[T/N: Two new chapters of One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King! are ready! 🎉 Enjoy the adventure! Please comment and toss some Power Stones my way! 🙏 Happy Reading! Check out Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise and Young Master, Please Become Hokage! too! 😄]
***
**
*
Shells Town, East Blue.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The old harbor bell rang out, its sound echoing through the town.
"The Marines are back!"
Hearing the familiar sound, people poured into the streets, eager to welcome back the brave heroes who kept them safe.
Unlike the dark days of six months ago, when defeat hung heavy in the air, the Marines of the 153rd Branch marched with pride. They stood tall and straight, a symbol of hope and strength.
In the center of the formation were steel cages holding the remnants of the Black Cat Pirates. Among them, "Hundred Plans" Kuro, his eyes burning with a cold rage, was held captive.
It was a triumphant return, a victory hard-won.
"It's that monster!" someone shouted, pointing at Kuro.
"Fantastic!" another voice cheered.
"The Marines did it!" The sound of celebration rippled through the crowd.
For those who had lost loved ones to the cruel hand of pirates, tears of joy streamed down their faces. It was a moment of relief, a promise of a brighter future.
But war always leaves scars.
Behind the triumphant Marines, carts carried bodies covered in white cloth. More than twenty soldiers, wounded and broken, were unable to fight again, their dreams shattered.
Even with these losses, the victory over the Black Cat Pirates was considered a great one. Sacrifices were a sad reality in the long war against pirates; the world was cruel and unforgiving.
The joyful mood was tinged with sadness.
Outside the Food Tavern, Ririka stood with her daughter, Rika, her heart pounding with worry. As the last of the Marines passed, and Roya wasn't among them, her face turned white with fear.
"Roya? Roya!" she called out, her voice trembling.
He wasn't there.
Ririka felt her legs weaken, and she almost collapsed. She looked towards the carts carrying the dead, covering her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes, imagining the worst.
"Mommy? Mommy?" Little Rika tugged on her sleeve, her voice small and confused. "Where's Roya, big brother?"
"Roya, he…" Ririka struggled to speak, the memory of her husband's death flashing through her mind, along with Roya's promise when he left.
No, it can't be.
Roya is so smart, so strong. He can't be dead.
Ririka scooped up Rika, her heart racing, and ran towards the front of the Marine column. She stopped Colonel Rhodes, her voice shaking as she spoke. "Colonel Rhodes, has Roya returned?"
"Roya…" Colonel Rhodes seemed lost in thought.
He remembered the shame he felt when he returned months ago, facing the questions of the townspeople.
But this time, he could stand tall.
He looked at Ririka's pale face and smiled reassuringly. "Please don't worry, Mrs. Ririka. Roya has made a great contribution. He's recovering in Syrup Village. He'll be back at the 153rd Branch in a few days!"
"Huh?" Ririka stared, speechless.
Only after the Marine column had marched on did Ririka understand.
Joy washed over her, chasing away the fear.
Roya was alive! Roya was alright!
Rika touched her mother's cheek, her voice soft and worried. "Mommy, why are you crying?"
"Rika, big brother Roya is alright. He'll be back in a few days," Ririka said, wiping away her tears. The fear and helplessness in her heart began to fade, replaced by a hopeful smile.
"Let's go home and wait for big brother Roya to come back."
"Okay!" Rika chirped, her own smile returning.
Three days later, at noon, the Syrup arrived at Shells Town.
"I'm back," Roya said, standing on the shore and waving goodbye to Kaya and her family. If Kaya hadn't been so worried, he would have returned sooner.
First, I need to report back to the Branch! he thought.
I worked hard this time, I deserve some vacation time. Then I'll go visit Ririka and little Rika.
A moment later, he reached the gates of the 153rd Branch.
Linus and Karok stood guard. When they saw Roya, they snapped to attention.
"Salute!"
"Welcome back, Roya!"
Even though they were all Marines, the two saluted Roya as if he were a high-ranking officer, their voices filled with respect.
"Mm," Roya replied with a smile, swaggering into the Branch.
"Roya is back!"
The news of Roya's return spread quickly. Everyone at the Branch was eager to see the hero who had played such a vital role in defeating the Black Cat Pirates.
Inside the tower, in the Colonel's office, Roya stood tall.
"Second Class Soldier Roya reporting for duty!"
"No need to be so formal, sit down," Colonel Rhodes said with a smile, gesturing towards a sofa.
They sat down, and Colonel Rhodes pulled out a pack of special-issue cigarettes from his drawer, tossing it to Roya.
"Here, I know you like these."
"Thank you, Colonel." Roya grinned, catching the pack and pulling one out. The Colonel knows me too well, he thought. Might as well be myself.
Colonel Rhodes began to talk about the situation.
"I've already reported the Black Cat Pirates incident to headquarters. The escort ship should arrive in about three days."
When a Marine Branch in the Four Seas successfully defeats a pirate crew, they report to headquarters, and a special warship escorts the prisoners to court.
Kuro, a notorious criminal, would likely be taken to Enies Lobby and then to Impel Down, the great prison.
The government had strict rules in place to prevent corruption and keep the Marines from having too much power.
The Marines didn't have the right to judge pirates.
"Roya, you made the biggest contribution this time." Colonel Rhodes' face turned serious. "I've reported your actions, including your victory over the Tulip Pirates on Glass Bead Island. Just be patient."
"Mm, I understand," Roya nodded.
He knew the process had to be followed, especially for promotions. The Marine belonged to the World Government, not a private organization.
The reward would come; he just had to wait.
After chatting for a while, Roya got up to leave.
He had other matters to attend to.
At the 153rd Branch's prison, the surviving Black Cat Pirates were locked away, a mere dozen left from the original crew of over fifty.
Even though people in this world were tough, surviving Kuro's attacks was nearly impossible.
They would all face the death penalty.
Roya walked past the cells, glancing at Kuro, who looked defeated, and continued towards the innermost cell.
Jango was being held separately to prevent any retaliation from the other pirates.
Fullbody stood outside the cell, his face etched with worry.
"Roya, you're back."
"Mm." Roya patted Fullbody on the shoulder, sensing his friend's distress. If he couldn't keep his promise to Jango, Fullbody would be haunted by guilt.
"Don't worry, it'll be alright," Roya reassured him. He had spoken to Colonel Rhodes about Jango, and the Colonel had agreed to vouch for him in the name of the 153rd Branch.
Jango had been crucial in defeating the Black Cat Pirates, and with the Branch's support, the judge would consider his case carefully.
"I'll go see him," Roya said, walking into the cell.
Jango was huddled in the corner. He looked up when he heard the door open, his eyes lacking their usual spark.
Roya spoke calmly.
"Do you regret betraying your crew?"
"Regret? Don't be ridiculous," Jango scoffed.
"You think this is a game?!"
"Pirates are just stray dogs. They'll stab each other in the back for treasure and power. Betrayal and slaughter never end."
"To Captain Kuro, everyone is just a pawn. He'll get rid of them when they're no longer useful, even me."
"Those guys, too, would kill me and take my place if they saw an opportunity!"
"That's what pirates are!" Jango roared, his voice filled with bitterness.
But his clenched fists revealed the fear in his heart. Burying his comrades weighed heavily on him.
Roya was silent for a moment, then turned to leave.
"When you get back from court, try to be a good person!" he called out as he left.