Chapter 431: Justice Cannot Be Disgraced!
Chapter 431: Justice Cannot Be Disgraced!
With Area 30 completely purged, its connected zones—Areas 10, 20, and 40—were swiftly secured. Klah stationed troops at the entrances of Areas 10 and 20, while the rest of the forces advanced to Area 40 to continue the purge.
Area 40 was a bustling tourist and shopping district frequented by the wealthy and nobility, making it a hotspot for black gangs. Drawing from their experience in Area 30, the Navy intensified their search this time, abandoning hesitation for unyielding force. Klah and Sazil, in particular, were merciless.
When it came to freeing slaves, Klah showed no mercy—no matter the offender’s noble status or wealth, threats were met with immediate seizure, and resistance was crushed with brute force. Sazil, emboldened by Kuro’s temporary authority, was even more ruthless. Any defiance was met not with investigation but with gunfire, leaving bodies riddled with bullets.
Under this overwhelming violence, Area 40 was soon cleared. Slaves were freed, black gangs eradicated, and only minor thugs escaped unscathed. The district, once vibrant, now ran red with blood. By day, Shabondy’s largest commercial hub stood eerily deserted.
With Area 40 secured, Klah didn’t need to split forces here. Connected only to Areas 30 and 50 (with 30 already cleared), their next target was Area 50—a shipbuilding and coated membrane manufacturing zone. Heavily guarded by naval and World Government forces, pirates dared not linger here.
Klah had expected Area 50 to be straightforward. Compared to Areas 30 and 40, it seemed simpler—until the shipyard owners resisted.
“Hey! Don’t disrupt our business!” roared a factory owner, flanked by shipwrights armed with hammers and chainsaws.
“This isn’t your Navy’s jurisdiction! Do you know how many officers are waiting for their ships? Delay us, and you’ll answer for it!” snarled a burly boss, blocking Sazil’s path.
Sazil spat. “I don’t care if you’re building ships for the World Nobility—you’re shutting down. No business until the purge ends!”
“And if I refuse?” the owner sneered, signaling his men to raise their weapons.
They weren’t pirates or black gangs—just law-abiding workers. The Navy couldn’t kill them outright, or they’d face backlash. But brawls? They welcomed the fight.
Sazil’s fist slammed into the boss’s gut. The man doubled over, vomiting blood before collapsing unconscious.
“Kuro Vice Admiral’s orders are absolute!” Sazil bellowed. “Want a taste of Navy resolve?!”
The shipwrights hesitated. Their boss, a former brawler, had been felled in one hit. Fear rippled through the crowd.
“Stand down, or we’ll shut you down by force!” Sazil ordered.
The Navy advanced, their might overwhelming. After a tense pause, the shipwrights dropped their tools and retreated.
This scene repeated across Area 50. Resistance crumbled under the Navy’s iron fist, forcing factory owners to flood Marine Headquarters with complaints.
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New Marine Headquarters
Former Navy G-1 Base
“Fleet Admiral!” A gaunt, armor-clad man with a raspy voice saluted Akainu. “Shabondy’s headquarters is flooded with calls and faxes—complaints against Lucius Kro. We can’t suppress them.”
The man, T·Penn—a decorated Navy officer—added cautiously, “But Fleet Admiral, I’ve met Lucius Kro. He’s a good man. Not the tyrant these reports claim.”
Akainu smirked, flipping through the complaints: “disturbance,” “mass killings,” accusations piling like snow. With a flick of his palm, a burst of flame reduced the papers to ash.
“Don’t care,” he said coldly. “Lucius Kro acts with the old man’s approval. Shabondy’s chaos ends here. Wickedness is crushed by force. Ignore all future complaints—complaints defy Justice.”
T·Penn grinned. This was the Fleet Admiral he respected.
“Justice Cannot Be Disgraced,” Akainu muttered, stepping onto the balcony. “The pirate and chaos era should’ve ended last year. If they won’t vanish, we’ll erase them. Kuro’s still too soft. The old man would’ve purged them all—complaints are rebellion.”
He turned, eyes gleaming. “But let Kuro thrive in Shabondy. When the time comes, he’ll be the perfect Navy.”
After all, he mused, Borsalino’s subordinates mean nothing. The old man is Fleet Admiral. All Navy—Lucius Kro, Kuro, even the World Government—are mine.
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Happy New Year’s Day to everyone!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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