East Blue.
On the deck of the warship, a small table was placed in the center.
Three men were gathered around it, enthusiastically playing a card game.
"Royal Flush!" Kuro announced, his face an emotionless mask as he played his strongest hand.
"Can't beat that," Commander Hayes sighed, placing his cards down.
"Pass," Mike shrugged, a lazy grin on his face.
Kuro's lips curled slightly.
He glanced at the cards on the table, then at his own remaining hand.
According to the rules, he and Commander Hayes were the "peasants," working together as a team to defeat the "landlord"—Captain Mike.
At this moment, the Captain had only six cards left.
Based on Kuro's calculations, his captain still held a medium straight and one small card.
The optimal play for the peasant team would be for Kuro to play his "bomb" of four 3s, clearing the board and securing their victory.
But Kuro's goals had changed.
He wasn't here to win a card game.
He was here to win favor.
His eyes lit up with a brilliant, subversive idea.
He broke up his winning hand, playing a small, insignificant straight.
"..."
Mike's eyes narrowed slightly, a faint, appreciative smile playing on his lips.
"I'll take that!" He deftly played his own straight and then called out without hesitation.
"One card left."
"..."
"Can't beat it..."
"And... I'm out!" Mike clapped his hands and stood up, beaming.
"Looks like the landlord wins again."
Commander Hayes just shook his head helplessly, not quite catching the subtle act of sabotage his teammate had just committed.
Just then, a Marine soldier hurried over. "Captain, here's today's East Blue Daily."
"Good," Mike took the newspaper and casually sat back down, flipping through it.
Reading the paper during work hours to stay updated on current events was, in his opinion, a vital part of his duty.
"Well, Captain, I'll go check our course and make sure we haven't deviated," Commander Hayes said, saluting before leaving the deck.
Kuro followed closely behind him.
In the past few days, he had made it his mission to silently observe and learn.
He watched how the Commander walked, how he addressed the Captain, how he commanded the crew.
Kuro had never been so serious in his life, because he knew his past was now completely behind him.
To fully integrate into his new identity, his life now revolved around two things: learning and training.
Learning, to become the indispensable right-hand man the Captain needed.
Training, to ensure he had the power to handle any troubles that arose.
As for the Captain... if a man is already that strong, what's wrong with him slacking off?
At Mike's request, the bounties on the Black Cat Pirates had been officially revoked.
The other captured members were assigned to various branch bases for labor reform.
Kuro knew he had no way back, nor did he want one.
Becoming stronger and securing a stable life... following Captain Mike is the only way to achieve that.
The Captain's demands are my objectives!
"Go on, go on," Mike waved his hand as Kuro left, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
His new subordinate was a quick learner.
The decision to detour to Syrup Village was proving more correct by the day.
Imagining his future self leisurely lounging in a cushy office at Marine Headquarters while Kuro handled all the tedious tasks, Mike cracked a smile.
"Perfect."
He lit a premium cigar, took a deep drag, and casually flipped open the newspaper.
"SHOCKING! WORLD'S GREATEST SWORDSMAN MIHAWK ADMITS TO ENCOUNTERING AN INCOMPREHENSIBLE SWORD STYLE!?"
Seeing the headline, Mike's eyes instantly brightened.
"Mihawk's in the news, huh? Let's see what this is about."
"Mihawk defeated 'Pirate Hunter' Zoro in just two moves? And admitted those moves were inspired by a Marine Headquarters Captain? With one technique even Mihawk himself hasn't fully grasped yet?"
The article, clearly afraid of Mihawk, respectfully omitted any names.
Mike flicked the ash from his cigar, a flicker of irritation on his face.
"Tch, that Mihawk's comprehension is downright monstrous. To think he could steal and learn my moves that quickly."
If that guy didn't bring at least two crates of top-tier red wine as an apology next time, there would be hell to pay.
His gaze then drifted to the last few pages, and a hint of amusement appear on his face.
The paper featured a large photo of a man crying helplessly, desperately trying to eat a bowl full of boogers.
"Hah! Who's this poor guy?" Mike chuckled.
"Who did he piss off?"
The next photo showed the man choke and unconscious to the roaring laughter of the surrounding crowd.
"HAHAHAHA! This dude is hilarious!" Mike clutched his stomach, his own laughter echoing across the deck.
[Ding!]
[Host slacks off reading newspapers during work hours. Today's paper is more interesting than yesterday's. Mood: Pleased. Happy Points +500.]
Just then, the cabin door opened and Commander Hayes strode in.
"Captain, the course remains steady. We're expected to reach Loguetown in half a day."
"Hmm," Mike nodded, folding the newspaper. "Loguetown, huh... Might as well sightsee all the way back to Headquarters."
By the time they returned, Kuro would be fully integrated, ready to handle everything.
Then, his true slacker life could finally begin.
****
Meanwhile, in the ruins of Arlong Park...
With a sky-splitting shout of "GOMU GOMU NO... AXE!", Luffy's stretched leg crashed down from the sky with devastating force.
The thunderous impact sent Arlong smashing through every floor of his own headquarters, the entire structure collapsing instantly under the overwhelming power.
A deafening roar echoed across the island as Arlong's tyrannical reign came to a crashing end.
"AHHH—!" A piercing shriek came from the sidelines.
Captain Nezumi of the 16th Branch, who had tried to steal Nami's treasure, found his path coldly blocked by Zoro.
The Straw Hat Pirates' battle had not only liberated an island but also exposed a corrupt Marine.
With this event, "Straw Hat" Luffy—and his staggering 30,000,000 Berry bounty—instantly became the most infamous name in the East Blue.
As the setting sun cast golden hues over the ruins, the Going Merry sailed toward the horizon.
"The Grand Line!" Usopp stood at the stern, his eyes alight with both fear and longing.
"Don't forget we still need to stop for supplies!" Nami reminded him with a smirk.
Zoro remained on deck, eyes closed, a faint smile on his lips betraying his anticipation for the challenges ahead.
Sanji lit a cigarette, his eyes filled with trust for his new crewmates.
The straw-hatted Jolly Roger fluttered proudly from the mast.
"LET'S GO!" Luffy stood at the ship's figurehead, pointing excitedly.
"NEXT STOP, LOGUETOWN—THE TOWN OF BEGINNINGS AND THE END!"