**Chapter 4: Koby? My Marine Dream!**
This world was sometimes quite intriguing. The Marines weren't like Marines, and pirates weren't like pirates, yet the two were incompatible like fire and water.
Freshly liberated from Morgan's dark rule, they simply couldn't accept turning around and becoming pirates, engaging in acts of murder and plunder.
Allen didn't force the issue, nor would he say something like wanting to establish a righteous and kind pirate crew—after all, he wasn't exactly a good guy.
Since he had decided to become a pirate, labels like 'good' or 'bad' no longer applied to him.
He was just a pirate driven by ambition.
...
A little later.
Outside the base gates.
Ripa directed the Marines to go back and clean up the mess left after the incident, while he himself took a few subordinates to see Allen off.
"Although we can't set sail with you to become pirates, well, you don't even have a ship right now."
Ripa took out a stack of Berries from behind him and handed it to Allen.
"A warship is out of the question, but this is a little token from the brothers. You can buy a micro sailboat in town with it."
"One... two... three... four..."
Without any refusal, Allen unceremoniously took the stack of Berries and counted them right in front of Ripa and the others.
After finishing the count, Allen looked up at Ripa, frowned, and said in a disdainful tone:
"Only 4 million Berries? Aren't you guys being a bit too stingy?"
"4 million Berries is a lot!!"
Ripa and the others bared their teeth and yelled.
"Forget it, forget it. After all, you only earn that much per month, and you still have to fight pirates risking life and limb. Sigh, so pitiful."
Allen shook his head with a sigh, turned, and headed off in the direction of the town, waving without looking back.
"I'm off. Just wait and see the day I become a great pirate and acquire inexhaustible treasures. Don't be too envious then."
Watching Allen's departing back, veins bulged on the Marines' foreheads. They clenched their fists, barely suppressing the urge to rush up and beat him up.
"He's as annoying as ever... that bastard..."
Ripa shook his head helplessly, turned around, and called his subordinates into the base.
"There's still a pile of mess to clean up. Let's head back."
...
A sunny and calm afternoon.
Allen had his rifle slung over his shoulder with a pack hanging from it, humming a carefree tune as he strolled along a country path. As he walked, he pondered his next steps.
First, he definitely needed a medium-sized or larger sailboat, and he also had to recruit some crew to handle sailing. Without these, he'd be too embarrassed to even call himself a pirate.
However, there was no proper shipyard in Shells Town on this island. And even if there were, he couldn't afford it anyway.
With only 6 million Berries in hand, the best he could buy was a micro sailboat. He'd have to consider earning money to buy a better ship later, or simply steal someone else's pirate ship.
Thinking this, Allen stroked his chin, beginning to recall.
Besides Alvida, Buggy the Clown, Kuro, and Arlong whom he knew from his previous life, there were quite a few other pirates in the East Blue.
Having been at Branch 153 for a few years, he had intelligence on several pirate crews and knew their operating bases.
Since he was becoming a pirate, stealing and plundering would become routine operations. He'd just go rob them clean when the time came.
He could also see if he could recruit some crew members while he was at it.
Allen already had an idea.
Since he'd have to change ships later anyway, there was no need for a micro sailboat. He might as well just buy a cheap little rowboat.
Most of the seas in the East Blue were relatively calm.
He had learned a bit of navigation back at Headquarters. As long as he checked the weather before setting out and didn't encounter major storms, there shouldn't be a problem.
"Let's go check out the town first."
...
The seawater shimmered under the sunlight. At the port adjoining the streets of Shells Town, various small boats were docked.
Arriving in town, Allen bought some supplies and inquired about where he could buy a boat.
Finally, he learned from a restaurant owner that there were a few small boats someone was looking to sell, already docked at the East Port for a while.
Following the owner's directions, Allen made his way to the port. As soon as he reached the shoreline, he spotted two figures standing in front of a small boat in the distance.
One wore a straw hat, the other had three swords at his waist.
Even from far away, Allen recognized the two instantly. They seemed to have noticed him too, turning their heads together.
"Ah! It's that Marine!"
Luffy exclaimed in surprise, raising a hand to point at Allen.
Zoro immediately grew alert, subconsciously placing a hand on his sword hilts, his gaze serious as he assessed him.
"Can't even shake them off? These annoying Marines."
"Hmm..."
Allen stroked his chin thoughtfully, glancing at the small boat beside them, then back at the two.
...
The standoff lasted less than a second.
*Click!*
The corner of Allen's mouth lifted. He immediately raised his rifle, aiming it at the two, while simultaneously turning and shouting towards the alley on his left:
"I've found Roronoa and the others! They're here! Send reinforcements quickly!!"
"Oh no!"
Luffy's eyes widened in shock. He hurriedly turned around and started running.
"Let's go, Zoro!"
"Tch! Damn Marines. Hey, wait for me!"
Seeing Luffy run, Zoro gritted his teeth, cursed under his breath, dropped his fighting stance, and turned to flee as well.
Only after the two had run a fair distance did Allen lower his rifle with a smug smile, slung it behind his back, and walked forward.
Generally speaking, unless they had absolute overwhelming strength, pirates wouldn't take the initiative to fight Marines.
And for someone like Luffy, even if he held the advantage in strength, his first reaction upon encountering Marines was to run. He'd only choose to fight when escape was truly impossible.
Not to mention Allen's strength wasn't weaker than theirs. A simple bluff had successfully scared them off.
Arriving at the spot where they had been standing, Allen looked at their boat, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.
"This way, I've even saved the money for buying a boat."
Tossing his pack onto the boat, Allen crouched down to untie the rope securing it to the wooden post, preparing to set sail.
Right then.
"Um... you... hello..."
A young voice suddenly came from behind.
Allen turned around curiously and saw a short, bespectacled boy with pink hair emerge from the corner of the alley.
"P... please... are you... from Branch 153, right?"
The pink-haired boy asked, trembling.
Allen gave him a casual glance. "Who are you?"
"Um... my name is Koby! I want to join the Marines!"
Koby's face was filled with fear, snot was running from his nose, but his voice was loud, as if trying to bolster his own courage.
Koby?
Allen was taken aback. His gaze swept over the boy for a moment before he finally reacted, a look of realization dawning on his face.
So it's you!
The 200% Effort kid!
Before Allen could speak, Koby puffed out his chest and shouted loudly:
"That...! I can work hard! Whether it's cleaning or mopping, I can handle tough training, I will definitely persevere!"
As he spoke, Koby bent over forcefully, bowing deeply, and yelled with his youthful voice:
"Please! Give me a chance! I will definitely become an outstanding Marine!!"
Looking at the bowing Koby before him, Allen's eyes held an interested gleam. He smiled and said:
"Not bad. I can already see sufficient determination in your eyes. I believe you will definitely become an outstanding Marine in the future."
Hearing this, Koby's tightly shut eyes suddenly flew open, brimming with boundless joy. He clenched his fists and looked up at Allen excitedly.
"Really?!"
"Mm, really. But I've already resigned from the Marines."
Allen nodded in response.
Hearing this, Koby was stunned. "Resigned? Then you..."
Allen simply smiled faintly and said nonchalantly:
"I'm a pirate now."
Koby: "Eh...? A pirate...?"
As understanding dawned, Koby's eyes instantly widened in terror. Tears and snot flew out simultaneously.
"It's a pirate?!"
"Oh right, what was it you just said you wanted to be again?"
Allen reached out, grabbed Koby by the collar, and lifted him up like a chick, his smile turning gradually sinister.
"Wanted to be... wanted to be... be..."
Staring into Allen's fierce gaze, Koby was scared to tears, his teeth chattering, the area below his waist gradually becoming damp.
"With that attitude, you dare to talk big? A snot-nosed little brat, my Marine dream!"
Allen's eyes were full of disdain. He kicked him hard into the sea with a "splash" that sent up a huge spray.