[Three days ago, a royal merchant ship of the Kingdom of Nismail, a World Government affiliated nation, received a threatening letter on its return journey from the Sabaody Archipelago, indicating they had been targeted by pirates.] [Therefore, they chose to dock near the Marine G-51 Branch at the Kingdom’s Master Port and requested a Marine warship escort.] [Shortly after arriving at the G-51 Branch, they successfully captured a pirate attempting to infiltrate the branch at the port, and initially confirmed that this individual was the pirate who sent the threat letter.] “Interesting.” Lying on a lounge chair on the warship’s deck, Roy took a sip of ice-cold cola as he looked over the detailed mission report in his hand.
“Sir?
What’s interesting?” Hans, who was at the helm, asked curiously.
And it wasn’t just him; the other Marines of the Custody Force also gathered around, filled with curiosity.
“The criminal we’re escorting this time is quite interesting.
Give me a refill.” Roy handed his glass to Fal and spoke softly.
“No bounty, no name.
That means this person is likely completely unknown.” He pointed at the report.
“But a guy like this actually dared to target the royal merchant ship of a World Government affiliated nation, and even dared to send a warning letter in advance.” At this point, Roy stroked his chin with interest.
“Now that you mention it, Sir, that really is rare,” Fal nodded as he handed over a fresh glass of ice-cold cola.
“But since he was caught so easily…
perhaps he’s a rookie pirate who just set sail and is reckless enough to try anything?” “Perhaps…” Roy nodded, but then he sat up from the lounge chair and took off his sunglasses.
“Oh, we’ve arrived.” In the distant horizon, a sizable island was gradually coming into view.
The first thing that caught their eye was a massive white structure standing near the island’s coastline.
The giant Marine insignia gleamed in the sunlight, and on the prominent face of the tall building, the black lettering “G-51” and the scales-and-seagull flag were clearly visible.
That was the Grand Line Marine G-51 Branch, their destination.
As the warship drew closer, the silhouette of the island’s city also began to clarify.
It was a bustling port.
The massive harbor was packed with all kinds of vessels, with large and small merchant ships and boats constantly entering and exiting.
“It’s so lively,” Hans remarked in awe from the helm.
“After all, this is Master Port.
It’s a key port of the Kingdom of Nismail,” Fal said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
As mentioned before, the Kingdom of Nismail was one of the World Government’s 170-plus affiliated nations, enjoying the direct protection of the World Government and the Marines.
Just like Master Port itself—a Marine branch was built right there.
Thus, most pirates wouldn’t even think of attacking this place.
Merchant ships from most nations were also willing to dock here.
Even if they had to pay steep docking fees, it was still better than being plundered by pirates.
“It really is prosperous, but…” Roy nodded, his gaze shifting to the other side of the port.
There was a town.
However, compared to the noisy and bustling port, the town appeared much more desolate.
The buildings were low, and at a glance, they could even be described as dilapidated.
It wasn’t hard to guess that this was where the island’s native residents lived.
Just like most countries in this world—the prosperity of the port and the wealth of the nation had nothing to do with the actual lives of the common people.
“Let’s go, to the branch’s port.” Roy didn’t look any further and ordered the warship to sail toward the port reserved for the Marine branch.
But as they arrived at the Marine branch port, Roy froze slightly.
Because docked alongside the branch’s warships in the berths of the Marine G-51 Branch port was a merchant ship.
It was far larger and more luxurious than the average merchant ships in Master Port.
Its golden hull and massive figurehead exuded nobility.
The crown flag flying from its mast made its identity clear.
“Is that the royal merchant ship that received the threat letter?” Roy smiled.
“To think they docked directly inside the branch’s port…
It seems the Captain of this branch gets along very well with the Kingdom of Nismail.” As they spoke, their warship docked.
“The Headquarters Custody Force?!” asked the branch Marine responsible for managing the port.
After confirming Roy’s identity, he saluted.
“The criminal handover is ready.
Captain Ast is waiting for you in his office!” “Got it,” Roy nodded, but then his eyes swept across the surroundings.
“Where is everyone else?” He had noticed a small issue.
The number of guards at this port was clearly off.
Most of the Marine sentry posts were vacant, with only a few scattered guards in sight.
“They’re all in the branch building preparing for tonight’s banquet!” the branch Marine replied.
“A banquet?” “Yes!
Because the pirate was captured, Chief Steward Mantal of the Kingdom of Nismail’s merchant ship organized this banquet to invite the brothers of the branch.
It’s said that Chief Steward Mantal even prepared gifts for every Marine as a token of appreciation,” the branch Marine explained, looking quite excited.
With extra income on the line, no one would be unhappy.
“So generous?” Roy grinned.
“You’ll be heading over in a bit too, right?
What about the port’s defenses?” “No need to worry, Sir,” the branch Marine said confidently.
“This is the port of a World Government affiliated nation.
Under normal circumstances, no pirates would dare raid this place.” “Besides, aren’t they here as well?” He pointed not far away.
Roy turned his head and saw several guards dressed in lavish court attire patrolling near where the royal merchant ship was docked.
“Who are they?” Hans asked curiously, beating Roy to the question.
“Oh, those are the royal guards of the Kingdom of Nismail.” Hearing the branch Marine’s answer, Hans continued to ask, “They aren’t attending tonight’s banquet?” “Of course not.
They have to guard the cargo on the ship.” Having cleared up the situation in a few words, Roy said no more.
He turned to Hans.
“Hans, go back to the ship and work with Fal to get the temporary holding cells ready.
I’ll go make the handover with Captain Ast.” “Yes, Sir!” Once Hans took his orders and returned to the warship, Roy declined the Marine’s offer to lead the way and walked toward the G-51 Branch building alone.
As he walked, his gaze naturally fell upon that royal merchant ship.
The sheer size of the vessel made it incredibly conspicuous.
But looking closer, Roy began to notice several strange details.
For instance, numerous sharp iron spikes lined the ship’s bulwarks.
The ship’s hull was also unusually sealed, with only the gunports offering a glimpse inside, where cage-like structures could faintly be seen.
“This ship…” Roy’s brow furrowed, muttering to himself.
But right at that moment…
“Colly!
Colly!” He heard a clamor.
Turning his head, he saw a figure struggling to squeeze out of one of the royal merchant ship’s gunports.
It was an old man.
He was hunched over, his skin and clothes stained with blood.
His eyes were sunken, and his gray hair was matted into clumps.
A hemp rope hung around his neck, and shackles bound his ankles.
“Colly…
Colly…” He waved his hands, muttering deliriously, seemingly clutching something in his hand.
With Roy’s excellent vision, he could faintly make out the object—it looked like a scrap of cloth.
By now, the merchant ship’s guards had spotted him.
“It’s that old madman again…
hurry up and drag him back!” “How did he get out there?
Who was supposed to be guarding the cargo hold?!” Soon, through the gap of the gunport, Roy saw a hand reach out from behind the old man, violently grabbing him by his hair and dragging him back inside.
“…” Roy watched the scene unfold silently.
But…
[Rabbit-Rabbit Fruit, Snow Rabbit Form LV1 – Equipped – Grants partial traits of a snow rabbit, overall physical enhancement, with extra boosts to hearing and speed] With his enhanced hearing, Roy could hear the sound of beatings and curses coming from the cabin, accompanying the old man’s desperate murmurs.
“Colly…
Colly…” “Your daughter was already bought by someone else!
Old bastard, a piece of cargo we couldn’t even sell is still causing me trouble—if the Chief Steward hadn’t said your fresh organs are worth some money and that we need to find another buyer, I would have killed you long ago.” And with that, Roy understood everything.
“Spikes on the hull, cage-like structures inside…
I see.” “A slave ship.” He murmured softly, reaching the natural conclusion.
The slave trade.
One of the malignant tumors of this world.
Although the World Government officially banned the trading of human slaves, in reality, because of the existence of the Celestial Dragons, the slave trade was a massive grey area.
Not only did the World Government turn a blind eye, they even covered for it.
Just like now.
The Kingdom of Nismail, an affiliate of the World Government, was clearly engaging in the slave trade.
Their methods weren’t even subtle.
Roy was certain that the Marine leadership in the G-51 Branch knew about it.
Yet, they still provided an escort for a returning slave ship.
“Justice…” Roy scoffed.
This was exactly why he sneered at the Marines’ so-called justice.
A tree rotted to its very roots offers no refuge for justice.