Just as Hermes was studying the future direction, the caravan suddenly stopped.
They arrived at the first checkpoint, where they were asked to pay a toll.
There were quite a few people, including various gangsters, thugs, and bandits, but they dealt with them quickly.
This shows that the merchant guild Hermes followed was quite capable; no wonder their fees were so high.
But what happened next really opened Hermes' eyes.
Within two days, the caravan encountered at least six bandit groups, five pirate crews, and eleven government agencies collecting taxes.
And this was before they even reached the eastern naval branch.
Several times there were near-conflicts, but the leader resolved them each time.
Some used force, others used money; after all, this caravan was neither too big nor too small, with fifty or sixty guards.
Finally, on the third day, the caravan arrived in the eastern region.
The environment here is much more peaceful than in the West.
Although there are still petty thefts, murders, and robberies, it's practically paradise compared to the West.
The biggest reason is probably that there is a naval branch here, and no force dares to provoke it.
After all, the power behind the navy is earth-shattering.
It can be said that the Kingdom of Prodines is currently only relatively safe and stable in this area, while other places are in chaos or war.
Hermes left the convoy, intending to stay in the East for a while to see if he could infiltrate the naval branch.
There he might find unexpected treasures, such as the Six Styles.
During this time, he could also hunt down pirates and bandits in the surrounding area to earn bounties while honing his skills.
"Takoyaki, 30 Berries for five or six skewers."
"Udon noodles, never made with leftover noodles, purely handmade, only fifty Berries a bowl."
Walking down this bustling street, vendors were calling out their wares on both sides, and the taverns were packed with people.
Hermes ate takoyaki as he walked toward the naval base, intending to collect the bounty first and then find a hotel to relax.
The entire naval branch is located at the coastline.
It is not very grand, but it has an inexplicable sense of righteousness.
You can see many marines in uniform or resting as you come and go.
For ordinary people, marines really do give them a sense of security.
"Stop."
"This is a naval camp. Do not approach."
As he approached the camp gate, two marines on guard stepped forward with serious expressions, their eyes filled with vigilance as they looked at Hermes.
This alone demonstrates the rigor of the naval base commander, unlike some corrupt and incompetent marine officers depicted in anime.
"I am a pirate hunter, here to collect my bounty."
Hermes remained calm and handed the package to the marine.
"Pirate Hunter?"
The marine on the left glanced at Hermes from head to toe, scrutinizing him while revealing a subtle sense of superiority.
The marine on the right took the package and frowned slightly as he looked at the head inside.
However, he did not feel nauseous or vomit like new recruits.
Clearly, these two marines on guard duty were experienced.
They were two corporals.
"Please wait a moment, I need to confirm."
Spando was too disappointing.
The bounty was only 4.6 million, and the two corporals didn't even recognize him.
They had to return to the base to check the bounty.
"Can."
Hermes shrugged and remained standing in the same spot.
As the marine on the right left, the air suddenly became quiet.
Fortunately, there were naval personnel coming and going at the base, otherwise it would have been awkward.
Hermes stared silently at the camp gate.
Although he couldn't see anything inside, he could faintly hear training sounds coming from within.
If he was lucky, he was sure there was something he wanted inside.
"Sir, may I ask who your highest-ranking officer is here?"
Hermes began to extract information.
He was planning to infiltrate the area tomorrow morning.
Logically, an organization's training usually takes place in the morning, which is precisely the time for him to learn from their methods.
"Why would a pirate hunter like you ask these questions?"
The corporal stood ramrod straight, expressionless.
"If nothing unexpected happens, I will come here very frequently in the future."
Looking at Hermes' smile, the corporal paused for a moment before answering.
"Our highest-ranking officer is Captain Bastan Yuger."
"It is because of Captain Yuger that the eastern part of the Kingdom of Prodens is so peaceful, and the surrounding pirates and bandits do not dare to act recklessly."
Hermes could clearly sense the corporal's pride and admiration.
"Captain."
Hermes muttered to himself.
To be the highest-ranking officer of a naval branch, especially in the New World, the latter half of the Grand Line, is quite remarkable.
Not to mention the size of this naval fortress; just being able to establish a foothold is already quite an achievement.
I should know the Six Styles.
But I don't know if they have any Haki.
If this captain possesses Observation Haki, his next move will be somewhat troublesome.
Compared to the mainstays of the navy such as admirals, vice admirals, rear admirals, captains, lieutenant commanders, and majors, a captain may not seem like much.
However, in some remote, low-level bureaus, a captain is a behemoth.
Sometimes he can even have influence in mid-level bureaus.
Especially in the navy, a mysterious organization, there are always a few exceptions.
Rank and combat effectiveness are not always linked.
This captain may only be a captain, but his combat ability might have reached the level of major, lieutenant colonel, or colonel.
Such individuals are not uncommon in the navy.
The most famous of them all is Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp.
His fighting strength remains a mystery to this day.
This is only based on pure physical skills.
If we add some strange and unusual Devil Fruit abilities, it becomes even more difficult to judge.
Hermes hoped that the captain would not have Observation Haki and would not have mastered the Six Powers.
The less the better.
If the captain occasionally guided his subordinates' training personally, it would make things easier for Hermes to learn from their techniques.
He only hoped reality would be as beautiful as he imagined.
Instead of being so cruel that he would lose control of his bladder.
"You're quite good."
"You actually hunted down Spando, the captain of the Greatsword Pirates with a bounty of 4.6 million."
"That's a bounty of 1 million Berries."
Soon, the corporal who went to confirm the bounty returned.
The reason he said this was because Hermes looked very young.
At most seventeen or eighteen years old.
On the sea, some powerful people are already famous at that age and even stand at the top of the pyramid.
However, such people are extremely rare.
Almost one in ten thousand.
Among the masses, most people at that age are just ordinary.
In the corporal's opinion, Hermes being able to hunt down a pirate with a bounty of 4.6 million at his age was already impressive.
It showed great potential.
Regardless of the methods used, the key is defeating the opponent.
That itself is skill.
Sometimes luck and chance are also a form of ability.
Hermes accepted the one million Berries.
He was not foolish enough to ask why it was only one million.
Such things had already been tacitly understood in his previous life.
"Interested in joining the Navy?"
Seeing that Hermes was about to leave, the corporal extended an olive branch.
The Navy is very willing to recruit people with certain talents like this.
If it were the year he first transmigrated, Hermes would have agreed without hesitation.
But now he only felt annoyed.
He had been rejected far too many times that year.
It was not that he was narrow-minded.
He simply no longer needed it.
He did not have the lofty ideal of saving all living beings and spreading the light of justice throughout the world.
Such a great mission could be left to someone else.
Freedom was what he pursued.
If you suppress your emotions for too long in your previous life, your heart will become filled with darkness.
In this life, you must be free and open.
Do whatever you want.
Otherwise, why time travel?
Just to remain poor and continue living an unhappy life?
"Thank you, but I prefer freedom."
Hermes turned and waved.
Leaving behind a dashing silhouette as he walked away.