That afternoon, the sun slowly descended toward the horizon.
Golden light spilled across Mushroom Town’s broad streets as vendors began packing away their goods for the evening.
Beyond the harbor, the setting sun reflected across the water, making the sea shimmer like molten gold.
At the Mushroom Town Marine Branch, Leon’s reputation had undergone a complete transformation after what happened that morning.
Throughout the afternoon, every Marine who saw him—or even passed nearby—greeted him with a respectful smile and lowered head.
Their attitude toward Leon was even more deferential than the respect they showed Captain Caron.
Leon himself felt little about the change.
As always, he remained committed to doing as little work as possible.
He had spent nearly the entire day reclining inside the branch, from the beginning of his shift until it was almost time to leave.
Not a single person dared disturb him.
Leon was extremely satisfied.
It seemed that displaying a little strength at the training grounds had been worthwhile.
Otherwise, the constant whispering and criticism around the branch might eventually have become irritating.
Leon was relaxing in his rocking chair with his legs crossed and a drink in hand when Caron hurried over.
“Captain Leon, a mission has arrived.”
Caron spoke directly.
Leon glanced at the time.
“My shift is almost over.”
He immediately looked reluctant.
“Captain Caron, capable people should accept greater responsibility.”
“You’re clearly a highly competent officer.
Shouldn’t you be helping Headquarters solve more problems?”
“Don’t you want to advance further and become a commodore?”
“A person needs ambition.”
“In my opinion, you simply lack the right opportunity.”
“If you complete an important mission for Headquarters, I’m sure you’ll soon be considered for promotion.”
Caron gave him a bitter smile.
“I would gladly accept if I could.”
“But this mission is unusual.”
“My strength may not be sufficient to handle it.”
“You were the only person I could think of.”
Leon sighed.
Apparently, he was not very good at convincing people with empty promises.
He had attempted to imitate the managers from his previous life, who constantly motivated their employees with grand promises of future rewards.
But that method clearly did not suit him.
Selling people dreams was apparently a skill of its own.
Leon had no talent for it.
“Tell me what the mission is.”
“If it’s too complicated, simply reject it on behalf of the branch.”
“I’m only a Marine captain.”
“If Headquarters expects me to fight someone at the level of a Warlord of the Sea, I have more than enough reason to refuse.”
“How much am I being paid each month?”
“And they expect me to risk my life against monsters like that?”
Leon made his position clear in advance.
Caron fell silent.
Still, did he really have to say it so openly?
He was a Marine captain, after all.
Suppressing his thoughts, Caron explained the situation.
“Marine Headquarters sent us a report.”
“Roughly three hundred kilometers east of Mushroom Town lies a small island called Flatdeer Island.”
“A former Marine officer named X Drake was recently sighted there.”
“Headquarters believes Drake may be planning something on the island.”
“Because our branch is the closest Marine installation, we have been ordered to investigate his movements and determine his objective.”
Caron paused briefly before explaining everything he knew about the former Marine officer.
“X Drake was born in the North Blue.”
“His father, Diez Barrels, was once a Marine officer before abandoning the organization, becoming a pirate, and forming his own crew.”
“After his father’s death, Drake was left alone.”
“He later joined the Marines and fought numerous pirate crews in the name of justice.”
“His achievements eventually earned him the rank of rear admiral.”
“Drake’s talent and strength clearly surpassed his father’s.”
“Unfortunately, for reasons that remain unknown, he eventually followed the same path.”
“He deserted the Marines, became a pirate, and formed the Drake Pirates in the North Blue.”
“What we currently know is that Drake possesses an Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit.”
“He can transform into an Allosaurus.”
“His combat ability is considerable.”
“Even among the pirates operating in the North Blue, Drake belongs to the most dangerous and powerful group.”
“His current bounty has already exceeded one hundred million Berries.”
“Even on the Grand Line, someone with a bounty that high would be considered a major pirate.”
Caron’s expression was heavy with concern.
He had no confidence in his ability to confront Drake.
That was why he had come to ask Leon to carry out the order from Headquarters.
The mission was to determine why the former rear admiral had appeared on Flatdeer Island and what he intended to do there.
“A former Marine rear admiral…”
“An Ancient Zoan user capable of transforming into an Allosaurus…”
“And a bounty exceeding one hundred million Berries?”
Leon yawned.
“How frightening.”
“Why is Headquarters assigning an investigation involving someone like that to a pair of captains?”
Caron’s mouth twitched.
Frightening?
Who on these seas would dare call himself a monster in front of Leon?
Drake would probably be killed by one casual punch.
After gathering his thoughts, Caron answered honestly.
“Headquarters is not ordering us to arrest Drake.”
“Our responsibility is only to investigate his objective.”
“If we discover that he is planning something serious, Headquarters can dispatch a vice admiral to capture him.”
Leon showed little interest.
“In that case, you should investigate him.”
Caron looked helpless.
“The Mushroom Town Marine Branch still has a great deal of administrative work requiring my review and approval.”
“If you’re willing to remain here and process all those documents, I can force myself to travel to Flatdeer Island and investigate Drake.”
“There’s no helping it, then.”
“I’ll take responsibility for investigating this traitor.”
“You can remain here and handle the paperwork.”
Given the choice, Leon would much rather lounge aboard a warship than sit in an office dealing with endless documents.
Besides, once he reached Flatdeer Island, the final contents of the investigation report would largely depend on what he decided to write.
It was an excellent opportunity to avoid real work while appearing to carry out an official mission.
He only needed to show up.
No one could accuse him of neglecting his duty.
There was another reason Leon felt relaxed.
If he remembered correctly, X Drake would later become one of the eleven Supernovas of the Worst Generation.
More importantly, Drake was secretly an undercover Marine and a member of SWORD.
That meant he was unlikely to be genuinely planning indiscriminate slaughter or pillaging.
Headquarters’ order to investigate him was probably no more than an effort to maintain his public identity as a deserter.
The realization immediately improved Leon’s mood.
“Captain Leon, you may select personnel from the branch to accompany you.”
Caron continued.
“Choose whichever Marines you require for the voyage and investigation.”
“Understood.”
Leon nodded.
After finishing his explanation, Caron hurried back to his office to deal with the mountain of accumulated documents.
Leon followed his instructions and went to the training grounds.
He selected several recruits, supplemented them with experienced Marines, and assembled the personnel required for the mission.
The helmsman, navigator, cooks, and other essential crew members had to be chosen carefully.
Leon also needed an adjutant.
The purpose of the adjutant was simple.
Whenever Leon was resting, the other officer would take command, issue orders, and handle the daily work.
As long as nothing serious occurred, Leon could remain comfortably uninvolved.
Everything else would be left to his deputy.
That was the ideal arrangement for a man determined to collect a salary while doing as little as possible.
Once the personnel had been selected, Leon led approximately forty to fifty Marines to Mushroom Town’s harbor.
They boarded a newly prepared medium-sized Marine warship.
At Leon’s order, the mission’s adjutant began directing the crew.
The man chosen for the position was Bart—Caron’s trusted subordinate and a Marine lieutenant commander.
Bart would serve as Leon’s second-in-command throughout the mission.
Unlike Leon, he approached the assignment with complete seriousness.
“All personnel, take your stations!”
The Marines immediately began working.
The helmsman took control of the wheel.
The navigator observed the weather and surrounding waters.
Other Marines raised the sails and retrieved the anchor.
Soon, a white Marine flag bearing the word Justice flew high above the ship.
It billowed in the sea breeze.
A short while later, the warship set sail.
It gradually left Mushroom Town’s harbor behind.
Their destination was Flatdeer Island, three hundred kilometers to the east.
Leon’s first official mission as a Marine captain had begun.