Chapter 241
It made sense. Even the legendary Marine Headquarters couldn’t wipe out all pirates. No matter how powerful the East Blue Marines were, they were still just a regional branch. How could they compare to Marine HQ? Despite the various demands, the fact that they were being let out satisfied them greatly. Moreover, many of them only wanted adventure and freedom, they had no desire for anything else. These requirements posed no real problem.
However, for the more stubborn captains...
"Impossible! Would such pirates even be pirates anymore?"
Having read the same thing, Scissor refused without hesitation.
"Pirates are the freest people on the sea. We will absolutely never be constrained by others or follow their demands."
Believing now that the East Blue Marines had compromised, the pirate spoke with far more nerve. He stated firmly to Enel, "We set sail for freedom. If we need someone else’s permission to become pirates, then why be pirates at all?"
As those words were spoken, everyone raised their heads to look at Enel. Although some didn’t share Scissor’s extreme views, they still wanted to see the Marines’ response.
Enel acted as if the loud voice had merely startled him. He picked his ear before saying nonchalantly, "So what?"
"We won’t do it! At most, we can promise not to run wild in the East Blue. As for other seas, you can’t control us!"
"Won’t do it?"
Looking at the defiant captain, Enel nodded slightly and said casually, "Then don’t bother."
Then, terrifying bolts of lightning suddenly flickered all over the Marine’s body. While the pirates stood stunned, that single instant reminded everyone exactly who this man was: Captain Enel, the Thunder God!
"Anyway, if you won’t do it, there are plenty of pirates who will!"
"Exactly... I find this a hassle too!" Enel said, his face blank. "I’ll just get rid of you all,-"
But before he could finish.
"You bastard!"
The curse rang out suddenly. Enel raised an eyebrow, surprised anyone dared insult him. Instead, a pirate captain rounded on Scissor and shouted, "Who said anything about disagreeing? I don’t know who disagrees, but I agree!"
Immediately after, another voice chimed in. "That’s right! Exactly! Captain Kiny is right, I agree too. Isn’t this great? They’re actually granting us precious knowledge of the Grand Line. It’s absolutely fantastic!"
"Captain Tiger makes a good point too! I just looked, it says right here that the first 100 to sign up get a 15% discount on purchasing a new ship. What a huge discount!"
"I’ve had it with you, you fossil of the old era. You’ve been messing around for over a decade and you’re still only at Five Million. You’ve been stuck here forever, and you still have the nerve to call yourself the third-generation East Blue Overlord? Don’t make me laugh!"
"The new era has no room for your ship!"
"You all-"
Before the green-faced Scissor could say another word, the crowd of pirates swarmed him. Even without Enel lifting a finger, the man hit the ground. In the end, his regretful face seemed to want to speak, but no words came out.
As the New Pirate Regulations established by the East Blue Marines spread, the local pirates, who had fallen silent under Marine suppression, grew lively once more. Countless pirates who had been hiding and scurrying about the sea began to show themselves.
Although the Marines had plenty of requirements, the pirates breathed a sigh of relief. Especially for those who had become pirates simply for adventure, the requirements were no burden at all. They were even pleased. After all, they finally had hope of entering the Grand Line, of setting off for that place of true freedom.
Furthermore, the East Blue Marines offered them another choice. As long as they hadn’t killed civilians or captured slaves, they were allowed to come ashore and live a peaceful life once more.
If they didn’t want that...
They could participate in the Unified Pirate Exam. After successfully passing, as long as they didn’t violate the rules established by the East Blue Marines, the Marines would not interfere with them.
For a time, many pirates grew excited and began heading to designated locations to participate in training. They even purchased study materials. Word had it... there were also strategy guides for the Grand Line, ready to lay the foundation for their journey!
Of course, plenty of pirates completely ignored the regulations. They had become pirates because they didn’t want to study in the first place. If even pirates had to study now, wasn’t going to sea a waste? They believed pirates were born completely free, and no one could control them. Even though the Marines were terrifying, as long as they hid well, it was only a matter of time before they found true freedom.
But as more and more pirates emerged, how could these hidden ones stay concealed? As an increasing number of pirates complied with the new regulations (especially with benefits provided) and Marine strength grew, where could the remaining unlicensed pirates hide? When the water clears, you see more of what lies beneath.
The new era for the East Blue pirates was coming.
At the same time.
Loguetown.
Smoker, phone in hand, stared at the Den Den Mushi, utterly speechless. He rounded on the receiver and shouted, "Are you out of your damn mind?! You let the pirates out, and then you tell me to go catch them? What the hell is wrong with you?! What the hell is wrong with me to even ask that question!?"
Dante sighed at the disconnected Den Den Mushi. Smoker completely didn’t understand! He had to know that only by evading his pursuit could they possibly attract the attention of Marine HQ. Moreover, after studying here and passing the assessment, they would receive a certificate allowing them to head to the Grand Line. By then, the East Blue Marines alone would no longer arrest them.
But to successfully enter the Grand Line, they still had to clear one final hurdle: the Gatekeeper of the East Blue, Smoker. Only by evading his pursuit could they cross over. Otherwise, they could only return for a reassessment to fight another day! As for getting caught by Smoker and thrown into prison... they completely deserved it. They wanted to experience the Grand Line with only that level of strength?
These things had to be made clear. Otherwise, if an accident happened and they accused the training course of missing key points, what then? After all, right now they were only the East Blue Marines, not Marine HQ, and had no jurisdiction over arrests made on HQ’s side.
Putting the Den Den Mushi away, Dante cast the matter from his mind. Even though Smoker had hung up on him, he believed that if any pirates wandered right in front of that man, Smoker would absolutely arrest them without mercy. Therefore, he was merely giving him a heads-up. When the time came, there might be a flood of people arriving for their assessments, and he didn’t want Smoker scrambling to keep up!
From studying to testing, getting certified, engaging in live combat, and finally making landfall... the entire process for entering the Grand Line had been cleared. Now, it all depended on those pirates own strength. It had to be said, for the sake of these pirates, the East Blue Marines had truly worried themselves to death!
Dante took a sip of the tea Robin had poured him, looked up, and asked, "Are the details for all the pirate crews registered?"
"They’re already registered." Hearing his words, Robin took out her notebook and sighed. "Even though Mock has purged them twice, there are still a great many pirates in the East Blue."
"After all, we are currently in the Great Pirate Era, and pirates have become an important part of this age. The East Blue is already considered better off."
"Perhaps!" Robin nodded in agreement. As a historian, she understood this well. Even though no one knew why the Pirate King Roger did what he did back then, as long as the One Piece and the true history remained uncovered, pirates would never disappear. Every day, new crews were born, and just as many sank beneath the sea.
"There are still some who haven’t surfaced." As if thinking of something, Robin sighed. "Those guys still refuse to admit they are pirates. They pursue true freedom and believe no one has the right to audit them!"
Dante was not surprised. Every era had its troublemakers, let alone those who set sail as pirates, they were rarely lacking in confidence and courage. Especially the many young ones... they all believed they were destined for greatness, convinced it was only a matter of time before they became the new Pirate King. If Dante hadn’t carried out a bloody suppression on the East Blue pirates first, making them feel genuine fear and leaving them with no hope of entering the Grand Line, this lot would never be as obedient as they were now.
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