn't the 8th branch's warships be escorting them?" someone questioned.

"They should be, but the enemy outnumbers us. The escorting warships have been defeated. We have no way to escape. Help us..."

The call was abruptly cut off, leaving a frightened expression on the transponder snail.

"It's a trap!" Lieutenant Wagner quickly deduced. "Roy has 20 warships. There's no way a passenger ship in his territory would need our help."

Captain Hill commented calmly, "This is an open plot."

Wagner scratched his head in confusion. "I've heard of conspiracies, but what's an open plot?"

While cleaning her rifle, Lieutenant Bellemere explained, "An open plot is a strategy laid out openly, based on the current situation."

"Now we've received a distress call from a passenger ship."

"If we go, we're walking into the enemy's trap."

"If we don't go, we'll abandon the reputation Major Hailan has worked so hard to build in Loguetown."

"Whatever we choose, it's exactly what the opponent wants. That's an open plot."

"That's ruthless!" Wagner clenched his fists, almost slamming them on the table, but stopped when he saw Major Hailan.

"Major, should we go or not?"

"Go, of course!" Hailan said without hesitation. "If we don't use ourselves as bait, how can we catch the big fish?"

"But we only have over forty people," Wagner worried. "The opponent has 3,000 pirates!"

"Wagner, you know best how effective the training has been these past few days."

"It's just 3,000 small fry. What are you afraid of?"

"Go gather everyone!"

"Yes, sir!"

Stepping outside, Hailan observed the Marines, whose demeanor had significantly improved. He nodded in satisfaction.

Though these soldiers hadn't mastered the Six Powers, their overall abilities had greatly improved. Such progress was unimaginable on Earth.

Hailan suddenly shouted, "Tell me, are the small-time pirates around Loguetown still a match for you?"

The Marines shouted in unison, "No!"

"Do you dare follow me to take down the so-called pirate grand fleet?"

"We dare!"

"Good!"

"Everyone, board the ship! We can't keep Captain Hill waiting too long!"

Led by Lieutenant Bellemere and Lieutenant Wagner, the Marines from Loguetown set off!


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
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Please give this novel 5 stars review and power stone ;)

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Read up to 40 chapters ahead on p atreon.

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