After returning to the Marine Base with the knockout drug, Kaguya went back to his boring life as a recruit.
After staying at the Marine Base for another half month, Kaguya was almost getting used to this kind of life.
The only thing Kaguya was dissatisfied with was that, in order to avoid being noticed, he couldn’t train to his full potential, and his strength improvement was very limited.
Finally, Kaguya found an opportunity to steal the military funds.
On this day, Branch 153 received an order from Loguetown.
A Pirate Crew had fled into the waters under the jurisdiction of Branch 153, and Branch 153 needed to send a fleet for an encirclement and suppression mission.
The entire base suddenly became busy, and even more than half of the sentries on guard duty were reassigned.
Standing in front of the dormitory window, Kaguya watched squads of Marine soldiers boarding the warships, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
This was exactly the opportunity he had been waiting for.
After the last warship left the port, less than a third of the forces remained at the base, and most were clerical staff and logistics personnel.
As night fell, Kaguya secretly used some knockout drug on his already sleeping roommates and then changed into a night-suit.
Kaguya nimbly avoided the sporadic patrols and arrived near the Logistics Department.
Two guards were yawning out of boredom, completely unaware of the figure in the shadows.
“Hey, I heard the cafeteria prepared a late-night snack today.”
Kaguya intentionally spoke in a raspy voice from around the corner.
The two guards immediately became alert.
“Who’s there?”
The moment they turned around, Kaguya threw two pebbles like lightning, precisely hitting the ground near their feet.
As the guards instinctively looked down to check, Kaguya had already scattered the knockout drug into the air.
Within seconds, the two guards slumped to the ground.
Kaguya quickly searched the guards for the keys and quietly opened the door to the Logistics Department.
By the Moonlight, he saw dozens of wooden crates stacked neatly inside.
Prying one open, inside were stacks upon stacks of brand-new Berries.
“Next, it depends on our unspoken cooperation and your intelligence.”
Kaguya pulled out a large cloth bag from his bosom and took one layer of bills from each crate.
Then he closed the crates and left the Logistics Department.
Guided by the Moonlight, Kaguya quickly scaled the walls and left the Marine Base.
In the forest behind the base, Kaguya found the treasure hiding spot he had prepared in advance.
This time, Kaguya had stolen over eight million Berries in total, enough for him to live lavishly for a whole year.
The next step was to leave the Marines without exposing himself.
After burying the Berries, Kaguya returned to the dormitory.
The next day, the fleet that went out to suppress the pirates returned.
More than twenty Marines remained in the ocean forever.
Due to the sacrifice of these Marines, Kaguya’s batch of recruits was forced to become formal Marines, ending their training period early.
A somber and tense atmosphere permeated the base; no one noticed that a layer of the military funds in the Logistics Department was missing.
After staying at the Marine Base for another month, Kaguya was “forced” to join a pirate-hunting mission.
After successfully capturing the pirates and just as they were about to arrive at the naval port…
The pirates “unexpectedly” broke out in violence.
Kaguya heroically fought one of the pirates, eventually perishing together with him as they both fell into the sea.
“Pfft!”
On a hidden small beach on the island where Shells Town was located, Kaguya crawled out of the seawater.
“I almost actually drowned in the sea!
I must improve my strength as soon as possible!”
After crawling ashore, Kaguya wrung out his clothes and then ran toward the forest where the Berries were buried.
“Thank goodness, it’s still here, it’s still here!
Now I don’t have to worry about money!”
After re-tying the cloth bag, Kaguya hurried toward the port under the cover of night, carrying the bag on his back.
While passing a clothing store, Kaguya slipped inside and bought a set of clothes.
Then, passing a weapon shop, he bought a revolver.
Afterward, Kaguya bought two suitcases and packed the Berries into them.
Just as the morning sun rose from the sea level, Kaguya took the Berries and boarded a merchant ship bound for Loguetown.
Watching Shells Town gradually recede into the distance, Kaguya leaned against the ship’s railing, a relieved smile touching the corners of his mouth.
The sea breeze brushed against his face, carrying a salty scent, yet it made him feel a sense of freedom he had never experienced before.
The merchant ship sailed smoothly across the azure sea.
Kaguya gazed at the churning waves in the distance, his mind already calculating his next plans.
Loguetown was one of the most prosperous towns in the East Blue and the execution site of Pirate King Roger.
It was a place where all sorts of people mingled, making it the perfect location for him to hide his identity and improve his strength.
“Once I reach Loguetown, I’ll find a place to stay first, and then…”
Kaguya touched the Tsukikage at his waist, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
He needed to quickly improve his strength—not necessarily to be incredibly powerful, but at least to have the strength to survive in the East Blue.
On his first day in Loguetown, Kaguya was struck by the city’s hustle and bustle.
The port was filled with all kinds of ships, and the streets were crowded with merchants, adventurers from all over the world, and pirates hiding among them. You are reading on novelping.com, the official source.
The air was thick with the aroma of grilled fish and rum, and the sounds of laughter and fighting could be heard coming from the taverns in the distance.
Kaguya lowered the brim of his hat and threaded through the crowd carrying his suitcases.
Through inquiries, he found a courtyard that was for sale.
Because of its remote location far from the town center, the Marines didn’t usually patrol this area, and safety wasn’t guaranteed, so the price wasn’t high.
It only cost three hundred thousand Berries.
And Kaguya just happened to need a residence far from the Marine Base.
So he didn’t haggle and bought the courtyard directly.
After a simple cleaning, Kaguya moved in.
Standing in the courtyard, he looked at the mottled walls and the slightly dilapidated house, yet he felt immensely satisfied—this would be the starting point for him to become stronger.
After putting the suitcases under the bed, Kaguya took one million Berries and headed to the weapon shop in Loguetown.
Pushing open the door, Kaguya saw the Snub-Nosed Boss.
“Found it.”
A smile curled on Kaguya’s lips.
The drowsy Snub-Nosed Boss immediately perked up upon hearing the door open.
He rubbed his hands together while squinting his eyes to size up Kaguya.
“Young man, what are you looking for?
This shop is the most well-stocked weapon store in Loguetown.”
Kaguya’s gaze swept across the various weapons hanging on the walls, finally resting on a barrel of long swords in the corner.
Kaguya didn’t answer the boss; he walked straight to the barrel of long swords that looked like junk.
“Clatter, clatter.”
Kaguya rummaged through them for a bit, then suddenly paused.
“Found you, sandai kitetsu.”
“Wait, wait!”
The Snub-Nosed Boss saw that Kaguya had said nothing since entering and had actually found the sandai kitetsu directly.
He was instantly struck with shock.
“Do you…
do you know what you’re holding?”
“Clang!”
Kaguya slowly unsheathed the sandai kitetsu, the blade glinting with a cold light in the dim shop.
He gently stroked the blade, feeling a faint, ethereal evil aura flowing at his fingertips.