The moment Major Kaiweiya pushed the door open, he attracted the attention of everyone in the room.
Hearing it was the highest command, Haisier and the others immediately thought of the Colonel Shan Xi mentioned, and they all sat up straight. None of them had ever seen a Marine officer of colonel rank.
They never expected that just coming to collect a bounty would attract a Marine Colonel. A Colonel was considered top fighting strength in the East Blue. The highest rank in the East Blue Branch was only Colonel, enough to deter pirates in that area and keep them from causing trouble.
Only Raiden Ei remained as calm as ever. Although she hadn't seen many situations, she knew how to put on an act.
From the moment he entered the reception hall, Kaiweiya had been observing everyone's reactions. Everyone else showed some reaction, except for one beautiful Damselette with purple hair who showed no reaction to his words. He could basically confirm that she was the young woman who had slain Kuriya and the others, but he still needed to confirm it.
Kaiweiya surveyed the room: "May I ask who the Bounty Hunter is that annihilated the Silver Axe Pirate Crew?"
Haisier and the others all looked towards Raiden Ei, as if indicating that she was the one he was looking for, and it had little to do with them.
Raiden Ei stated it directly: "Yes, it was me. Can I have the bounty now?"
Naturally, Kaiweiya would not offend someone capable of slaying a pirate with a bounty of twenty-eight million. He ordered a Marine to bring the box over: "Of course. The entire bounty is here, totaling sixty-three million. Miss, what is your name?"
Raiden Ei took the box handed to her by the Marine and opened it to take a look. It was filled entirely with banknotes of ten thousand denomination. She didn't check closely, just confirming it looked about right. She didn't understand the currency here very well. She closed the box and, right in front of Kaiweiya, placed it directly into the system backpack.
"My name is Raiden Ei. You can just call me by my name."
Kaiweiya wasn't surprised to see Raiden Ei put the box away into an unknown location; he was just a bit astonished that she might be a Devil Fruit User: "Is that so, Miss Shogun? Are you a Devil Fruit User?"
Raiden Ei didn't care if others misunderstood her. If they thought so, so be it. She only used her abilities casually because she knew there were Devil Fruit Users in this world. If discovered and labeled as a Devil Fruit ability, no one would be suspicious. She had already planned that if anyone asked about her ability, she would just say it was the Storage Fruit.
"Yes, I am a Devil Fruit User. My ability is item storage."
"Thank you for clarifying, Miss Shogun. Could you inform us where you annihilated the Silver Axe Pirate Crew? We need to record it."
"I am not sure which sea area it was. If you want to know, go ask Gatt! He stayed on the pirate ship the longest, and he served as the Navigator when sailing at sea."
Kaiweiya thought that made sense and turned to ask: "Which one is Mr. Gatt?"
When Gatt heard Raiden Ei mention him, he knew this was the best opportunity to join the Marines and gain recognition in front of a Marine Colonel. That was a way to get promoted quickly! He silently prepared himself.
Gatt walked out from the side and stood somewhat nervously in front of Kaiweiya: "Colonel, it is I. I am Gatt, also a Navigator. I was captured and brought aboard by the Silver Axe Pirate Crew about a month ago when I went to join the Marines. I was then rescued by Miss Raiden Ei and have been serving as the ship's Navigator. I know everything that has happened during this period."
Kaiweiya was a bit surprised; this was a potential Marine recruit: "Not bad. I will question you later. Miss Shogun, which island do you reside on? Why did you decide to go out to sea as a Bounty Hunter? Is Raiden Ei your moniker? I am not trying to pry into your affairs, just a bit curious."
Raiden Ei glanced at the man with a serious expression, thinking, 'With that expression, are you even being serious about being curious?': "It's just an ordinary island, nothing much to say. I was originally an Adventurer, but I killed a few pirates with bounties, so I used the identity of a Bounty Hunter to come here and exchange them for rewards."
Everyone in the reception hall was now listening intently to the conversation between the two important figures. They didn't mind who overheard, as they were also curious to satisfy their own curiosity.
Kaiweiya: "Oh! It seems Miss Shogun also deeply detests pirates. What are your thoughts on the current state of pirates on the Great Sea?"
Raiden Ei didn't quite understand what the man was rambling about: "It's not exactly deep detestation, I just can't stand seeing them. If I see a pirate I dislike in the future, I'll kill them. Nothing more to it."
A slight smile appeared on Kaiweiya's serious face: "Miss Shogun, what do you think of us, the Marines?"
Raiden Ei still hadn't grasped Kaiweiya's meaning: "Not very good!"
"Oh! I see. I now invite you to join the Marines. We are the Marines who bear justice, sharing the same goal as you. I sincerely invite you to join."
"Why should I join the Marines? Do they provide free food here? I want to join, but my goal is to be an Adventurer, searching for treasures and such. My goal is different from yours."
Kaiweiya put on his stern face again: "Why wouldn't you join the Marines? You managed to annihilate a pirate worth twenty-eight million at such a young age. If you join the Marines, your future prospects will surely be limitless."
Raiden Ei certainly knew her future prospects would be limitless, but what did that have to do with the Marines? The Marines didn't possess the vast resources she needed for upgrades.
Furthermore, there was a stack of superiors. Climbing up from the bottom would waste a large amount of time. She lacked nothing else, and it would be faster to gather resources by directly being an Adventurer.
Raiden Ei looked at the serious man and realized he was being a bit too earnest. If she didn't give him a satisfactory answer, this would never end. She decided to placate him and get it over with: "Well, thank you for your affirmation, but I don't wish to join the Marines right now."
Kaiweiya's expression softened: "That's good. When you do decide to join, be sure to come find me. I will introduce you..."
Everyone in the reception hall could tell Raiden Ei was being perfunctory, yet only Kaiweiya believed she was being sincere.
The Marines standing behind Kaiweiya couldn't help but cover their faces. Their superior was good at everything, except discerning the tone of what others said.
"Major Kaiweiya, there is one more matter that requires your assistance. As the embodiment of justice, I'm sure you won't refuse, right?"
"That is certainly true. The Marines carry the banner of justice. It is our honor to help others. Please speak!"
"You are also aware that the Silver Axe Pirate Ship carried out a raid on Vinia Island some time ago. Gatt was not the only person captured aboard by the pirates. There were 10 others who were captured during the raid on Vinia Island. I hope you can send them back to Vinia Island." She gestured for Kaiweiya to look at the people in the reception hall.
"Of course. I will dispatch a warship tomorrow to send them back. That is also the duty of our Marines."
"Mm, very well then."
Haisier and the others became excited. They could go back tomorrow! They were still somewhat grateful to Raiden Ei. If they had spoken up, they surely wouldn't have been treated with such importance, and even if they were sent back, it would take a long time.
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