After leaving a small contingent of soldiers with Captain Hill at Loguetown, Hailan took most of the Loguetown Marine base's soldiers to the island where the passenger ship from the Victoria Kingdom had been attacked.
Sitting in the captain's cabin, Hailan closed his eyes and accessed the data panel in his mind.
Identity: Hailan
Perception: Lv5
Computation: Lv6
Skill Proficiency
Finger Pistol: 86%Iron Body: 100%Paper Art: 100%Tempest Kick: 100%Moonwalk: 100%Shave: 100%
Recognition Value: 1103/1000
Achievement: As the highest-ranking officer at the Loguetown Marine base, you have received unanimous praise from most military personnel and civilians, showcasing your excellent leadership abilities.
Achievement "First Showing of Fangs" completed. Achievement points +1 can be used to enhance computational abilities.
Due to the news agency in Loguetown constantly praising the Marine major sent from headquarters, Hailan's recognition value quickly exceeded 1000.
Do you want to spend one achievement point to enhance computational abilities?
Confirm!
Enhancement complete. Your computational abilities have reached Lv7, gaining an additional ability: Eidetic Memory.
Eidetic Memory: Information obtained through careful observation and reading will instantly become a permanent memory. Note: Maintain focus.
Maximum recognition value updated. Data as follows:
Recognition Value: 1103/5000
After ensuring there were no other details, Hailan returned from the system in his mind to reality.
The difference between Lv7 and Lv6 computational abilities felt subtle, but he unexpectedly gained a new ability: eidetic memory.
"Is this an exaggeration, or do I truly have an eidetic memory now?"
Hailan eagerly picked up a document from the table and began reading.
"The bridge kingdom of Tequila Wolf is a country established by the World Government from scratch. Most of its citizens are from countries that refused to join the World Government or are criminals. People toil endlessly in grueling labor. Tequila Wolf has a history of 700 years..."
After reciting the information in his mind, Hailan placed the document back on the table and closed his eyes to recall.
"It's true! I really have an eidetic memory!"
Hailan was delighted with this new ability. The difficulty of learning something new often stems from forgetfulness, not from understanding the principles or methods. Without forgetfulness, errors during practice would decrease significantly. With fewer errors, repeated practice would quickly lead to proficiency.
At Marine headquarters, there were many valuable techniques beyond the Six Powers. Hailan had refrained from learning them all at once, prioritizing the Six Powers instead, fearing he might spread himself too thin. Many abilities he had only briefly studied but not delved into could be revisited, like "Life Return."
"Report, Major Hailan. We've approached the waters of Victoria Kingdom. Please give instructions for the following actions," Wagner reported as he returned from the deck.
Lieutenant Bellemere was on deck, commanding the busy Marines. Hailan placed his documents back in order and walked out of the cabin with Wagner.
"Wagner, lead the first squad to rescue the attacked passenger ship once we arrive. Bellemere, you take the second squad, go undercover, and be ready to respond to enemy ambushes."
"Now, full speed ahead!"
"Yes, sir!"
In less than a moment, the soldiers, already at their posts, navigated the warship toward their destination. Unlike the pirate crews with many idle hands, every Marine had a clear role: navigator, lookout, helmsman, sailor... a warship functioned as a cohesive unit.
When a pirate encountered a warship without strong fighters, it could only flee or attempt a desperate boarding attack.
"Report, sir! We've spotted the attacked passenger ship ahead. There are three pirate ships nearby, but the flags are just ordinary skull flags, not indicating any specific affiliation," the lookout reported from the crow's nest.
"Do not slow down. Keep advancing! Soldier, bring out the chain cannon!"
The cannon Hailan referred to was not a regular fixed ship cannon but one designed to fire chain shot. Chain shot is a particular type of ammunition where a chain connects two smaller-than-bore cannonballs. Once fired, one ball drags the other, spinning and tearing through enemy sails and, if lucky, even breaking masts.
Though typically unpredictable, hitting the target required luck, but this was not an issue for Hailan with his Lv7 computational abilities.
In the distance, the pirate lookout also noticed the rapidly approaching warship.
"Boss, look! The Marines from Loguetown are here, just as expected!"
Sam's fleet's combat captain, Koch, shouted, "Everyone, stay sharp!"
"You've all heard, haven't you? Because of a headquarters major, the once pathetic Loguetown Marines have turned into fierce warriors."
"But who are we? We are the pirates of Sam's Grand Fleet, living lives of blood and steel!"
"Our strength isn't from training but from killing!"
"Show them the terror of Sam's Grand Fleet! I'll call Sam for reinforcements. You don't have to kill that major. Just hold out until Sam arrives, and you can board his flagship!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
Fired up by Koch's speech, the pirates roared, their eyes gleaming with the ferocity of wild beasts. Koch, however, used the pretext of calling Sam to retreat from the battlefield quietly. These pirates were cannon fodder, pawns in Sam's gamble with countless lives.
BOOM!
The warship's cannon fired the first shot of the battle. Typically, cannon duels were just for show, but today, the cannon fire was unusually accurate.
The spinning chain shot, gleaming in the sunlight, tore through the air like a saw, instantly cutting two pirates in half who couldn't dodge in time.