New rule: the day we cross 100 powerstones, the frequency will be changed to 2 chs per day, and the amount of powerstones will increase by 50 each time the goal is cleared
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"Master Marine, we owe you big time. Without your help, our whole village would be gone, clueless about what hit us."
The village elder couldn't hold back his tears, tightly clutching the other person's sleeves. He even let go of his crutches in the process.
Euphemia was his daughter, but in that moment, he couldn't focus on his own grief. The entire village was on the brink of destruction because of his daughter's actions.
However...
Buck slowly freed himself from the elder's grasp, his expression unmoved. He spoke sternly, "Village Chief! Pay attention, I'm Buck! Buck!"
After asserting himself, Buck placed his now liberated arm on the village chief's shoulder and swiftly turned towards Atlas beside him.
"This is Lord Hakuryu!"
"Oh? I apologize, Mr. Hakuryu. Thanks to you this time..."
"No need for such formality. It's the duty of the Marines to uphold security in our territory, and..."
Atlas gazed at the elderly man before him, who struggled to conceal the sadness in his eyes. Shaking his head, Atlas continued, "I deeply regret not being able to save your daughter in time."
"Master Marine, you!"
The villagers and the village chief were shocked. They never anticipated that Hakuryu, the mightiest Marine, would humble himself and apologize to ordinary civilians like them!
Instantly, a warm sensation filled my heart and even welled up in my eyes!!
"Admiral Hakuryu, you're... so kind!!!"
"Wow—!! Remembering what we said to you earlier, it makes us feel ashamed!!"
"Uuuuuuuu! Admiral Hakuryu, I sincerely apologize for the rude words we spoke before."
The village chief and the villagers behind him couldn't hold back their tears.
Despite being under the influence of Catarina Devon's Devil Fruit power, the memories of that time remained vivid in their minds. Every recollection filled them with a sense of shame.
"Admiral Hakuryu, can I join the Marines?"
Buck suddenly shouted, his voice overpowering even the villagers' cries.
"——?!!"
The villagers were instantly stunned, their gaze fixed on Buck in disbelief.
This typically carefree and laid-back individual wants to become a Marine? Joining the Marines means giving up the freedom he currently enjoys. It involves responsibilities that might include taking lives!
"Admiral Hakuryu, please allow me to join your ranks!!"
Feeling the skeptical stares from others, Buck blushed and, squeezing his neck, declared loudly.
"Why? Why the sudden desire to be a Marine?"
Atlas's expression turned serious, a touch of inquiry in his eyes.
"Because, I... I don't want to feel as helpless as I do now!"
Buck nearly shouted those words, tears welling up in his eyes, clearly reflecting his true emotions.
"....."
The villagers stood in silence, observing Buck. His eyes, filled with tears, stubbornly held them back.
Surprisingly, Euphemia's death had triggered such a significant transformation in this seemingly ordinary man.
"I've sensed your determination to grow stronger, but not everyone can come aboard my ship!"
Atlas remained impassive, turning away and striding towards the clearly visible Ryu-Sen in the distance.
However, he did offer Buck a chance.
"If you can make it to the G-5 base on your own within a year, I'll permit you to become an official Marine."
Truthfully, Atlas still held a certain level of disdain for Buck at this point.
This isn't a fairy tale; it's a harsh reality.
There's no room for wayward individuals to be swayed and welcomed into the ranks of the Marines.
Setting aside the possibility of him being impulsive, considering his current strength, charging into the forefront of the New World would be nothing short of a suicidal act.
"Also, take care of your unruly hair!!"
"Yes, sir!"
Buck, who was somewhat disheartened, instantly perked up upon hearing this. He shouted energetically towards the departing figures of Atlas, "Don't worry! Admiral Hakuryu, you'll definitely see me at the base in one year!!" (T/N: What do you guys think? will he come.)
....
The sea breeze swept through, causing the sea-blue flag to flutter aimlessly in the wind.
Ryu-Sen.
Atlas cast a glance ahead. The remaining shipwrecks bobbed with the waves, and crimson blood stained the seawater.
Slowly fading away...
Several figures, still in the midst of their struggles, rose and fell, ultimately succumbing to the relentless frenzy and disappearing into the cold sea.
"How many groups is this now?"
Atlas furrowed his brow, observing the distant figures cease their struggles. He then turned his gaze back to Enel, who still seemed unsatisfied.
"Huh? It seems... it's already the fourth group?"
Enel appeared confused by the question, expressing uncertainty.
"Idiot, this is the fifth group!!"
Smoker materialized suddenly, delivering a mocking retort to Enel.
"Of course, I know. I just said it wrong on purpose!! Bastard!"
"Hey! I think you're just out of your mind!"
"Asshole Smoker, do you have the guts to go for 300 rounds!!"
"Come here, I just didn't have enough fun, so I don't want you to be so arrogant!!"
Amidst the quarrel, the two of them walked towards the grounds together, evidently intending to have a good exchange of blows.
"There is indeed something amiss. Even with the recent increase in pirates, it's not at such an exaggerated level."
Kyros rubbed the stubble on his chin, deep in thought.
You know, the sea is incredibly vast, and even during patrols, encountering pirates so densely is quite challenging.
Being unlucky enough to come across five consecutive batches of pirates seemed truly exaggerated.
The state of the sea shouldn't be this chaotic, right?
"Call Marineford; Sengoku must know something about the situation!"
Atlas swiftly made a decision. His intuition suggested that something significant was on the verge of happening.
It's implausible for Marine Headquarters, with its focus on the New World, to be oblivious to this situation.
"Marshal Sengoku?"
Kyros appeared momentarily puzzled, then retrieved a Den Den Mushi from his attire and dialed the number.
Atlas had so many Den Den Mushi strapped to him that some were simply attached directly to Kyros, serving as his makeshift communication devices.
As for Smoker...
Atlas's arrival had significantly altered his path of development, resulting in a character quite different from his portrayal in the original storyline.
It was somewhat amusing, particularly in the eyes of Enel.
They had become quite the entertaining duo aboard the ship...
"Moshi Moshi~~I am Sengoku."
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