Chapter 201: The Resolve of Curly-Brows and Long-Nose
As Roy steadily teleported the warship to dock at the port, the initially panicked residents of Loguetown began to peek out one by one.
Upon learning that the arrival was Vice Admiral Roy himself, the crowds on the streets quickly calmed down.
"It's that Lord?"
"Really? Then we're safe!"
"My nephew works at Marine Headquarters. He told me Vice Admiral Roy is a legend in the New World!"
"When he makes a move, even the legendary Seven Warlords of the Sea have to think twice!"
The wind softened, and the crowd's mood shifted from shock to awe. An inexplicable sense of security enveloped the small town, as if no matter how the world trembled, as long as he was there, everything would hold steady.
Loguetown · Marine Branch Office
Smoker sat behind his desk, looking thoroughly irritable. His cigar puffed white smoke incessantly, filling the air with a choking, burnt smell.
His brows were knitted tight as hemp rope, fingers drumming ceaselessly on the table.
"What on earth were you thinking..." he said coldly.
"Teleporting such a huge warship into the sky... did you mistake Loguetown for the port at Marineford?!"
"Oh come on, don't be so stingy~"
Roy patted Smoker's shoulder lightly, tone relaxed. "It's been so long since we met, just wanted to give you a little surprise~"
"Surprise my ass!!!"
Smoker slammed the table in anger. "Do you know how much has happened in the East Blue recently?! It's a total mess right now!"
"Villages destroyed, shipping routes closed... the entire East Blue is practically becoming a playground for beasts!"
This time, Roy finally stopped smiling.
He withdrew his smile, his eyes instantly becoming sharp as blades. "I know."
"On the way here, I already reviewed the complete intelligence report."
"Recently, violent giant beasts of unknown origin have appeared in many places across the East Blue, attacking villages and destroying shipping routes."
"And—" his tone deepened, "imbalanced power, manic temperament, possessing combat instincts, yet their biological structures don't conform to any marine ecological logic."
Smoker paused, raising an eyebrow. "You even know that?"
Roy's gaze fell on the sunlight spreading outside the window. "Rest assured, I've probably already guessed where the source is."
"This trip to the East Blue isn't just to pick up people; I'm here to solve this matter too."
On one side of the office, Tashigi stood before Kuina with sparkling eyes, excited like a little fan meeting her idol.
"S-Senior Kuina!" She clenched her fists, glasses reflecting light. "I-I've always admired your swordsmanship!"
"Could I... please ask you for a sparring match?!"
Kuina smiled gently, her gaze clear yet revealing sharpness. "Sure."
"But I won't go easy on you."
"Just what I wanted!" Tashigi's glasses glinted, her voice even more excited than before, full of high morale.
Meanwhile—
The other side was filled with the smell of gunpowder.
"Oi! Moss-head! What are you looking at?!"
"Hah?! Curly-brows! You looking for trouble?!"
"Then what did you mean just now?! That look in your eyes!!!" Sanji crossed his arms tightly, cigarette dangling from his mouth, looking provocative.
Zoro rolled his eyes, retorting bluntly, "What did I mean? I just instinctively want to draw my sword whenever I see an idiot, got it?"
"Who are you calling an idiot?!! Are you asking for a beating?!!" Sanji's curly eyebrows shot up instantly.
"I'm talking about you, curly cook."
"What did you say?! Wanna fight?!!"
"Bring it on—!"
From the moment Sanji and Zoro walked in, it was as if they were naturally incompatible. Now, swords were drawn and bows bent, auras intertwining.
It was like a powder keg had been lit between them, ready to explode at the slightest disagreement.
But strangely, although they were bickering fiercely, there didn't seem to be any real hostility?
"...Did you two have a feud in a past life or something?"
Usopp hid behind the sofa, hugging his "Tactical Tool Bag" tightly, looking at the two blankly. "How long has it been since you met? Arguing like old enemies..."
Roy, sitting on the sofa, glanced at them. His gaze lingered on the faces of the two boys for a moment, a half-smile playing on his lips.
"You two," he beckoned to Usopp and Sanji. "Since you've come to Loguetown—"
"Does that mean you've both thought it through clearly?"
The air stilled for a beat. Usopp and Sanji looked at each other.
In that moment, although there was still youthful confusion in their eyes, there was mostly a light called "resolve."
"Yeah!" Both nodded simultaneously.
Sanji took a half-step forward, extinguishing the cigarette butt between his fingers. His eyes were as clear and firm as the rising sea.
"I've decided."
He tilted his head slightly, sea breeze brushing his blond hair tips. "The news a while back, you defeated one of the 'Four Emperors' in the New World! That kind of influence has long surpassed mere martial force."
Knuckles unconsciously rubbing his suit cuff, Sanji's voice lowered. "You once said the Marine intelligence network can cover any sea area."
The cry of seagulls suddenly sounded distant. His gaze fell on the far horizon. "Including... the legendary All Blue."
The corner of his lips raised in a relieved arc. Sanji lowered his eyelids and smiled softly. "Perhaps compared to aimless sailing, the Marines are the path I should truly take."
"Besides..."
He glanced at the green-haired swordsman standing in the corner, his tone carrying a bit of awkward stubbornness. "Don't know why, but ever since meeting that guy, I don't want to turn back even more."
"I have a hunch... if I want to compete with him, I have to stay on this path."
Roy's eyes flickered slightly. He didn't speak, just watched him quietly.
At this moment, Usopp gritted his teeth and stepped forward too, small hands hugging his tattered-looking "Tactical Tool Bag" tightly, nose held high. "I've decided too! I want to join the Marines!"
"Before... I always dreamed of becoming a brave warrior of the sea, always thought being a pirate was the standard for adventure."
"But later—"
He took a breath, a rare look of seriousness appearing in his eyes. "After being awakened by you, I finally understood."
"Becoming a 'free pirate' who causes trouble everywhere, burning, killing, and looting, won't make me stronger at all. It will only teach me to run away!"
"I want to surpass my father..."
"I want to stand openly on the battlefield of the sea. Even if one day I face him head-on—"
"I will defeat him fair and square!!!"
"And..." Usopp suddenly blushed, adding in a small voice, "And Miss Kaya...
She said if I could become a guardian of justice, she would be proud of me."
He stole a glance at everyone, then immediately puffed out his chest, pretending to be fearless.
Sunlight streamed through the window sill into the office, shining on the figures of the two boys standing side by side. Though their backs were still thin, they were straight as swords.
Smoker bit his cigar, slowly exhaling a ring of smoke. His gaze swept over them, seemingly seeing the spirited self of his youth.
"Hmph, brats... don't get scared away." Though his tone was cold when he said this, the corner of his mouth had unconsciously lifted a fraction.
And Roy, sitting on the sofa, slowly softened his gaze, revealing a smile like an older brother.
"Very good."
He stood up, his Justice coat rippling gently behind him, as if the wind itself was listening quietly.
"Then starting today—"
"Your training officially begins."
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