On the rolling blue waves, a Marine battleship cut through the sea, sailing straight ahead.
The hull was massive and well-ordered, with crisp lines.
The sails bore the Marines’ iconic seagull emblem.
Rows of gun ports lined both sides of the ship.
“Captain, what do we do?”
Kane looked at the battleship charging toward them, then glanced back.
After a moment’s thought, he spoke: “Bepo, Shachi, Penguin — you have three minutes.
Search the cabins for valuables.
Only take things that are valuable and easy to carry.”
“Then get back to the Polar Submarine, dive, and follow the battleship.
Keep the Den Den Mushi handy — we’ll stay in touch.”
The three little ones spun around and charged into the cabin.
There was no time to waste.
Law stood up and walked over to Kane.
Medara had been bandaged.
“Planning to use the Ghost Hand name to claim the bounty from the Marine captain?”
“Exactly.
We don’t have bounties yet.
And my reputation as a bounty hunter is fairly solid in the North Blue.”
Soon, Bepo and the others jumped back down with several small bags and submerged the Polar Submarine.
“Lieutenant Commander Hina, something seems off about that ship.”
“Hina can see that.
The ship is just sitting there — not fleeing, not attacking.
Something must have happened.
Maybe they were attacked by other pirates and are heavily damaged.”
“Pass my orders — all officers and men stay alert.
Don’t let your guard down.
If anyone gets hurt because of carelessness, Hina will be very upset.”
At the bow of the battleship stood a tall woman with an enviable figure, wearing a rose-red professional suit and a Justice Coat.
Her light pink hair was parted in the middle and fell past her shoulders.
She was Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Commander Hina.
She wore a pair of purple sunglasses on her forehead and a cigarette dangling from her lips.
Her entire demeanor radiated sharp, commanding energy.
“Beast Carrick Medara — 50 million Beri bounty.
I don’t know if he’s still on board.
But either way — Hina will defeat you, or arrest whoever already did!”
Hina could barely contain her excitement.
This was her first independent command at sea.
Her first mission would determine her graduation results.
For Hina, this capture operation was actually an assessment — the graduation exam for Marine Headquarters’ new recruit training camp.
Hina, 22 years old, from the West Blue.
A fresh graduate of the training camp.
The head instructor, Zephyr, had led the graduates on a training expedition in the Grand Line, then split them into groups, assigning each a battleship to patrol the Four Seas.
The seas were assigned by lottery — but there was an unwritten rule behind the scenes.
Graduates wouldn’t be sent back to their home seas.
For example, Hina — from the West Blue — was assigned to the North Blue.
Her classmate Smoker, from Loguetown in the East Blue, was sent to the West Blue.
“Neither of them is in the Beast Pirates’ records.
And I can’t find any matching bounty posters for them.”
“Oh~ Interesting.
Hina is very curious.”
The pirate ship sat still on the sea.
Seeing no hostile movement from it, the Marines approached cautiously.
“Hello there, beautiful Marine lady.” Kane waved in greeting.
Law stood beside him, arms crossed, expression blank.
“Seeing a Marine ship and not running away.
Hina is curious about who you are.”
“Oh~ So the beautiful lady’s name is Hina.” Kane pretended not to recognize her and introduced himself.
“My name is Kane — Darkseid Kane.
I’m a bounty hunter.
I’ve already taken down Beast Medara.
Would you be so kind as to help me claim the bounty, Miss Hina?”
Hina’s eyes flickered.
She spotted the Beast lying on the deck behind them.
She tilted her head slightly and glanced at her adjutant.
The adjutant was a local from the North Blue.
Hearing Kane’s introduction, he studied him closely — until he saw that demonic hand.
Memories flooded back.
“It’s him!
Ghost Hand Kane!”
Hina turned curiously.
The adjutant quickly explained:
“Ghost Hand Kane — a bounty hunter who’s been active since last year.
He has a ruthless style — rarely takes targets alive.
His strength is extraordinary.
In the past year, the number of major pirates who’ve fallen to him can’t be counted on two hands — including several with bounties over 50 million.”
“Oh?
Interesting.
The North Blue has a bounty hunter this formidable.”
“Kane, was it?
Would you like to join the Marines?
Hina can put in a recommendation for you~”
Here we go again, huh?
Nope~ I refuse!
Kane crossed his arms in front of his chest — a clean, smooth rejection that caught Hina off guard.
“Fine.
If you ever change your mind, you’re welcome to find Hina.”
“Hina struck out again…”
Hina took the cigarette from her lips, let out a soft sigh, and exhaled a stream of smoke that swirled gently in the air before being carried away by the sea breeze.
Kane’s eyes darted.
He leaped onto the railing at the battleship’s bow — prompting the Marines to raise their guns.
The tension spiked instantly.
“This Beast was really tough to handle.
Thanks to the Marines arriving in time — with both sides working together, we finally took down this notorious pirate.”
She leaned in, her warm breath brushing against Kane’s face.
“Hina is very curious about your motive.
What are you trying to do?”
Kane’s breath hitched.
His throat moved almost imperceptibly.
His voice came out a little faster: “Civil-military cooperation!
The righteous Marines strike down evil pirates.
Righteous allies help the Marines capture the Beast.”
“We each get what we need.
You get the credit.
I get the bounty.”
“Is that so~ Hina will consider it.” Hina gave a teasing smile, letting out another warm breath.
Kane’s gaze sharpened.
He quickly regained his composure, a dangerous smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
He jumped down from the railing.
Hina’s expression shifted.
She stepped back twice to dodge — but Kane didn’t stop.
He closed in, almost pressing against Hina’s face.
“I used to go to Branch 108 a lot.
The Marines there were great.
They’d settle my bounty on the same day.”
Kane leaned in even closer.
To the onlookers, he looked like he was biting Hina’s ear.
“But this place is too far from that branch.
I think Hina would be happy to help a righteous ally — wouldn’t you?”
He lowered his voice.
His warm breath crept straight into Hina’s ear.
Hina’s face flushed slightly.
She raised her hand and pressed it against his chest, pushing him away.
“Branch 89 is the closest.
Hina can take the Beast there.
If they have enough funds on hand, Hina will put in a good word for you.”
“Then it’s a deal.” Kane extended his hand.
Hina glanced at it and slapped it away.
Kane shrugged and withdrew his hand, treating it like a high-five.
Her hand was soft.
Warm.
The adjutant stepped forward, directing the Marines to throw grappling hooks and board the pirate ship to search it, transferring the Beast to the battleship.
Seeing the conversation was over, Law jumped onto the battleship and stood behind Kane.
Hina looked puzzled: “Where’s your ship?”
“Don’t ask.
Would you mind giving us a ride?”
“Hina is speechless.
You’re already on the ship — don’t use question marks!”
Hina truly hadn’t seen the Polar Submarine — and neither had any of the other Marines.
Because the submarine and the battleship were on opposite sides of the pirate ship.
The pirate vessel blocked the battleship’s view completely.
Now that the Polar Submarine had submerged, the Marines couldn’t see it at all.