"Caelan, Caelan, the commodore is here to see you!"
Nami shouted excitedly as she rushed over, followed by a group of Marines.
Leading the Marines was Commodore Kallen, with Smoker standing beside him.
Nami never thought she would one day be associated with such a high-ranking figure.
"What's going on here?"
Seeing Caelan chatting and laughing with Tashigi, Nami and the Marines behind her were stunned.
Nami walked up to Caelan, feeling a surge of jealousy in her heart.
They had only been apart for a short while, yet here was another young woman already acting so close to him.
Smoker and the Marines from Loguetown were also confused. Wasn't that their own Tashigi? Why was she being so friendly with Caelan?
But with the Commodore present, they were too embarrassed to question it out loud.
"So you are Caelan. Truly young and promising."
Kallen broke the awkward silence. He was not here to watch the younger generation bicker.
"I am Ames Kallen of Marine Headquarters, currently serving as the overseer of the East Blue."
Kallen formally introduced himself, showing great respect toward Caelan.
"I'm Caelan Alaric, a bounty hunter."
"So, what brings you here to speak with me?"
Caelan responded politely, but his tone was indifferent. He showed little regard for Kallen.
After all, this was a branch that had allowed a disgrace like Nezumi to operate unchecked. Their strength was unimpressive, and Caelan felt no obligation to show deference.
The incident with Nezumi was a major scandal within the East Blue, though the information had been suppressed. Only Kallen and a few high-ranking officers were aware of the truth.
The surrounding Marines, unaware of the real situation, glared at Caelan. To them, Kallen was the highest-ranking officer in the East Blue and an admired figure among countless Marines.
Even if Caelan was the strongest bounty hunter in the East Blue, showing such disrespect was hard for them to accept.
"Silence! Don't embarrass yourselves!"
Smoker shouted through clenched teeth, cigar smoke curling around him. He could not stand his subordinates acting so recklessly.
As the Marine stationed at Loguetown and a headquarters colonel, he knew exactly why Kallen had come to speak with Caelan.
Like Kallen, he had no desire to become enemies with Caelan over a disgrace like Nezumi.
Caelan calmly glanced around, and the restless Marines instantly quieted.
Like a lion surveying its territory, his mere gaze silenced the weaker beasts.
Even Kallen and Smoker felt a subtle pressure in their hearts. This was the presence of a true powerhouse.
Nami and Tashigi, standing beside Caelan, felt their bodies shiver involuntarily under the weight of his aura. Goosebumps rose on their skin.
At that moment, the meaning of "the strongest bounty hunter in the East Blue" became even clearer to everyone present.
No matter where he stood, Caelan's strength commanded respect.
"Mr. Caelan, we have no hostile intentions."
Kallen withstood the pressure and raised his hands in a gesture of peace.
He was glad he had come in person. A man like Caelan deserved this level of attention.
"If you have something to say, get to the point. My time is valuable."
Caelan's tone was cold. He was already growing impatient with this unexpected interruption from the Marines.
Kallen looked at Caelan carefully, gauging his reaction before continuing.
"I would like to officially invite you once more to join the Marines."
"If you agree, you will be promoted directly to Headquarters Captain and placed in the core training sequence."
"With your potential, there is no doubt you could one day stand among the three Admirals."
Kallen's expression was sincere as he spoke.
This was the highest offer he had been able to secure from Marine Headquarters, an unprecedented invitation.
He had fought hard with Fleet Admiral Sengoku for this opportunity, hoping to dispel the ill feelings caused by the Nezumi incident.
Kallen was confident that no one could refuse such generous conditions.
The surrounding Marines were all stunned, staring at Caelan with envy.
If he agreed, he would soar to the top immediately.
Starting as a Headquarters Captain and entering the elite training program—this was the kind of opportunity they could not even dream of.
Kallen's evaluation of Caelan was that he had the potential to reach the level of Admiral.
Admirals were the highest combat force of the World Government, viewed as nightmares by countless pirates and held in awe across the seas.
Even Nami and Tashigi looked at Caelan nervously. If he accepted, what would happen to their plans?
"It sounds good… but I refuse."
Caelan did not hesitate at all and rejected Kallen's invitation outright.
It was not a matter of position. Even if they offered him an Admiral's seat on the spot, he had no interest in becoming a dog for the Celestial Dragons.
Joining the Marines was out of the question.
That said, he was still willing to recruit from the Marines. Their training produced good talent.
"He… actually refused?!"
Many of the Marines found it hard to believe.
Faced with such favorable terms, Caelan had declined so casually.
For a moment, several Marines felt deeply shaken.
The position and benefits they had longed for meant so little in Caelan's eyes.
"Why? Can you tell me your reason?"
Kallen was stunned. This was not the outcome he had expected.
Could anyone truly walk away from such an offer?
Kallen stared at Caelan, genuinely wanting to understand his mindset.
"I don't want to be tied down. I simply want to do as I please."
Caelan's reply was calm and direct.
In this world, he would live as he wished.
No one could restrict him. No one could force him to do what he did not want to do.
"Just because of that? Do you even understand what you're giving up?"
"The full training resources of the Marines. Rokushiki, Haki, swordsmanship, and guidance from veteran instructors."
"You would develop your potential faster than anyone else. You would grow into a top-level powerhouse in record time!"
Kallen could understand Caelan's attitude, but not his choice.
As someone deeply embedded in the Navy, Kallen was aware of its darker aspects.
The Heavenly Tribute, the Celestial Dragons, the political manipulations—he knew all of it.
But compared to the offer laid before Caelan, all of that seemed trivial.
Kallen continued to describe the privileges and resources of Marine elites, hoping to sway Caelan's decision.
"I still refuse."
Faced with Kallen's tempting promises, Caelan did not waver in the slightest.
If not for his current situation, maybe he would have considered climbing the ranks of the Marines.
But with the Heroic Spirit Synchronization System, his strength could grow at an absurd rate. There was no need to subject himself to anyone else's control.
Swordsmanship and physical prowess? His Heracles template already provided that.
Haki? He would find Crocodile and harvest that experience for himself.
If he wanted to go even further, Kaido was waiting, and "Three Stick Lessons" would be more than enough to teach him.
Why waste time climbing the Marine ladder when his system allowed him to grow faster on his own?
"In that case… I won't push further."
"If you ever change your mind, the Marines will always welcome you."
Kallen looked disappointed but kept his composure, maintaining a respectful attitude toward Caelan.
Even if such an independent powerhouse could not be recruited, it was important not to become his enemy.
Kallen was not too disheartened. After all, he still had a backup plan.
(To be continued.)