This world was quite intriguing sometimes. The Marines didn't act like Marines, and the pirates didn't act like pirates, yet the two factions were completely at odds with each other.
Having just been liberated from Morgan's dark rule, they couldn't accept turning right around to become pirates and engaging in acts of burning, killing, and looting.
Allen didn't force them, nor would he say anything about forming a righteous and kind-hearted pirate crew. After all, he wasn't exactly a saint himself.
Now that he had decided to become a pirate, labels like 'good guy' or 'bad guy' would no longer apply to him.
He was simply a pirate driven by ambition.
...
A short while later.
Outside the base's main gate.
Ripper directed the Marines to go back and clean up the mess left behind by the incident, while he brought a few subordinates to see Allen off.
"Although we can't go out to sea and become pirates with you, you don't even have a ship right now, do you?"
Ripper pulled out a stack of Berries from behind his back and handed it to Allen.
"There's no way we can let you sail off in a Marine warship. This is a little token of appreciation the brothers scraped together. It should be enough for you to buy a miniature sailboat in town."
"One... two... three... four..."
Allen didn't decline in the slightest. He unceremoniously accepted the stack of Berries and began counting it right in front of Ripper and the others.
After finishing the count, Allen looked up at Ripper, frowned, and spoke in a disgusted tone.
"Only four million Berries? You guys are way too stingy."
"Four million Berries is a lot, okay?!"
Ripper and the others shouted loudly, baring their sharp teeth in exasperation.
"Forget it, forget it. After all, you only make that meager salary a month, and you still have to fight pirates to the death. Sigh, how pitiful."
Allen shook his head and sighed. He turned and left in the direction of the town, waving his hand without looking back.
"I'm off. Just wait for the day I become a great pirate and obtain inexhaustible treasure. Don't be too jealous when that time comes."
Watching Allen's retreating back, veins popped on the foreheads of the Marines. They clenched their fists, fighting back the urge to rush forward and beat him up.
"He's as insufferable as ever... that bastard..."
Ripper shook his head helplessly, turned around, and gestured for his subordinates to enter the base.
"We still have a huge mess to clean up. Let's head back."
...
It was a sunny and breezy afternoon.
Allen rested his rifle barrel against his shoulder with his luggage hanging from it. Humming a tune of freedom, he strolled down the country road, pondering his next steps as he walked.
First, he definitely needed a medium-sized sailboat or larger, and he had to recruit some subordinates to sail it. If he didn't even have those, he'd be too embarrassed to call himself a pirate.
However, Shells Town on the island didn't have a proper shipyard. Of course, even if it did, he wouldn't be able to afford one.
With only six million Berries in hand, he could buy a miniature sailboat at most. He would just have to think about making money to upgrade his ship later, or simply hijack someone else's pirate ship.
Thinking of this, Allen stroked his chin and began to reminisce.
Aside from Alvida, Buggy the Clown, Kuro, Arlong, and the others he knew from his past life, there were still quite a few other pirates in the East Blue.
Having stayed at the 153rd Branch for a few years, he had also gathered intelligence on several pirate crews and knew their active strongholds.
Since he was a pirate now, stealing and robbing were standard operations. He could just go and plunder them when the time came.
He could also see if he could recruit some subordinates along the way.
Allen already had a plan in mind.
Since he was going to change ships later anyway, there was no need for a miniature sailboat. He might as well just buy a cheaper rowboat.
Most of the waters in the East Blue were relatively calm.
He had learned a bit of navigation knowledge when he was at headquarters. As long as he observed the weather before setting off and didn't encounter strong winds or massive waves, he basically wouldn't have any problems.
"I'll go check out the town first."
...
The seawater sparkled with azure waves under the sunlight. In Shells Town, small boats were docked at the port bordering the streets.
Arriving in town, Allen bought some supplies and asked around about where he could buy a boat.
Finally, he learned from a restaurant proprietress that there were a few small boats someone was planning to resell, which had been docked at the East Port for quite some time.
Following the proprietress's directions, Allen made his way to the port. Just as he reached the coast, he saw two figures standing in front of a small boat in the distance.
One was wearing a straw hat, and the other had three swords hanging from his waist.
Even from far away, Allen recognized their identities at a glance. The other party seemed to have noticed him as well, and they both turned their heads.
"Ah! It's that Marine!"
Luffy exclaimed in surprise, pointing a finger at Allen.
Zoro's expression immediately grew vigilant. He instinctively placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, sizing him up with a solemn gaze.
"We still couldn't shake them off? These annoying Marines."
"Hmm..."
Allen stroked his chin in thought. He glanced at the small boat next to them, then looked back at the two.
...
The two sides faced off for less than a second.
*Click!*
The corners of Allen's mouth curled up. He immediately raised his gun and aimed it at the two, simultaneously turning his head to wave and shout into the alley on his left.
"I've found Roronoa and the other guy! They're over here, send backup quickly!!"
"Crap!"
Luffy's eyes widened in sudden shock. He hurriedly turned around and bolted.
"Let's go, Zoro!"
"Tch! Damn Marines. Hey, wait for me, you jerk!"
Seeing Luffy run off, Zoro cursed under his breath through gritted teeth. He retracted his fighting stance, turned around, and fled alongside him.
It wasn't until the two had run quite a distance that Allen gave a smug smile. Only then did he lower his gun, rest it behind his back, and walk forward.
Generally speaking, without absolute overwhelming strength, pirates wouldn't take the initiative to fight the Marines.
And for someone like Luffy, even if he had the upper hand in strength, his first reaction upon encountering Marines was to run away. He would only choose to fight when he truly couldn't escape.
Not to mention that Allen's strength was no weaker than theirs. A simple bluff was all it took to successfully scare them off.
Arriving at the spot where they had been standing, Allen looked at their boat and grinned in satisfaction.
"Now I've even saved the money for buying a boat."
Tossing his backpack onto it, Allen crouched down to untie the mooring rope secured to the wooden post, preparing to set sail and leave.
Right at that moment.
"Um... h-hello..."
A youthful voice suddenly rang out from behind him.
Allen turned his head in confusion, only to see a short, pink-haired kid wearing glasses stepping out from the corner of the alley.
"E-Excuse me... you're a Marine from the 153rd Branch, right?"
The pink-haired kid asked, trembling.
Allen cast a flat glance at him. "Who are you?"
"Um... my name is Koby! I'm hoping to join the Marines!"
Koby's face was written all over with fear, and snot was even running from his nose, but his voice was loud, as if he were trying to embolden himself.
Koby?
Allen froze for a moment. His gaze sized the other party up and down for a while before he finally realized who it was, a look of sudden comprehension dawning on him.
*'So it's you!'*
*'The 200-times effort kid!'*
Before Allen could speak, Koby puffed out his chest and shouted loudly.
"Um...! I'm a very hard worker! Whether it's sweeping or mopping the floors, and even grueling training is no problem! I will definitely persevere!"
As he spoke, Koby forcefully bent at the waist, bowing his head low, and roared in his youthful voice.
"Please! Please give me a chance! I will definitely become an outstanding Marine!!"
Looking at Koby bowing his head in front of him, Allen's eyes filled with amusement. He smiled and said,
"Not bad. I've already seen enough determination in your eyes. I'm sure you will definitely become an outstanding Marine in the future."
Hearing this, Koby's tightly shut eyes suddenly snapped open, brimming with endless joy. He clenched his fists and looked up at Allen excitedly.
"Really?!"
"Yeah, really. But I've already resigned from the Marines."
Allen nodded in response.
Hearing these words, Koby froze for a moment. "Resigned? Then you're..."
Allen merely gave a faint smile and said casually,
"I'm a pirate now."
"Eh...? A pirate...?" Koby uttered.
Realizing what that meant, Koby's eyes instantly widened, and his tears and snot flew out simultaneously in sheer terror.
"You're a pirate...?!!!"
"By the way, what did you say you wanted to be again?"
Allen reached out and grabbed Koby by the collar, lifting him up like a little chick, his smile gradually turning wicked.
"I want to be... want to be... be..."
Looking into Allen's vicious gaze, Koby was so terrified that tears spilled out. His teeth chattered, and the crotch of his pants gradually grew wet.
"You dare spout such big words looking like this? You wet-behind-the-ears little brat, to hell with your Marine dream!"
Allen's eyes filled with disdain. He delivered a vicious kick, sending Koby flying into the sea with a loud *splash*, kicking up a massive spray of water.