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With a Marine warship as an escort, no pirate crew was foolish enough to cause trouble.
After a four-day voyage, they arrived back at Drum Island.
Throughout the journey, Hina had been true to her word, staying by Jin's side, eating and living with him.
However, Jin had made no improper advances, limiting himself to a few playful teases.
A beautiful woman, yes, but one with thorns.
Dalton, having heard the news, was waiting at the docks with a contingent of guards. A crowd of enthusiastic citizens also lined the shore.
"Is that a Marine ship?"
"What are they doing here?"
"I don't know."
The people murmured among themselves, a hint of worry in their voices. For most, their feelings toward the Marines were more of fear than respect.
When Wapol was in power, the Marines hadn't come to save them.
"Lieutenant Commander Hina, would you like to come ashore for a while?" Jin asked.
"Of course," Hina readily agreed. The escort mission was just a side task. The main objective was to investigate the situation on Drum Island.
Jin disembarked. The guards formed a line, and Dalton stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty!"
The citizens all bowed as well.
Hina, observing from behind, felt most of her suspicions melt away. Jin hadn't been lying. He really was the king.
And it seemed he was well-loved by his people.
"Any trouble while I was away?" Jin asked.
"None, Your Majesty," Dalton replied, shaking his head.
In a place like Drum Island, as long as the king didn't cause trouble, the people could live in peace. The only real threat was pirate invasions. It was a remote corner of the world. Great wealth was out of the question; a full stomach was all they needed to be happy.
The fact that the people hadn't revolted even under Wapol's tyranny was a testament to their resilience.
Jin had noticed this, which was why he had enacted his twelve new laws—to try and change their ways, to give them a bit of drive.
To get them to compete.
But that wasn't enough.
He was already planning his next move: to expand outward, to take control of non-affiliated or ownerless islands like Hannabal Island.
On one hand, it would expand his territory and population, opening up new opportunities for development.
On the other, each island had its own unique mineral resources, which were essential for the demonic carrier's upgrades.
Jin had Dalton and his men unload the supplies from the ship, then arranged for a banquet in the town to entertain the Marines.
With plenty of food and drink, the soldiers, who had been grumbling for the entire journey, finally cracked a smile. The townspeople were also gracious hosts, and the air was filled with laughter and song.
Hina wandered through the town alone, asking about the new king. Everyone she spoke to, young and old, had nothing but praise for him.
He was a messenger from the Gods, descended from Heaven to judge the darkness and bring the light.
A wise and benevolent ruler who had single-handedly crushed a pirate crew.
A master statesman who had invented the Ice Mushroom, opened up foreign trade, and brought great wealth to the nation.
In short: Wapol deserved to die, and the new king was the GOAT.
One word: Incredible.
"Is he really that good?" Hina wondered, amazed. She was beginning to see the young man in a new light.
She thought back on the past few days. He had seemed to be teasing her, to be making a move on her, but in reality, he had been as steady and unreadable as a seasoned veteran.
Shrewd, capable, intelligent, and bold.
He was a force to be reckoned with.
That was her assessment.
She also breathed a sigh of relief.
"It has nothing to do with the Revolutionary Army," she thought. "Just an internal power struggle on Drum Island. Hina can rest easy."
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She returned to her warship, reported her findings to Vice Admiral Tsuru, and requested permission to return to Headquarters.
"Just a moment," Tsuru's calm voice came through the Den Den Mushi. "You can't come back just yet. I've just received some new intelligence. It concerns that king of yours."
"Eh??" Hina was surprised. "What is it?"
"Vice Admiral Comil waited on Asuka Island for three days," Tsuru explained. "Not a single pirate ship showed up. At first, we thought Gasparde had given us a fake destination to trick us. But after a thorough investigation, we confirmed that Asuka Island was indeed the finish line."
"Then what happened?" Hina asked. She joked, "Did Gasparde go crazy and kill them all? Hina doesn't believe that for a second."
"No," Tsuru said. "It was someone else. Our informant on Hannabal Island sent a report. The night before the race, a newcomer signed up... and bet 100 million Berries on himself to win. Do you know who that person was?"
Hina froze. "Don't tell me... it was King Jin?"
"Yes—"
Tsuru confirmed. "—He participated in 'The Dead End Race.' He was the first, and only, participant to reach the finish line. And he did it right under your noses, collected the token, and then had a Marine Lieutenant Commander personally escort him home."
Hina was speechless.
A stampede of a million seahorses galloped through her mind.
She'd been played.
The entire Marine force had been played!
And here she was, feeling sorry for him, even defending him. It turned out he was the biggest shark of them all.
In an instant, a wave of shame, anger, and indignation surged through her, rushing to her head.
The thought of how he had played her and the Marines like a master chess player for the past few days, all while sitting back with his legs crossed...
Her face flushed with rage, and she could feel steam coming out of her ears.
"Damn him! That bastard! Hina is so angry! Hina is going to drag him back to headquarters!" She clenched her fists, her knuckles cracking, her teeth grinding. If Jin were in front of her right now, she would have skinned him alive.
"Wait, Lieutenant Commander," Tsuru said, her voice sharp. "Don't do anything rash. Gasparde, the Giant Brothers, and the Fish-Man Willy were all in that race. They've all disappeared. It's not a coincidence. There's only one possibility: King Jin eliminated all of them on his way to the finish line. That man is strong. He's not someone you can handle."
What??
Hina's competitive spirit flared.
"Furthermore," Tsuru continued, "he is the king of a nation affiliated with the World Government. He is not a pirate. The Marines have no authority to arrest him."
Hina calmed down a little. "But he participated in a pirate race."
"So what?" Tsuru replied. "He may have participated, but he executed pirates. Not only do the Marines have no reason to arrest him, but we should probably be giving him a medal."
Hina was stunned.
She was right. A king who actively took on pirates, who solved problems for the Marines... he was a model king.
A great and wise ruler.
How could they arrest him?
Hina collected herself. "In that case, Vice Admiral, you said I can't return yet. Is there a new mission?"
"There's one more piece of intelligence—"
Tsuru said. "—Two days ago, the front man Gasparde used to control Hannabal Island was taken away by his own subordinates. Our analysis suggests that he's interested in Hannabal Island. Headquarters also has a plan to bring Hannabal Island under our control, which was supposed to be implemented after the race. But now, with Gasparde missing and this king in the picture, the plan has to be changed. You are to stay there for the time being. Probe the king's intentions. Act as a bridge between him and Headquarters."
Hina stood at attention. "Yes, ma'am!"
"And, Vice Admiral... would it be alright if Hina were to... test his strength? Just in case the intelligence is wrong."
Tsuru knew Hina's competitive nature. A little humility would do her good.
"You may," she said. "But don't go too far."
"Yes, ma'am!"
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Hina's reason had returned, but she still couldn't swallow the bitter pill of having been played.
Hina cracked her knuckles.
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