Chapter 13: The Marines' Exclusive Route (Patreon)

Inside the reception room of the Marine warship, Kratos, Axis, and Commodore Allen sat together. A Marine soldier brought in three cups of strong tea, placing one in front of each man.

"I appreciate your help," Commodore Allen stated. "Otherwise, the pirates might have produced another Super Rookie. This Wild Boar Crow had been sailing for less than a year. Give him a few more months, and his bounty would have likely crossed the hundred-million mark. He would have become a massive headache. That is precisely why Marine Headquarters sent me to deal with him."

"We're bounty hunters, and he was a pirate. Taking him down is just part of the job," Axis replied smoothly. "Besides, the guy was total scum."

"Tell me about it," Allen sighed. "These pirates are absolute degenerates, committing every atrocity imaginable. Ever since Fleet Admiral Sakazuki moved Marine Headquarters to the New World, our forces in the first half of the Grand Line have been stretched a bit thin."

'So Akainu has already been promoted to Fleet Admiral and relocated the headquarters,' Axis thought. 'That means his duel with Aokiji is over. With the Dressrosa arc about to kick off, I need to see if I can pry some information about the Straw Hat Pirates out of him.'

"Commodore Allen, my partner and I are new to the sea," Axis said, leaning forward. "We want to make a name for ourselves as bounty hunters. Do you know of any high-profile pirates? We'd like to bring them to justice."

"We always welcome capable individuals assisting in the hunt," Allen replied. "Due to our thinned forces in the first half of the Grand Line, quite a few new pirates have emerged over the past year or so. However, barely any of them have bounties exceeding a hundred million Berries. The big players have all flocked to the New World."

'Of course they have!' Axis mused inwardly. 'Rumor has it this generation will produce the next Pirate King. Over the last two years, an endless stream of rookies has poured into the New World.'

"Commodore Allen, I saw a wanted poster in the newspaper recently. Some pirate named Straw Hat Luffy. Do you have any news on him?" Axis asked.

"You... you want to hunt Straw Hat Luffy?" Allen stammered, clearly taken aback.

These rookie bounty hunters were entirely too ambitious. Straw Hat Luffy was already recognized as an elite pirate. While his bounty might just be a passing grade in the New World, he was an absolute titan in the first half of the Grand Line.

Over the past two years, countless rookies had set sail from Sabaody Archipelago impersonating the Straw Hats. It was only recently that the real crew had reunited there. They had already charged into the New World, and rumors suggested they had even offended Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors, while passing through Fish-Man Island.

"It seems you two are highly confident in your abilities," Allen said grimly. "But going after Straw Hat Luffy is reckless. I hate to admit it, but that man... even Marine Vice Admirals can't bring him down."

Allen gritted his teeth, his fists clenching so tightly his knuckles cracked.

Two years ago, Allen had been stationed at Marine Headquarters as a mere Captain. He had witnessed Straw Hat Luffy break into Marineford alongside the Dark King Rayleigh—the Pirate King's right-hand man—and the former Warlord Jinbe. They had brazenly breached the fortress, completely humiliating the World Government and the Marines.

On duty that day, Allen had been so utterly paralyzed by fear that he couldn't even move. If not for the encouragement of the former Admiral Aokiji, he would have lacked the courage to even remain in the Marines.

After two years of grueling training, he had finally reached the rank of Commodore, acquiring a rudimentary grasp of both Armament and Observation Haki. Yet, even with his newfound strength, he knew Straw Hat Luffy would beat him to a pulp. These two bounty hunters were targeting Luffy right out of the gate. Were they truly fearless, or simply suicidal?

"Just asking around, haha," Axis chuckled, easing the tension. "Could you tell us about the Straw Hats' recent movements, Commodore?"

"If you insist," Allen sighed. "They left Fish-Man Island not long ago, picking a fight with Big Mom on their way out. As for where they are heading now, we don't have a confirmed location."

'Got it!' Axis cheered mentally. The timeline was now perfectly clear. Doflamingo was going to fall soon. He and Kratos needed to get to Dressrosa immediately, or they would miss their window to snatch the Flame-Flame Fruit.

"Gentlemen, we are about a day's voyage from Sabaody Archipelago," Allen informed them. "You can rest here tonight. Once we arrive tomorrow evening, you can figure out what to do with the Wild Boar Crow's ship. Selling it would be a wise choice."

Obviously, two men couldn't sail a galleon of that size efficiently. Selling it off was the logical step.

"To be honest, Commodore Allen, I don't plan on selling the ship," Axis countered. "I intend to recruit a crew at Sabaody and sail straight into the New World to hunt down the big names."

"You aren't seriously going after Straw Hat Luffy, are you?" Allen asked, his brow furrowing.

"Haha, who knows?" Axis deflected smoothly.

"Tell us how to find him," Kratos demanded, his deep voice rumbling. He was clearly losing his patience.

"Alright," Allen conceded. "If you are dead set on entering the New World, I can take you through the Calm Belt using a secure Marine route. Once we hit Sabaody and you collect your bounty, come find me. I will escort you along the World Government's exclusive channel into the New World. It is incredibly fast and far safer than diving down to Fish-Man Island."

Truth be told, Allen had an ulterior motive. He genuinely hoped these two seemingly capable bounty hunters would cross into the New World and cause trouble for Straw Hat Luffy.

"Thank you," Axis nodded.

"Don't mention it. Because you assisted in taking down an eighty-five million Berry pirate and have clean records yourselves, you qualify to use the channel. However, there is a mandatory five million Berry toll. Is that acceptable?" Allen asked.

The World Government's exclusive routes weren't free. Even with a Marine officer's recommendation, it cost five million Berries. A standard merchant vessel would be charged a staggering ten million. Only ships hailing from member nations of the World Government enjoyed heavily discounted rates to traverse the New World routes.

"We greatly appreciate it, Commodore Allen. As for the bounty, just pay us eighty million. Deduct the five million for the toll directly," Axis offered.

Objective accomplished. The safest and fastest way into the New World was obviously through the Marines. He could always visit Fish-Man Island later, once he grew stronger and figured out a way to breathe underwater. Right now, he was racing against the clock. The Flame-Flame Fruit wasn't going to wait for him.

"You two should get some rest," Allen advised, standing up. "Once we reach Sabaody and clear your payout, we will set course for the New World. One piece of advice: when you hire your crew, ensure you don't recruit any wanted pirates. That will cause massive complications."