NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 2: CHAPTER 2
c2: The Angry Sengoku
After spending five days in Foosha Village, Luo Ye finally had to set sail back to Marineford.
When he first requested leave from Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the latter was visibly displeased, grumbling about how Luo Ye had just been promoted to Admiral yet was already taking time off.
"If every Marine acted like this, there'd be no order left!"
But despite Sengoku's protests, Luo Ye still went on leave, knowing that with Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru around, nothing too catastrophic would happen in his absence.
However, ever since Luo Ye left Marineford, Sengoku had been calling him repeatedly, urging him to return as soon as possible. If he delayed any longer, the old man would likely lose his temper completely.
Standing at the harbor, Luo Ye turned to face his friends.
"Dadan, Makino, Village Chief I'm heading back. I'll come visit again soon."
Dadan folded her arms, scowling.
"'Soon,' huh? You mean another ten years?!"
"Hahaha."
Luo Ye chuckled but didn't argue.
In the past, his duties as a Marine officer kept him too busy to return. Now, as an Admiral, he could delegate minor pirate-hunting tasks to his subordinates, allowing him some leeway.
After all, he wasn't going to become a workaholic like Akainu, nor was he as lazy as Kizaru.
For Luo Ye, hunting pirates was the fastest way to increase his strength, but even he needed occasional breaks.
On the warship, his adjutant, Lieutenant Colonel Kerz, ran over with a troubled expression.
"Admiral, are we returning to Marineford directly?"
The stress on Kerz's face was evident.
For the past five days, Sengoku had been calling constantly, and as Luo Ye's adjutant, he had to endure the Fleet Admiral's furious rants. If they delayed any further, Sengoku might just lose his patience entirely.
Luo Ye, who had been in high spirits during his stay in Foosha Village, suddenly became serious. His relaxed demeanor disappeared, replaced by the overwhelming presence of a true Admiral.
Kerz felt a chill run down his spine.
So this is his true nature…
It was widely known within the Marines that whenever Luo Ye set out, no pirate crew survived. His efficiency in eliminating threats was almost unnatural. Yet no one, not even Luo Ye himself, could fully explain why.
As Foosha Village disappeared into the distance, Luo Ye turned around.
"Gather intel on all active pirate crews in East Blue. We'll return to Marineford after cleaning them up."
"Yes, sir!"
Kerz's initial fear was replaced with excitement.
The rumors were true following Admiral Luo Ye meant never lacking opportunities for merit.
Luo Ye ignored his adjutant's enthusiasm. Before leaving, he had asked the village chief about recent pirate activity. While Foosha Village hadn't been seriously threatened, other towns in East Blue were not as fortunate.
Many pirate crews in the Four Seas had no real strength and survived by preying on unarmed civilians. They would raid settlements, slaughtering entire islands just to satisfy their greed.
Luo Ye had eliminated such pirates before, but they kept appearing. If he was already here, he might as well clean house again.
"…Still, if this cycle is to end, I need to find out who's overseeing East Blue's security."
Luo Ye gazed at the sea, deep in thought.
---
Blu Blu Blu… Blu Blu Blu…
Luo Ye picked up the Den Den Mushi.
"I'm Luo Ye. What is it?"
Before he could move the receiver away, an enraged voice exploded from the other end.
"Luo Ye! How much longer are you planning to stay in East Blue?! You left without approval, took a warship, and still haven't returned! What kind of Admiral ignores orders?!"
It was Sengoku.
Luo Ye sighed as the Fleet Admiral continued his tirade.
"We have intel that one of the Seven Warlords, Donquixote Doflamingo, has been stirring up trouble in Dressrosa. Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru are all on assignment, so you're the only one available."
Sengoku's tone grew sharper.
"When you return, investigate him. If he's done anything that threatens the World Government, teach him a lesson!"
Doflamingo?
Luo Ye narrowed his eyes.
Among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, there were varying opinions on who was the strongest. But if one measured power not just by strength, but by influence, Joker was undoubtedly at the top.
Doflamingo operated both in the light and the shadows. He controlled an underground human auction house that sold slaves, including rare species, to the Celestial Dragons. He was a key player in the illegal arms trade, supplying weapons to conflicts worldwide.
On top of that, he was the secret mastermind behind the production of SMILE, artificial Zoan-type Devil Fruits, which he supplied to Emperor Kaido.
Luo Ye had wanted to deal with him for a long time. But until now, there had been no suitable opportunity.
Has the World Government finally taken notice?
Sengoku's order was to teach him a lesson, but Luo Ye never left a target alive.
"I'm en route to Marineford," he replied casually. "I just need to wrap up some unfinished business in East Blue first."
Before Sengoku could respond, Luo Ye hung up.
---
Back at Marineford, Sengoku stared at the silent Den Den Mushi in disbelief.
Then he slammed his palm on his desk, shouting at the man seated across from him.
"Garp! Look at that brat! He left for East Blue without approval and still isn't returning! I never should've made him an Admiral!"
"Hahaha!"
Garp laughed heartily, munching on a rice cracker.
He had long since grown immune to Sengoku's outbursts.
More importantly, from his perspective, Luo Ye wasn't in the wrong.
As long as he was getting rid of pirates, what was there to complain about?
---
Meanwhile, on Luo Ye's warship, Kerz hurried forward with a report.
"Sir! We just received intel two hours ago, a pirate crew slaughtered an entire island. No survivors. The captain has a bounty of 8 million Berries… [Blood-Hand] Mobida."
Luo Ye's expression remained unreadable.
"Track them."
"Yes, sir!"
Kerz and the rest of the crew snapped to attention.
There was no need for further orders.
If Luo Ye had set his sights on them those pirates were already dead.
---