Behind a crate in the lower deck of the cargo hold.
A pink-haired boy was trembling.
"W-Who are these people…?"
"There were so many pirates, and they didn't even get the chance to resist. They were just… wiped out."
"Once they finish dealing with the upper deck, they'll come down here for sure. What if they decide to kill me too…?"
"If I tell them I'm not a pirate, that I only ended up here by accident after boarding the wrong ship a month ago… That I've just been used as a laborer ever since…"
"Will they believe me?"
"Probably not… Especially since I just helped move cargo to the other ship. Lots of people saw me…"
Koby was scared out of his mind!
He could only pray that when they came to search, they wouldn't look too closely. Maybe then, he'd have a chance to survive.
---
At the same time.
Everyone—hostages on the cruise ship, pirates, and the marines on the Danaan—were stunned.
Just moments ago, when they had all opened fire on the pirates trying to leap between ships and successfully gunned them down…
There was a sudden, splashing crash from the cruise ship's side.
And not just any splash. It sounded like a boulder dropping into the ocean.
No wonder—the weight of Alvida was truly something else.
At that exact moment, she had disappeared beneath the surface.
The marines quickly reacted, rushing from the pirate ship to the opposite side of the cruise ship. They raised their guns and began to fire wildly into the water.
"Cease fire!"
"All units, cease fire!"
The voice came from the air—Luo Lan, stepping through the sky using Geppo.
After everyone stopped firing, Luo Lan gave a wry smile.
Looks like he'd have to educate them more in the future.
For example…
Ordinary bullets can only travel about one meter underwater. Their damage potential drops to almost zero past that.
So firing madly at the sea—even if you aim perfectly—is pointless. You won't hit a thing.
Unless Alvida had somehow remained right at the surface—which she hadn't.
Using his recently awakened Observation Haki, Luo Lan sensed her location.
To his surprise, she had already fled more than 30 meters away and was about 10 meters underwater.
"You all handle the cleanup. Also, there's a pink-haired guy hiding in the lower cargo hold of the pirate ship. Find him and bring him to me when I return!"
"Yes, sir!"
With that, Luo Lan stepped back into the sky and chased after Alvida.
---
Three minutes later.
Under the detection of Luo Lan's Haki, Alvida began to rise.
Eventually, her head broke the surface as she gasped frantically for air.
After all, she was still human—not a fishman. She couldn't breathe underwater.
Even lasting this long was impressive.
"Damn it… I swear I'll get rev—"
Bang!
Before she could finish, a bullet pierced her forehead.
She slowly sank beneath the waves.
This wasn't two years in the future. Alvida hadn't even earned her first bounty yet—just one million berries.
To be honest, Luo Lan had considered it. A million is still money, after all.
But once he saw her in person…
Dear god.
Was it really worth it? To drag her bloated corpse all the way back for a measly bounty?
Definitely not.
He could do without that mental trauma.
Luo Lan turned and left without a second thought.
---
Half an hour later.
Everything of value aboard the pirate ship had been stripped clean.
Even the loot they'd just taken from the cruise ship was confiscated.
Return it? What a joke. People who could afford to board luxury cruise ships were filthy rich to begin with.
Just consider it their rescue fee.
Meanwhile, things on the cruise ship had been handled. The wounded were tended to, the situation stabilized.
Luo Lan and his team soon departed.
Minutes later, the Danaan submerged beneath the sea and vanished from sight.
---
Inside Luo Lan's cabin.
A pink-haired boy had been brought in by marines.
"P-Please don't kill me! I swear I'm not a pirate!"
"How do you know we don't kill people besides pirates?"
Luo Lan grinned as he asked.
"B-Because… earlier, you didn't kill anyone other than pirates. In fact, you even helped treat the wounded!"
"Not bad. You're not stupid. What's your name?"
"K-Koby…"
He answered, still trembling slightly.
Sure, he wasn't as terrified now—but his legs were still shaking.
After all… many people had seen him working with the pirates, helping them move cargo.
He might still be—
"Koby, do you want to join the navy?"
"…Huh?"
He froze.
Did he hear that right?
Was this man asking him to join the navy?
What kind of situation was this?!
"Answer me. Do you want to be a marine?"
"Yes! I've dreamed of becoming a marine for as long as I can remember!"
"Good. Take him below. Until we return, he's your responsibility."
"Yes, Captain!"
The marines escorted a stunned Koby out of the room.
In his mind, one question kept repeating:
Commander? So they really are marines? But… why are they wearing black uniforms?
Truthfully, Luo Lan had struggled with the decision to take Koby in.
After all, in the original timeline—especially during the Marineford War—Koby's actions were… disappointing.
He'd screamed at the height of battle, shaking the morale of the entire navy.
That moment arguably cost them a golden opportunity.
But when Luo Lan thought about it more deeply…
That turning point was all because of Luffy.
Meeting Luffy had completely shaken Koby's beliefs and loyalty.
So what if Luo Lan got to him before that meeting?
With the right training, Koby might still grow into a strong, loyal marine.
No doubt about it—Monkey D. Luffy was the biggest toxin in the One Piece world.
That's why Luo Lan had already decided long ago: he might take in Ace, but he'd never take in Luffy.
That kid was just… too dangerous.
---
On the bridge.
Hina was visibly annoyed.
She had been just about to head out and take command on the front lines—
When Luo Lan shoved her back into her seat.
That's why it was him who appeared on the cruise ship instead of her.
If things kept going like this, wouldn't being a captain become really boring?
All she did was sit here and watch…
"Come on, sister Hina. Luo Lan had a point."
"Oh, he had a point? Hina is very displeased!"
"See? There you go again. You always start with 'Hina.' Anyone who hears that knows it's you immediately!"
"Ugh, Hina di—"
Hina tried to respond, but halfway through she froze.
Because—yet again—she started her sentence with "Hina."
"Hina refuses to believe it…"
"There's no way. Hina will break this habit…"
"Aaaaaah, why does Hina—?!"
Three sentences in a row.
Each time, she meant to say "I."
Each time, it came out as "Hina."
Beside her, Nami was covering her mouth, clearly holding back laughter.
From the look on her face, she was struggling hard not to burst out.
Hina glared at her viciously.
"Hmph. One day, Hina…"
"Will definitely overcome this!!"
---
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