Chapter 16: Power Surge
[Host]: Jiang Qize
[Age]: 18
[Rank]: Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Commander
[Berries]: 0
[Abilities]: Armament Haki, Observation Haki
[Functions]: Summon, Enhance, Combine
"So I'm a lieutenant commander now."
Jiang Qize's lips curved into a devilish smile—he was very satisfied with how fast his strength had grown.
Still, he knew that while his rank reflected his overall physical power, he had no real combat experience. If he actually fought a genuine lieutenant commander from Marine Headquarters, he would probably lose.
"All right, let's head out."
He spoke to the three dinosaurs before him.
"Moo~" The ankylosaurus let out a deep bellow and slowly backed up.
There wasn't enough room in the small cabin for it to turn around.
Once they stepped out onto the deck, the twenty-meter-long ship was completely packed—nothing but dinosaurs everywhere.
"You guys come over here. We're switching ships," he called out toward the smaller, battered boat nearby.
He wasn't a pirate, just a bounty hunter, so he didn't care much about ships. But that old junker was covered in scars and cracks.
"Roar~!"
The Raptorex responded instantly, letting out a mighty roar as it leapt through the air toward the new ship.
Boom!!
The entire ship lurched violently. Its claws dug into the deck, slicing open the wooden planks beneath.
"Who told you to come over like that? Don't you have any idea how heavy you are?"
Jiang Qize looked at the creature in exasperation.
"Rrrawr…" The Raptorex gave a low growl and bared its teeth in what looked suspiciously like a grin.
He rolled his eyes and pulled up the creature's stats.
[Name]: Raptorex
[Type]: Carnivorous Dinosaur
[Abilities]:
Agility and Swiftness (extremely fast reflexes and movement)
Prey Tracking (once it locks onto prey, escape is impossible)
Great Strength (immense physical power)
Iron Hide (tremendous defense)
Steel Fangs (razor-sharp teeth)
Blade Claws (claws as sharp as blades)
Armament Haki
Observation Haki
[Rank]: Marine Headquarters Brigadier General
"So the intermediate enhancement was that strong? It actually jumped to brigadier general level."
He stared in amazement.
When he touched the Raptorex's skin, it was shockingly cold—like solid iron. Even with his strength, he couldn't press it down at all.
Still, the stronger the dragon, the better for him.
"Let's move out. We're heading to Loguetown!" he said to Camon.
Loguetown—the place where the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, was executed. Most pirates went there just to see the execution platform; it was also the part of the East Blue most crowded with pirates.
Of course, he wasn't going there to see any platform—what was so great about that? He didn't idolize Roger. He was simply going there to hunt pirates.
And turn in their bounties.
…
Five days later.
Every pirate in the East Blue was trembling in fear. None dared to roam freely across the seas anymore—afraid of being killed by that man.
Somewhere on the open sea—
Boom! Boom!
"Damn Marines! Board them—!"
"Ahhhh!"
Boom!
Two Marine battleships were chasing two pirate ships, exchanging constant cannon fire. Most shells splashed into the ocean, but a few struck their targets, exploding on impact.
"Huh… the Blood Wolf Pirates…"
From several kilometers away, aboard a ship filled with dinosaurs, Jiang Qize stood at the bow, watching the battle unfold.
"Didn't think I'd run into pirates this close to Loguetown. Lucky me."
"But the Marines, huh…"
He rubbed his chin, narrowing his eyes.
"Snatching prey from the Marines… that might not look too good."
Then he grinned.
"But I doubt they'll mind, right?"
"Speed up."
Jiang Qize's grin widened as he gave the order softly.
"Roar~!"
The mosasaurus let out a thunderous roar, its tail whipping through the waves as it surged forward—launching the ship across the sea like an arrow.
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