Because Arashi's mission on Swallow Island was still ongoing, he didn't receive any system notification even after arriving at Joy Town on Svalo Island.
But Arashi didn't care.
As long as he was having fun, missions didn't matter.
The streets of Joy Town were bustling with activity. The architectural styles lining both sides of the road were a complete mix. There were Gothic-style buildings similar to those of the Ilusia Kingdom, structures resembling the architecture of the Kano Country, and most commonly, simple stone houses built from stacked rock.
There weren't many pedestrians on the streets, but every single one wore a smile. It was obvious that the people here lived relatively comfortable lives. Their smiles certainly lived up to the town's name. After all, Joy Town's slogan was to bring happiness and warmth to everyone. Anyone who came here never had to worry about being discriminated against.
"Arashi, Robin and I are going shopping!"
The moment Perona arrived on the town's main street and saw the dazzling variety of goods on display, she could no longer contain herself. She immediately grabbed Robin and ran off. Robin, having completely opened her heart and integrated into a normal life, now looked every bit like the friendly older sister next door. Under Perona's influence, even her taste in clothing had begun to change.
In the past, she hadn't particularly liked Lolita fashion. Gothic Lolita in particular felt too dark for her tastes. But after spending so much time with Perona, she gradually began trying other styles of Lolita fashion. Lighter-colored outfits gave off a soft, delicate, almost vulnerable feeling, making someone her age seem even more youthful and vibrant.
"Go ahead, go ahead."
Arashi glanced around before pointing at a tavern on the left side of the street.
"I'll wait for you there. Oh, right—buy some disinfectants and medical supplies for Old Wolf."
Before Arashi had even finished speaking, Perona and Robin had already disappeared into a clothing store.
Seeing this, Arashi shook his head with a smile and walked into the tavern.
Since he was alone, he didn't bother with a booth. He ordered a glass of whiskey and sat down at the bar.
The tavern had probably just opened for business. The entire hall contained only a single customer—Arashi.
"Sir, your whiskey."
The bartender placed the drink in front of him before politely asking,
"This is your first time in Joy Town, isn't it?"
"Sharp eyes."
Arashi smiled and nodded.
"It is indeed my first time in Joy Town. To be precise, it's my first time in the North Blue."
"Are you here on business?"
"No. Traveling."
"Then I wish you a pleasant journey, sir."
Since there were no other customers in the tavern, the bartender enthusiastically struck up a conversation with Arashi. Arashi also took the opportunity to learn about Joy Town's customs and local culture through him.
Meanwhile—
A warship slowly sailed into Joy Town's harbor and smoothly docked at the port.
Immediately afterward, a man wearing a Marine Brigadier General's uniform stepped out of the cabin and onto the deck.
"Brigadier General, sir!"
The Marines instantly raised their right hands in salute.
The man looked to be around twenty-three or twenty-four years old. He had a hooked nose and wore an eyepatch. Though young, he possessed the bearing of a true military commander.
X Drake.
Marine Headquarters Brigadier General.
User of the Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Allosaurus Model.
Standing on the deck, Drake gazed at Joy Town ahead. Beneath his eyepatch, a trace of coldness flashed through his eyes.
He hadn't expected to return to the North Blue again.
If possible, he truly never wanted to set foot in this place again.
But as a Marine officer, and as a Brigadier General personally promoted by Vice Admiral Tsuru of Marine Headquarters, he had no choice but to obey orders and return to the North Blue to carry out his mission.
Of course, if he completed this assignment successfully, he would be promoted to Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral, becoming one of the youngest Rear Admirals in Marine Headquarters.
"Let's go. We'll rest in town for half a day."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Drake leapt directly from the deck. Without caring whether the Marines behind him had caught up, he strode toward Joy Town.
Just as Drake led his Marines into the town, a pirate ship entered Joy Town's waters and headed straight for the harbor.
On the fluttering pirate flag, a vicious-looking straw scarecrow stood out prominently.
A group of pirates dressed uniformly like occult practitioners stood neatly behind a young man carrying a longsword at his waist.
The man had flowing blond hair and a slender build. He wore a frilled white shirt.
Beneath that long golden hair was a pale, melancholy face devoid of expression, giving off an eerie yet calculating aura.
Basil Hawkins.
User of the Straw-Straw Fruit.
Captain of the Hawkins Pirates, a rising force that had emerged in the North Blue over the past six months.
On the deck, a Hawkins Pirates member peered through a telescope. The moment he spotted the Marine warship docked at Joy Town's harbor, his pupils contracted.
"Damn it! Marines!"
He quickly walked over to Hawkins and bowed.
"Captain, there's a Marine warship in Joy Town's harbor. Should we—"
Hawkins ignored him and continued performing a divination with a deck of tarot cards.
A moment later, he finished.
Slowly raising his head, he spoke in a deep and steady voice.
"No need. Today's luck is good."
After a brief pause, he added,
"However, if we kill anyone today, our fortune will become very poor."
"So no one is to cause trouble in Joy Town. Buy supplies and leave."
The tavern gradually became more crowded.
The bartender became busy serving customers and no longer had time to continue chatting with Arashi.
Arashi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
That bartender was an absolute chatterbox.
For two straight hours, Arashi had been nothing more than a listener while the man endlessly rambled about every conceivable detail of Joy Town. He had even talked about what pets his next-door neighbors kept.
If Arashi hadn't arranged to meet Perona and Robin here, he would have slipped away long ago.
"Marines?!"
Just as Arashi raised his glass while sitting alone at the bar, his attention was drawn to a group entering the tavern.
The newcomer was none other than Marine Headquarters Brigadier General X Drake.
The moment Drake entered, the previously noisy hall suddenly fell silent.
Almost every gaze in the tavern focused on him.
The abrupt silence caused Drake to frown slightly.
"Are all of you pirates?"
His brows knitted together as he coldly said,
"If you're not pirates, then continue with whatever you were doing. Otherwise, I'll treat every last one of you as pirates and take you away!"
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