The Genshin Traveler in the World of Pirates

East Blue, Red Line Entry Point #66. Kong, wearing a white naval officer's uniform, stood at the bow of his small boat, slowly entering the port.

The Red Line is frequently covered by storms and thunderclouds; only a few areas are safe.

These areas are equipped with special entry and exit points, and elevators extending tens of thousands of meters. Rumor has it they were designed by Vegapunk specifically for the Celestial Dragons' "descent" and recreation.

Aside from the legendary incident twenty years ago, where a member of the Sun Pirates climbed the ten-thousand-meter-high Red Line from the sea to launch an attack, no one has ever been able to ascend to that so-called Holy Land without permission from the World Government.

"Halt! Show your identification!"

As Kong approached the checkpoint, hundreds of sharply dressed guards armed with guns simultaneously pointed their weapons at him.

They are the Celestial Dragons' personal guard, CP1-8 agents, belonging to the World Government but not under the jurisdiction of the Navy. They are a security organization independent of the Navy.

Kong stepped ashore, his justice cape billowing behind him.

"I am a Marine Headquarters patrol officer, Colonel Kong. This is my identification."

Kong's expression was calm; he ignored the guns pointed at him and handed over his identification.

A man who appeared to be the leader took the identification and examined it.

"Kong? Heh, isn't this the Executioner under Marshal Sengoku? Why are you suddenly here?"

"Borrowing a path."

The leader chuckled.

"Borrowing a path? That reason...is a little unconvincing. If you were to accidentally offend the Celestial Dragons, that would be unbearable. I suggest you take the Calm Belt. After all...how can the Marines call themselves Marines without using the sea? Don't you agree, everyone?"

"Hahahaha, Officer Kark is right!"

"Exactly. Humph, what Executioner? I think you're an opportunist trying to curry favor with the Celestial Dragons."

"Tsk tsk, so young and already so unscrupulous. Why can't you be more honest?"

Kong looked at Kark.

"Your name is Kark? What do you do?"

Kark said proudly.

"I'm nothing special, but I've been favored by the Celestial Dragons. I'm currently the head of CP-7 at East Blue's Entry Point #66, with the rank of Colonel. Kong, your identification shows you're a Lieutenant Colonel. How can you call yourself a Colonel? That's improper."

Kong didn't bother arguing with him.

"There's documentation from World Government Headquarters stating that high-ranking Marine Headquarters officers have the right to pass through the Red Line. Are you defying a World Government order?"

Kark rubbed his fingers together.

"Oh, young man, don't be so quick to anger...people are all about connections, aren't they? Just because your teacher is Marshal Sengoku, even he has to bow to the Celestial Dragons, right?"

This was clearly a demand for a bribe. Kong's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Officer Kark, you mean...you can represent the Celestial Dragons?"

Kark's expression changed.

"I never said that! Don't twist my words!"

Kong pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket.

"But I think this matter should be left to the Celestial Dragons to judge."

"You! You're recording!?"

Seeing that the other man was about to attack, Kong swiftly drew his sword.

"Frost Slash!"

"Crack"

The sea surface for twenty meters behind him instantly froze into a sheet of ice.

"Officer Kark, since you know me, you should also know how I got the title of Executioner, right? Or...are you also someone who doesn't believe in being cautious?"

Kark's expression froze.

"You're a Marine! You can't control us, CP-7?!"

Kong weighed the Den Den Mushi in his hand.

"Want to try?"

Kark's teeth were practically grinding. He took a step back.

"Make way!"

Kong walked past him, lightly tossing off a sentence.

"If you're a dog, act like a dog. Some dogs have been dogs for so long they think they're people. CP-7? What trash."

With Paimon absent, Kong revealed his fangs. After all this time in the Marines, even a normal person would have developed some claws.

Kark looked at Kong's golden pupils and felt a chilling killing intent.

Even after Kong boarded the elevator to the Red Line, the cold sweat on his face hadn't subsided.

"That guy...is he really only sixteen...? That terrifying aura...how is that possible...?"

He looked at his colleagues, but found they were also somewhat stunned. He felt his face burn with shame.

"You bunch of good-for-nothings! You were intimidated by a single Marine lieutenant?! What are you standing there for?! Get back to your posts!"

On the elevator, Kong rubbed his forehead, feeling a strange throbbing in his head.

"I was still affected. I was a little reckless..."

Ever since Bogart told him about the Celestial Dragon Bucar's situation, he'd been having trouble controlling his emotions.

Paimon was his first friend in this world. For four years, they had supported each other, becoming more like family. The thought of the Celestial Dragons' power, and the possibility of Paimon being harmed because of it, almost drove him mad.

He shook his head vigorously, throwing away these unsettling thoughts.

"Why am I thinking about this...? Paimon is with Kaeya and the others..."

Taking two deep breaths, the throbbing in his head slowly subsided.

The elevator ascended for a full twenty minutes before finally reaching the top.

The doors opened, revealing a lush, vibrant world bathed in sunlight.

The entry and exit points were guarded separately by the Marines and CP organizations—a demand made by the Celestial Dragons, who wanted to maintain appearances. The Marines were stationed above.

"Yo yo yo! Kong's back! Congratulations on your promotion to Colonel!"

An exaggerated voice rang out, and Kong unconsciously frowned. This was someone he preferred to avoid.

Marine Vice Admiral, Chaton.

chaton, whose limbs were grotesquely disproportionate, leaned in closely.

"Kong, did you miss Big Brother Chaton~?"

Kong got a headache just hearing Chaton's voice. It wasn't anything personal; Chaton was actually a good person, but he was just too annoying.

"Vice Admiral Chaton! Please maintain some decorum!"

Chaton collapsed to the ground as if struck by lightning.

"Waaaaah! You heartless brat! You've forgotten that I was the one who took you on your first mission~! Now you've forgotten your old big brother!"

Kong felt his headache intensify. His first mission was arranged by Sengoku to let him learn from experienced veterans. Coincidentally, it happened to be chaton's mission, and Kong ended up on the ship.

He thought that would be the end of it, but Paimon's personality unexpectedly made her popular with the Marine flower, Momousagi, and chaton.

Chaton's pursuit of Thatch was notoriously persistent. Somehow, he heard the news and has since relentlessly tried to get close to Kong, using him to get closer to momousagi.

"Stop it! Vice Admiral, I have urgent business! I won't bother you! Farewell!"

"Wait!"

Seeing Kong about to leave, chaton suddenly appeared beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"What is it?"

Except when chasing Momousagi, Chaton was usually quite calm. Seeing the seriousness in his expression, Kong stopped.

"Where's that girl, Paimon?"

"I sent her by sea. I'm in a hurry, taking a shortcut."

Chaton breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good...Lord Bucar has been searching around...just mind your own business. Remember whose territory this is. Also, leave your sword here. I'll have it sent to you through the proper channels."

Kong's lips moved, but he didn't speak. He removed his sword and handed it to chaton.

After receiving the sword, chaton cautioned him again.

"Kong, this is the first time you've crossed the Red Line without the Marshal, right?"

"Yes."

"Then remember, don't cause trouble, don't see trouble. Don't get involved in anything you see or hear. This is for your own good, and for the Marshal's. I know you're young and have a strong sense of justice. We don't mind you taking down corrupt Marines elsewhere, but here, it's best to keep that sense of justice under wraps."

Kong clenched his fists.

"...When you took me on my first mission, you told me that a Marine's justice couldn't be abandoned..."

Chaton said meaningfully.

"But the prerequisite is that you have to be a Marine, Kong. Justice...sometimes is hard to define...remember my words."

"Yes...I understand."

"Go then. I'll have someone send your sword back...to the Great Route, Entry Point #73, just below Alabasta. Get your sword there."

"Mm, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for...? That...when you're done with your mission, help me ask momousagi out for dinner...?"

"Get lost! Do it yourself!"

"Waaaaah! Kong, you're so cruel!"