Meanwhile, in the North Blue—
Mushroom Town.
It was the most prosperous settlement within several hundred kilometers of the surrounding seas.
Its broad streets were packed with people, and the town remained lively throughout the day.
Travelers from distant islands moved among the local residents, each dressed according to the customs of their homeland.
Rows of uniformly sized buildings lined both sides of the streets.
Their structures, colors, and general appearance were largely similar, with nearly every building painted a pale shade of purple.
From a distance, the entire town appeared to be covered beneath a field of blooming violets.
Mushroom Town occupied a large island roughly forty kilometers across.
Its permanent population approached two hundred thousand, while merchants, sailors, and other temporary visitors pushed the true number even higher.
It was easily considered a medium-to-large town.
Countless products were displayed in shops and stalls along the wide streets.
Smiling pedestrians admired the prosperous surroundings as they passed.
At the coastal harbor, fishing boats rested beside large merchant vessels, cargo ships, and passenger vessels that carried travelers between islands.
Early that morning, fishermen set out to sea with their nets and equipment.
Elsewhere, broad-shouldered dockworkers hauled cargo onto waiting merchant ships.
The entire port was alive with activity.
At that moment, a Marine warship appeared on the endless blue horizon.
Ripples spread across the calm surface as the vessel approached, and waves rolled outward from its hull.
The sight of the Marine flag caused the people at the harbor to look over with respect before clearing a path near the docks.
The Marines stationed in Mushroom Town had earned the residents’ trust.
They did not bully civilians or abuse their authority.
Whenever pirates attacked, they fought to protect the town and preserve the peaceful lives of its people.
Naturally, such Marines were respected by the local population.
Eventually, the warship reached the harbor.
The anchor was dropped.
The vessel was secured beside the shore, and its sails and flags were gradually lowered.
On deck stood Captain Caron, Lieutenant Commander Bart, and more than a hundred Marines.
Over half of them were new recruits who had enlisted during the recent recruitment operation.
Since it was their first time visiting Mushroom Town, excitement and anticipation filled their faces.
The deck became noisy and lively.
Even Caron, who had been away from the town for half a month, felt a sense of returning home.
Only one person seemed completely disconnected from the atmosphere.
Unlike everyone else aboard, Leon showed no excitement whatsoever.
He lay motionless on a lounge chair, wearing sunglasses and enjoying the warm sunlight.
His legs were crossed and resting against the railing.
Beside the chair stood a small wooden table covered with desserts and drinks.
Leon casually picked up a cup and took a long sip through the straw. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
The sweet flavor lingered in his mouth, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face.
He was the only person aboard the entire warship who could openly slack off without receiving so much as a reprimand.
None of the new recruits dared complain.
Even Captain Caron would not show the slightest dissatisfaction with him.
“This is the life.”
Over the past two days, Leon had done little beyond eating, drinking, and sleeping.
Nothing had disturbed him.
He had not been required to train.
He had not participated in any Marine duties.
Everything he needed was brought directly to him.
Leon was finally living the life he had dreamed about in his previous world.
And he was being paid for it.
All he had to do was lie in the sun, drink something sweet, eat desserts, and quietly collect his salary.
Leon was extremely satisfied with his new career.
“Mr.
Leon, we’ve arrived at Mushroom Town.”
Caron approached him cautiously.
“Next, we need to visit the Mushroom Town Marine Branch and register your information.”
“You won’t officially complete your enlistment until the registration is finished.”
“Of course, your salary for these past few days will still be included.
You don’t need to worry about that.”
“Also…”
“Admiral Kizaru should already be arranging your exceptional promotion to Marine Captain.”
“Once your enlistment is formally registered, everything else can be processed.”
“That sounds troublesome.”
Leon glanced toward the bustling town beside the harbor.
Then he slowly rose from the lounge chair.
He did not remove his sunglasses and continued holding his drink.
“Let’s go, then.”
“I’ve been lying down for two days.
My body is starting to feel stiff.”
“I suppose I should move around a little.”
Caron could only respond with a strained smile.
He turned away and immediately regained his commanding demeanor.
“All personnel, disembark!” The source of this chapter is g.com.
“Return to the Mushroom Town Marine Branch with me!”
A short while later, the Marines left the warship and stepped onto the island.
Caron remained beside Leon throughout the journey, behaving more like an attendant than the commanding officer of the local branch.
Bart followed close behind them.
More than a hundred Marines marched through the town in a large procession toward the branch headquarters.
Along the way, the residents watched them with respect and admiration.
Pedestrians whispered among themselves.
The newly enlisted Marines also spoke excitedly as they observed their surroundings.
“So this is Mushroom Town?”
“It’s incredible.”
“This place is much more prosperous than my hometown.”
“I wonder where the Marine Branch is located.”
The atmosphere remained cheerful and relaxed.
As more local residents gathered to watch, many soon recognized Caron as the commander of the Mushroom Town Marine Branch.
Then they noticed something unusual.
Captain Caron, the town’s highest-ranking Marine officer, was walking carefully beside an unfamiliar young man like a subordinate attending an important superior.
The sight shocked them.
“Even Captain Caron is following that young man around like an attendant.”
“Who is he?”
“Someone extremely important must have arrived in Mushroom Town.”
A stream of astonished comments spread through the crowd.
Leon paid no attention to any of it.
His thoughts were focused entirely on the system within him.
They were about to reach the Mushroom Town Marine Branch.
That meant he was finally going to complete his second check-in.
The reward waiting for him there was one Leon had been eagerly anticipating.
After walking for roughly fifteen minutes, a distinctive Marine structure appeared ahead.
The Mushroom Town Marine Branch had finally come into view.
Caron, Bart, the other officers, and the new recruits all became visibly excited.
The recruits looked around with eager expressions.
This was the place where many of them would spend the next ten, twenty, or perhaps even thirty years of their careers.
The moment Leon entered the grounds of the Marine Branch, the system’s long-silent voice echoed in his mind.
[Check-in at the Mushroom Town Marine Branch successful!]
[Reward: The combined peak swordsmanship of Dracule Mihawk, Shimotsuki Ryuma, and Kozuki Oden!]
[Calculating reward…]
[Reward distribution complete!]
[Host, please confirm receipt.]