Chapter 18: The Accompanying Storm, Dragon Head Mask!
"Promoted to Major?"
Loy was naturally a little surprised by Bilos the Lieutenant General's words.
Because within the Marines, the Major rank was actually a turning point.
An officer of the Lieutenant rank, even a Captain like him, was fundamentally just a low-level officer.
He could only lead his subordinate small action unit, namely the 'Detainment Unit's 35th Squad,' to perform tasks. Essentially, he only had the authority to execute, not to command.
But field officers were different.
Starting from the Major rank, he could engrave his name on a warship and possess his own exclusive warship.
At the same time, they had a certain degree of command and decision-making authority, the power to appoint and dismiss their subordinates, could issue their own combat orders, access high-level documents, participate in discussions for secret strategic operations, and even mobilize local Marine forces to assist them.
This could also be seen from the salary — a Captain's salary was around 300,000 Beli per month, while a Major's salary would skyrocket to 500,000 Beli per month.
So, it took Loy a moment to snap back to reality.
"So that's what happened!"
Then he suddenly understood why Smoker had suddenly given up on making him his vice-captain.
He had been promoted to Major, and according to regulations, he could no longer serve as vice-captain of Smoker's future branch.
"Old man, you really... did me a huge favor!"
Thus, Loy said sincerely.
"Hahahaha, it's nothing, nothing at all!"
Bilos the Lieutenant General laughed heartily: "I promised to put in a good word for you, kid. If I can't even do what I promised a subordinate, I would have retired long ago!"
"However, Loy, since you're already a Major, I've already signed you up for the 'All-Forces Drill' — you don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not."
Loy paused for a moment after hearing this, then nodded.
Since he already knew that Bilos the Lieutenant General would retire after the All-Forces Drill, he was determined to participate.
He was determined to get the position of Detainment Unit administrator.
"Not bad, that's the spirit — it's rare to see you so serious, kid."
After seeing his resolve, Bilos the Lieutenant General nodded in satisfaction: "Now that's more like it! Before, you were so lazy, completely lacking ambition!"
But then, his tone suddenly shifted: "However, I must warn you, just like I said earlier — because of this incident, the World Government considers our Marines to be very incompetent."
"So, to rectify military discipline, this All-Forces Drill... might be different from before, and much more difficult."
He looked seriously at Loy: "Your strength isn't bad, kid, but you still have shortcomings. So I contacted an old friend and asked him to give you special training for the next few months."
"Old friend? Special training?"
Hearing this, Loy frowned slightly.
He didn't think he needed any special training.
"Yes!"
Bilos the Lieutenant General said sternly: "He's a very formidable fellow, and he hasn't taught anyone for quite some time — he should contact you soon. Learn well from him, kid."
He patted Loy's shoulder.
Seeing the Lieutenant General with an air of 'the future is yours,' Loy could only nod helplessly: "Alright then."
"Good! Then go back and prepare well."
Then, Bilos the Lieutenant General waved his hand and casually took out his beloved string of beads from a drawer.
As a subordinate, Loy naturally had no intention of disturbing his superior's afternoon tea, so he dutifully turned and left.
However...
"Old Bilos's old friend... there are only a few truly formidable people out there. What he wants me to do to 'cram for the exam' isn't hard to guess."
As he walked out of the Tenshu, Loy already had a rough guess in his mind.
However, it was clear that this matter wasn't important to him.
To him, what was truly important was...
"I need to quickly create another Slice Clone to continue earning Beli, and at the same time solidify my existence as 'Twelve Zodiacs'."
"Otherwise, during this incident, my presence was still quite noticeable, and I might be targeted."
Loy pondered in his mind.
"Now, the only problem is..."
His gaze fell forward.
On the holographic screen, the displayed content was very clear.
[Devil Fruit Encyclopedia]
[Holder: Loy Amos]
[Current Encyclopedia Devil Fruit Categories: 21 types (Paramecia Type - 8, Zoan Type - 8, Logia Type - 4, Special Paramecia Type - 0, Zoan Type Illusionary Beast - 1)]
[Devil Fruit Slot Quantity: 3]
[Current Slot Devil Fruits: Glint-Glint Fruit Level 2, Dragon-Dragon Fruit: Wind God Wing Dragon Form Level 3, Strong-Strong Fruit.]
[Currently Held Beli: 5.1376 Billion]
"Which Devil Fruits should I strengthen?"
Loy fell into a happy dilemma.
Yes.
During the last operation to seize the Heavenly Gold, he ultimately chose to spend 400 million Beli to strengthen one of his Logia Type Devil Fruits, the 'Glint-Glint Fruit.'
The Level 2 Glint-Glint Fruit allowed for 'partial Logia Transformation' of the body and possessed extreme speed and powerful destructive laser abilities. In his opinion, it was a Logia Type Devil Fruit ability quite suitable for the Wind God Wing Dragon Fruit.
And facts proved that this strengthening was necessary.
When facing Commodore Lan Li's strongest sword strike in his life, it was precisely this ability that allowed 'Drunk Chicken' to survive.
"Logia Type Devil Fruits themselves are countered by Haki, but Haki only allows one to attack a Logia Type Ability User — when undergoing Logia Transformation, methods like 'decapitation' or 'heart-piercing' cannot instantly kill them."
"Combined with the powerful vitality of an Ancient Zoan Type, it's simply a perfect match."
Loy inwardly lamented that his Devil Fruit combinations were indeed very suitable.
But now the problem was quite simple.
"First, I need to spend 500 million Beli to strengthen the Slice Devil Fruit to Level 2. That way, I can split into two more Clones. This is a necessary expenditure."
"The problem lies in the next strengthening."
Loy was very clear.
The five billion Beli he currently possessed sounded like a lot.
But in front of the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, this bottomless pit, it wasn't enough.
He could choose to strengthen several Devil Fruits to Level 2, or strengthen the Dragon-Dragon Fruit to Level 4, or strengthen several Logia Type Devil Fruits to Level 3.
The differing costs and ability gaps of the Devil Fruits created countless choices.
"Caw-caw!"
But just as Loy was pondering, he heard a sound from above his head.
He subconsciously looked up and saw a seagull wearing a delivery hat dropping a newspaper towards him.
"Oh? A World Economy News Paper?"
Loy took the newspaper and opened it.
Sure enough, the bounty poster for 'Drunk Chicken' that he had just seen fell out of the newspaper, and the news about 'Alabasta' was naturally the headline.
But Loy didn't care about that — the Marines were offering a bounty for the Criminal 'Drunk Chicken'. What did that have to do with Marine Major Loy?
At this moment, his gaze was drawn to an inconspicuous spot in the newspaper.
[Alabasta has had no rain for seven consecutive months; unusual weather causes concern.]
"...Oh?"
Then, Loy's eyebrow twitched.
"I think I know which Devil Fruit I should strengthen."
Muttering to himself, Loy quickened his pace and soon returned to the Detainment Unit barracks.
Closing the door, Loy continued to ponder his plan.
"But, did I forget something?"
As the bright moon rose high and the night deepened.
Loy scratched his head, muttering softly.
But soon, this small doubt was cast aside.
He started to get busy again.
And Loy had naturally completely forgotten...
At this moment, on the Detainment Unit training ground.
"Why isn't the boss here yet?"
In the darkness of night, Hans shivered from the cold, alone and diligent in his training.
"Wasn't he supposed to come and beat me up? Did he forget?"
"Should I go back first...? No, if the boss finds out I went back, I'm finished! Ah, so cold."
A week after Hans caught a cold from training through the night.
Alabasta, Alubarna.
This city, located on the southwest coast of Alabasta, adjacent to the Sandora River, was once called the 'Green Oasis City' for its prosperity.
But recently, this city was steeped in an atmosphere of unease.
Seven months — for a full seven months, not a single drop of rain had fallen in Alubarna.
So much so that the Sandora River, which once flowed ceaselessly and nourished both banks, now had its water level dropped to a historic low. Even obtaining water for Alubarna had become a huge problem.
"The price of water is getting higher and higher; now they say even the underground water is drying up..."
In the southern part of Alubarna, Aiha wiped the sweat from his brow, looking at the large jar in front of him that was almost empty.
"What exactly is going on?"
He was very anxious.
As a country where most of its land was desert, the people of Alabasta naturally experienced droughts.
But this kind of drought, as if it would suck the entire land dry, was something he encountered for the first time.
"Don't worry, Aiha, King Cobra will definitely find a solution."
Beside him, his wife, holding their daughter, tried to comfort her husband.
"King Cobra? I heard that Alubarna has been having normal rain."
Aiha reluctantly scooped out a mouthful of water from the jar and handed it to his wife, saying.
"On the contrary, the situation in Yuba Oasis to the north is even worse; people have already started fleeing — if the King had a solution, he would have already thought of it."
He was very uneasy.
Although there was no clear evidence yet, rumors had recently spread in Alubarna.
It was said that His Majesty the King had used some improper methods to ensure rain in the capital, but this had caused all other parts of the kingdom to receive no rain.
He didn't really believe this, after all, King Cobra had always been known for his wisdom, but...
"This isn't working."
Looking at the blindingly blue sky, Aiha muttered.
But it was at this moment...
"Hm?"
From the corner of Aiha's eye, he glimpsed a sight not far away.
He saw that not far away, beyond the city walls in the endless desert,
A lone figure was slowly approaching.
Still far away, the figure appeared somewhat blurry.
But Aiha could clearly see what was happening near that figure.
...
So, Aiha almost instinctively rubbed his eyes — he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Not until the figure drew closer did he confirm it wasn't an illusion.
At this moment, above that figure's head,
Dark gray rain clouds were constantly forming and gathering above his head.
The cloud layer wasn't high; it seemed to form out of thin air.
And from within that cloud layer, a clearly visible curtain of water, like a heavenly pillar falling from the sky, enveloped the figure.
"Pitter-patter!"
"Pitter-patter!"
And as the figure drew closer, Aiha could almost hear that sound.
It was the sound that all the people of Alubarna had longed for.
It was rain — a torrential downpour.
"That person... is he a god?"
At this moment, such a thought almost subconsciously rose in Aiha's mind.
But in the next instant, he snapped back to reality.
"Quick! Hina, go get all the basins and jars, everything in the house, quick!"
Seeing the approaching downpour, he quickly said to his wife.
"Okay!"
And after his wife hurried off to get containers for water.
Only then did Aiha take a deep breath and turn his head to look at the figure again.
By now, the figure was very close.
So, Aiha could see the other person's appearance.
He was wearing a dark long coat that covered his body.
But Aiha could see that he was wearing a mask on his head.
Aiha recognized that type of mask — a 'Sea Beast Head Mask,' said to be available everywhere in the South Blue, even custom-made.
In a large country like Alabasta, and a large city like Alubarna, it wasn't rare.
But in that torrential downpour, that mask made Aiha feel an infinite sense of majesty and mystery.
It was a... Dragon Head Mask!
(end of chapter)