Nearly a week had passed since Hiro had manifested in this world, adjusting to the strange blend of his old life's cunning and this new world's brutal demands.
Establishing his authority had been his first move – he needed control before he could even think about survival.
And that meant making himself known, not just as another officer, but as the supreme authority of the 16th Branch.
Of course, that didn't come easy. Hiro had broken a few bones, knocked out a couple of teeth, and sent three of his "superiors" to bed rest for a week.
But now the entire Marine base bent to his will. No one questioned his orders, not even the sergeants or the more seasoned enlistees.
His status as "acting Captain" wasn't official on paper, but anyone who valued their life and comfort had learned to treat him that way.
After establishing his dominance, Hiro had taken a calculated approach to ensure loyalty – or, at the very least, silence. He'd dipped into the ฿5,000,000 he'd extorted from Arlong, handing out a ฿10,000 bonus to every recruit in the base.
For some of these guys, that was an entire month's salary, if not more. Now, the grunts were plenty happy to turn a blind eye to any of Hiro's dealings, so long as they kept getting paid and left unharmed.
"Money talks," Hiro muttered, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow as he wrapped up his workout in the open gym area.
The past few days had been a blur of intense training – physical labor that went far beyond anything he'd ever attempted in his old life.
A Marine recruit handed him a towel, which he used to mop up the sweat beading down his neck.
He lay back down on the bench, preparing for one final set. Two recruits stood on either side of the barbell, ready to help him lift it.
This barbell was no joke. With four oversized plates on either side, it weighed in at nearly 400 kg, twice of what used to be his personal best in his old world.
"Ready, sir?" one of the recruits asked.
"Ready." Hiro gritted his teeth and heaved.
The barbell dipped slightly under the weight, but he managed to keep it steady, arms straining, muscles bulging.
The burn was excruciating, but he relished it – every rep felt like a small victory, a step toward a stronger self. With a final grunt, he lifted the barbell one last time, signaling for the recruits to help him set it down.
"Alright, take five and go inform the stables to prepare a horse," Hiro ordered, swinging his legs over the bench. Blood pumped through his muscles as they felt taut, like cables drawn too tight, but it was a good pain – a sign that he was improving.
'It's crazy,' he thought, examining his pumped arms. In just five days, his strength had surged beyond what he thought possible.
Back in his old life, he'd been able to bench 200 kg, squat 280 kg, and deadlift close to 450 kg – numbers that had put him at the peak of human strength back then.
But here, with just a few days of rigorous training and a protein-rich diet, he was pushing 400 kg without the limits he'd known before.
The food here wasn't just food – It was like fuel, pure and potent, seeming to restore his energy and muscle capacity in minutes.
"Status," Hiro muttered, half to himself. Instantly, a translucent panel appeared in his vision.
[STATUS]
Name: Hiro Nakamura
Health: 91%
Attributes:
Strength: 8 → 9
Agility: 7 → 8
Endurance: 5 → 7
Durability: 9
Perception: 4 → 5
Regeneration: 5 → 6
Though his numbers had shifted slightly, Hiro knew he was still nowhere near the real monsters out there.
Arlong's brute strength was a reminder that this world had power beyond anything he'd encountered. The fact that none of his stats had even hit 10 yet meant one thing – there was a hell of a lot of room to grow.
And grow he would.
After a quick rinse in the base's shower facilities, Hiro got dressed in his Marine coat, the insignia of authority glinting in the sunlight.
The stable hand had prepared an older white stallion for him, a sturdy, muscular beast with a calm disposition – perfect for his purposes.
Hiro mounted, feeling the sturdy weight of the animal beneath him as it shifted, getting comfortable with his weight. A Marine recruit approached with a respectful salute.
"Where to, sir?" the recruit asked.
"Yashinoki village first, then Cocoyashi. I want to make the rounds," Hiro replied, tugging the reins and settling into the saddle.
The last few days had been filled with similar visits to each village in the Conomi Islands. For Hiro, it was a calculated display of presence and dominance.
If he was to control this territory, he had to make sure every soul here knew who he was – and knew what happened to those who crossed him. Respect was nice, but fear was better for cementing his place at the top.
As he rode into Yashinoki village, Hiro took in his surroundings with a shrewd gaze. The place was small, quaint – a handful of families clustered in a dozen or so houses.
Most of the villagers worked lemon farms scattered around the edges of the village, their lives simple and uneventful.
Hiro could see some elderly folks chatting on their porches, while younger villagers toiled in the fields, sweating under the sun.
"Sir, the village elder is waiting," one of his escorts informed him.
"Good," Hiro said, his voice cool as he dismounted.
The elder, a wiry man with graying hair, approached him with a cautious bow, his face lined with years of hardship and worry.
Hiro caught the glances the elder cast at his Marine uniform, his eyes darting to the insignia, then back to Hiro's face.
"Welcome, sir. It's… good to see the Marines taking an interest in our village," the elder said, his voice betraying a mix of fear and curiosity.
Hiro folded his arms, his gaze hard. "What are the conditions here?" he asked flatly. "Any issues the Marines should be aware of?"
The elder hesitated, glancing at some of the villagers nearby. He sighed, lowering his gaze. "There's… there's been some trouble, sir," he began, his voice wavering.
"Arlong's men come through every few weeks. They take money, food, supplies – whatever they want. No one dares to stand up to them. We're defenseless."
Hiro nodded, the anger in his chest smoldering, but he kept his expression neutral. "I see," he said, letting a flicker of menace creep into his tone. "But as long as I'm here, you'll answer to me. I'll deal with Arlong and his crew. But I expect loyalty – and that means no one here even thinks of mentioning my name to those fish-skinned freaks."
The elder swallowed, glancing nervously at his fellow villagers. "Y-Yes, sir. We understand."
Hiro leaned in, lowering his voice so that only the elder could hear. "If anyone even hints at rebellion… well, let's just say my punishment will make Arlong's men look like saints. Understood?"
The elder's face turned a shade paler, but he nodded quickly, his eyes wide. "Understood, sir."
Hiro straightened, giving the elder a cold nod before turning to the villagers gathered around them. "This island is under my protection now. Arlong will not touch you while I'm here – but remember, I don't tolerate betrayal. You show me loyalty, I'll make sure you're safe."
A few villagers exchanged nervous glances, but most of them looked at him with a cautious kind of hope.
Hiro smirked. That was exactly what he wanted. If he was to solidify his place here, he needed these people's reliance – just as much as he needed their fear.
After his inspection of Yashinoki, Hiro turned his horse toward Cocoyashi village, the home of Nami – the skilled cartographer he'd noted with interest. The ride was short, but as he approached, he could feel the tension in the air.
Rumors about Arlong's treatment of the villagers here, particularly the old marine officer's situation, had reached his ears.
But he wasn't about to let emotions cloud his judgment. If he was going to take down Arlong, it would be on his terms – and at the right time.
For now, he'd play the part of the new authority, the protector. He'd make these villagers rely on him, whether they liked it or not.
And when the time was right, when he was ready… he'd take Arlong down, one broken bone at a time.
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