Caelan steered his boat toward the Marine branch base in the Sambas Sea.
Just two hours earlier, he had exchanged bounty rewards at this very base.
He hadn't expected to catch two big fish in the time it took to enjoy a meal.
Krieg was worth 17 million berries, and Gin was worth 11 million berries.
"After I turn in this bounty, maybe I should go back for another meal."
"Who knows, maybe more big fish will show up if I eat there again?"
"Hahaha!"
Caelan couldn't help but laugh at the thought.
...
At the Baratie in the Sambas Sea.
Mihawk's small raft floated on the waters, surrounded by shipwreck debris.
Mihawk picked up a piece of shattered timber, closed his eyes, and used Observation Haki to sense the lingering traces of battle.
After a moment, Mihawk opened his eyes.
"Good swordsmanship. Impressive power."
In terms of swordsmanship itself, it was excellent. Though still a level below Mihawk's own mastery, the power behind the strikes at the scene had earned his recognition.
Compared to the monsters of the Beasts Pirates, this swordsman was not far behind.
"It seems I may have a worthy opponent in the future."
Mihawk smiled faintly. He acknowledged Caelan's potential.
However, for now, Mihawk had no intention of testing him. The man was still a bit too inexperienced.
On the other side.
After sailing for another hour, Caelan returned once again to the Marine branch base.
Carrying Gin and Krieg with him, Caelan walked straight in.
"Isn't that Mr. Caelan? Didn't he just come here this morning?"
Several bounty hunters gathered in the hall whispered to each other, looking at Caelan with puzzled expressions.
These bounty hunters had come in earlier that morning to turn in their own bounties, and they were still here, bragging about their exploits.
For them, any bounty exchange wasn't complete without a few hours of storytelling.
"He probably just picked off a few small-time pirates somewhere."
One tall, thin bounty hunter said sourly. He didn't believe Caelan could have gained anything significant in just a few hours.
"That's Don Krieg, and his top officer, the Man-Demon Gin!"
A bounty hunter suddenly shouted, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
"It's true!"
"How is that possible?!"
"That's a big-name pirate with a bounty in the tens of millions!"
The bamboo-thin bounty hunter was completely dumbfounded, staring at Caelan as if looking at a monster.
The jealousy he had felt toward Caelan earlier vanished completely, replaced by respect and fear.
Caelan had wiped out the Krieg Pirates, eliminating a major scourge of the East Blue. That alone earned their respect.
But what truly frightened them was Caelan's overwhelming strength. Taking down Krieg so easily meant that killing any of them would be effortless for him.
The bamboo-thin bounty hunter made up his mind to stay at the Marine base for now, hoping it would be safer.
He didn't realize that Caelan didn't even consider someone like him worth noticing.
For Caelan, such small-time characters were not even worth the time it would take to look at them.
Hearing the commotion, the Marine officer at the bounty exchange window quickly rushed over to Caelan.
Capturing two pirates worth tens of millions in just three hours was simply unbelievable.
After a careful inspection, the Marine confirmed their identities.
The former overlord of the East Blue was now a corpse, and his top subordinate lay unconscious beside him.
"Mr. Caelan, thank you for your help in eliminating this threat from the East Blue!"
The Marine saluted Caelan respectfully, his voice loud and clear.
There was even a trace of regret in his eyes. Why wouldn't someone like Caelan consider joining the Marines?
The branch's commanding officer had already invited him several times, but Caelan had refused every offer.
"I'll extend the invitation again. I sincerely hope you will consider joining the Marines. Headquarters is willing to appoint you as a captain."
The Marine tried once more. What if this time Caelan agreed?
The surrounding bounty hunters all gasped, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads.
The rank of captain in the Marines meant command of a branch base in the East Blue, with hundreds of subordinates, a patrol ship, and countless hidden benefits.
The bounty hunters stared at Caelan, practically wishing they could agree on his behalf.
"No need. I'm used to my freedom."
Without the slightest hesitation, Caelan decisively turned down the offer.
The bounty hunters were stunned. Such favorable terms, rejected so easily!
But Caelan would never allow himself to be shackled.
The Marines were nothing more than a tool of the World Government, bodyguards for the Celestial Dragons.
Many righteous men had joined with ideals, only to become disillusioned after witnessing the corruption of the World Government.
Caelan would never allow himself to walk that path.
He had come to this world with the Heroic Spirit Synchronization System.
Was it just to find a master and remain a servant?
Becoming a bounty hunter suited him far better. Free to sail the seas and kill those who angered him.
Caelan waved his hand.
Under the stunned gazes of everyone, he left the Marine base with 28 million berries.
The Marines remained behind with the bounty hunters, reporting this explosive news through their chain of command.
…
After Caelan left, the news of his annihilation of the Krieg Pirates spread across the entire East Blue.
Within a day, every major newspaper printed the story, featuring Caelan escorting Krieg and Gin on the front page.
Some of the more influential papers even managed to obtain images of Caelan destroying Krieg's pirate ship.
"Extra, extra! Get your papers here!"
"Caelan, the strongest bounty hunter in the East Blue, makes a shocking move!"
"Pirate Fleet Admiral Krieg defeated! The Krieg Pirates wiped out!"
The young newspaper boys shouted on the streets, while passersby stopped in their tracks, unable to believe what they were hearing.
"Give me a copy!"
The newspapers sold out immediately, the explosive news spreading like wildfire.
"Hahaha! That bastard Krieg is finally gone!"
Back when the Krieg Pirates were at full strength, they commanded fifty ships and over five thousand men.
They burned, killed, and looted across the East Blue, destroying countless families.
Now, thousands of ordinary people laughed and cheered at the news of their downfall.
Their gratitude toward Caelan for ending Krieg's reign of terror was immeasurable.
At the same time, bounty hunters all across the East Blue were stirred up.
"He's incredible! Caelan is just too powerful!"
Every bounty hunter was in awe of Caelan's accomplishment. His success was something they couldn't even dream of reaching.
As bounty hunters themselves, they were still struggling to take down pirates with bounties in the hundreds of thousands. And even then, they bragged about it for days afterward.
"I remember this guy only appeared about half a year ago."
One bounty hunter muttered to himself, wondering if his memory was playing tricks on him.
"That's right. Half a year ago, he was like the rest of us, only going after small-time pirates with bounties of a few hundred thousand."
"And now, he's hunting down big-name pirates worth tens of millions."
Another bounty hunter stared blankly, unable to understand how anyone could grow so fast.
"It looks like another powerhouse is about to rise in the Grand Line."
A seasoned bounty hunter spoke quietly, sensing what was to come.
With Caelan's talent and strength, he was clearly not someone who would remain confined to the East Blue.
He was destined to head for the Grand Line, to challenge the monsters who ruled those seas.
(To be continued.)