One Piece Navy Is Wrong - Chapter 34
Captain Roy’s bodyguard was a mercenary named “Whirlwind” Eric, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user who could generate wind blades for slashing attacks. He was the only person the armored man feared at Captain Roy’s place. Devil Fruit users were infrequent in the East Blue.
“Yes, Brother Sam!” Krieg, retreating, obeyed the order.
Captain Roy, who resembled a giant pig due to his extreme obesity, showed no sign of panic despite facing the four pirates. Nearly immobile, Captain Roy’s confidence came from the protection of the mercenary Eric. Sam thought so.
“Hahaha…”
The armored Sam suddenly laughed. “My dear Captain Roy, if you can send this Whirlwind Eric with us, we can remove that headquarters officer for free.”
The Marine HQ’s officer Hailan was Sam’s biggest threat compared to half of Victoria Kingdom’s maritime business. He knew the major’s mission was to uproot his large fleet. Having Eric lead the charge would be a sure win for Sam.
“I’ll need to discuss this with Eric. You can leave now or stay in the city for a few days. My treat.”
As a warlord of the East Blue, Captain Roy had endless wealth. He commanded 20 ships and 3,000 men. The pirate Sam had an equally formidable force with 30 boats and over 3,000 pirates. Sam also called himself a “Commodore.”
“Don’t keep us waiting too long, Captain Roy. You know we pirates have little patience.”
Sam and his men, including Krieg, left Captain Roy’s navy base. Not long after their departure, two more Marines emerged from a hidden compartment in Roy’s lounge.
“My, my, Captain Hoffman, you didn’t get too hot in there, did you?”
Like performing a magic trick, Captain Roy instantly switched to a fawning, respectful demeanor.
“Just a bunch of rabble. If they weren’t still useful, I’d have them all beheaded,” Hoffman sneered, expressing his disdain for “Commodore” Sam.
Unlike the pig-like Captain Roy, Hoffman had been transferred from Marine Headquarters to the East Blue’s 16th Branch. This was a demotion due to his chronic abuse of power and corruption, which had angered the HQ leaders. If not for his significant skills, HQ would have thrown him into Impel Down instead of giving him a chance for redemption. Instead of reforming, Hoffman joined forces with Captain Roy, becoming a local tyrant in the East Blue.
Captain Roy relied on Hoffman’s expertise in the Six Styles more than his 3,000 subordinates. A young Marine with mouse-like whiskers named Nezumi accompanied Hoffman.
Hoffman asked, “Nezumi, what was that phrase you said yesterday?”
“To make money, it’s best to be a Marine. Pirates live like stray dogs, always on the run. Even if they plunder riches, they can only bury them. They don’t make much and always risk being wiped out by the Marines.”
“Did you hear that, Captain Roy? Even my nephew understands this!”
“Indeed, indeed,” Captain Roy nodded eagerly, pandering to Hoffman’s vanity.
“But what about the major sent by HQ?”
“Give the pirates enough incentives, and they’ll act like dogs chasing a bone. Once they’re worn out fighting the HQ major, they won’t be a threat to our business.”
“As for those pirates meant to bolster our Marine prestige, there will always be plenty. We have the Pirate King Roger to thank for that!”
“And Hill mentioned that major is busy training soldiers intensely.”
“Plus, he’s only 18, just a hot-blooded youth nurtured in HQ’s greenhouse!”
“This is the East Blue. No instructors or superiors to protect him here!”
Captain Roy chuckled, “18? This major is quite young!”
Hoffman didn’t know that Hailan was actually younger than 18—he was only 16. Neither Captain Roy nor Hoffman knew that Hailan was a rising star in Marine HQ. Kuro, the informant, had logically concealed part of the information. Who would expect a promising newcomer from HQ to come to the East Blue? And who would guess this major was only 16?
Kuro, a sophisticated man, wanted a life of luxury. He suspected his “noble lord” couldn’t deliver the promised life and planned to use others to eliminate threats.
In this game, everyone was a player.
“Brother Sam, that bastard Roy wants to send us to our deaths! We can’t compete with HQ’s officers!”
Walking through Victoria Kingdom’s streets, Krieg complained to Sam. The other two were unperturbed.
“Know Mand Toretto?”
Krieg paused, “The treasure hunter?”
“Yes. If we persuade him to act, even a HQ vice admiral wouldn’t stand a chance!”
“I see…” Krieg pretended to understand fully.
Meanwhile, at Loguetown base, Captain Hill studied an endgame chess board. Seeing Hailan enter, Hill instinctively asked, “Does Major Hailan know how to play chess?”
“I’m okay.”
After years in this world, Hailan had mastered this type of chess, even occasionally defeating Sengoku.
“Really? Then how would you turn the tables as black?”
“Turn the tables?”
Hailan glanced at the board, recognizing it from childhood.
Crash…
Instead of discussing moves, Hailan overturned the board.
“Done. The tables are turned.”
“Captain Hill, I suggest you focus on dealing with pirates before I leave!”
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