Ander continued listening to the commotion from the neighboring room before turning back to address his dormmates. "I heard on my way here that Abram and his group, after learning about Mickey Malone's decision, are preparing a joint petition. They're requesting the administration to permit students to join the fight."
"Isn't Abram from outside the East Blue? Why is he involving himself?" one roommate questioned skeptically.
"Our academy is situated in the East Blue," Ander countered. "And the operation's commander is our principal."
Sabo sighed deeply, his gaze drifting toward the letter resting on his desk.
This correspondence wasn't from Ace or Luffy, but from his former roommate, Hughes Hote.
During their time as dormmates, Hughes—who originated from the slums—had been the eldest among them. He had graduated some time ago.
Contrary to everyone's expectations, however, Hughes had voluntarily requested reassignment away from Kalmar City following graduation, choosing instead to oversee rural development initiatives. In his own words, his current circumstances already exceeded anything he had previously dared to imagine, and he felt compelled to contribute something meaningful to others from similar impoverished backgrounds.
During their academy days, Hughes and Sabo hadn't formed a particularly close bond. Ironically, it was after Hughes relocated to the countryside that they began corresponding regularly through letters, gradually developing a stronger connection.
In his latest letter, Hughes mentioned that the mobilization published in the newspapers had not only galvanized Kalmar City but had profoundly impacted rural communities as well.
Sabo sighed once more, closed his book decisively, and rose from his seat.
"Where are you headed?" Ander inquired instinctively.
"To find Abram. I intend to add my signature to the petition," Sabo replied, then turned to address the others in the room. "Will you join me?"
...
In Black Reef Town within the Navia Kingdom, Johnny and Joseph departed from the harbor and, after making several inquiries, found their way to a local tavern.
The establishment bustled with patrons. After securing a table, the two young men were promptly approached by Mary, the tavern's capable and sharp-eyed proprietress.
As Mary recorded their orders for food and drink, she assessed their appearance with a practiced eye. "You two are here because of the mobilization announcement in the newspapers, aren't you?"
"How did you know?" Johnny asked, scratching his head in puzzlement.
Mary's knowing smile—mature and undeniably charming—left both young men momentarily captivated. "We've been receiving quite a few visitors like yourselves lately. Two young men, armed and traveling together—what other purpose could possibly bring you here?"
She offered them kindly advice: "I'll waive your bill today, but I recommend you return home. While your intentions are commendable and your enthusiasm admirable, Golden Lion Shiki is no ordinary adversary. Furthermore, the airships and hot air balloons in Kalmar City and White Pine Town are limited in number. Only the most elite fighters are being selected for this operation. If you proceed, you'll likely have made the journey in vain."
Joseph, however, remained undeterred. With the characteristic defiance of youth, he proclaimed loudly: "Don't underestimate us! We're bounty hunters—Johnny and Joseph. Though relatively new to the profession, we've already established quite a reputation!"
Mary's expression shifted subtly at his declaration, her gaze instinctively darting toward a table positioned behind the young men.
The observant Johnny noticed her reaction and turned to investigate. At the table Mary had glanced toward, several patrons had simultaneously set down their drinks and were now staring intently at him and Joseph. Only then did Johnny realize these individuals bore the unmistakable appearance of pirates. Judging by the menacing demeanor of those at surrounding tables as well, it seemed likely that pirates constituted a significant portion of the establishment's clientele.
"Bounty hunters?" One man at the table released a sinister laugh, his hand moving deliberately toward the sword at his waist.
His pirate companions joined in with mocking laughter, their eyes filled with malice as they regarded Johnny and Joseph. One sneered, "What business do you scavenging dogs, surviving on the Marines' leftovers, have here?"
Johnny's expression darkened as his hand instinctively moved to his own sword hilt. Joseph, following his friend's lead, rose cautiously from his seat.
Just as the situation approached its breaking point, a burly man wearing a tricorn hat forcefully slammed his mug onto the table with a resounding bang, commanding everyone's attention.
"Enough!" he declared authoritatively.
Turning toward the visibly tense Johnny and Joseph, he inquired, "Are you here to participate in the East Blue Defense?"
Johnny nodded cautiously.
"We all hail from the East Blue. Whatever grievances or disputes exist between us can be addressed after this crisis has passed," the pirate captain stated with unmistakable authority. He then commanded his crew members, several of whom had already drawn their weapons: "Sheathe your weapons immediately!"
Johnny and Joseph exchanged meaningful glances before slowly returning their partially drawn blades to their scabbards.
"If you're amenable, join us for a drink," the pirate captain offered. "We're also here to participate in the East Blue Defense."
Noticing their hesitation, the captain's lips curled into a slight smirk. "Unless, of course, you're afraid."
"Who's afraid?" Joseph retorted indignantly, boldly striding past the intimidating pirates to position himself across from the captain.
Unwilling to abandon his friend, Johnny followed suit and joined them at the table.
"Pirates fighting to defend the East Blue?" Joseph questioned skeptically once seated.
The captain showed no offense at Joseph's tone. Instead, he poured drinks for both young men. "I am indeed a pirate, but I am equally a son of the East Blue. These identities aren't mutually exclusive. This region nurtured me from childhood and remains my home. If someone threatens to destroy it, why wouldn't I resist?"
"So you're positioning yourselves as heroes now?" Joseph remarked sarcastically.
"I make no such claim," the captain replied thoughtfully. "However, upon arriving in the Navia Kingdom and explaining that we were responding to Morgan William's call to arms, we received a hero's welcome. Throughout our journey, we refrained from pillaging any settlement, yet never lacked provisions. Local residents expressed genuine gratitude and offered prayers for our safety upon our departure."
The captain pushed the drinks closer to Johnny and Joseph. "That experience revealed something unexpected—being regarded as a hero isn't entirely unpleasant. Initially, I harbored reservations, and several crew members voiced opposition. But after multiple such encounters, our resolve solidified. We are now unequivocally committed to participating in the East Blue Defense."
Johnny and Joseph appeared genuinely surprised. "The world truly is changing when even pirates rise to such occasions."
"Not universally," the captain clarified with a complex expression. "Some pirates are indeed exploiting the chaos for plunder and personal gain. However..."
At that moment, the tavern door swung open as a young man entered the establishment.
The pirate captain gestured toward the newcomer. "However, all such opportunists have been systematically eliminated by this young sheriff, Hughes Hote, and his forces."
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