This clearly different sensation from Captain Nezumi made Genzo wary of making any rash moves.
He obediently led the Marines to the ruins of Arlong Park.
In three days, the villagers had already cleared the place out.
Arlong's accumulated wealth over the years had been taken by the villagers and distributed among twenty other unfortunate villages, allowing them to continue their existence.
Nami had also completely buried her cold studio, the place of her painful memories.
So what lay before the numerous Marines was this desolate ruin.
But the fierce, cigar-smoking Marine didn't care; he just waved his hand casually.
"Search."
At his concise command, the numerous Marines immediately sprang into action.
One group went to apprehend the criminal Fish-Men, while another went to search Arlong's ruins for anything that might have been overlooked, and for clues about Captain Nezumi.
He himself stood there quietly, waiting for the search results.
Meanwhile, he narrowed his eyes, surveying the surroundings, seemingly looking for traces of a battle.
Genzo had thought they had handled everything well enough, but he hadn't expected these professional Marines to find anything.
"Colonel Smoker!!"
A female Marine with short blue hair parted in the middle, a tall figure, and what appeared to be a famous sword hanging at her waist, jogged over.
"This is what we found inside the ruins of Arlong Park!"
She presented her discovery.
"Who are you talking to?"
A low, drawn-out voice from beside her made the blue-haired female Marine pause slightly.
She immediately adjusted the black-rimmed glasses on her face, only then realizing she was standing in front of Genzo.
The other man looked at her with a strange expression, as if he wanted to speak but couldn't.
Blue-haired female Marine: "...Sorry, I mistook you for someone else!"
With an embarrassed look, she flusteredly approached Smoker and handed him what she had found.
"A Visual den den mushi?"
Smoker glanced at it. "I didn't expect a mere pirate to have such a thing."
"Does he want to faithfully record his own death... Tashigi, play it!"
With that, Smoker instructed the blue-haired female Marine, his capable subordinate Tashigi, to play any useful footage that might have been recorded.
Soon, on the prepared equipment, the den den mushi's faithfully recorded images began to play.
The first scene to play made Genzo's face change and Smoker's darken.
On the clear screen, Captain Nezumi and Arlong were seen chatting happily.
Coupled with the two large suitcases on the table and the numerous Berries inside, Smoker, a veteran who had witnessed corruption within the Marines, instantly understood.
"So that's it."
Smoker sneered, "Was this Visual den den mushi meant to record such a scene, to be used as leverage?!"
Smoker naturally knew about the deal between Arlong and Captain Nezumi; it was the most typical example of collusion between officials and pirates.
One must remember, Arlong was a pirate, a party seeking protection.
Coupled with his inherent distrust and disdain for humans, when Captain Nezumi agreed to protect him and make a deal, he naturally had to prepare a backup plan.
That way, if Captain Nezumi ever went back on his word and betrayed him or decided not to continue cooperating with Arlong, this video would be the leverage to force Captain Nezumi into submission.
It must be said that for a Fish-Man like Arlong to think of this was truly remarkable.
However, unfortunately, this video ultimately did not serve its intended purpose; instead, as Smoker said, it became a testament to his own death.
It was quite ironic.
Subsequently, the screen continued to show Nami's entrance, Captain Nezumi's greed, and Arlong's loud laughter, causing Tashigi beside him to clench her fists in indignation and Smoker to frown.
But soon, the scene of the gate being broken open appeared.
And the sight of Luffy and Link entering in single file.
Immediately after, Luffy grabbed Moomoo and started spinning him like a top, while Link effortlessly subdued Arlong.
"Good!"
Upon seeing Arlong kicked away by Link, Tashigi couldn't help but cheer.
However, when Smoker gave her a death glare, she immediately covered her mouth.
The scene continued, showing Link feeding Arlong a Devil Fruit, and the latter undergoing a drastic transformation.
That combination of Fish-Man and Merman transformation made both Smoker and Tashigi widen their eyes simultaneously.
Their throats rolled, and without asking, both of them were disgusted.
Then, the screen stopped.
Perhaps the den den mushi also found the scene too beautiful, or rather, too eye-searing, and stopped recording.
However, the content of the previously displayed footage was enough for Smoker to extract too many useful things.
"A Straw Hat Captain who is possibly a Paramecia Type Devil Fruit User, and a first mate with unusually powerful strength, almost at the level of traversing the Grand Line, and capable of producing peculiar items, huh...?"
Smoker's mind replayed the important scenes from before.
Luffy's stretching arms and immense strength, and Link's presence and formidable power, as well as the condescending smile and words he uttered when facing Arlong:
"I'm just an ordinary Item Master."
"Item Master..."
Smoker furrowed his brow, pondering this profession he had never heard of.
Backup group eight nine (three) nine (six) four (four) six zero
However, he quickly pushed that thought to the back of his mind, turning instead to Genzo, who stood nearby with a nervous expression.
Smoker was silent for a moment, then slowly stood up.
"Tashigi, you can report to Headquarters that Captain Nezumi was killed by the Arlong pirates due to an uneven distribution of loot, as a result of his collusion with them." Having finished the three cigars in his mouth, Smoker lit three more.
"Ah... Yes!"
The bewildered Tashigi first froze, then immediately reacted.
She remembered Captain Nezumi being crushed by that Sea Kings in the previous footage; she figured he wouldn't have survived, right?
She nodded, agreeing to this explanation which clearly covered for the villagers.
Genzo, hearing this, finally let out a long sigh of relief, a look of gratitude flashing across his face.
His change in expression did not escape Smoker's notice.
But he said nothing, instead feeling a bit guilty.
"That scumbag Nezumi... If he hadn't been covering for those pirates, these villagers wouldn't have suffered for so long." Smoker even felt that Captain Nezumi's disappearance was too easy.
To be honest, if it weren't for the suspected presence of the Great Pirate Arlong, with a bounty of twenty million, and Captain Nezumi's disappearance here, the Headquarters wouldn't have dispatched Smoker, the East Blue's Marine ace, to this place, given the possibility of a Marine Colonel being killed by pirates.
As it turned out, Captain Nezumi was not only not killed in the line of duty, but was actually involved in criminal dealings with pirates, playing the role of an ugly villain.
And in the end, it was other pirates who came forward and saved the village.
This outcome truly disgusted and sickened Smoker.
"Besides Captain Nezumi, also relay the information about the so-called Straw Hat Pirates to Headquarters, so they can make a decision." With that, Smoker tossed the den den mushi to Tashigi.
As she fumbled to catch it, he said coldly, "Those old officials will understand once they see this footage!"
Having said that, Smoker's gaze turned towards the distance, and with a glint in his eyes, he softly murmured from his smoke-filled mouth:
"Straw Hat Pirates, huh?"
"A Devil Fruit User as Captain, and... an Item Master?!"
Smoker's Marines were very efficient.
As the saying goes, a leader gets the soldiers he deserves; they quickly sent everything that happened here, along with the den den mushi footage, to Marineford.
Upon receiving Smoker's message, Marineford naturally did not take it lightly.
They activated their intelligence department in the East Blue and quickly obtained information about Luffy and Link from various sources.
Realizing that the situation was indeed serious, many Marine generals gathered in the main conference room.
"Fellow Marine generals, a formidable group of pirates has suddenly emerged in the East Blue. Although they are newcomers who have just set sail, they absolutely cannot be ignored!"
Brannu, a Marineford Lieutenant Commander, a conference specialist with green cabbage-like hair, small black sunglasses, a blue and white striped uniform, and a Marine coat draped over his back, declared solemnly.
Almost every important Marine conference was presided over by him.
Brannu stood with his hands behind his back, his thick lips relaying the crucial intelligence:
"According to our information, this group of pirates, calling themselves the Straw Hat Pirates, has already stirred up quite a storm in the East Blue."
He slapped his palm against the blackboard behind him.
On it were the pirates that Luffy and Link had successively defeated.
"Buggy the Clown, with a bounty of 15 million Berries, Krieg, with a bounty of 17 million Berries, and Arlong the Fish-Man, with the highest bounty in the East Blue at 20 million Berries."
"Plus, the Black Cat pirates Captain, Kuro, with a bounty of 16 million Berries, who was previously confirmed to be faking his death and has now finally been truly apprehended!"
"In the East Blue, where the average bounty is barely three million Berries, there is no doubt that all of them are Great Pirates with bounties exceeding ten million!"
"However, without exception, they were all defeated!"
Clap! Clap!
Two more claps, and two wanted posters were pressed onto the blackboard.
Brannu passionately declared, "They were all defeated by these two men!"
The photos on those two wanted posters were none other than Luffy and Link!
"Straw Hat Luffy, Monkey D. Luffy, and Link, the [Prop Master]!"
Brannu's face was serious. "The Straw Hat Captain and his first mate have become Great Pirates who cannot be ignored in the East Blue, no, in the entire world!" As he announced this, he also read out their combat records, which he had obtained through various channels.
This included even the very first pirate, Alvida, and the Morgan incident in Shells Town, all of which were crystal clear.
Evidently, after Smoker sent the video, the Marines, unusually, took it seriously and utilized their intelligence channels.
The Marines below, with folded arms and solemn expressions, listened intently. They too had been looking grim.
It wasn't until this piece of intelligence emerged that their expressions all changed:
"At Baratie (Floating Restaurant), Link, the [Prop Master] exchanged two blows with Dracule Mihawk and remained undefeated, even blocking the world's strongest slash?!"
A marine general skilled in swordsmanship immediately couldn't hold back, "Is the intelligence really accurate?!"
It's no wonder they doubted it; at their level, they understood even more what the title of "world's strongest swordsman" truly implied in terms of strength!
And now, a pirate who had just set sail, still in the weakest East Blue, could actually withstand the world's strongest slash and even exchange two blows with Mihawk?!
What kind of huge joke was this?! Have newcomers become this monstrous now?!
"According to the information from the intelligence department in the East Blue, that is indeed the case."
Brannu pushed up his glasses, "Moreover, we also tentatively contacted Dracule Mihawk, and from his attitude..."
At this point, his tone also had a considerable degree of change and fluctuation, "The intelligence should be true."
Boom!!
The conference room immediately erupted, with everyone discussing animatedly, a cacophony of voices.
Even marine generals not skilled in swordsmanship expressed their shock.
"Quiet!!"
At this moment, two voices simultaneously rang out.
They came from the two foremost positions: one was a big-bearded man with a kind smile, puffing on a cigar, and the other was a middle-aged man with a scarred face, looking fierce. Both of them were wearing cloaks representing a Marine Vice Admiral.
The marine generals behind them immediately stopped talking and looked at these two, the highest-ranking individuals at the current meeting, representing the marine's dove and hawk factions, two elite Marine Vice Admirals.
Yamakaji, Doberman.
"Is it confirmed that he achieved this through his own strength?"
Yamakaji, who was always known as the gentlest Marine Vice Admiral, now had his smile gradually fading.
He touched the famous sword at his waist and raised this crucial question.
"This cannot be confirmed, but based on the existing intelligence, he should have achieved it with the help of the tool/item in his hand."
Saying this, Brannu took out the video returned by Smoker.
"Link, the [Prop Master], seems to have tools that can produce various miraculous effects."
Seeing that many marine generals, including Yamakaji and Doberman, were somewhat skeptical, Brannu directly played the video.
Nothing is more convincing than seeing it with one's own eyes.
Soon, the scenes of Luffy dragging Momo and Link fighting Arlong appeared.
As for the previous scene of Captain Nezumi trading with Arlong, it was deleted.
Luffy's display of strength wasn't particularly remarkable, as everyone present had probably seen at least three, five, seven, eight, or even ten Devil Fruit Users!
But when it came to Link, the scene of him subduing Arlong and then kicking him away already made some marines frown.
"Clearly, even if The Gadgeteer doesn't rely on his tools, he already possesses the strength of a Grand Line pirate."
Brannu said in a deep voice.
Next, came the scene of Link saying he was just an ordinary Item Master and feeding Arlong the [Mermaid Fruit].
When many marine generals saw Arlong's dugong-like appearance, they almost couldn't maintain their composure, their faces twitching wildly.
"Cough, cough!!"
Brannu coughed lightly; honestly, when he saw that scene, he almost couldn't keep a straight face either.
"From this, we can see that this Link, the [Prop Master], holds many strange tools that, in certain moments and aspects, could very likely cause irreversible consequences..."
"Is it a Devil Fruit Ability?"
Another Marine Vice Admiral, Doberman, suddenly spoke.
"It cannot be confirmed for now. Through comparison with the Devil Fruit encyclopedia we possess, no Devil Fruit Ability has been found to be related to his tool/item."
Brannu said so much, and many marines had more or less understood.
This newly debuted Straw Hat Pirates indeed had the potential to grow into Great Pirates that would endanger the world.
Their captain is a Devil Fruit User and skilled, and their first mate is a mysterious Item Master.
With considerable strength themselves, and also possessing various strange things, they must not be underestimated!
The marine generals exchanged glances, and from each other's eyes, they saw the same meaning.
"Such criminals must be nipped in the bud!!"
This was the thought that simultaneously crossed everyone's minds.
"To show our seriousness regarding this Pirate Crew..."
Brannu once again heavily slapped the blackboard, or rather, Luffy and Link's bounty posters:
"We have offered an unprecedentedly huge sum!!"
"This figure is a threat that cannot be ignored even on the Grand Line!!"
"Currently, they are in the East Blue; we must use the entire East Blue's maximum marine force to encircle and annihilate them!!"
Brannu was talking animatedly, spitting, his expression excited.
The marine generals below also nodded slightly in agreement.
However, in the back rows of some marine seats, several marines had subtle changes in their expressions, seemingly having thought of something.
"Previously, due to the extremely egregious incident caused by former marine captain Morgan, Vice Admiral Garp seems to have already gone to the East Blue."
"Although he mainly went home to visit, and carrying out a mission was just a side task, if he could encounter this Pirate Crew and eliminate them directly, that would be even better."
"Yes, indeed, but... Monkey D. Luffy? How is this Straw Hat's surname exactly the same as Mr. Garp's?"
"It must be a coincidence, right? In the Headquarters, there are many soldiers with the same surnames, and even names..."
Some marines were discussing in low voices in the back, while the Giant Race Marine Vice Admiral, John Giant, rose from his seat, his massive figure walking out of the conference room.
Using his powerful booming voice, he announced the key points of this meeting to the marine elites in the plaza.
Thus, all the marines knew that a major evil was emerging in the East Blue, and it was the kind that absolutely had to be eradicated!
Besides the marines, the World Economic Journal also received the news fastest.
Because the bounty posters issued by the marines had to be flown all over the world, they couldn't do without their Newspaper Seagulls.
"Let me see, let me see, oh, pirates from the East Blue?"
At the newspaper's headquarters, a large, humanoid albatross stood there, holding the news in one hand and adjusting its small glasses with the other.
"Interesting, D... That's quite an extraordinary name, ga ga ga."
The president, Morgans, in his Albatross Devil Fruit form, flicked the two bounty posters in his hand.
"Tsk tsk tsk, this amount for a first bounty in the East Blue is truly unprecedented. It seems the marines are indeed giving it extreme importance!"
"But with new powerful pirates appearing, won't that bring new topics and news? I want BIG NEWS!!"
Morgans cackled, slapping the two bounty posters on the table, "Hurry up, I want their photos sent to every corner of the world!" At Morgans' command, before long, countless Newspaper Seagulls, carrying freshly printed newspapers, flew to all corners of the world.
[Continued during the day, there will definitely be more, rest assured!