Night fell, and the downpour was relentless.
The most luxurious entertainment venue in Logue Town.
Inside an extravagant private room, Murak, with his face flushed from alcohol, had his arms around two Singing Girls. Across from him on the sofa, Gordon (Lieutenant Colonel Gordon) was similarly drunk, embracing two Singing Girls of his own.
"Hic… Murak (Commodore Murak), I've thoroughly investigated the matter. It's true that Roya (Major Roya) seriously violated regulations!"
"When I return to Headquarters this time, I will definitely make the seriousness of the situation clear to the higher-ups. No matter what abilities Roya has, he'll have to roll back to some backwater Countryside Branch!"
"No one can protect him. I guarantee it!"
Gordon patted his chest with a smug look.
With his connection to Gorilla Colonel, helping with this small favor was a must. Besides, according to his investigation, Roya (Major Roya) was indeed very arrogant. Even some low-ranking Marines were extremely dissatisfied with him.
He was asking for trouble!
Murak beamed with joy.
"Ohohoho, Gordon (Lieutenant Colonel Gordon), I'm relieved to hear you say that. You have no idea how much I've suffered during this time. Come, let me offer you another drink!"
"Cheers!"
Gordon comfortably gulped down a large mouthful of alcohol.
He had been in Logue Town for several days, indulging in pleasure and living a heavenly life. He could never be this comfortable if he stayed at Headquarters.
Such a great assignment, yet those generals and officers at Headquarters were all passing the buck. A bunch of blockheads who don't know how to enjoy themselves.
After a few rounds of drinks, Murak took out a Briefcase, pushed it in front of Gordon, and said in a low voice, "Gordon (Lieutenant Colonel Gordon), a small gift, just a token of my appreciation."
"Eh, this isn't right…"
Gordon picked up the Briefcase and was about to righteously refuse. As an Inspector, the consequences would be severe if he were discovered accepting bribes.
But when he felt the heavy weight of the Briefcase, all words of refusal were swallowed, replaced only by joy.
He didn't make this much in a year!
As expected of the Base commander of Logue Town, so generous.
"Hahaha, Murak, my brother, I'll drink to you!"
"Relax, my friend, and drink up!"
Just as the two were enjoying themselves, a Warship returning from an external mission docked at Logue Town Port, and a large number of Marines swarmed down.
The heavy rain poured down, but it couldn't stop the Marines' advance.
"Move quickly!"
The Marines split into three groups.
Roya led a portion of the Marines, escorting the Fish-Man prisoners to Execution Square. The other two groups of Marines went to the Branch. The other group patrolled along the main road, driving all lingering residents back into their homes.
A moment later, Roya stood on top of the Execution Platform, looking up at the dark sky. Large raindrops constantly beat against his face.
"This rain…"
Rainwater could boost the Fish-Men's combat power while weakening the Marines' combat capabilities, meaning the Marines' sacrifices would increase exponentially.
The only benefit was that it would keep the residents of Logue Town stay at home quietly, avoiding the impact of the war.
This also played to Roya's advantage, deliberately obscuring certain actions from public view.
Time ticked by.
Inside Execution Square, the heavy rain washed over every Marine's body and spirit. Everyone knew that a fierce battle was about to begin.
Fullbody nervously asked, "Major, will the Arlong Pirates really come?"
"They will!"
Roya's gaze was cold.
According to his memory and the information Nami provided, the Arlong Pirates were very united and would never stand idly by and watch their comrades die. Arlong also valued his compatriots.
In addition, Arlong's arrogant personality and his deep-seated hatred for Humans meant that even if he knew it was a trap, he would not hesitate to step into it.
This was a calculated move!
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
An unusually rapid bell continued to echo, signaling the arrival of Pirates!
The Arlong Pirates were here!
"Quick, close the doors and windows and turn off the lights!"
The residents of Logue Town heard the urgent bell ringing from the Port and immediately put down what they were doing, closed their doors and windows tightly, and extinguished the lights.
Only when Pirates invaded would the alarm be sounded in this way.
Logue Town Marine Branch.
"Clang Clang Clang!!!"
"Beep～～"
"Assembly! Emergency assembly!"
"Pirate Attack!"
"By order of Murak (Commodore Murak), all personnel prepare for battle and immediately proceed to Execution Square to meet the enemy!"
The New Recruits shuttled through the Branch, shouting Roya's orders, while still using Murak (Commodore Murak)'s name.
The Marines at the Branch had no idea what was happening. After hearing the assembly order, they instinctively picked up their Swords and gathered downstairs in the Dormitory, then headed to Execution Square.
In such heavy rain, Guns and Cannons were useless, so they could only rely on close combat.
Shiro wiped the rain off his face and grabbed a messenger Marine, asking with a fierce tone, "What happened?"
"Pirate Attack!"
The Marine shouted loudly, "A Pirate Ship has appeared at the Port, and a large number of Pirates have poured into Logue Town, converging on Execution Square, apparently wanting to destroy the Execution Platform. Murak (Commodore Murak) has already led a team to meet the enemy!"
"What?"
Shiro's face was stunned.
Pirate Attacks were normal. Pirates would come to Logue Town every now and then to cause trouble, but few would dare to destroy the Execution Platform.
That was the Execution Platform where Pirate King Gol D. Roger was killed, which had great symbolic significance. If it were destroyed, the Branch would bear an unshirkable responsibility.
They absolutely could not let the Pirates succeed!
Also, wasn't Murak (Commodore Murak) entertaining Gordon (Lieutenant Colonel Gordon)?
The Commodore could be in danger!
A question flashed through Shiro's mind, but he quickly understood the key point: the place where Gordon (Lieutenant Colonel Gordon) was being entertained was right next to Execution Square, which was the central area of Logue Town and the most prosperous area.
Shiro anxiously shouted to the assembled Marines, "Quick, immediately head to Execution Square to support Murak (Commodore Murak)!"
"Yes!"
Hearing Shiro (Major Shiro)'s order, the bewildered Marines were no longer confused and immediately marched.
Execution Square was surrounded by the most prosperous shops in Logue Town, and the entertainment club where Murak was located was among them.
Inside the luxurious private room, hearing the noisy commotion outside, Murak impatiently pulled open the curtains.
"Huh?"
Murak rubbed his eyes.
Was he hallucinating?
Why did it seem like there were many Marines in the heavy rain?
"Crack!"
Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating Execution Square in detail. Densely packed Marines were lined up in neat rows, standing ready.
Murak's cold sweat flowed down instantly, and all his drunkenness vanished.
"What's going on?"
Murak pushed away the Singing Girls beside him and rushed to Execution Square in a panic. When he saw Roya standing on the Execution Platform, anger instantly burned away his reason.
That bastard did it again!
"Roya!"
Murak quickly came to the Execution Platform and roared at Roya above, "What the hell are you doing, you bastard? Get down here now!"
Have they come?
Roya glanced coldly at Murak directly below, said nothing, and raised his hand to point towards the main road leading to the Port.
Murak turned his head to look and his breath hitched!
In the heavy rain, a group of monsters with blue skin walked out. The leading monster had a saw-toothed nose and was holding a saw-toothed greatsword in his hand!
"Murak, come out and face your death!"
The monster's angry roar echoed in Execution Square!