On the left side of the deck, Tina's warship had already joined Smoker's warship. The two ships were now sailing side by side, only about two meters apart.
Smoker, cigar in mouth, stood on his ship, glaring displeased at Tina's ship across from him. "Tina, you made me wait at the Navy Headquarters for three days. What's so important?"
"Why can't I have something to discuss with you?" Tina replied unhappily.
Smoker took a harsh drag from his cigar and blew out a cloud of smoke. "I've been reassigned to the East Blue, haven't reported for duty in three days, and already someone's complained to the Admiral. I want to know why you kept me waiting. Is that too much?"
Tina, annoyed by Smoker's attitude, said, "You dare insult your superior and then fear complaints?"
She didn't care much about Smoker's grumbling but knew she'd delayed him, so she pulled Li Wenjin forward.
"This kid, I rescued him halfway. He's an orphan, but he has a relative in the West Shimoki Village in East Blue. I want you to take him there," Tina explained, pointing at Li Wenjin.
"For this brat, you made me wait three days?" Smoker glared at Li Wenjin with disdain.
"Tina handles her own business. Just tell me if you'll take him or not," Tina stared back firmly.
Smoker looked at Tina's expression, exhaled smoke in resignation, and said, "Since we're from the same class, I'll take him to East Blue, but only as far as Logue Town. If he wants to get to West Shimoki Village, he has to manage on his own."
Knowing Smoker's personality, Tina was already grateful he agreed to take Li Wenjin that far. She then turned to Li Wenjin.
"You heard that. Do you want to go with him to East Blue? If not, I'll send you to Sademoss Island."
"Tina, I want to go to East Blue. I'll find a way to West Shimoki Village myself," Li Wenjin answered.
Though his system had activated, Li Wenjin chose East Blue because it had fewer powerful pirates. He could slowly grow stronger with his system there. Other seas were too dangerous; he might be killed before becoming strong, making the system useless. So East Blue was better for his survival and growth.
Hearing his answer, Tina said to Smoker, "I'm leaving this kid in your hands."
Smoker glanced at Li Wenjin and finally understood why Tina cared for him so much — the boy was favored by her.
He impatiently blew out smoke, "Get him over here quickly. I want to leave this dump as soon as possible. Listening to those nagging people all day ruins my mood."
Tina knew Smoker was under pressure — missing three days of duty meant many complaints — so she arranged for Li Wenjin to board Smoker's ship.
With a gangway set up, Lant pushed Li Wenjin toward Smoker's ship. Since they were only two meters apart, Li Wenjin reached Smoker's ship in just five or six steps.
On board, Li Wenjin turned back, waved, and shouted loudly, "Sister Tina, brothers, I will repay your kindness..."
He was genuinely grateful — without them, he would have starved or been killed by fierce pirates.
Watching Li Wenjin call out and wave, Tina sighed quietly. She liked the boy, which was why she helped him so much, giving him money and sending him to East Blue. But he was too weak to be a marine. Otherwise, she might have considered recruiting him.
Li Wenjin's identity didn't matter to Tina; as a major, she could accept an ordinary person as a soldier. If he were strong, however, she would worry he might be a spy and hesitate.
...
On Smoker's ship, Smoker showed no interest in Li Wenjin. As soon as Li Wenjin boarded, Smoker ordered the crew to set sail, wanting to leave the Navy Headquarters before Admiral Sengoku could cause more trouble.
Li Wenjin kept waving until Tina and the others were out of sight, then sat heavily on the bow deck, staring at the ocean.
He appeared to be daydreaming but was actually thinking about the system. However, a voice interrupted.
"Hey... kid... This isn't Tina's ship. You have to work here as pay for your ride to East Blue, got it?" Smoker said coldly beside him.
Though annoyed, Li Wenjin had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Seeing Li Wenjin cooperate, Smoker called out, "Dazsky, come out here. I have a task for you."
Five seconds later, a clumsy girl hurried out, nearly tripping on the stairs, much to Li Wenjin's amusement.
"Major Smoker, Dazsky reporting!"
Smoker ignored Li Wenjin's reaction and pointed at him. "You're in charge of cleaning this ship together."
Pushing her glasses up, Dazsky calmly replied, "Task accepted, Major Smoker."
"Start now," Smoker ordered without giving Li Wenjin a break.
Li Wenjin cursed inside, calling Smoker a child abuser. He wanted to study the system, but now Dazsky was dragging him through the ship for cleaning duty.
Though young, Dazsky was strict and gave no room for slack, making Li Wenjin clean the entire warship.
By evening, exhausted and wanting to rest on the deck, Li Wenjin cursed Smoker mentally. The ship hadn't been cleaned for a long time, with
trash and dust everywhere. Making Li Wenjin clean was clearly punishment.