Pirate King: I'm determined to be the King of Sons-in-Law!

Chapter 29 The Return of Loya

East China Sea, Shells Town.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The port rang with a steady, peaceful sound.

"The Navy is back!"

Upon hearing the bell, residents spontaneously gathered on both sides of the street, waiting for the return of their heroes.

Unlike the crushing defeat six months ago, this time all the marines of the 153rd Division stood tall and marched forward in unison.

In the middle of the group, a steel cage was being escorted, containing more than a dozen survivors of the Black Cat Pirates, including their captain, "Hundred Plans" Kuro.

Triumphant return!

"It's that demon!"

"Very good!"

"The Navy won!"

The townspeople cheered with joy, especially those whose family members had been killed by pirates, who wept with happiness.

However, war cannot be without sacrifices.

At the very back of the column, a cart carried more than a dozen corpses wrapped in white cloth, and more than twenty soldiers were seriously wounded and disabled, unable to fight again.

Compared to the astonishing result of annihilating the Black Cat Pirates, this sacrifice is actually not serious; in fact, it could be described as a "great victory."

In the long war against pirates, the sacrifices of the Navy have become the norm, after all, this world is so cruel.

The previously enthusiastic atmosphere had become somewhat subdued.

Food Bar, at the entrance.

Lili, holding her daughter Lili's hand, waited anxiously. When she saw the last of the naval troops and still couldn't find Loya, her face instantly turned pale.

"Loya, Loya!"

Loya is not in the party!

Lily's body went limp, and she almost fainted. She looked at the cart carrying the corpses, covered her mouth in anguish, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Mmm~~"

Little Rika hadn't realized it yet. Tugging at Rika's sleeve, she whispered, "Mommy, where's Brother Loya?"

"Loyata."

Lilika forced back her tears as images of her husband's death and Loya's farewell six months prior flashed through her mind.

Will not.

Loya is so smart, he won't die!

Lili picked up Rika and uncontrollably chased after the Marines, stopping Colonel Rhodes in front of him, her voice trembling as she spoke.

"Colonel Rhodes, has Loya returned?"

"Loya."

Colonel Rhodes appeared dazed.

He still remembers how powerless and hated himself he felt when he returned six months ago and faced the residents' questions.

This time, he can hold his head high.

Seeing Lily's pale face, Colonel Rhodes smiled and gently comforted her, "Please don't worry, Mrs. Lily. Loya has done a great service this time. He is recuperating in Sirob Village and will return to Branch 153 in a few days!"

"Huh?"

Lilika stood there, stunned.

Lilyka only came to her senses after the naval fleet had gone far away.

Joy replaced sorrow.

Loya is alright, Loya is alright!

Rika touched Rika's cheek and asked in a slightly uneasy voice, "Mommy, why are you crying?"

"Rika, Loya is alright, he'll be back in a few days."

Lily wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and the fear and helplessness in her heart gradually disappeared, replaced by a bright smile on her face.

"Let's go home and wait for Brother Loya to come back."

"Um!"

Three days later at noon, the West Rob arrived in Shells.

"I'm back."

Loya stood on the shore, waving goodbye to Kaya's family. If it weren't for the little girl's worry, he would have wanted to come back the next day.

Go back to the branch and report for duty!

He put in so much effort this time, he'll definitely have a vacation afterward, and he'll go back to visit Sister Lili and Little Lili in a few days.

A moment later, the gate of Branch 153 appeared.

Linus and Carrock were on duty today, and they immediately straightened their backs when they saw Loya return.

salute!

"You've worked hard!"

Despite being both marines, the two saluted and greeted each other as if they were facing a superior, even more so than when they were facing Colonel Rhodes.

"Um."

Loya smiled and nodded, then swaggered into the branch office.

"Loya is back!"

Soon, news of Loya's return spread throughout the branch. As the greatest contributor to the defeat of the Black Cat Pirates, the entire branch eagerly awaited his return.

Tower, Colonel's office.

Loya stood tall and proud.

"Private Loya reporting for duty!"

"No need to be so formal, have a seat."

Colonel Rhodes smiled and shook his head, gesturing for Loya to sit down.

The two arrived at the sofa area, and Colonel Rhodes took a pack of special cigarettes from his drawer and tossed it to Loya.

"Here, take it and smoke it. I know you like this kind of thing."

"Thank you, Colonel."

Loya chuckled, took the cigarette, and shook it out. "Since you, Colonel, already know my true colors, I might as well stop pretending."

Colonel Rhodes spoke of the recent developments.

"I have reported the Black Cat Pirates incident to my superiors. The escort ship should arrive in about three days."

After the naval branch of the Four Seas successfully defeats the pirate crew, it is customary to report to the higher authorities and be escorted by a special warship to the local court for trial.

As for a major wanted criminal like Crow, he will most likely be sent to Enies Lobby and eventually imprisoned in Impel Down.

It wasn't that they didn't want to execute Crow directly, but that was the government's regulation. On the one hand, it was to prevent branches from falsely claiming credit, and on the other hand, it was to prevent the navy from having too much power.

The Navy does not have the authority to try pirates.

"Loya, you've done a fantastic job this time."

Colonel Rhodes straightened his expression: "I have already reported your performance, as well as your achievement of single-handedly defeating the Tulip Pirates on Glass Pearl Island. Please wait patiently."

"Yes, I understand."

Loya nodded.

The procedures still need to be followed, especially for major matters like promotions, since the Navy belongs to the World Government and is not an independent organization.

The credit won't go unclaimed; just wait and see.

After chatting for a while, Loya got up and left.

He also had some personal matters to attend to.

Branch 153, prison.

The entire Black Cat Pirates crew is imprisoned here. Originally numbering over fifty, they are now reduced to just over a dozen.

Even though humans in this world are generally very resilient, it is already quite remarkable that they survived Kro's massacre.

However, what they will basically face is the death penalty.

Loya passed by the cell, glanced at the listless Kro, and walked towards the innermost cell.

To prevent pirate retaliation, Django was imprisoned in a separate room.

Finbdi was also outside the cell, looking very forlorn.

"Loya, you're back."

"Um."

Loya patted Finbuddy on the shoulder, sensing his feelings. If he couldn't fulfill his promise to Zango, he would probably feel guilty for the rest of his life.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Loya offered a word of comfort, explaining that he had just spoken to Colonel Rhodes about the matter, and Colonel Rhodes had promised to vouch for him in the name of Branch 153.

Zango played a crucial role in the defeat of the Black Cat Pirates, and with the guarantee from Branch 153, the judge should give it a good evaluation.

"I'll go check on him."

Loya entered the cell.

Zangao squatted in the corner. When he heard the door open, he only raised his head slightly, without any sharpness.

Loya spoke calmly.

"Do you regret betraying your comrades?"

"Regret? Don't be ridiculous."

Praise Gao's aloof smile.

"Do you think this is child's play?!"

"Pirates are nothing more than a pack of stray dogs abandoned by the world. For treasure and power, pirates will plunge their blades into the hearts of their closest kin. The betrayal and killing among them will never stop."

"To Captain Crowe, everyone is just a pawn. Once they are no longer useful, Captain Crowe will dispose of them without hesitation, even me."

"Those useless guys too, given the slightest chance, they won't hesitate to kill me and take my place!"

"This is what pirates are like!"

Zang Gao roared.

However, his clenched fist betrayed his inner turmoil; the loss of all his subordinates was something he couldn't let go of.

Loya remained silent for a long time before turning and leaving.

"Be a good person after you come back from court!"

(End of this chapter)