Seven or eight Happo Navy warships surged in from all directions, quickly surrounding the Traveler.
"A travel ship?!"
"What's going on? It's just a travel ship! Boss, what do we do?"
The Happo Navy didn't attack immediately.
They had already confirmed during their approach that this wasn't a pirate ship.
And since it wasn't—
There was no rush.
They simply waited for Lao Cai's orders.
On the deck of the Traveler—
Arashi stood calmly, watching the surrounding warships.
Although he had already decided to head to Kano Country, if the Happo Navy attacked without warning—
He wouldn't mind doing what Mihawk did—
Cutting them down, ships and all.
Clearly, though, despite being labeled a "bandit group," the Happo Navy wasn't quite that reckless.
At that moment—
Lao Cai's flagship slowly entered the area and stopped opposite the Traveler.
"This is the Happo Navy of Kano Country!"
Standing on deck, Lao Cai glanced at Arashi, who stood alone, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.
"I am Lao Cai of the Happo Navy. Are you… a traveler?"
Looking at Lao Cai's "refined ugliness," Arashi couldn't help but twitch slightly.
If one went by the original timeline, Lao Cai was only around eighteen or nineteen right now.
But that weathered face…
Did he really need to look like a middle-aged man already?
"Ah, yes."
Arashi nodded calmly.
"My name is Arashi—a traveler."
"Arashi?"
Lao Cai tilted his head, trying hard to recall if he'd heard the name before.
"…Alright."
After a moment, he waved it off bluntly.
"Never heard of you."
Which made sense.
Arashi had only recently arrived in the West Blue, and Lao Cai spent most of his time at sea. Unless someone appeared on a bounty poster, they wouldn't catch his attention.
"Good."
Arashi narrowed his eyes with a smile.
"I'm planning to travel to Kano Country. I was worried about running into pirates along the way—but it seems that concern was unnecessary."
"Going to Kano Country?"
Lao Cai paused briefly, then said decisively:
"Well, your luck's pretty good. We're heading back ourselves. In that case—come along with us!"
"That's much appreciated—"
"Appreciated your—!"
Lao Cai's expression instantly froze.
Then—
He exploded.
"Take that back! Don't you dare say 'thank you' to me, you bastard!!!"
As he roared, he raised his guandao dramatically, ready to strike.
Luckily, Abu reacted quickly, grabbing him tightly.
"There it is again! Hang in there, bro, hang in there!"
With that, Abu hoisted Lao Cai over his shoulder and dragged him toward the cabin.
Even as he was carried away, Lao Cai continued shouting:
"Don't you dare thank me, you idiot!!!"
Watching Lao Cai being dragged off in a rage, Arashi couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
That had just been a test.
In the original story, Lao Cai would explode at the mere mention of "thank you."
And sure enough—
He hadn't changed at all.
Now that was interesting.
This trip to Kano Country was bound to be entertaining.
Without hesitation, Arashi ordered the sails raised, and the Traveler followed behind the Happo Navy toward Kano Country.
Kano Country — Happo Navy Headquarters
Wearing a green shirt, sporting a bald head, and baring his chest, the 12th leader of the Happo Navy—
Chinjao
—lay sprawled on a reclining chair, fast asleep.
His thick, graying beard trembled rhythmically with each breath.
Beside him, Ahuang stood motionless for quite some time.
As a member of the Happo Navy, Ahuang was proud.
After all, their leader was Chinjao—a legendary figure who once shook the New World, with a peak bounty of 500 million Beli.
In everyday life, Chinjao was kind and approachable, treating his subordinates like his own children and grandchildren.
But—
That was only when he was in a good mood.
When he wasn't?
His beard would bristle, his expression would twist, and he'd become terrifyingly fierce.
Especially when he was sleeping.
No one dared wake him.
If disturbed, the kind old man would instantly transform into a raging demon.
And so—
Ahuang was panicking.
Even though an important guest had arrived…
Even though he had been standing there for half an hour…
He still didn't dare wake his leader.
Just as he was struggling with what to do—
"Ah-choo!"
Chinjao suddenly sneezed and slowly opened his eyes.
"Ahuang?"
He looked at him in confusion.
"What are you doing here?"
"Chief Chinjao, you're finally awake!"
Seeing that he wasn't angry, Ahuang quickly stepped forward.
"The leader of the Happo Navy's Second Division—Chief Huo—is here! He's waiting in the main hall to discuss… an engagement!"
"Huo?"
Chinjao immediately perked up, jumping to his feet and heading out in a hurry.
"He hasn't left yet, has he? Really, why didn't you wake me sooner?!"
Ahuang didn't dare answer that directly.
Instead, he carefully said:
"Chief… about this alliance marriage with the Second Division… maybe you should reconsider? After all, it concerns your son's lifelong happiness…"
"No need!"
Chinjao waved his hand dismissively, smiling.
"I think Chief Huo's daughter is quite good. More importantly, she'll be the future pillar of the Second Division. That alone makes this alliance perfectly suitable!"
The wheels of a new development had already begun turning.
Extra chapters are already prepared… waiting to be unleashed.
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