Nicola and the others watched as Raiden Ei's aura suddenly intensified. The pirates struggling on the sea surface sank into the ocean, and they couldn't quite understand what was happening. Even though she had become a bit terrifying, she shouldn't have fainted, right!
Nicola turned and asked the well-traveled Shan Xi, "Uncle, do you know why they all fainted?"
Shan Xi... this wasn't the time to discuss that: "I don't know!" He faced Raiden Ei. Seeing that she was a woman, there were quite a few female pirates on the great sea, and moreover, she was a Swordmaster. Following her would surely lead to success.
Shan Xi weighed his options and made up his mind. He bent down and shouted, "Lord Raiden Ei, please allow me to follow you."
Shan Xi's declaration confused the other three a bit. This was a genuine pirate! Their brains should be different from ordinary people. But they all understood the meaning behind his words.
Raiden Ei frowned slightly, looking at the rough-faced big man, and refused without a second thought: "I don't need you. You should find someone else!"
Shan Xi lowered his head, preparing to plead further: "Lord Raiden Ei, please keep me. I can do anything. Please let me become your subordinate!"
Raiden Ei became somewhat impatient: "I don't need you. How many times must I say it? I don't need you."
Hearing her slightly impatient tone, Shan Xi dared not press on. He feared that if he wasn't careful, he might be killed. On the great sea, the strong are always respected; if she was displeased, she could kill him outright.
He should focus on working hard first! Once Lord Raiden Ei saw his value, she would surely let him join.
Not lingering by the ship's railing, Raiden Ei returned to the cabin to rest after finishing off the pirates. Nicola and Sang continued their patrol duties. The others were unaffected, and the ship continued sailing on the vast sea.
They occasionally encountered pirate ships. After sailing for three days and nearing Dokabaka Island, they stopped running into pirate raids, but they did notice some pirates mingling with merchant ships entering Dokabaka Island.
Raiden Ei wasn't training now. She hadn't seen so many people in a long time. Standing by the railing, she watched and admired the scenery here, unaware that she, standing by the railing, had also become scenery in the eyes of others.
Some people only admired her, and occasionally someone would call out to her, but she paid them no mind. She knew her current appearance. As long as the words weren't too outrageous, she could pretend not to hear them.
If the words were too aggressive, then don't blame her for her fast blade. Did they think they were worthy of desiring her?
Haisier supported himself and came to Raiden Ei's side. He had recovered now, but was still a bit weak. It would probably take about ten more days for his physique to fully heal. Gatt and the others were not as severely injured as him and were also nearly recovered.
Shan Xi left when they were close to Dokabaka. He still hoped to follow Raiden Ei. The ship was now being steered by Haisier and the others.
Haisier: "We are almost at the West Port. Does General Miss have any other instructions?"
Raiden Ei thought about what she needed to do: "How much do you know about Dokabaka Island?"
"I have never been here before, I only heard about it. Shan Xi mentioned it a few times while chatting with me these past few days."
"Oh... tell me about it."
"Alright. Dokabaka Island is a large island made up of three connected islands. The weather here is mild year-round, and many people choose to reside here. It is a relatively famous grain production area in the East Blue.
There is one town on the island, with about a dozen villages scattered around the periphery. A Marine Branch is stationed there to facilitate the Marines in maintaining order and protecting the island's safety. The current highest-ranking officer at the Marine Branch is Colonel Kaiweiya, who is very powerful.
I don't know much else. Most of this was probably what Shan Xi picked up from the bar, so it might not be entirely trustworthy."
"Oh, what is the quality of these Marines?"
"Uh... I don't know."
"Is that so? Then let's head to the Marine Branch. It's a good time to exchange the bounties as well."
Haisier agreed. Raiden Ei looked at the island, which resembled a continent, getting closer and closer. There were quite a few ships sailing along with them. After entering the port, the docks were bustling with people.
After Raiden Ei and the others moored the ship properly, they disembarked one after another. Her action of storing the ship into the system backpack caused quite a stir, but no one came to disturb her; they were all whispering. Haisier and the others were already used to it.
The surrounding environment was not unfamiliar to Nicola and the others. On the contrary, Raiden Ei looked like a country bumpkin entering the city for the first time, curious about everything around her, but she didn't do anything that deviated from her established persona.
Nicola had been very excited since arriving on the island, pulling people aside to point things out, which truly made the atmosphere among their group much more cheerful.
They walked unhurriedly along the way, passing building after building, stall after stall, in the bustling streets, and occasionally seeing Marine patrols. They did not stop in the streets, heading straight for the Marine Branch.
Nicola: "We're here, the Marine Branch. It looks much more imposing than the one on Vinia Island."
The others nodded in agreement. Indeed, without hesitation, they walked into the Marine Branch.
Half an hour later
"Knock, knock."
"Enter."
A Marine opened the door and quickly walked to stand in front of the desk: "Report to the Colonel, a woman has come to the Branch to claim a bounty."
Kaiweiya: "Is there a problem with that?"
Marine: "Report, she wants to claim the bounties for Kuriya and Langqi of the Silver Axe Pirate Crew, and Glock. We have already confirmed; they are indeed their corpses."
"Hmm, that is indeed major news." Kaiweiya stood up, put on his justice coat, and walked towards the door. He didn't forget to call out to the Marine: "Let's go. We need to see this powerhouse who managed to eliminate the Silver Axe Pirate Crew."
Marine: "Yes, Colonel."
Reception Hall
Raiden Ei and the others had been at the Marine Branch for half an hour. After handing over the pirates with bounties to the Marines, the Marines said they needed to look up the bounty warrants to confirm her identity, asking them to wait there.
Nicola became somewhat impatient: "Aiya! Why is it taking so long? How long do we have to wait?"
Sang reached out and grabbed Nicola's hand: "It's just a moment. Everyone is here. What are you complaining about? Come here, I'll chat with you."
Nicola tried hard to pull away: "Don't treat me like a child being coaxed!"
Raiden Ei withdrew her gaze from the window, glanced at the two who were playfully wrestling, and wondered if they were the designated atmosphere setters? However, it had been too long; even she was getting annoyed.
Suddenly, her Observation Haki perceived someone approaching, so she gave Nicola and the others a warning. Soon after, the door was pushed open. The first person to enter was a Marine officer clad in a justice coat.
He looked to be in his late thirties or early forties, with short black hair, tall and sturdy, and wearing a pair of sunglasses. Behind him followed a Marine carrying a box.
Kaiweiya: "Hello, I am the highest-ranking commander here, Kaiweiya."
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