Chapter 364: Marine Headquarters
Chapter 364: Marine Headquarters
Shabondy Islands.
In a tavern, Shakky was sitting at the counter, with a few bottles of alcohol on display. She gazed at the bottles, deep in thought.
On a sofa in the corner, Robin sat engrossed in a book.
Having uncovered the truth about the empty century, she had found the answers she sought, all thanks to Feng Ye. Now, she knew what her role as a maid entailed.
"I'm back."
The voice of Rayleigh the Dark King echoed from the doorway as he greeted Shakky.
Hearing Rayleigh, Robin lowered her book and looked toward the entrance, spotting Feng Ye following close behind.
"You're finally back," Shakky said, taking a drag from her cigarette. With a playful glint in her eyes, she added, "Did the young'uns give you a hard time?"
Rayleigh chuckled, unbothered. "Getting old, I'm not as spry as I used to be... Pour me a drink, on the rocks."
Feng Ye took a seat nearby and turned to Robin. "Anything new happening lately?"
Robin tilted her head. "There is one thing. Three days ago, your bounty increased to 1.567 billion berries. The World Government claims you destroyed a town and sank three warships."
"Eh?" Rayleigh shot a surprised glance at Feng Ye.
Recently, Feng Ye had been training with Rayleigh on an island in the Calm Belt, honing his Haki and swordsmanship without leaving the island.
"A baseless accusation," Feng Ye remarked.
Blowing a smoke ring, Shakky continued, "The World Government wants to cover up Sengoku's defeat, but your threat level far exceeds what a mere billion-berry bounty could convey. So, they'll keep inflating it and pinning nonexistent crimes on you."
Rayleigh shook his head. "Their tactics never change..."
"So, I'm already infamous?" Feng Ye chuckled lightly, unfazed by the news.
Shakky took another drag. "Oh yes, a few days ago, the news portrayed you as a ruthless killer of civilians, and they even accused you of large-scale human trafficking..." She scoffed.
"If I were trafficking people," Feng Ye said, taking the drink Shakky offered, "I would have only abducted little Robin here, and sold her to myself."
At that moment, he stood up and flashed Robin a smile. "Since they claim I destroyed a town... Robin, would you like to pay the Marine Headquarters a visit?"
"Eh?" Robin froze.
Shakky and Rayleigh, equally intrigued, turned to face them.
Shakky, cigarette in hand, sensed that Feng Ye wasn't joking. A hint of worry crept into her voice. "Are you planning to stir up trouble at the Marine Headquarters? It's best not to. Currently, there are only two admirals, and though Sengoku was defeated by you, they still have Kong and the hero Garp stationed there. Even for you, it would be extremely dangerous."
In history, the Marine Headquarters had been invaded before.
One of the three legendary pirates, alongside Whitebeard and Pirate King Roger, was the Golden Lion Shiki, who once single-handedly infiltrated the Marine Headquarters and wreaked havoc, destroying half of the base.
However, he was ultimately defeated by Garp and Sengoku and imprisoned in Impel Down. Although he had recently escaped, it was at the cost of severing his own legs to break free from his shackles—a tremendous price to pay.
Moreover,
The Marine Headquarters was located near the holy land, Mariejois. Should any serious incident occur, the World Government could quickly dispatch reinforcements.
For the Marines, the headquarters was the safest place, but for those deemed criminals by the government, it was one of the most perilous places in the world!
"I'm a traveler," Feng Ye said with a gentle smile. "How can I call myself a traveler if I don't visit such a famous place as the Marine Headquarters? Let's go, Robin."
As he spoke, Feng Ye headed for the door.
Witnessing this, Shakky's expression turned grim. She was concerned about Feng Ye going there alone, but the fact that he intended to bring Robin along left her with a sense of absurdity—
Are you two turning yourselves in?
However, Robin didn't hesitate. After a brief moment of eye contact with Feng Ye's clear eyes, she rose and followed him without a second thought.
She knew the Marine Headquarters was dangerous and that she would likely be caught in the crossfire, but she pushed those thoughts aside.
If Feng Ye wanted to take her there, she would go.
Now that she had accomplished what she set out to do, she belonged to Feng Ye entirely. No matter where he wanted to take her, she would follow without hesitation.
But Rayleigh, sitting there with a drink in one hand, raised his other hand to stop her and called out to Feng Ye's departing figure, "Are you coming back for a drink later?"
"Yeah, I'll be back soon," Feng Ye's voice drifted back. Soon, his figure and Robin's faded from view as they walked away.
Watching this unfold, Shakky's movements became stiff, and she lowered her arm, turning to Rayleigh. "The Marine Headquarters is no place to mess around..."
Rayleigh smiled gently and said, "Don't you think he resembles a young Roger? Shakky, when he has an idea, he'll act on it. Even if it's crazy, he'll still do it."
Speaking up to here,
He took a sip of his drink, his eyes glinting mysteriously as he continued, "And going to the Marine Headquarters might not be crazy for him at all."
...
Marine Headquarters.
The massive fortress stood tall.
The entire fortress was constructed from extremely sturdy stone and steel, its defenses strong enough to withstand the bombardment of heavy cannons. It was the largest fortress in the world.
On the front of the fortress, the words 'Marine' were engraved, one on the left and one on the right, with the Marine symbol, a seagull, in the center.
At that moment.
In the office of the Marine Admiral, the highest level of the Marine Headquarters fortress.
Marine Hero Garp was sitting on a sofa, holding a newspaper from three days ago in one hand while digging his nostril with the thumb of the other, and said:
"Traveler Feng Ye destroyed Mobik Town... What nonsense is this? Didn't the people there anger a World Noble, leading to the World Nobles ordering the town's destruction?"
Admiral Kong, sitting behind his desk, folded his arms in front of him and said in a deep voice, "The World Nobles ordered the destruction of a town under the government's jurisdiction. Broadcasting this news would cause unnecessary panic, and this is the will of the Five Elders."
"It's always the same old story."
Garp threw down the newspaper, leaning lazily against the sofa, and said, "This is why I didn't want to become an Admiral.
In the Navy's ranks, there were Commodore, Rear Admiral, and Vice Admiral positions, but Admiral was not within the 'Admiral' rank and instead stood above it.
A Navy Admiral, relative to a Vice or Rear Admiral, was like a Commodore relative to a Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel—a difference in class.
Every Navy Admiral had the qualification to command the entire Navy.
As for the Marine Marshal, another term was 'General Admiral', which was the same rank as Navy Admiral and the highest rank in the Navy.
Therefore, the Navy Admirals were also under the direct jurisdiction of the World Government and were equivalent to the direct subordinates of the World Nobles. However, Garp had always been very displeased with the World Nobles, whether it was their behavior or other aspects, so he repeatedly refused promotion to Admiral.
He didn't want to take orders from the World Nobles.
"... "
Kong remained silent.
If it were any other Vice Admiral who disrespected and was impudent towards the World Nobles, they would have been kicked out long ago. But Garp had ended the era of Rocks, defeated countless pirates, and had innumerable merits and glory. Even the Five Elders, who held the highest power in the World Government, were helpless against Garp and could only reprimand him at most.
Garp picked up the rice crackers from the table, ate one, and said, "That being said, it's been a long time since such a powerful rookie has appeared. He even defeated Sengoku, so I really want to let him taste my iron fist."
"Don't underestimate him, Garp."
Sengoku stood not far away, looking at Garp and said in a deep voice, "That guy's strength may be stronger than yours. Don't do anything impulsive, it's better to wait until he goes to the New World and then find an opportunity."
"That guy must already be in the New World."
Garp threw a handful of rice crackers into his mouth, eating while lazily saying, "I received intelligence about his appearance in Shabondy more than a month ago. He disappeared for more than a month, if he's not in the New World, where else could he be but the Marine Headquarters?"
Sengoku said in a deep voice, "I've already mobilized the intelligence department in the New World to investigate. Once they find him, they'll immediately lock on and track him."
Kong looked at Sengoku and Garp, shook his head, and put down his arms, preparing to continue sorting through the documents.
But at that moment.
A Navy Colonel suddenly rushed in from outside, his tone urgent, "Admiral Kong!!!"
"Hm?"
Kong, Sengoku, and Garp, among others, looked up.
They saw that the Navy Colonel's eyes held a trace of tension and disbelief as he said, "There... there is a small boat approaching the headquarters, and the people on the small boat are... are the traveler and the child of the devil!"
In that instant.
The entire office fell silent!
(End of Chapter)
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