Solo Leveling: Jeju Island Arc! (Part 1)

——

"I don't understand why we have to provide manga and magazines to these scum and even let them enjoy anime shows."

In the central prison, Yasopp was puzzled. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't understand why someone like Rob would allow prisoners to enjoy such freedoms.

"I think Boss Rob is very smart. Although he might have another goal by allowing the prisoners to read his collections, especially focusing on high-value prisoners like Golden Lion Shiki and Gecko Moria, I think he does it to let them enter a state of constant comfort, perhaps so they don't think about escaping again and serve their time obediently."

After much thought, Beckman replied wisely.

"Huh? You said all that and you still think there's an additional undisclosed reason?"

Yasopp's eyes widened, finding the reason Beckman gave enough to prevent him from thinking about another hidden motive.

"That's because, simply put, someone like Boss Rob is unpredictable. Every move he makes must have many reasons and consequences behind it. If he doesn't want to disclose it, it's better to leave it that way. It's for our own good."

Hearing that, Yasopp shivered and decided not to think too much like his smart companion.

"Today's volume of Solo Leveling looks promising. Many hunters praise it," Beckman said, smiling as he looked at the manhwa in his hands.

"Jeju Island Arc, huh? It looks eventful. It seems to be about an S-rank gate," Yasopp replied, smiling as well.

"An S-rank gate? That's a real disaster then!"

"Yes, this ant calamity must have caused massive damage to the island!"

"Doesn't that mean we're in for a big war? We'll see a lot of S-rank hunters!"

"Hahaha! More importantly, our hunter Sung Jin-Woo is definitely going to show off."

"Let's read the new arc quickly. I'm really excited!"

"Weren't you going to see your wife in Syrup?" Beckman wondered.

"It's okay, I can spend a little time at the guild before going back. I mean, it won't hurt, right?"

"You should ask Banchina about that instead of me. I'm not qualified to give you an accurate answer," Beckman said mercilessly, shaking Yasopp's spirit.

…

After Yasopp and Beckman left, Moria opened his eyes and found a book covering his vision. He hurriedly threw it away in anger.

But before he could rage, he realized that the book he threw was what he had been asking for all along.

"Solo Leveling magazine!"

He quickly opened the magazine and started reading eagerly.

The recent events were still fresh in his mind, so as soon as he began reading the new chapters, he remembered everything.

"Oh! Jin-Woo's mother seems to be in good health, what a wonderful effect of that magic potion."

"Oh! Kaisel's appearance caused quite a stir!"

"What!? They're going on a raid to Jeju Island and need Jin-Woo with them? Well, maybe he'll go alone and be enough to clean it up entirely, Kiiishishishi!"

"Wow! So many S-rank hunters! Does Japan really have this many S-rank hunters?!"

"Lower your voice or I'll kick you again."

In his excessive excitement, Moria forgot the presence of a beast like the Golden Lion in the same cell.

…

•———•———•———•———•

Manhwa's Events:

—————————

"The operation will launch in four days."

"We'll be going to Jeju Island to exterminate those damn ants."

At this moment, Go Gunhee was speaking with Jin-Woo after requesting his presence at the Hunter Association personally.

"All of South Korea has longed for the reclamation of Jeju Island."

"Please fight with us."

At this stage, President Go seemed to be begging Jin-Woo to fight with them.

Hearing this, Jin-Woo thought silently.

(Under normal circumstances, I'd jump at the opportunity to go somewhere with high-ranking beasts so that I can level up, but…")

He remembered his mother who had just been released from the hospital, and felt obliged to spend more time with her after the calamity.

"I'm…"

Before he could apologize as he was about to refuse, Jin-Woo felt strong auras nearby.

(Mana waves?)

"Is something wrong?" President Go asked.

"Uh, nothing serious… it just seems like there are hunters fighting somewhere nearby."

"Hahaha, as expected. Your senses are sharp. I'm impressed you felt that from such a distance away."

President Go laughed with increasing admiration.

"The S-Rank hunters are probably warming up in the gym right now. Perhaps that's what you felt?"

"S-Rank hunters?" Jin-Woo was surprised.

"Yes, they're warming up because there are only four days left until the Jeju Island raid," Go Gunhee announced.

"The Japanese S-Rank hunters, including Goto Ryuji, are all here as well," he added.

"Goto Ryuji? Are you talking about…?"

•———•———•———•———•

The morning sun shone on the famous Marineford building, which had gained more fame after the Summit War in the One Piece manga.

Marines were active in their work here and there without rest. After all, the threat of hunters was escalating, and the pirate leaders in the harsh world had become extremely fierce recently as well.

Even the revolutionary army, supported by the former marine hero, was acting strangely recently after the Five Elders and the Holy Knights had to appear at sea.

Inside the fleet admiral's office, Sengoku carefully read the first chapter, reading the words of Go Gunhee and Sung Jin-Woo slowly.

"I feel a kinship with the President of the Hunter Association. Is it because we have similar positions? No, maybe because he's a very wise old man," Sengoku said with a smile.

"Are you interested in hunters now?"

Tsuru suddenly entered the fleet admiral's office and found him browsing the famous hunter manhwa.

"Hmm, Tsuru-chan?"

"Well, this manhwa gives me some ideas about how hunters think. It's somewhat nice to see how a hunter grows… by the way, how is Sakazuki?"

"Hunters in our world are just 'licensed' pirates by a higher authority. In my opinion, there is a fundamental and vast difference between them and hunters from the modern world," Tsuru said, glancing at the scene Sengoku was looking at.

"As for Sakazuki, his condition is stable at the moment. Roger was using haki recklessly in his fight with Sakazuki. It was deadly and ruthless, leaving deep wounds that are hard to heal even for an admiral."

"But fortunately, he will live."

"Sigh~ Facing Roger's entire crew put me in a difficult position. I couldn't save Sakazuki from Roger's hands… Rayleigh alone seemed like a second Roger on the battlefield. If only Garp were still with us, Roger and his crew wouldn't dare do as they please."

Hearing this, Sengoku sighed with regret. Roger's pirates nearly annihilated their navy fleet in that reverse execution war that day. If it weren't for the intervention of the Five Elders and the holy knights, Roger's pirates could have executed Sakazuki without much effort.

"We have underestimated the pirates greatly since the appearance of the hunters… We forgot who the true rulers of this sea were and our enemies for generations and started considering them unconsciously without any threat… The Pirate King really made us remember who the pirates are…" Tsuru also sighed.

"Don't worry about Sakazuki, he's strong-willed and stubborn, he'll definitely recover."

"Why wouldn't I worry? Whitebeard still wants to target him too…"

Before Sengoku could sigh, two more people entered the office.

"This time, neither Whitebeard nor Roger will succeed in their goals… Sakazuki won't be alone anymore."

Suddenly, Kuzan and Borsalino entered the fleet admiral's office, holding the latest Solo Leveling magazine in their hands as well.

Seeing this, Sengoku felt a bit relieved. It wouldn't be easy to defeat the three admirals, who were as strong as their manga counterparts thanks to exchanging their ages for power in the admiral training program they participated in in the past under the supervision of the Five Elders and Lord Imo personally.

…

In the Calm Belt, specifically in Impel Down:

Impel Down was still under repair from the destruction it had suffered last month.

Since Magellan regained his position as warden, the workload had increased significantly. But every time a new update of Solo Leveling was released, he found time to read it by tricking Hannyabal into taking over for him.

Saying words like, "You're the new Warden for the next three hours," did the trick every time.

Now, Magellan was completely relaxed in the toilet, browsing the chapters with curiosity and excitement.

"Wow! Is more Exp and leveling up coming already? Jin-Woo just finished the Demon Castle, President Go!"

"I bet this Goto Ryuji will fight Jin-Woo and get his money! He looks very arrogant!"

"This is Baek Yoonho's power, huh? He can really transform?"

"Ma Dongwook? Is this a Korean S-rank hunter? He looks strong~"

"And what was Choi Jong-in's power, a flame mage? I remember his ability in the previous arc looked like he ate Ace's fruit… ah, Ace, sigh…"

When Magellan remembered Ace, memories of the Summit War and what happened in it came back to his mind, and he felt very sad.

Even as a world government employee, Magellan was deeply saddened by what happened to Ace, perhaps because both of them were deceived by Blackbeard… speaking of Blackbeard, Magellan hated him very much, both the manga version and Teach in reality, who was still hiding somewhere.

"The power of an S-rank hunter is equivalent to an admiral's power in our world… Can I be considered an S-rank hunter when I reach my peak strength?"

Magellan wondered while seeing the destructive power of the clash between Bark Yoonho, who wasn't using all his strength, and Ma Dongwook. The shockwaves from the clash alone were enough to crush ordinary Impel Down guards.

"Oh! So many new faces! Are these S-rank hunters from another country?"

"How many S-rank hunters are there in the world then!" Magellan marveled.

_________________

Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):

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Chapter 775: Solo Leveling: Jeju Island Arc! (Part 2)

Chapter 776: Let's See the Story of Little Ace.

Chapter 777: Summit War Saga: Post-War Arc! (Part 1)

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