In the year when Arufa Mosen was 14, he killed the infamous pirate ‘Red-Eye’ Fick on an unnamed island in the East Blue, gaining fame throughout the East Blue Navy Branch 77.
In the same year, he was promoted to Ensign, becoming the youngest Ensign in the history of the East Blue Navy.
When Colonel Franca arrived with the main navy force, Fick’s corpse was already cold.
The atmosphere was tense, and the colonel’s face was not pleased.
“I bring a team of over 200, and ‘Red-Eye’ manages to slip away. Yet, you handle him alone. Is this a slap in my face? I am the highest-ranking officer in the base, don’t I deserve some respect?”
“Medic, get over here and dress this kid’s wounds,” the colonel finally said, noticing Mosen’s injuries, his expression softening slightly.
Mosen understood the situation immediately.
“Good thing you came quickly, or my wounds would have stopped bleeding already.” Realizing his mistake, he quickly added, “Anyway, Colonel, I need to go collect the loot and clean up.”
He dashed off before anyone could respond.
“You brat, double training when we get back to the base!” the colonel shouted, somewhat exasperated.
Then, unable to help himself, he laughed heartily.
“Hahaha, I’ve picked up quite the monster for the navy!”
Mosen wasn’t exaggerating. Though his wounds were long, they were just surface cuts. With his current physical condition, they had already stopped bleeding and were starting to heal.
Having no discomfort after killing, Mosen wasn’t surprised. Over the past two years, he had seen many casualties whenever the base returned from pirate hunts.
He had seen all kinds of gruesome scenes.
He had no sympathy for these pirates who claimed to be chasing dreams but were murderers and thieves.
On the contrary, he wished he could send all these villains to hell.
If killing 100 pirates meant possibly killing an innocent, then killing ninety would let someone who deserved hell escape.
Aside from the Straw Hat Pirates, who were more adventurers than actual pirates, most were ruthless criminals.
On the merchant ship Holdaz.
Most of the supplies had been inventoried. This smuggling ship had been specially modified, with more than double the cargo capacity of a regular merchant ship.
JOKER, the largest arms dealer in the underworld, lived up to his reputation. The weapons seized from this single-wrecked ship were more than the 77th Naval Base possessed.
“What a terrifying guy and a terrifying force. If not for the protagonist’s plot armor, such a cunning villain would have been the last one laughing.”
Mosen muttered to himself, finishing the cleanup.
“Blu Blu, Blu Blu…”
“Eh, a Den Den Mushi?”
“Oh, it’s hidden in such a secret place. What’s this ledger? Pink-tinted upside-down glasses… Oh, this is perfect!”
“Moshi Moshi.”
“Did you get the goods? Bring them to me!”
Mosen was puzzled. What goods? Then he looked at the parchment next to the Den Den Mushi and seemed to understand.
“This is Vice Admiral Akainu’s 35th Fleet. The goods you want have been confiscated by the navy. You will face justice!”
“Fufufufu, Akainu’s fleet? So scary.”
“Scary my foot!”
“Click…” Mosen hung up decisively and tossed the Den Den Mushi into the sea.
As for pranking Akainu, he couldn’t help it. He had disliked Akainu for over ten years.
It felt good to prank him!
…
Eight months later, at the office of Colonel Franca in the 77th Naval Base.
“Damn kid, how many times have I told you to knock before entering my office?”
“Come on, it’s not a big deal. Don’t sweat the small stuff, you stingy man.”
“Baka, you brat! This is my office, show some respect!” Colonel Franca stood up angrily, always driven crazy by this kid, who got more annoying as he grew older.
Franca missed the days when Mosen was just a hardworking kid, constantly training or doing chores.
“Alright, alright. This is the mission this time. The bounty is 8 million berries for Ned Pallo’s gang and 7.2 million for the Gura Pirates.” Mosen threw two bounty posters onto the desk, the exact ones he mentioned.
“Having a capable and diligent subordinate is truly a headache.” Franca pretended to complain, though he felt proud of his decision. “Just remember to leave some alive next time; our base’s prison is turning into a decoration!”
Franca knew that due to his childhood trauma, Mosen had a deep hatred for pirates. He just didn’t want the kid to be blinded by vengeance.
“Don’t worry. I always let the pirates who haven’t done much evil go.”
Mosen didn’t see killing pirates as a big deal. He wasn’t indiscriminately killing innocents. Those who were coerced or not too guilty were given a stern warning and released.
Over the past eight months, every pirate, whether passing through, newly formed, or raiding the area, was captured.
This area was now notorious for the rolling heads of pirates, and the entire East Blue knew of a ruthless person at the 77th Naval Base—a sharpshooter and a great swordsman. Many pirates secretly called him ‘Mad Dog,’ meaning he never let go once he bit down.
Mosen experienced countless battles in these eight months, not only because of his hatred for pirates but also because of the intense stimulation from his fight with Red-Eye.
An 18-million-berry pirate, even when severely injured, had managed to wound him.
What about the Grand Line?
What about the even scarier New World?
More importantly, he hadn’t avenged his foster parents yet!
So, he needed to improve himself wildly, building his military merits. The East Blue was a small pond; the Navy Headquarters was where he truly belonged. There, he could soar freely.
Two months ago, during a pirate chase, he was shot from behind. At the critical moment, a navy brother took the bullet for him. Otherwise, he would have been severely injured, if not dead.
“So every bush might hide a man aiming at you, shouting ‘Demacia!’ My gun… hole, just asking if you’re scared?” Mosen concluded, “Better to stay safe and grow stronger.”
Franca watched Mosen’s peculiar expression and odd tone. “Brat, are you thinking of something inappropriate?”
“Of course not. Mission accomplished, I’m going to rest now. It’s been so long since I’ve seen Wensite.” Mosen got up and waved his hand, “Farewell, Colonel. Don’t embezzle my reward.”
“Damn brat!”
In the base town, Mosen had changed into casual clothes and was heading to the small house the townspeople had built for him.
As the sun set, most families were preparing dinner. Fishermen were returning with their catch, and farmers were returning from the fields.
This scene was like a beautiful, peaceful painting.
“The old Mido Village was just like this. Soon, your souls can rest in peace…”
“Hey, Mosen! I have two fish here. My family can’t finish them, so take them.”
“Ensign Mosen, long time no see!”
“Look, it’s Ensign Mosen. When I grow up, I want to be a navy officer like him.”
“No way, only I can be like Ensign Mosen.”
“You two kids stop arguing. Ensign Mosen, take some fruits. I’m closing up shop anyway.”
Since Mosen became an Ensign, he built a house outside the town with the townspeople’s help for his brother to live in. He would join them when on break.
Before going to sea, his salary barely covered their needs. But with the bounties from pirate hunts, their life improved significantly.
The townspeople, having all suffered from pirates, saw Mosen’s relentless pursuit of pirates as heroic, making him very popular. They always gave him things, and he had to return money to them.
“Uncle Avary, you had a good haul today.”
“Tim, go home. I saw your wife getting ready to drag you back for dinner.”
“You two rascals, study hard for a better future.”
“Uncle Ganmu, if your kid still wants to be a pirate, let me know. I’ll deal with him!”
Evening dinner time, the town wasn’t busy, so Mosen greeted everyone who spoke to him.
“Thanks to you, Ensign Mosen, Ganjin now despises pirates. He even wants to be a navy officer like you, protecting the villagers. What’s that saying…?” The fruit vendor’s son used to dream of being a free pirate, sneaking out to join a crew, but was returned by Mosen since he hadn’t committed any crimes.
“East Blue is my home, everyone protects it. Dad, the town is posting this slogan everywhere.” Ganjin, helping his father at the fruit stand, joined the conversation.
“Brat, I already remembered that. Just didn’t get a chance to say it.”
“Yeah, right. Dad didn’t remember. Ensign Mosen also said something else cooler.”
“What was it?”
“‘A million routes to sail, safety is the first.’ The East Blue Navy Base 77 reminds you: Going to sea as a pirate will bring tears to your family.”
“Cough, cough…” Mosen nearly choked. “I just said that casually. How could you remember so
Clearly? What about your dream of being a free pirate? Changed your mind too fast.”
Another of Mosen’s little fans!
At the edge of town, before a dense forest, stood the house built by the townspeople.
Knock, knock.
“Wensite, I’m back.”
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