Seems like they’re not here for me.
After observing for a long time, Rayleigh relaxed slightly. These marines seemed to be waiting to welcome some big shot?
That’s right, I’m not a wanted man… He took a sip from his flask to calm his nerves, stood up straight, and met the gaze of the Marine Captain who had already noticed him. Rayleigh took the initiative to ask, “Sir, what’s happening?”
“Don’t be afraid. Is this your boat?”
“Yes, of course it’s mine.”
“Then could you move it a bit in that direction? A large ship will be docking here shortly.”
Captain Valence of the Loguetown branch spoke kindly, and Rayleigh complied. In fact, he wished he could sail away immediately, but his supplies were not yet replenished, and he didn’t want to appear guilty.
So he unanchored and pushed the boat away from the shore with a pole, quickly rowing in the direction Valence indicated and moving a bit further away.
Valence didn’t pay him much attention. He was feeling a bit nervous. As a branch captain in his early thirties and the highest-ranking officer in an important branch like Loguetown, he was considered young and promising. However, he had never had the opportunity to meet Admiral Kong before.
Moreover, the call from the Den Den Mushi mentioned that before Admiral Kong arrived, the Warden of Impel Down would arrive first, and he was to lead all the marines of the Loguetown branch to receive the ship, which would be carrying a large number of pirates.
This order was somewhat strange.
He didn’t know much about the Warden of Impel Down, but by rank, he was indeed on par with an admiral or even the fleet admiral. But why would someone who guards a prison suddenly come to Loguetown, bringing a large number of pirates?
And how large was this number to require such a grand reception?
His unease grew as the silhouette of a large ship appeared on the horizon. To his surprise, it was not a battleship but rather a… slave ship from Sabaody?
The big slavers of Sabaody, who claimed to serve the Celestial Dragons, were known for their lavishly decorated ships, vastly different from regular merchant ships. Valence had seen such ships a few times and, as a just marine, he deeply loathed them.
His brow furrowed lightly. As the ship drew closer, he saw a figure standing at the bow, and his expression changed, falling into memories.
Several lieutenants approached him, asking what was happening. He just shook his head, “Prepare to receive the ship!”
The slaver ship gradually docked, and Figo jumped ashore. Valence hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.
“Are you the Warden of Impel Down?”
“Just call me Warden Figo.” Figo smiled, “You seem to recognize me. Are you one of Sister Mia’s students?”
“It’s really you?!” Valence said, slightly excited, “Yes, over ten years ago, when I was in the recruit camp, I saw Instructor Mia chatting with you. You haven’t changed at all.”
The chains hanging from Figo’s wrist were particularly memorable.
After a pause, Valence hesitated, “You call Instructor Mia ‘sister’? Are you…?”
“We were in the same recruit camp. I’m seventy years old this year.” Figo smiled.
Valence’s eyes widened, and the lieutenants beside him were dumbfounded. Joking, right? He looked at most forty or fifty, nothing like someone of the same generation as Vice Admiral Mia!
“Well, since you’re a student of Sister Mia, I can rest assured about the next task.” Figo said, “I seized this ship and rescued some slaves. You are to arrange for their return home. If any problem arises, I’ll have Sister Mia deal with you.”
He turned and shouted, “Disembark!”
I see. Valence came back to his senses, looking at Figo with admiration. As expected of Instructor Mia’s friend, he acted on his sense of justice.
He glanced at the former slaves disembarking from the ship and loudly said, “Please rest assured!” Small conversations broke out among the marines. The slaves felt reassured by the marines’ kindness.
However, some still pleaded softly, “Benefactor, you saved our lives. Can we follow you?”
There were strong men and beautiful young women among them. Figo just shook his head and waved them off, “Nice try. Many want to follow me, but this privilege is not for you! Just follow these marines and go home!”
The strong man choked up, and the young woman wept.
Figo then said to Valence, “On the way here, I also captured some pirates and locked them on the ship. You need to lead the marines to transfer them temporarily to the Loguetown prison. Sort them out, and those qualified will be sent to Impel Down.”
“Yes, sir!” Valence responded loudly, leading his men onto the ship, thinking that the pirates were caught along the way, not specifically transported.
You caught them along the way… you caught them along the way…
Damn!
What kind of situation is this?!
…
In the distance, Rayleigh continued to observe secretly.
“A big shot indeed?”
His gaze fell on Figo, and he quickly moved aside, his heart pounding.
Did he see me?
No, he didn’t.
No, no, stay calm, Rayleigh. You’re not a wanted man, just stole a boat. That wicked merchant has at least twenty such small boats.
But this place is not safe. Rayleigh decided to leave Loguetown after getting some supplies once the marines went back.
He then saw the marines causing a stir, dragging one dispirited pirate after another from the large ship…
It seemed like they were all captured pirates.
Though it looked like a merchant ship, that guy was also a marine?
One pirate was escorted off, ten pirates were escorted off, Rayleigh didn’t feel much.
A hundred pirates were escorted off, three hundred pirates were escorted off…
Rayleigh’s eyes gradually widened. Glancing at Figo and then at the not-so-large slaver ship, this… this…
I need to leave now!
He jumped ashore and ran to a nearby shop!
…
On the other side, the long escort line caught the attention of all the passing residents. Before the Great Pirate Era, Loguetown hadn’t become the must-visit place for all East Blue pirates. The security here was good, and residents rarely saw pirates, let alone so many at once.
A young man with a backpack and a straw hat stood in the crowd, his mouth forming an ‘O.’
His name was Gol D. Roger, 19 years old, about to set sail on his adventure, but he hadn’t expected to witness this scene.
Being a pirate seems dangerous.
But it’s even more exciting.
After the line passed, he grinned broadly and continued striding towards the coast.
“You continue escorting them, be careful not to have any accidents. Kong will be here soon, I’ll go meet him, you don’t need to follow.” Figo suddenly smiled and said to Valence.
Kong? Already a fan of Figo, Valence’s expression became even more respectful, “Yes, sir! I will make sure they are properly placed, and then I will come to meet you and Admiral Kong!”
…
On the other side, Rayleigh, carrying the food he just bought, boarded ‘his boat,’ ready to leave. Suddenly, he heard an exaggerated exclamation.
“Amazing! Amazing, amazing, amazing! What a big ship! What a beautiful ship!”
Rayleigh instinctively looked towards the shore and saw Roger standing under the huge slaver ship, spinning his straw hat on his finger, marveling.
“Unfortunately, such a big ship, two people can’t sail it.” Roger looked at him, “Your boat is also nice, it should withstand some storms! Hello, I’m Roger, Gol D. Roger. What’s your name?”
Who is this kid? In a hurry to leave, Rayleigh didn’t want to respond, but then a thought crossed his mind… two people can’t sail?
Which two people? Him, and me?
Can he casually suggest stealing a ship?
Suddenly finding the boy likable, Rayleigh replied, “Rayleigh.”
“Rayleigh, huh? Haha, it’s decided. We’ll use your boat to set sail!” Roger grinned broadly, “Let’s turn the world upside down, Rayleigh!”
What?
Is this kid crazy?
Rayleigh was stunned, then his eyes widened as he glanced behind Roger and put on a stern face.
“Whose kid are you? Stop talking nonsense. What do you mean turn the world upside down? Are you still dreaming?
Get lost, I’m going to become a marine. If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll arrest you!”
“… Huh? Marine?”
Roger blinked, feeling something was off, and quickly turned around.
A tall figure was standing there.
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