"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN IT'S TOO LOW?!"
"It's just as I said. The bounty just doesn't add up." Edward said seriously. If he hadn't seen them fight with his own eyes he would have written them off as a group of amateurs. This was what had misled Spencer and his group. By the time they realized it, it was already too late.
"I can't believe this. And I was so happy to get a bounty" Naruto said dejectedly. He Couldn't decide whether to be happy or angry about the fact that his bounty was way below average. Maybe it was a good thing since his bounty poster was like a death flag.
"It's not only you. We were also so excited since this kind of bounty is high in the part of the sea we came from" Roger shook his head. The smile on his face gone.
"How annoying" Rayleigh sighed ruefully. That explains why the marines haven't been on their throats. The marine captain from before had also been clueless about them.
"Well that is that." Edward shrugged before walking towards the old man. He dropped a stack of berries on the table as payment for the damage done to his bar before making his way towards the door.
He stopped at the door, then turned to Roger's group and said. "I'll advice you guys to leave the bar while you still can. That marine will be returning with back up soon"
With his piece said, Edward stepped out of the bar .
"He is right. The next group that will arrive night be stronger than the last" Naruto hurriedly said to the group. The fact that a pirate with a high bounty would give them such an advice spoke volume of the marines power.
"I don't have a problem with it. Moreover we got what we came for. No matter how little" Roger added his two cent.
"Very well." Rayleigh nodded not seeing a problem with it. He then turned around to look and Spencer and Taro then said.
"The two of you are free to go. But make sure to never cross path with us again"
"WE WON'T!" Taro and Spencer blurred out. They had already sworn to themselves to quit the bounty hunter business and go look for a decent job.
Rayleigh nodded and prepared to leave with the others. However before they could step out of the bar the old man hurried called out to them.
"Wait. I still have one piece of information for you" The old man said. He had just finished counting the berries that Edward had given him and the amount was enough to cover up his bar repair and living expenses for the rest of the year. So as a sign of gratitude he felt that he had to at least help out his friends.
"There is a Marine warship docked somewhere on this island. Be careful"
'A marine warship' Naruto and the others exchanged looks when they heard that. The three of them have never seen a warship before. They have only heard of it or saw pictures of it in the newspaper. They've never encountered the real deal.
"We should get going" Rayleigh said and the three of them promptly left the bar.
Spencer and Taro sighed in relief when the three of them finally left the bar. They felt like if they had been in their presence any longer they might pass out.
"They are finally gone. What a relief" Spencer sighed. Now that he was finally free he was going to fulfill his promise and find a decent job to do from now on.
Taro nodded beside him. It was already nerve wracking that they had been taken prisoners by some no name pirates but they didn't expect to run into a more fearsome pirate. We're they perhaps cursed? The events that had transpired in just this few days was already enough to match the years they spent bounty hunting.
"Taro let's quit bounty hunting forever"
"Yeah"
The old man was ignorant as to what was going on as he was too busy happily counting his money.
….
"You guys are finally out" A voice said as soon as they walked out of the bar.
"Edward?" Naruto exclaimed when he saw the familiar face of the young adult with an overwhelming bounty. "I thought you had already left "
"How could I leave after the trouble I caused you guys" Edward laughed boisterously. The three of them had just pulled themselves into a huge mess just for helping him so he couldn't just leave them. Even if they didn't know just how much trouble they were in.
"It's nothing really" Rayleigh immediately waved him off.
"You know if you want to help you can just join our crew" Roger immediately suggested, taking advantage of the situation. However this time Naruto and Rayleigh didn't try to stop him. If they could get someone with such a high bounty on their crew it would serve as a deterrence to others. Especially now that they knew how little their bounty was when compared to others.
Edward laughed when he heard Rogers offer and said. "As tempting as that is I don't plan on joining any pirate group. I prefer flying solo"
"Will you at least consider the offer" Roger asked seriously. He really want Edward on his crew. He felt that Edward would be a huge addition to them seeing as he knows more about the Grand line than they do.
"I'll consider it if I were to ever change my mind" Edward promised.
"Very well" Roger grinned. Although disappointed he didn't push the topic anymore. Especially now that he had his words.
"By the way what brings you to this island?" Rayleigh asked curiously. He found it hard that someone with a bounty as high as Edward would be come to this island without some intention.
"It's nothing big really. I'm only here to visit a friend "
"A friend?" The three of them turned to look at Edward with an incredulous look.
"Yes" Edward laughed when he saw their expression. Anyone would find it hard to believe with the marines hot on his tail. But he didn't expect his location to be leaked.
"Come, I'll take you to her" Edward said before leading them deeper into the island before they stumbled upon a crowd of people lines both sides of the road.
"What the hell is going on there?" Naruto asked as he peaked out from behind the crowd trying to see what was going on. Rayleigh and the others also followed suite.
The marines walked through the middle of the street pushing wagons filled with chests and all sort of stuffs.
"Those are tributes for the celestial dragons." Edward answered.
"Tributes?" Roger asked as he watched the marines parade down the street.
"Kingdom, associated with the World Government, are expected to pay tribute to the Celestial Dragons every year. Those who are unable to pay will lose the world government protection" Edward Explained to them with a deep frown.
"Tributes huh?" Naruto repeated, puzzled. It was his first time of hearing of such a thing.
"Hey, you there!" The voice called out behind them, prompting them to turn around to see a female approaching them. She was quite a beauty and had dark blue hair tied up in a loose pony tail, with side bangs in bangs that framed her face. She wore a short pink dress with purple flower patterns, and a white marine coat draped over her shoulders. A rifle was strapped over her back.
"What are suspicious looking people like you guys doing hiding in the crowd? Are you planning on stealing the heavenly tributes?" The female Marine questioned them as she walked up to them causing them to tense up.
'Shit'
'Have we been caught?'
'Suspicious? I knew Roger was gonna get us in trouble even without doing anything '
'This is bad news. We need to act fast'
'That coat. Is she a marine commodore?' Edward squinted. His gaze focused on the coat draped over her shoulders. The marine seemed to notice his gaze.
"And you" She turned to look at Edward with a scrutinizing gaze and asked. "Why are you wearing a cloak? Take off the hood and let me see your face"
'Not good' Everyone prepared to engage in combat when they heard her words. As soon as Edward took off that hood it would be the signal for them to take action.
But however, before they could take action a marine appeared from the crowd running towards them.
'Another one' Rayleigh grabbed the hilt of his sword but the marine ignored them and turned to the female marine. "Captain Tsuru !" The marine saluted her.
'Captain!'
"What is it?" Tsuru glared at the marine causing him to shudder in fear before hurriedly reporting to her. Not daring to be slow.
"The captain wants all high ranking officers in deck for an important meeting. He specifically asked for you to be present"
Tsuru sighed in defeat when she heard the marine's word. She turned to look at Roger's group and said. "Don't go anywhere. I'll be back for you guys later" With that said Tsuru left with the marine.
"Well that was fun" Roger laughed after Tsuru left. He wasn't expecting her to leave like that after suddenly confronting them.
"Maybe for you. For a moment there I thought I'll have to kill her" Rayleigh sighed. If she had tried anything funny he would have cut her down immediately.
"A captain huh? Ain't that something" Naruto laughed. That was the first captain rank marine that they had encountered since their time on the Grand line. But unfortunately according to Edward there should be a rear admiral somewhere on this island.
"We should get going moving before more marines show up" Edward said before leading them away from the crowd. After walking around the streets of Drum kingdom they reached a two story building outside of town.
"Is this the place?" Naruto asked.
"Yes" Edward nodded before banging on the door of the building.
"Kureha are you home? It's Edward!"
The door to the apartment opened to reveal a young pretty lady standing by the doorway with a surprised expression.
"Edward? Come in, come in."
Naruto was stunned by the beauty in front of him. Rayleigh and Roger were in the same boat. They were expecting to meet a middle aged man, not an heavenly beauty.
Edward didn't find their reaction surprising. He had also been like that the first time he saw kureha.
"Well don't just stand there looking like morons. Come in."