"If that's the case… then that's way too overpowered, isn't it?"
Kiana's — no, my — thoughts began to race with excitement. Alright. New small goal: forge a weapon that reaches the level of a Supreme Grade Blade.
A supreme blade in my hands? Just imagining it felt amazing.
Next to me, Dusky — who had been admiring the sword for a long while — reluctantly returned it to me.
"Sorry, I got a little carried away," she muttered, embarrassed.
"It's fine. You clearly love famous swords," I replied casually.
The two of us started talking. It felt… strangely surreal — like a two-dimensional anime girl had suddenly stepped into the real world. Normally, if I were still back in my original world, I'd be licking the screen and calling this peak waifu interaction. But in real life? That urge just wasn't there.
"Yes! I really love swords," Dusky said enthusiastically. Then after a moment, something seemed to occur to her. "Ah — that reminds me, you still haven't told me the origin of this blade."
"This sword… was left to me by my father. I don't actually know where it originally came from."
I didn't even think twice before making up an excuse on the spot. Gotta bluff through it.
"I see," Dusky said, clearly disappointed that such a fine sword had an unknown history.
"My name's Dusky. What's yours?"
"Kiana."
"Anyway — what are you doing standing by the entrance of our Marine base?"
"Exchanging a bounty. I'm a bounty hunter."
"...Seriously? What pirate's bounty? Let me help you with the paperwork," Dusky said eagerly.
I nodded in delight. "Thank you. The bounty is three hundred million Beli — the captain of the Noir Pirates from the West Blue. Siegel."
This time, I made sure to mention the sea region first — gotta learn from past mistakes.
"..."
Dusky stared at me, stunned. Three hundred million?
"Kiana… are you telling the truth?"
"Of course. Colonel Tina witnessed it herself that day — she even issued an official document."
I took out Tina's certificate and handed it over.
"…It's really real. Incredible… Kiana, you're crazy strong. Stronger than most Marines!"
"..."
Why is it always the same? Why does everyone immediately try to recruit me into the Marines? What, do I have the 'please enslave me to justice' face or something?
"Sorry," I replied plainly. "I still have things I need to do. I have no intention of joining the Marines."
I rejected her instantly, and Dusky could only sigh in disappointment.
Just then, the Marine who had gone ahead to report returned. He first saluted Dusky, then turned to me.
"Colonel Smoker requests your presence. Please come with me."
"No need — I'll take her there myself. You stay on watch," Dusky said.
"...Yes, ma'am…"
The Marine left with a face full of sorrow. What?! My chance to talk to a beautiful woman — gone, just like that?!
Dusky personally led me into the Marine base. Inside — where there were few women to begin with — Dusky and I walking together instantly became the center of attention. As we passed by, heads turned, whispers followed us, and every Marine we passed had amazement written all over them.
And soon… speculation began.
Rumors flew rapidly through the halls — someone started saying that I, Kiana, was going to join the Marines. And soon, that gossip exploded through the base like wildfire.
Dusky alone was already a rare sight within the Marines — so the idea of another beauty joining? For most of these desperate Marines, that was basically paradise.
As we entered Colonel Smoker's office, the surrounding Marines watched us go inside together… and their "confirmation" of the rumors only grew stronger. Soon after, a sizable crowd ran to the door — to eavesdrop.
Of course.
The moment I stepped inside the office, I felt my breathing hitch. Thick smoke filled the air — so dense I could barely see.
"Mo… smoking in your office again?" Dusky sighed helplessly. She walked over to the window with practiced familiarity and pushed it open. Fresh air rushed in, sweeping away most of the haze.
Only then could I clearly see his face — messy silver hair, a scruffy chin, two massive cigars clamped between his lips… all unmistakable traits of the man I knew very well.
Smoker. The infamous Marine.
"You…" he ignored Dusky's complaint completely and looked straight at me. "You're the bounty hunter who took down Siegel, right?"
He kicked back, legs crossing over his desk like he owned the world — totally relaxed.
"Yes," I replied.
"Show me the proof."
I threw Tina's certificate onto his desk.
"..."
Smoker examined it silently, then finally lowered it. The document bore an official Marine seal — but that alone didn't prove the claim with one hundred percent certainty. There was only one way to verify it.
A phone call.
He pulled out a den-den mushi from his drawer… and dialed.
Bruru… Bruru… Gaga.
"Smoker? You called, so I take it Kiana has already arrived there?"Tina's voice came through the phone — calm, composed, cigarette likely hanging from her lips.
"Yeah. She's here."
"Alright then. Bye."
"Wait, you—!!!"
Smoker nearly exploded on the spot. Was that woman doing this on purpose?! She absolutely was. Fifty-three million Beli was no trivial bounty — and the Rogue Town Marine base didn't have that kind of loose funding lying around!
"Tch."Tina didn't hang up — she just clicked her tongue lightly.
"Why'd you tell her to come to me for the payout? Where am I supposed to get that much cash?!"
"Then file an application. Besides — Kiana has business to attend to in the East Blue. If Tina didn't tell her to find you… where else would she go?"
"..."
You win.
Smoker ended the call with clear frustration. Those two… they hadn't seen each other in a long time — and yet they still found ways to piss each other off.
"…Wait," I said casually while picking at my ear. "Did I just hear you say your base doesn't have enough funds?"
"Don't worry. You'll get what's yours." Smoker sighed and pulled out another cigar. After lighting it, he exhaled smoke and continued, "For now, I'll give you thirty million Beli. The remaining three hundred million — come collect it from me ten days from now."
He waved toward Dusky. "Take her to collect the bounty."
"Understood," Dusky replied.
We left Smoker's office… and found dozens of Marines frozen outside, eyes wide.
After eavesdropping, they had learned the truth — I wasn't here to join the Marines. I was here to collect a reward… a three hundred million Beli reward. Horror and awe rippled through them.
Their gazes changed.
Not lust.
Not curiosity.
But respect.The kind that only the strong command.
But Dusky glared at them.
"What are you standing around for?! Don't you have training to do?!"
And in an instant — the entire crowd scattered. They fled like birds taking off in a storm… disappearing within seconds.