https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-429-Compared-to-Pirates-You-re-the-Real-Despicable-Ones-/13537546/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-431-Justice-Cannot-Be-Disgraced-/13537559/
Chapter 430: People Must Have Hope
Chapter 430: People Must Have Hope
Of course there are despicable pirates, but it's undeniable that pirates, as enemies of the Navy, also have legendary figures.
But the black gangs? They lack the qualifications to even be taken seriously by the Navy.
Especially these cowardly gangs that prey on the weak—when Sazil first went to sea, even as a trainee pirate, his goal was to become famous. He only ever thought about plundering civilians' valuables, and never even got the chance to act on those thoughts before being conscripted into the Navy.
He never once considered harming civilians.
Let alone doing something like this.
Even Sazil, who always considered himself far from just, couldn't stomach this despicableness.
"And him! That man killed my husband!"
A woman holding a child pointed at a burly man while sobbing uncontrollably.
"He forced my child to steal! My child came home bruised every single day!" Another person began accusing others.
After Sazil punched the man down, the civilians under the black gang's control finally erupted.
With just a few words, they identified every criminal in the settlement.
Unsurprisingly, they were all burly men.
After all, compared to the starving, terrified masses who lived in constant fear, those who used violence to seize resources naturally ate better.
"Drag them all out—no need for trials. Execute them on the spot."
With a sweep of his hand, Sazil ordered the Navy soldiers to haul the criminals away.
Faintly, the remaining civilians could still hear the black gang members cursing and begging for mercy. Soon, gunshots rang out one after another, and those sounds vanished completely.
The Navy squad jogged back, saluting Sazil.
"Report, Ensign! All targets have been eliminated!"
"Good!"
Sazil glanced at the slums, confirming no suspicious figures remained. "Withdraw. Next location."
"But Ensign, what about these leftover weapons?" A Navy officer pointed at the guns and blades scattered on the ground. "Shouldn't we confiscate them?"
"What weapons? I don't see any weapons. Move out—follow orders!"
With a wave of his hand, Sazil led the Navy squad jogging toward the exit.
As soon as they crossed the threshold, the civilians snapped out of their shock.
"Th-thank you!!"
Jeno shouted after the retreating Navy.
Sazil didn't even turn his head, just waving his hand dismissively to show he'd heard.
The Navy disappeared like that—like a manifestation of justice, arriving to deliver judgment before vanishing, just like in a manga.
"Truly... so cool."
Jeno murmured, staring at the scattered weapons on the ground. Determination burned in his eyes. He walked over, picked up a pistol, and gripped it tightly. "I want to become someone like them!"
"It's over!!!"
Right after his words, a middle-aged man suddenly collapsed to his knees, covering his face as he wailed, "It's over! Finally over!"
"Waaahhh!"
His cry ignited a powder keg. One by one, the people began weeping, hugging each other tightly, their sobs echoing.
Yes—it's over.
For so long, they'd been oppressed, too afraid to even cry. Now, in this deep night, they could finally wail and scream freely.
After their tears, some laughed hysterically, others began singing, and some even danced!
The pain is gone!
People can lose everything, but the one thing they must never lose is hope.
They had it now. Even if their past lives had been ruined, things would still get better.
They would.
The purge continued. In Area 30, countless Navy soldiers stormed into homes, forcibly searching every corner. Under the cover of night, the Navy officers with bright floodlights looked like white ghosts, drifting in groups through the streets and houses.
Disturbing the peace? That wasn't even in their consideration.
Or rather, this was exactly what Kuro wanted.
"Wah!"
At the park's Ferris wheel, Lida sat alone in a cabin, rising higher and higher. Gazing at the night view from above, her eyes sparkled.
Below, Kuro leaned against a pillar, smoking a cigar.
He had no interest in such things. After all, he flew through the skies all day long—how many times had he looked down from high above? How could something like this possibly excite him?
"Hey, Kuro!"
After completing a full rotation, Lida stepped out of the Ferris wheel. "This late at night, forcibly entering civilians' homes won't cause any disturbances?"
"Disturbances are good."
Kuro exhaled a smoke ring. "Disturbances mean complaints. This cursed Shabondy has so many nobles and rich people—let them complain about me. The World Government will get annoyed and transfer me away. Then I can finally get some peace."
Might as well clean up Shabondy's rotten order while he was at it. Even if the complaints didn't stick, he'd still feel more comfortable staying here.
Either way, he wouldn't lose.
I, Lucius Kro, am definitely a man who never loses.
"Whatever you say. Wah! I want to ride the roller coaster! Come play with me once, Kuro!"
Lida grabbed Kuro's hand, dragging him toward the roller coaster ahead.
"Hey, are you joking? I'm a flying Navy officer—what high-altitude thrill rides haven't I experienced? Do you think I have that much free time to ride a roller coaster with you?!"
"Waaah!!!"
In the dead of night, the unoperational roller coaster suddenly roared to life. A scream mixed with bell-like laughter echoed as the coaster spun rapidly, the sound blending with the night.
...
Night fell, dawn rose, and Area 30 was completely purged.
Numerous corpses riddled with bullets piled up like small mountains along the waterfront, later transported by the Navy to secluded locations for incineration.
In this operation, the Navy discovered 2,523 suspicious individuals in Area 30, executed 1,811 criminals, and freed 568 slaves. A few escaped criminals were released after showing no clear evidence of wrongdoing.
But these released individuals were terrified beyond measure. They had witnessed with their own eyes how the "big brothers" they once revered were dragged to the waterfront and executed by the Navy.
The blood-soaked corpses piled high, the river flowing toward the Grand Line dyed crimson—these images would haunt them forever.
Even after returning home, they wouldn't dare commit another crime.
Every time they recalled this scene, they could only tremble in fear.
"Mr. Kuro, here are the results from Area 30."
Klah arrived at Paradise Park, reporting to Kuro.
"One area had this many criminals?"
Kuro rubbed his chin. "And this was a relatively safe Area 30. Then Areas 10 and 20 must be even worse. First, clear out all the relatively safe areas, including our own Area 60. No escaped criminals allowed. Also, guard the entrances—don't let people from other areas learn about our purges and flee into the cleared zones. Otherwise, all our efforts will be wasted."
"Understood, Mr. Kuro."
Klah nodded. "I won't disappoint you on this matter."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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