In an instant, everyone's eyes focused on Jay.
It was hard not to suspect that he had embezzled the money.
Fortunately, Jay had already anticipated this. He spoke directly:
"I know no matter what I say, it won't prove I didn't take a single Berry. If you don't believe me, feel free to ask our dear Colonel where exactly he hid the money!"
Hearing that, the crowd realized he had a point.
Why ask others when the main culprit was right there?
With so many people, could that bastard Colonel Hammond really get away with lying?
Jay didn't mind and just gave a reminder not to beat him to death, then stepped aside.
The crowd, now riled up, began aggressively questioning Colonel Hammond about the money's whereabouts. When he refused to speak, they immediately resorted to beating him.
It was pretty clear that some personal vendettas were being settled too.
Honestly, there wasn't a single Marine member in the 88th Base who hadn't been extorted by that bastard. Now with old and new grudges combined, it was payback time.
"Stop... Stop hitting me, I'll... talk..."
"Everyone stop! Quickly, where's the money?"
"The money... the Donquixote Family took it all. If you've got the guts, go get it from them, hahaha... HAHAHA!"
Colonel Hammond suddenly burst into a bloodstained laugh.
"What?!"
"Donquixote Family? Which mafia group is that?"
"You idiot! The Donquixote Family is the underworld overlord of the North Blue, one of the Warlords of the Sea, Donquixote Doflamingo's crew!"
"What?! Then that means... we'll never get our money back?"
Smack!
Someone slapped Hammond hard across the face.
"I don't believe you're actually connected to the Donquixote Family! Speak the truth!"
Colonel Hammond kept sneering.
"Where do you think all the weapons I sold to the mafia came from? The Capone Family stole the goods for this deal, we didn't even get a single Berry in payment. I had no choice. To save my own neck, I had to scrape together funds however I could to cover the loss."
"Otherwise, with trash like you, how could any of you even be considered officers?"
"Hahaha, want the money? Go get it from the Donquixote Family, if you dare!"
Whether he had gone mad or just decided to go down with everything, Colonel Hammond spilled everything, even top-secret info that hadn't even made it into the papers, including the involvement of a Warlord of the Sea.
The crowd was stunned.
Who would dare demand money from a Warlord?
You'd have to have a death wish!
Everyone backed off immediately. Money could be earned again, but there's only one life.
Colonel Hammond's mocking expression was especially infuriating.
"Screw you! What's so smug?!"
"Beat him up!"
Enraged, the crowd lost control and beat Hammond unconscious.
Seeing this, Jay strode forward and shoved them aside.
"Out of my way!"
Someone, still heated, refused to back down.
Jay grinned, then sent him flying with a kick, knocking him out cold on the spot.
The rest fell silent.
Sure, Colonel Hammond was down, but there was someone even more terrifying still standing.
Even Captain Petyr Dash didn't dare say a word, just stood there wiping sweat from his forehead, clearly knowing he was neck-deep in trouble too.
"This guy can't die just yet. If HQ sends people to investigate, are you going to take the fall? Or you?"
Wherever Jay pointed, the crowd scattered in panic, trying to avoid being singled out.
"From now on, I'm taking over this base as the acting Base Commander."
"Who's in favor? Who's against?"
Jay stood with one foot on the unconscious Colonel Hammond, radiating authority.
Most people didn't dare challenge him.
The few who did looked toward the highest-ranking officer present, Captain Petyr Dash.
He was, by all accounts, the most qualified to take over.
But Captain Dash had long since given up on this mess, he was relieved someone else was willing to take the responsibility. So he stayed silent, practically invisible.
That disappointed some.
Eventually, one brave soul stepped up and mumbled,
"Even if it's temporary, a warrant officer like you isn't qualified to take command... Besides, you're technically still on leave..."
Jay's eyes locked on him.
"You're objecting?"
The man forced himself to speak:
"I just think it's not right. I support"
Thud!
Before he could finish, Bonez grabbed his head and smashed it into the ground.
Blood splattered everywhere. The man twitched and fell unconscious, if he didn't die, he was probably brain-dead.
"Anyone else against it?"
Jay acted like nothing had happened as he looked around.
Now, complete silence.
"Good. So everyone agrees I'll serve as acting Base Commander, right?"
"Agreed!"
"I support it!"
"Support Commander Jay!"
Buck immediately led the cheer, and under Jay's overwhelming pressure, the rest could only raise their hands in support.
Seeing this, a smile finally crept onto Jay's face.
"So touched. Since everyone trusts me so much, I'll now take over all operations of the 88th Branch Base, until HQ arrives."
"Now, as acting Base Commander, I hereby issue my first order."
"The base is now under lockdown. No one is allowed to leave without permission. Anyone who tries will be treated as a deserter!"
As soon as he finished, some people's expressions changed.
"What right do you have?!"
"I have urgent family matters, why won't you let me go?"
"You're just a warrant officer! Don't think you're all that. I quit the Marine, how about that?!"
The loudest complaints came from those closest to Colonel Hammond.
If they stayed, and HQ arrived, it'd be too late to run.
So of course they tried to bolt now.
Jay didn't respond, just asked,
"Anyone else refusing orders and insisting on leaving?"
"I'm leaving now! Let's see who dares stop me!"
A lieutenant stormed toward the exit.
Others followed, none of them believed Jay would actually do anything.
But Jay did more than just act, he crushed them.
"Arrest them all and throw them in the dungeon as deserters."
Before anyone could react, Bonez and Lafitte were already on them, knocking out several in swift strikes.
Then Buck led a team to bind and restrain them.
"Looks like my orders don't carry much weight."
Jay said quietly. That was enough, everyone else immediately sprang into action, rounding up the deserters.
No amount of shouting or cursing could save them now.
Someone even stuffed a filthy sock into one guy's mouth on the spot.