It's a Trap

The news agency in Loguetown was eager to trumpet Hailan's "heroic deeds" because of Hailan's secret plan. To lure out the big fish behind the scenes, Hailan played along, disguising himself as a young, passionate Marine. He hid his true identity, telling the news agency he was just a major from headquarters assigned a mission. Of course, Hailan didn't manage this all by himself. It was Kuro who orchestrated everything from the shadows.

One month ago, on the night Hailan captured Hill and Kuro, Hailan had a long, private conversation with Kuro.

Hailan smiled at Kuro. "You want a respectable life, don't you?"

Kuro remained silent.

Hailan wasn't in a hurry. He slowly said, "Do you think my life is respectable right now?"

Kuro adjusted his glasses. "Do you want the honest truth or flattery?"

"Say what you want to say."

Kuro momentarily thought and answered truthfully, "I heard you lead your soldiers in devilish training daily. To me, that's not respectable at all."

"But without enough strength, how can you live a respectable life?"

Hailan placed his right hand on Kuro's shoulder. Kuro felt a bit repulsed but didn't resist.

"You and Hill acted like respectable people in this bar earlier, but since I appeared, have you felt respectable?"

Kuro frowned and asked, "Are you trying to recruit me into the Marines?"

"Talking to smart people is always easy."

"If I dared to betray the Thousand Year Dragon Bounty Hunter Guild, I could just as easily betray the Marines. How will you guarantee my loyalty?"

These words were open and honest in the current context. However, if he had joined the Marines and then betrayed them, it would have been a different matter.

Hailan had expected this question and had his answer ready. "You want a respectable life. I can give you that."

"You are a smart person, and smart people should be placed in positions that require intelligence. Even if you join the Marines, I won't make you a mere combatant."

"If an employee wants a promotion, there are generally two ways to achieve it."

"One way is to get rid of their direct superior and take their place."

"The other way is to assist their direct superior. When their superior gets promoted, the position left behind naturally goes to them."

"So, Mr. Kuro, which kind of employee are you?"

"And in your eyes, which kind of superior am I?"

After saying this, Hailan turned to leave. "Think it over and come find me at the Marine base."

"Wait."

Kuro suddenly stood up straight and, imitating a Marine soldier, saluted Hailan. "Recruit Kuro reporting to Major Hailan!"

If it were an ordinary Marine major, Kuro might have hesitated. But this Major Hailan had an extraordinary background. As Kuro had said about Hill earlier, he might never get another chance if he missed this golden opportunity.

Hailan was slightly surprised by Kuro's quick decision. He had expected Kuro to ponder it overnight. He didn't anticipate such a swift surrender.

Hailan smiled and returned Kuro's salute. "That's why I love smart people!"

...

Fast forward to the present.

Pirates near Victoria's territory attacked a passenger ship returning to the East Blue from the Grand Line. Most passenger ships without critical personnel usually didn't have headquarters' warships escorting them, but they did have their armed forces. After all, in the Calm Belt, there was no need to worry about pirate attacks. And if they were unfortunate enough to encounter Sea Kings, only a headquarters vice admiral could fend them off. A vice admiral wouldn't escort an ordinary passenger ship.

After crossing the Calm Belt, some ships continued sailing alone, while others with local ties received escorts from branch warships. This time, however, the passenger ship sent a distress call to the Marines in Loguetown.

"This is a passenger ship returning from the Grand Line to Victoria Kingdom. We're under attack by dozens of pirate ships. Whoever you are, we urgently need your support!"

"A passenger ship from Victoria Kingdom? Shouldn't the 8th branch's warships be escorting them?" someone questioned.

"They should be, but the enemy outnumbers us. The escorting warships have been defeated. We have no way to escape. Help us..."

The call was abruptly cut off, leaving a frightened expression on the transponder snail.

"It's a trap!" Lieutenant Wagner quickly deduced. "Roy has 20 warships. There's no way a passenger ship in his territory would need our help."

Captain Hill commented calmly, "This is an open plot."

Wagner scratched his head in confusion. "I've heard of conspiracies, but what's an open plot?"

While cleaning her rifle, Lieutenant Bellemere explained, "An open plot is a strategy laid out openly, based on the current situation."

"Now we've received a distress call from a passenger ship."

"If we go, we're walking into the enemy's trap."

"If we don't go, we'll abandon the reputation Major Hailan has worked so hard to build in Loguetown."

"Whatever we choose, it's exactly what the opponent wants. That's an open plot."

"That's ruthless!" Wagner clenched his fists, almost slamming them on the table, but stopped when he saw Major Hailan.

"Major, should we go or not?"

"Go, of course!" Hailan said without hesitation. "If we don't use ourselves as bait, how can we catch the big fish?"

"But we only have over forty people," Wagner worried. "The opponent has 3,000 pirates!"

"Wagner, you know best how effective the training has been these past few days."

"It's just 3,000 small fry. What are you afraid of?"

"Go gather everyone!"

"Yes, sir!"

Stepping outside, Hailan observed the Marines, whose demeanor had significantly improved. He nodded in satisfaction.

Though these soldiers hadn't mastered the Six Powers, their overall abilities had greatly improved. Such progress was unimaginable on Earth.

Hailan suddenly shouted, "Tell me, are the small-time pirates around Loguetown still a match for you?"

The Marines shouted in unison, "No!"

"Do you dare follow me to take down the so-called pirate grand fleet?"

"We dare!"

"Good!"

"Everyone, board the ship! We can't keep Captain Hill waiting too long!"

Led by Lieutenant Bellemere and Lieutenant Wagner, the Marines from Loguetown set off!