Chapter 49

"He looks just like an ordinary boy, seems like nothing special."

"Is he a Fruit ability user?"

"I don't know."

"You!"

Kapu, wearing a white suit, a dog-head hat, and a great正义 cloak, walked over and shouted at the几名 navy personnel: "Don't gossip behind someone's back—don't you know that's extremely rude?!"

"Ah, yes, yes!!"

After driving away the navy personnel, Kapu walked to Luo En's side and smiled at him: "How's your Haki training going?"

"Not well—no suitable opponents, progress is slow."

Luo En leaned on the railing, gazing at the sea before him.

"Hahaha, once we reach Navy Headquarters, you'll have as many such opponents as you want."

Kapu laughed heartily.

"Let me be clear—I'm only a specially recruited intern of the Navy; I won't help you capture pirates."

"The Navy hasn't sunk so low that it needs an eleven-year-old child to lead troops and capture pirates," Kapu scratched his nose.

"I've already spoken with Zen'yo—I arranged for you to visit the Navy Academy, train with the strong there, and you'll grow much stronger."

Luo En glanced at Kapu, surprised:

"Does the Navy trust me this much?"

"Hmm… mainly because they want to recruit you."

Kapu flicked away a booger. "Zen'yo's been driving himself to white hair these past years, desperate to build up the Navy's next generation. If a little monster like you joins the Navy and is trained well, you could very well carry an entire era."

"Three-year internship—even if you ultimately refuse to join the Navy, as long as you don't aid pirates or oppose the Navy, and if you're willing, you can keep the title of Navy Special Recruit Intern. Aside from not being able to command troops or weapons, you'll still have plenty of privileges—very useful for you."

"But if you show any sign of siding with pirates or opposing the Navy…"

Kapu stopped, staring at Luo En.

Luo En understood the meaning in his gaze.

"You'll eliminate me early, while I'm still in the cradle."

Kapu roared with laughter: "Something like that, yes."

Kapu actually had more to say.

The decision to make Luo En a Navy Special Recruit Intern had sparked some controversy within the Navy; some officers disagreed with changing Navy rules for a child.

But Zen'yo used his Marshal's authority to silence all dissent.

If Luo En betrays the Navy, Zen'yo will bear primary responsibility.

And he made this decision not because he trusted an unknown child, but because he trusted his closest friend Kapu—and was willing to stake his own Marshal's position for the Navy's future!

41, Water Seven, Mechanical Mastery (5/5)

More than ten days later, the warship left the East Blue and entered the Calm Belt.

Because the ship's hull was lined with Seastone, it would not be attacked by the giant Sea Kings of the Calm Belt.

When they reached the Calm Belt,

mist rose from the sea.

Then, a pirate ship slowly emerged from the mist.

Its flag bore a skull wrapped by nine snakes shaped like the sun.

The pirate ship was pulled forward by two enormous "swimming snakes."

"Impossible—other than Navy warships, how can a pirate ship enter the Calm Belt?"

A young navy officer stared in shock at the pirate ship passing ahead.

"Should we attack, Vice Admiral Kapu?"

Kapu, snoring and blowing snot bubbles, was shaken awake.

He glanced, then waved his hand: "No, no, no need to attack. That's the Nine Snake Pirates—not on the wanted list."

Then he fell back asleep.

The young navy officers around him froze.

"Nine Snake Pirates? Never heard of them."

"It's a pirate crew, but we don't need to capture them?"

One navy officer scratched his head, watching the ship slowly drift past the warship.

Luo En was also slightly stunned.

Do these Navy officers not even know about the Nine Snake Pirates or the Pirate Empress?

Then he immediately realized.

The current timeline must be six years before Ace set sail, nine years before Luffy set sail—Boa Hancock should be only about twenty years old.

Has she not yet embarked on her expedition and earned the title Pirate Empress?

That explains why it's not strange.

After crossing the Calm Belt, they entered the Grand Line.

Kapu had woken up.

"Vice Admiral Kapu, we need to refuel."

"What's the nearest island where we can resupply?"

"Hmm… Water Seven."

"Good, head there first for resupply."

The warship arrived at Water Seven three days later.

Kapu walked over to Luo En, who was swinging his long saber, and winked at him with a grin: "Luo En kid, resupply will still take half a day. How about coming ashore with this old man? It's been ages since the two of us had a drinking contest…"

"Sure, but my drinking capacity has improved by leaps and bounds, just like my strength,"

Luo En sheathed his saber, glanced at Kapu, and said: "Old man, don't pass out after a few cups like last time. I don't want to have to carry you back."

"Hahaha, no way! This old man is Kapu! I was already drinking before you were even born, kid."

Kapu flashed a row of big white teeth and laughed heartily at Luo En.

"Oh? Then who was it that got drunk and called me 'big brother' last time at Magino's place?"

"That time doesn't count, that time doesn't count!"

The two figures of Kapu and Luo En, one big and one small, walked down from the warship, while a group of young Marines behind them who had overheard their conversation stood dumbfounded.

【Beep. The host's current location meets the sign-in conditions. Sign in? A successful sign-in will grant a sign-in reward.】

The long-awaited system prompt rang out in Luo En's mind.

He said inwardly: "Sign in."

【Sign-in successful.

Sign-in reward obtained: Qi and Blood +10.

Sign-in reward obtained: Mechanical Mastery.】

A massive amount of knowledge about machinery instantly flooded Luo En's mind; the sheer volume of it made him feel for a moment as if his head were about to explode.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Kapu looked at Luo En, who had stopped walking with a strange expression on his face, and asked in confusion.

"No, it's nothing."

Luo En wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

"Oh."

Kapu didn't suspect anything further. "How about that tavern?"

"Sure, but I didn't bring any money. That place looks pretty high-end. Old man, do you have any cash?"

Luo En, who had quickly recovered after circulating the Sun Breathing technique, looked at Kapu and said.

"No money."

Kapu said matter-of-factly.

"Don't worry, we'll have them go ask the local Marines for it later."

"…"

"Don't overthink it, let's go!"

Kapu threw an arm around Luo En's neck and led him toward the high-end tavern.