Returning to the branch, he ran into the base commander coming towards him.
It was no longer the tall man from before; more than ten years had passed, and many things were different.
The original base commander, including the Marine who had led him in, were gone.
The current base commander was a burly man named Hans, who had been transferred over half a year ago, with the rank of Captain.
"Dillon," Hans said, stopping Dillon, who was about to head inside: "You went to find 'Red-Haired Shanks'?"
Dillon nodded: "Saw him from a distance, no contact. After all, that guy has been very high-profile these past few years."
Hans agreed. Shanks had indeed been very high-profile these past few years. Although there was a considerable gap between him and the older generation of powerhouses in terms of power, it was said that he had a place in the "New World."
After Roger's death, the pirates' arrogance had not been suppressed, but had instead intensified.
In today's "New World," people called Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido "Emperors of the Sea."
Nonsense!
"By the way, the pressure in the Grand Line has been increasing in recent years, and HQ has issued another summons. I heard you refused before?"
Hans didn't know much about Dillon's past; only some of the older veterans vaguely remembered that this guy had been at the branch for a long time.
Even his rank had reached the level of Lieutenant Commander through small, cumulative promotions.
Lieutenant Commander required a ceremony at HQ.
"Your rank conferral hasn't been officially completed yet, this time..."
"I'll go this time. When?"
Dillon's gaze passed over Hans, looking at the Marine flag fluttering in the wind like it had back then.
Hans breathed a slight sigh of relief.
This guy had a very high reputation at the branch. Often, Dillon's orders were more effective than those of him, the Captain base commander.
"As soon as possible. Considering the distance, I'll give you three months. If it's okay, I'll report back to HQ."
Hans had studied Dillon's files. The data left by the previous base commander showed:
Adams Dillon.
Place of birth unknown.
Orphan.
Joined the Marines at the age of nine.
Calm personality, excellent physical fitness.
Upholds justice and peace.
Then there were the records of Dillon's achievements and merits supplemented by successive base commanders.
Dozens of densely written pages, although they were all pirates with low bounties, there was just too much quantity.
During his term, he had personally added nearly seventy pages of achievements and merits for Dillon.
What a monster!
Hans muttered, watching Dillon walk away.
...
Shimotsuki Village.
Dillon stretched after stepping onto the island.
He didn't expect this place to be right on the sea route.
People around him cast strange glances at his black long sword.
"Are you here to challenge Koushirou too?"
Dillon looked in the direction of the voice. It was a young man, with a sword at his waist as well.
"No, just here to take a look..."
In the original story, Shimotsuki Village had close ties with Wano Country and the Revolutionary Army. That narrow-eyed Koushirou didn't seem like a simple character either.
Before Dillon could finish speaking, a rude voice came from behind him: "Hey! You! You knife thief!"
Dillon acted as if he hadn't heard and continued walking forward. A hint of anger erupted in the voice behind him: "I'm talking to you! The one in white! Are you just going to leave after stealing my precious sword?"
Dillon stopped and turned to look. A ronin with a Chonmage was staring at the black scabbard at Dillon's waist, his eyes shining.
The ronin licked his dry lips.
This must be a good sword! He could even feel its sharpness, even hidden in the scabbard, it could not be concealed.
The onlookers stepped back to the side.
This guy... was a well-known ronin in the area. His Iaido was as fast as lightning.
But... he was just a rogue. No one knew why a rogue would have such swordsmanship talent.
"This is your sword?" Dillon raised his eyelids indifferently, looking at the man with the Chonmage.
He hated this hairstyle.
"I'll give you five seconds to get out of my sight." A cold voice rang in the ronin's ears.
The ronin didn't feel afraid, but laughed, then leaned forward slightly, his right hand gripping the hilt of the sword on the left side of his body: "In that case..."
A flash of red light. The ronin suddenly felt a cold sensation on his neck.
Then he felt a spinning sensation and saw a scene that puzzled him greatly.
Who is this?
Why are they wearing my clothes? And holding my sword?
This time, he really ran into a knife thief...
A burst of exclamations came from the crowd. Dillon turned and left, unconcerned.
"I'm so sorry, it's always been the blood of these small fry."
A slight tremor came from the black scabbard at his waist.
...
Isshin Dojo.
Koushirou slowly stood up and walked to the door after hearing the commotion outside.
Dillon was already standing in the courtyard, and a large group of people was standing outside the gate, seemingly waiting for something.
Koushirou, wearing glasses, smiled at Dillon: "May I ask, guest..."
Looking at Koushirou's gentle appearance, Dillon suddenly thought of some interesting things.
"I heard that those with Narrow Eyes Are Monsters?"
The onlookers outside the door let out a neat "Ooh~~" and revealed a "That's right" expression.
"You flatter me, guest." Koushirou didn't seem angry at all and still politely asked, "May I ask, guest..."
Dillon smiled: "Just kidding, I'm not here to cause trouble, I just want the master to take a look at my sword."
"Oh?" Koushirou looked at the long sword at Dillon's waist.
"Please come in, guest."
The people outside, seeing that there was no fight, left in disappointment.
Black scabbard, dark red hilt, Koushirou held Dillon's long sword with both hands, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Seemingly with a hint of anticipation, and a hint of entanglement, Koushirou slowly drew out the long sword.
A bloody aura rushed out of the black-red blade, and even a faint blood light escaped from the blade.
"Clang!"
Koushirou immediately sheathed the blade and handed it back to Dillon.
"Shura, one of the 12 Supreme Grade Swords."
Dillon took Shura and gently stroked the scabbard. The bloody aura in the air instantly disappeared.
"Any characteristics?"
Koushirou looked at Dillon with some surprise: "Speaking of characteristics... hasn't the guest already brought its characteristics into full play?"
"Is that so..." Dillon stood up and bowed slightly to Koushirou: "Thank you for your trouble."
After Dillon left, a bean-sized bead of sweat rolled down Koushirou's forehead, and then he swallowed: "Shura... he actually refined it into a Black Blade, and it's so submissive to him..."
After calming down, Koushirou reverted to his original narrow-eyed smile and beckoned to the screen next to him: "Come out, were you scared just now?"
Kuina with short hair and a green-haired kid peeked out from the side.
"Father... that person just now..."
"Ah... you are still far from him. But... if you want to become the world's greatest swordsman in the future, I think... he will definitely be one of your biggest obstacles."
Just the aura of Shura had almost made the two of them faint, and even the usually strong-willed them couldn't say anything boastful at this time.
Kuina clenched her fists tightly and turned and left without a word. The green-haired kid, seeing this, gritted his teeth and said "Damn it!" before running out as well.
Koushirou looked at the two of them, with a smile on his face.
"The world's greatest swordsman..." Thinking of that seemingly unknown man, Koushirou still felt a sense of suffocation.
After verifying Dillon's identity, the patrolman guarding the small port snapped to attention, saluted Dillon, and watched him leave.
The public had already confirmed that the ronin had attempted to steal the man's weapon, which led to the duel.
Although duels to the death were not allowed by law, if... if it had been an attack on a Marine Lieutenant Commander, there would have been no problem.
On a medium-sized merchant ship, Dillon leaned against the railing, resting.
Suddenly, the lookout on the mast shouted: "Not good, it's a pirate ship!"
After observing carefully, the lookout's voice was distorted.
"It's... it's the Krieg Pirates!"