[Three days ago, the Royal Merchant Ship of the 'Nismeir Kingdom,' a World Government affiliated nation, received a threatening letter while returning from the Sabaody Archipelago. The contents indicated they had been targeted by pirates.]
[Consequently, they chose to dock near the Marine G-51 Branch at Master Port and requested a warship escort.]
[Shortly after arriving at the G-51 Branch, a pirate attempting to infiltrate the base was successfully apprehended at the port. Preliminary investigations confirm this individual is the pirate who sent the threatening letter.]
"Interesting."
Lying on a deck chair on the warship's deck, Roy took a sip of ice cola while scanning the detailed mission report in his hand.
"Sir? What's interesting?"
Hans, who was manning the helm, asked curiously.
He wasn't the only one; the other Marines from the Detention Unit also leaned in with curiosity.
"The criminal we're transporting this time is quite interesting—another glass, please."
Roy handed his empty cup to Farr and spoke softly.
"No bounty and no name. This indicates the target should be completely unknown." He tapped the intelligence report in his hand. "Yet, such a nobody dared to hijack a Royal Merchant Ship of a World Government affiliated nation, and even had the audacity to write a warning letter in advance."
Roy rubbed his chin with great interest.
"Now that you mention it, Sir, that is rare," Farr nodded as he handed over a fresh ice cola. "But since he was caught so easily... maybe he's just a rookie pirate who just set out to sea and is bold enough to try anything?"
"Perhaps..."
Roy nodded, but then he sat up from the deck chair and took off his sunglasses. "Oh, we're here."
On the distant horizon, a sizable island was gradually unfurling within their field of vision.
The first thing that caught the eye was a massive white structure standing near the island's coastline.
The gigantic Marine insignia shone brightly in the sunlight. On a prominent spot of the towering building, the black font 'G-51' and the Seagull-and-Scale flag were clearly visible.
It was the Marine G-51 Branch of the Grand Line, their destination.
As the warship drew closer, the contours of the city on the island became distinct alongside the branch base.
It was a prosperous port.
The massive harbor was filled with ships of all kinds; large merchant vessels and small skiffs wove in and out of the docks.
"It's really lively," Hans exclaimed in admiration.
"After all, this is Master Port—a key harbor for the Nismeir Kingdom," Farr said matter-of-factly.
As previously mentioned, the Nismeir Kingdom was one of the 170-plus affiliated nations of the World Government, enjoying the direct protection of the Government and the Marines.
Just like this Master Port—a Marine Branch was established right here.
Because of this, most pirates wouldn't consider attacking this place. Consequently, merchant ships from most countries were willing to dock here. Even if they had to pay high docking fees, it was always better than being plundered by pirates.
"It is indeed prosperous, but..."
Roy nodded, his gaze sweeping toward the other side of the port.
There lay a town.
However, compared to the noisy and bustling harbor, this town appeared much more desolate. The buildings were low, and at a glance, could even be called dilapidated.
It wasn't hard to guess that this was where the island's original inhabitants lived.
Like the vast majority of countries in this world, the prosperity of the port and the wealth of the nation were not truly correlated with the lives of its citizens.
"Let's go. Head to the Branch's designated port."
Roy had no intention of dwelling on the scenery, ordering the warship to sail toward the military-exclusive docks.
But the moment they arrived at the Marine Branch port, Roy paused slightly.
Inside the berth of the G-51 Branch, amidst the standard-issue warships, there was a merchant ship parked distinctly among them.
It was far larger and more opulent than the ordinary merchant vessels in Master Port. Its golden hull and massive figurehead displayed its nobility.
The crown flag hanging from the mast revealed its identity.
"This must be the Royal Merchant Ship that received the threatening letter?"
Roy smiled. "To dock directly inside the Branch's port... it seems the Colonel of this branch gets along quite well with the Nismeir Kingdom."
As he spoke, the warship docked at the port.
"Is this the Detention Unit from Headquarters!?"
A local Marine responsible for managing the port called out. Upon confirming Roy's identity, he saluted. "The prisoner transfer is ready. Colonel Aster is waiting for you in his office!"
"Understood."
Roy nodded, but his gaze swept around the surroundings. "Where are the others?"
He had noticed a small issue.
The number of guards at this port was clearly off. Most of the sentry posts at the berths were empty, with only a scattered few personnel present.
"They are all inside the Branch preparing for tonight's banquet!" the local Marine replied.
"Banquet?"
"Yes—because the pirate was caught, Manager Mantal of the Nismeir Royal Merchant Ship organized a banquet. He invited the brothers of the Branch to attend. It's said that Manager Mantal even prepared a gift for every Marine as a token of gratitude."
Speaking of this, the local Marine looked somewhat excited. No one would be unhappy about extra income.
"That generous?" Roy grinned. "You'll be going over later too, right? What about the port's defenses?"
"Sir, there is no need to worry," the Marine said confidently. "This is the port of a World Government affiliated nation. Normally, no pirates would come to attack."
"Besides, aren't they here?" He pointed to a spot not far away.
Roy turned his head and saw several guards dressed in gorgeous court attire walking near the berth where the Royal Merchant Ship was docked.
"Who are they?" Hans asked curiously, beating Roy to the question.
"Oh, they are the Royal Guards of the Nismeir Kingdom."
Hearing the answer, Hans continued, "They aren't attending tonight's banquet?"
"Of course not, they have to guard the cargo on the ship."
After understanding the situation in a few words, Roy said no more.
He turned to look at Hans. "Hans, go back to the ship with Farr and organize the temporary brig. I'll go conduct the handover with Colonel Aster."
"Yes, Sir!"
After Hans took the order and returned to the warship, Roy politely declined the Marine's offer to lead the way and walked toward the G-51 Branch building alone.
However, as he walked, his gaze inevitably drifted toward the Royal Merchant Ship—mostly because its size was simply too conspicuous.
Upon closer inspection, Roy discovered many strange details.
For instance, along the gunwales of the ship, one could clearly see many sharp iron spikes. The hull itself appeared excessively enclosed. Only through the cannon ports could one see inside, where there seemed to be faint structures resembling cages.
"This ship..."
Roy frowned, muttering to himself.
But right at that moment—
"Keli! Keli!"
He heard a chaotic noise.
When he turned his head, he clearly saw a person struggling to squeeze out of one of the Royal Merchant Ship's cannon ports.
It was an old man.
His figure was hunched, his skin and clothes stained with blood. His eyes were sunken deep into their sockets, and his gray hair was matted into clumps.
A hemp rope hung around his neck, and shackles bound his feet.
"Keli... Keli..."
He waved his hand, delirious, seemingly clutching something.
Roy's exceptional eyesight allowed him to faintly see what the man was holding—it appeared to be a piece of cloth.
At that moment, the ship's guards spotted him.
"It's that old lunatic again... get him back in there!"
"How did he get there? Where is the person in charge of the cargo hold?!"
Quickly, through the gap in the cannon port, Roy saw a hand reach out from behind the old man, roughly grabbing his hair and dragging him back in.
"..."
Roy watched this scene without speaking.
However.
[Rabbit-Rabbit Fruit · Snow Rabbit Model (LV1) - Loaded]
[You have obtained partial characteristics of the Snow Rabbit. All-around physical enhancement. Additional enhancement to Hearing and Speed.]
With his hearing amplified, Roy could hear the sounds coming from within the ship's cabin—the sounds of beatings and verbal abuse accompanying the old man's delirious muttering.
"Keli... Keli..."
"Your daughter has already been bought! Old thing, unsold goods like you just cause me trouble—if the Manager hadn't said your fresh organs were still worth some money and we need to find another sales channel, I would have killed you long ago."
And so, Roy understood everything.
"Spikes on the ship and structures resembling cages... so that's it."
"A slave ship."
He whispered, making a logical deduction.
Slave trade.
One of the malignant sores of this world.
Although the World Government prohibited the buying and selling of human slaves on the surface, in reality, due to the existence of the Celestial Dragons, the slave trade itself was a gray area. The World Government not only didn't truly regulate it, but they even covered it up.
Just like now.
The World Government affiliated nation, 'Nismeir Kingdom,' was obviously conducting slave trade.
Their methods of transporting slaves couldn't even be called subtle. At the very least, Roy could be certain—the high-ranking Marines within the G-51 Branch definitely knew about it.
Yet, even so, they were escorting a returning slave ship.
"Justice, huh..."
Roy clicked his tongue.
This was exactly why he sneered at the so-called Justice of the Marines.
In a tree that is rotting from the roots, there is no place for Justice to roost.