Chapter 427: Navy, Huh? Not Bad Either
Chapter 427: Navy, Huh? Not Bad Either
Dealing with people like this was simple enough.
As long as they kept acting this foolish, a little manipulation would suffice.
But one couldn’t overdo it—provoking their rebellious instincts would make things complicated.
Better to seize this opportunity to keep them stranded in Mariejois, or let them flee wherever they pleased, just so they stayed away from Shabondy.
“It seems we can’t wipe out Shabondy entirely,” Kuro mused aloud, stroking his chin as he addressed Klah. “We’ll need to leave a portion intact. Begin the search. Use your instincts—free any slaves you capture, execute any Black Gang members or thugs outright if they’re too vile, and bring me those who aren’t criminals but can’t be released. You have my permission to make judgment calls.”
He raised three fingers. “Three days—I want a full lockdown of Shabondy. No exceptions. Even if a World Noble arrives, just notify me. Your task is to carry out my orders strictly, under the pretext of purging pirates!”
“Understood!”
The Navy officers saluted in unison.
Kuro waved his hand dismissively toward Klah.
“Scatter!”
Klah raised his arm and vanished first, followed by the cluster of white-clad officers dispersing like wind-blown leaves.
In the park of Area 30, crowds still lingered. While many had fled Area 32 after news of the World Noble’s arrival, others remained—especially from other GR zones. But under the Navy’s pressure, they quickly dispersed.
“Navy command declares: beginning pirate purge. Shabondy visitors, return home immediately. Locals, retreat to your residences. Repeat: Operation commence.”
Across Area 30, Navy officers bellowed as they advanced.
“A pirate purge?”
“Finally taking action, huh? Compared to last year, this Shabondy’s been a mess. Guess the Navy’s serious this time.”
Civilians murmured.
“Ugh, how many days must we stay indoors? I can’t stand this!”
A man in ornate robes grumbled, a woman in a dancer’s outfit standing beside him. A slave collar—a shackle around her neck—marked her status.
“You,” Klah stepped forward, blocking the man’s path. “Hand over the Control Device for this woman. You’re free to go.”
“What?!” The man blinked, startled. “She’s my slave, not a pirate!”
“The World Government’s world has no slaves. Some pirates might infiltrate using slave identities to steal assets. This is for your own good,” Klah explained calmly.
“I bought her last year!” the man roared.
“I’ve received no such orders. You have two choices: surrender the Control Device, or accompany us.”
Klah raised his hand. Navy officers encircled the man.
“You’ll hear about this from the World Government! I’m nobility!” the man bellowed, face reddening.
“Restrain him.”
Klah ignored the outburst, lowering his hand. The officers swiftly subdued the man, searching him until they retrieved the Control Device and a key.
“Fine. Take him away. You’re free to go—but heed this: chaos is coming. Return home if you wish to avoid it.”
Klah accepted the Device and key from a subordinate, then ordered the dancer seized.
“I’ll file a complaint! You’re not Navy—you’re bandits!!” The noble clutched himself, screaming after Klah’s retreating figure.
Complaints?
Upward and downward—what did he fear? If the sky collapsed, taller heads would bear it. Above Klah stood Kuro Vice Admiral. If blame came, it would strike the mastermind first.
And did the mastermind care?
“Oh~ How terrifying.”
Klah mimicked Kuro’s tone, shaking his head as he strode onward.
“Um…”
The dancer finally spoke, trembling as she pleaded to Klah. “I-I’m not a pirate…”
“Almost forgot you.”
Klah turned, adjusting his glasses. With a squeeze, the Control Device crumbled to dust in his palm.
The woman stared, stunned.
“Y-You’re…”
“Vice Admiral Kuro ordered mass searches first. Innocents get released. You’re no pirate—so go home.”
Approaching her, Klah yanked the collar with the key, snapping the shackle.
Clang!
As the broken chain hit the ground, Klah said, “You’re free to leave. If you’ve nowhere to go, Navy will escort you to our base. We’ll register you later and send you home.”
“I…”
The woman trembled, staring at the fallen collar as tears welled in her eyes. “I can… go home?”
“Of course. Navy’s orders are always carried out.” Klah nodded.
Her body shook violently. Lips quivering, she tried to speak but failed.
Thud!
Suddenly, she lunged forward, clinging to Klah’s torso in a desperate embrace.
“Hey, what are y—”
“Waaaaahhh!!!”
Her scream erupted from his chest, raw and heart-wrenching.
The sound pierced the surrounding Navy officers, who lowered their heads in silence.
This cry didn’t just echo in ears—it carved into hearts.
Shabondy had once seemed peaceful, but that peace never extended to slaves.
Was that truly peace? Was it justice?
“Justice.”
One officer clenched his fist, eyes hardening.
Perhaps this was the chance they’d waited for.
A chance given by Vice Admiral Kuro—to finally enact the justice they believed in!
Matters they’d once ignored, bound by duty and orders, could now be addressed in Shabondy.
The sobbing lasted over ten minutes before the woman finally pulled away, face flushed with shame, bowing repeatedly.
“Thank you! Thank you so much! I never thought… I can go home! I can go home!” She babbled, voice cracking.
“Alright, alright. Take her to the base, then rejoin us,” Klah ordered a nearby officer.
The officer saluted, guiding the woman away.
“Thank you! Thank you!!”
She turned every three steps, bowing deeply—each ninety-degree gesture making Klah’s chest tighten strangely.
“Navy, huh…”
Watching her vanish, Klah rubbed his damp chest where her tears had soaked through, staring at the moisture on his palm. For a moment, he stood still.
“Not bad either.” A faint smile tugged at his lips.
(End of Chapter)
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