The box creaked open, revealing its contents. Junichi reached out and placed his hand on the stacks of berries, his fingers lightly brushing over them as he used Observation Haki to sense carefully.
In an instant, he knew the exact amount.
40 million berries. That was the advantage of Observation Haki, no need to count everything piece by piece and waste precious time.
"You can count it if you'd like," Reizo said, making a gesture of invitation.
It meant Junichi was free to check.
"No need. 40 million berries, I'm actually getting the better end of the deal," he withdrew his fingers and casually closed the box.
A flash of surprise crossed Reizo's eyes again. The nearby subordinates also looked shocked. He just brushed his fingers over the money and knew how much was inside?
Observation Haki? Reizo silently guessed in his heart. He's definitely on a monster level!
Thinking that, he felt even more relieved that he had handled the transaction professionally.
Unlike certain officers who might "miscount" bounty payments or create unnecessary complications for people collecting rewards, he had simply done his job correctly. Attempting to shortchange someone with such perceptive abilities would have been not only dishonorable but potentially dangerous, and he had no interest in finding out what happened to bureaucrats who tried to cheat someone of this caliber.
Still, he would be writing a report as soon as he got back.
Since Roger started the Great Pirate Era, the Marines had been severely short-staffed. Which meant they were hungry for talent. Anyone with potential or skill would be enthusiastically recruited, even if they couldn't be recruited, they at least wanted to build good relationships.
Otherwise, if such people turned to piracy for any reason, it would only worsen the Marines' burden.
Reizo suddenly spoke, smiling as he said, "Would you happen to be interested in joining the Marines?"
He was just following protocol. The higher-ups had instructed them to invite anyone with promise. But very few ever agreed. Most people who took to the seas weren't keen on being restrained.
He didn't expect Junichi to agree either, he was just doing his duty by extending the invitation.
Unexpectedly...
"Yes, I am," Junichi gave a surprising answer. "I was actually planning to enlist at Marine Headquarters."
"Huh?" Reizo froze for a moment before his eyes suddenly lit up. "Really? The Marines desperately needs talented young people like you! Let me write you a recommendation letter, save you the hassle of going through all the red tape!"
Upon hearing that, Junichi smiled. As expected, coming in person to claim the bounty was the right move. Right now, the Great Pirate Era had just begun. The Shichibukai system wasn't yet established, and the Four Emperors hadn't been "born."
The entire Grand Line was in chaos from top to bottom. The Marines didn't even have time to manage the Four Blues anymore. At a time like this, as long as you had talent and showed interest in joining, you'd get the green light instantly.
"Thank you," Junichi said with a smile.
"No need to be so polite." Reizo's grin stretched wide with happiness. This would also count as a personal achievement. Recommending a gifted young man to join the Marines would definitely earn him some internal rewards.
He might even be granted a Devil Fruit? Even a basic Zoan-type was rare and valuable enough to help him break through his limits.
"Just wait a moment, I'll go to the office and write it up now," he said quickly, hurrying off to his office.
Junichi wasn't in a rush. He waited patiently. The others began looking at Junichi differently, because he planned to join the Marines. In their eyes, his identity had shifted from bounty hunter to future comrade.
He was one of them now.
In an instant, their attitude became more enthusiastic. They proactively served him tea and handed him the latest news.
Before long, Reizo returned with an envelope, laughing heartily. "There are two copies of the recommendation letter, one I've sent to HQ through our channels, and one for you to keep as proof of identity. When you get to Marineford, just show this ID letter, and you'll be able to skip all the complicated inspections and enlist directly. Want me to send a warship to escort you?"
"No need, I still have some matters to handle first." Junichi took the recommendation letter and politely declined. He still needed to return to the Sabaody Archipelago to say goodbye to Rayleigh and the others.
"In that case, let me at least see you off," Reizo said with a hint of reluctance.
Junichi was escorted to the base's dock, where he boarded a small boat from the Ten Rat Pirates. Every large ship typically came with a few smaller boats.
He had sold the Ten Rat Pirates' large ship to the Marines in a bundle deal and was now using one of the small boats to return to Sabaody Archipelago.
"This is far enough, Vice Admiral Reizo," Junichi said, waving farewell.
"Alright, safe travels." Reizo stood on the shore, waving warmly with a smile.
Junichi nodded, raised the sail, and set off from the naval base. Not until his figure completely disappeared into the distance did Reizo reluctantly look away and lead his subordinates back into the base.
---
At Marineford, the Headquarters of the Marines, Sengoku suddenly let out a surprised sound.
"Huh?"
A high-priority recommendation letter had just arrived from G-4 Branch, recommending a 15-year-old boy to join Marine Headquarters.
"Took down the Ten Rat Pirates alone, without injury? Tamed the cursed sword Oni-me, suspected to be a Swodsman, and possibly has Armament and Observation Haki?"
Seeing this, he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He wondered if he was hallucinating. How could such an outrageous report land on his desk?
But when he looked again, the report was still there. And the contents were just as exaggerated.
"...Reizo, you've got to be joking with me," Sengoku said, irritated, and picked up the Den Den Mushi to make a call.
Brrrr... brrrr...
The call connected.
"Hello, Fleet Admiral?" Reizo's voice came through.
"Are you playing some kind of sick joke?!" Sengoku barked, launching straight into a rant. "A 15-year-old Swordsman with both types of Haki?!"
"You think that's possible?"
"Have you been reading too many novels, or are you just sleep-deprived?!"
The Den Den Mushi took on Reizo's dejected expression. "It's not a joke. I wouldn't dare joke with you," he replied meekly. "The boy is really strong. Just standing in front of him gave me goosebumps."
"Hmm?" Hearing that, Sengoku raised an eyebrow. He knew Reizo's strength.
He had Observation Haki, but not Armament Haki. Among Vice Admirals, he was mid-to-lower tier.
Typically, headquarters Vice Admirals possessed both Observation and Armament Haki. Only those who rose through seniority alone might lack Haki.
Reizo was one of those who made it partially on strength, partially on tenure.
"Then your judgment may actually hold some truth." Sengoku said, thinking deeply.
Just being a Swordsman wouldn't be enough to intimidate a Vice Admiral.
And since Reizo had Observation Haki, for him to feel threatened, this Junichi kid would need to have both Haki types and be beyond the level of a typical Swordsman.
His doubts began to fade.
"He might be arriving at Marineford soon. You'll see for yourself," Reizo's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
Sengoku nodded. "Alright then. I'll see with my own eyes."
And with that, he coldly hung up.
Bloop... bloop... bloop...
Watching the Den Den Mushi bubble and settle, Reizo sighed and put the receiver down.
He hadn't even gotten the chance to ask for his reward. Guess he'd have to wait until next time.
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50 Advance chapters!
[email protected]/Malphegor