Major Raine's previous targets were always pirates with bounties around 5 million Berries, but recently, after fully mastering the power of a Sword Master, he dared to be a bit more reckless.
However, this was also close to the time when Luffy and his crew would set sail.
A series of major events were about to unfold, and although with his current strength he could live safely by hiding in the East Blue, as a modern person imbued with socialist core values, coming to this chaotic and lawless Pirate world, he still wanted to protect the civilians struggling to survive in this era.
During the Marineford War, Whitebeard's words ignited people's desire for the Pirate King's Grand Secret Treasure, and countless people ventured out to sea to search for treasure. Among them, most went to sea simply to plunder wealth.
Just like the Great Pirate Era started by Roger, it caused immense harm to the civilians of this world.
Major Raine had seen too many Pirate Crews over the years, acting wantonly, burning, killing, plundering, and destroying cities and towns. Each time Pirate Crews caused trouble, they would snatch away the hope of survival from the people.
Major Raine couldn't manage all Pirate Crews, but if he encountered such a Pirate Crew in front of him, he wouldn't let a single one escape.
Major Raine also often distributed the bounty money he received to the civilians who survived the Pirate unrest.
Because of this, the Marines in his Warship were all a group of brave and determined Marines, executing his orders without any hesitation.
Major Raine also shared the credit for eliminating the Mondo Pirates during this return voyage with his subordinates.
Over the years, he had continuously hunted Pirate Crews, and coupled with his young age and decent strength, he was recommended by the base's commanding officer to Marineford for advanced training during this promotion.
Furthermore, the merit required for another promotion was quite substantial, so Major Raine distributed all the credit for this mission to his subordinates, hoping they would fare well after he left.
Soon, as the Marine Warship continued its journey, a Port with ships constantly entering and exiting appeared ahead.
153rd Branch.
As the Warship led by Major Raine approached the Port, they were noticed by the Marines on the Port.
"It's Lieutenant Raine and his crew returning!"
"Hurry and guide them in!"
"Yes!"
Soon, Major Raine and his crew docked their ship in the designated area. Major Raine led Anton and the others to the Branch.
Along the way, people constantly greeted them. In the years Major Raine had been at the Branch, he continuously protected the surrounding civilians, and he constantly eliminated Pirate Crews. Sometimes, he would even distribute the bounty money he received to those who had been plundered by Pirate Crews.
Therefore, their reputation in the 153rd Branch was very high.
Major Raine also continuously greeted these people. When facing these hardworking people, he did not develop a sense of superiority due to his strength.
Amidst continuous greetings along the way, Major Raine and his crew returned to the Branch and reported to Lieutenant Commander Lipar inside about encountering the Mondo Pirates en route, eliminating their Captain Mondo, and capturing some of their crew members. He also reported that Mondo was a Devil Fruit user, a Bear-Bear Fruit user.
Although Anton had already reported the results of this mission to the Branch via Den Den Mushi, Major Raine still reported the results to Lieutenant Commander Lipar at the base.
As for why he didn't report to the base's highest-ranking officer, Colonel Morgan, it was because Colonel Morgan was cruel and arrogant, and his son often relied on his reputation to act recklessly in this small town.
So Major Raine had no good feelings for him at all and had always sided with Lieutenant Commander Lipar, basically coexisting peacefully with him.
Major Raine also didn't want to disrupt the future path of Luffy and his crew, especially when his own strength wasn't yet powerful. Relying on his foreknowledge of events was his greatest asset. Major Raine feared that if he messed up these things, his advantage as a 'seer' would vanish entirely. So, in previous years, he had pretended not to see Colonel Morgan and his actions, until he recently leveled up to Level 10 and mastered Haki, which bolstered his confidence significantly.
Now, he had mastered Haki, and his swordsmanship was at the Sword Master level. In this world, he could be considered a second-tier combatant. His current combat power, according to his memories from his previous life, was like Smoker when Luffy encountered him on Punk Hazard two years after the Marineford War. He now possessed the strength of a Vice Admiral, still a gap from the top-tier combatants, but Major Raine believed that once his physique improved further and his swordsmanship reached the Grandmaster level, his combat power would also be at the lower end of the top tier.
Major Raine entered Lieutenant Commander Lipar's office at the Branch and greeted him.
"Raine, you're here," Lieutenant Commander Lipar said with a smile, looking up at Major Raine from his desk.
Facing such a capable subordinate, as his superior, he was very proud.
"Thank you for this, Lieutenant Commander Lipar."
"This is your own effort. You've eliminated so many Pirate Crews, providing security for the area around our 153rd Branch. You deserve it."
Lieutenant Commander Lipar stood up, handed Major Raine the promotion papers for Major, and also gave him a box of cigars.
Over the years, by Major Raine's continuous elimination of Pirate Crews, Lieutenant Commander Lipar, as his superior, also received a good share of the credit. According to his friends at Marineford, his achievements had already led Marineford to consider promoting him to Colonel.
Having such a subordinate, Major Raine's preferences were naturally clear. Regarding Major Raine's love for cigars, every time Major Raine returned to the Branch, Lieutenant Commander Lipar would save a portion of his own cigars for Major Raine.
In this world, many Marines smoked cigars. Smoker, Akainu, and others all had the habit of smoking cigars. Major Raine, having been in the Marines for these years, also picked up the hobby of smoking cigars.
Seeing the cigars and the commendation papers handed over by Lieutenant Commander Lipar, Major Raine immediately took the cigars in his hand, pulled one out, lit it with a lighter, put it in his mouth, took a satisfying puff, and then accepted the commendation papers.
"Congratulations, Major Raine!"
"Thank you for your promotion, Lieutenant Commander Lipar."
"It's nothing, you deserve it," Lieutenant Commander Lipar waved his hand and sat back in his chair.
Lieutenant Commander Lipar, who had returned to his chair, suddenly said to Major Raine, "Raine, your strength has grown stronger and stronger over the years. Now, the Branch can no longer provide you with greater improvement. With your promotion to Major this time, I have already recommended you to Marineford. You can go to Marineford for advanced training to further enhance your strength."
Over the years, although Major Raine initially hunted small Pirate Crews, as his level increased and his swordsmanship continuously improved, he began to hunt Pirate Crews with high bounties in the East Blue.
As his performance became increasingly dazzling, Colonel Morgan also avoided conflict with him.
This time, the accumulated merits of Major Raine led to his promotion to Major, and Lieutenant Commander Lipar recommended him to Marineford.