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The next morning, at the Branch Entrance.
All Bartolomeo Club Members were assembled, a massive formation that looked like they were attacking the Branch.
The thugs were still somewhat bewildered. Gambia, the Second-in-command, wondered, "Boss, are we really joining the Marines?"
"That's right. Granny wants us to join that treacherous Black Hair Marines," Bartolomeo said with a face full of reluctance.
The thugs finally relaxed.
"Ah, if Granny said so, no problem then!"
"Then there's no problem."
"Speaking of which, we escorted that Marine to see Granny before."
"Looks like he got along well with Granny."
"We must thank him when we meet him later."
The thugs beamed with joy. Not a single person questioned it. If Granny said it, then it must be right.
"Let's go, we're going in!"
Four or five hundred people strode into the Branch with arrogant swagger, curiously looking around, kicking at anything â even stray rocks â that caught their attention.
Tashigi was in charge of reception.
Seeing the ragtag bunch of thugs, Tashigi sighed helplessly. If the Branch wasn't severely understaffed, there was no way she would recruit these layabouts.
"Follow me!"
"Hey, where's your boss?"
Barto put his hands in his pockets, bent his upper body in a cocky manner, and blocked Tashigi's path with an arrogant ninety-degree bow.
Tashigi calmly said, "Colonel Roya has important matters to attend to. He will see you when he's finished. I'll take you to familiarize yourselves with the Branch first."
"Tch, lucky for him."
Barto clicked his tongue in disdain.
If Black Hair appeared before him, he would definitely give that guy a good beating. Using Granny to threaten him was unforgivable!
----
At the same time, in the Base Commander's Office.
"I am Headquarters Colonel Smoker!"
Smoker, with two cigars in his mouth, glared fiercely at Roya, as if Roya owed him five million Berries.
"Welcome, Colonel Smoker!"
Roya beamed.
He thought he would have to wait a few more days, but he didn't expect Smoker to arrive in Logue town so quickly. His subordinates said he came alone on a super cool Amphibious Motorcycle.
Such skill and daring!
Roya poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of Smoker.
"Have some tea."
"No need."
Smoker coldly refused and directly stated his purpose: "The Arlong Subjugation Incident, and the death of Murak, you were behind it all, weren't you?"
"That's right."
Roya readily admitted, as if he were answering what he had for breakfast that morning.
"..."
Smoker was clearly taken aback.
According to his expectations, Roya would definitely deny his actions, and then he would coldly tell Roya that he would find evidence to send Roya to Enies Lobby.
Overpower the opponent with presence first!
But what was happening now?
I haven't even exerted myself, and you've already confessed?
Come on, your cooperation is making me feel awkward!
Roya looked at Smoker's changing expression, amusedly picked up his teacup, and took a sip. "Don't be so jumpy, it's not a big deal."
"..."
A dozen or so Colonel-ranked officers in Logue town were all ruined by you, and that's not a big deal?
Smoker's expression wasn't very pleasant.
He originally planned to take the initiative and dominate the first meeting, while also provoking Roya to reveal a flaw.
But within these few words, Roya had nonchalantly taken the lead. Even if Roya admitted his crimes, without evidence, there was still no way to deal with him.
Miscalculated.
If he had known this would happen, he should have prepared a listening Den Den Mushi in advance!
"Here."
As if his thoughts had been guessed, a palm-sized listening Den Den Mushi appeared in front of Smoker, which could be used to record audio and take pictures.
Roya smiled and gestured. "I think you need this."
"Hmph!"
Smoker's eyes were filled with gloom. He felt that his thoughts had been completely seen through by the other party, and he even felt like he was being wantonly toyed with.
What a terrifying Man!
"No need."
Smoker pushed the Den Den Mushi away. Since the other party wasn't worried about being listened to, it was useless to use it, and it would only make him seem insecure.
He couldn't follow the other party's pace!
Presence!
In a duel, presence is the most important thing!
As if on cue, a storm began.
Smoker took a deep drag from his Cigar and said in a cold voice, "Colonel Roya, this time I was ordered to come to Logue town, in addition to taking office, I also have a secret mission to investigate the truth of the Arlong Subjugation Incident."
"Oh, you want to know about that."
Roya nodded slightly and said calmly, "Have some tea first. This is a long story, and I have to tell you slowly from the beginning."
"..."
Smoker picked up his teacup and listened to Roya's narration.
From Nami's plea for help, to taking office in Logue town, to discovering Murak's collusion with the Underground Force, and formulating a plan to Purge Arlong and his group.
"That's about it."
Very detailed.
So detailed that Smoker was shocked.
This Black Hair Roya had calculated every step in advance. Under the limited conditions, he fully utilized everything he could use and arranged a meticulous plan, thereby removing the two major obstacles in one fell swoop.
So, 'Trick' Roya, indeed.
Smoker regretted it a little.
He shouldn't have pushed away the surveillance Den Den Mushi for the sake of face. If he had recorded so much evidence, it would be enough to convict Roya.
Who would have thought this guy would actually tell the truth!
At the same time, if the truth was really as Roya had just said, then he not only didn't hate Roya, but he even felt a sense of satisfaction.
Because he also wanted to do the same!
At Marine Headquarters, he had seen too many incompetent people in high positions, and every time he wanted to beat them up.
Greedy parasites, they deserve to die!
Smoker's hostility towards Roya had disappeared for the most part, and he was also a little confused. Colonel Roya was too honest with him.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Well, because I think you and I are the same kind of person."
The corners of Roya's mouth raised slightly. "When I learned that you were coming to Logue town, I specifically collected information about you. I don't know much, only that you are known for being independent and disobedient."
"And I just happen to be a rebellious troublemaker!"
"Smoker, I'll ask you a question."
Roya stared at Smoker and asked in a calm tone, "If you were me, what would you do?"
"If I were you..."
Smoker didn't know how to answer.
He might collect evidence and report the situation to the higher-ups, dealing with Murak and his group through normal procedures.
But doing so would not only take a long time, but it might not be useful.
Destroying evidence, bribing prosecutors, there was a lot of room for manipulation. Those treacherous guys wouldn't be so stupid as to admit their guilt, and it would be difficult to catch them.
Over the years, he had encountered similar situations, and because he couldn't join the corrupt, his path to promotion had been bumpy, and he was still just a Headquarters Colonel.
He was the top of the New Recruit Camp!
Roya's approach was very radical.
So radical, he had only ever considered it.
At most, he would beat up his superiors to vent his anger.
"This Man!"
Smoker's gaze towards Roya was a little strange. He had always thought that he was considered relatively wild in the Marines. Who in the entire Marine Headquarters didn't regard him as a "mad dog?"
But compared to the Man in front of him, his arrogance was like children playing, all bark and no bite.
And this Man, when he encountered evil, would really try everything to eliminate it, even if the evil was his own superior.
Such behavior of upholding Justice.
He envied it!
"Colonel Roya!"
Smoker asked the last question. "If Murak hadn't hindered you, or if he hadn't colluded with the Underground Force, would you still have implemented the plan?"
"I said earlier, the reason for his death was not that he blocked my path, but the crimes he committed himself!"
Roya's eyes were as calm as water. He had his own code of conduct, and he would not, and would not allow himself to indulge his desires.
Incompetence, arrogance, greed, lust.
He could accept these things. Everyone had their flaws. Even if they used their authority to make a little profit, as long as it wasn't excessive, he wouldn't interfere.
But he couldn't tolerate the people around him reaching out to places they shouldn't, especially if it affected the common people.
That was the bottom line.
If possible, he also hoped to encounter a good superior like Colonel Rhodes, but unfortunately, it was difficult to get his wish.
Roya swirled his teacup.
"Smoker, the Marines don't need Trash!"
"Any more questions?"
"No."
Smoker shook his head and stood up straight to salute.
"Headquarters Colonel Smoker, reporting for duty!"