South Sea, Navy Base 194 on Watermelon Island.
The island is called Watermelon Island because, when viewed from above, it resembles an oval shape. The northern tip has a narrow, vine-like extension, and inside, there are two long, curved rivers that look like the stripes on a watermelon, making the entire island appear like a giant, flat watermelon.
The most crucial aspect is that over fifty percent of the island is covered in watermelon fields, thirty percent is occupied by the navy base, and the remaining twenty percent is the residential area for the inhabitants.
Originally, the residential area covered thirty percent, but ever since a new captain arrived five years ago, the navy base has expanded significantly, now occupying over ten percent of the island.
The residents, whose primary income comes from the watermelon fields, are unwilling to reduce the size of the fields to make more living space. Coupled with the increasing population, their living conditions have become very cramped.
Despite this, the people have no choice but to endure their anger.
Firstly, they cannot resist, and secondly, the presence of the navy base has indeed prevented pirate attacks.
Nowadays, everyone knows that the number of pirates at sea is increasing. Residents who travel to other islands to sell watermelons often hear stories of villages or towns being raided by pirate crews.
In recent months, when they go out to sell watermelons, they are escorted by navy ships.
Of course, this service isn't free. The navy base proposed taking forty percent of the total sales as payment for providing full protection.
This is yet another choice the residents have no choice but to accept.
Having navy escorts is undoubtedly a good thing, as it ensures the safety of both the sellers and the watermelons, but the forty percent cut is excessively high.
As a result, the living conditions of the residents of Watermelon Island have declined from being relatively prosperous and comfortable to barely making ends meet.
Inside the base, there are three blue-painted cylindrical buildings—one tall and two short. In front is a vast open field, while the rear connects to the port, dotted with many warehouse-like structures.
Numerous healthy, rosy-cheeked navy soldiers, armed with muskets, guard various points. Eight small navy ships are docked side by side in the harbor, each capable of carrying three hundred people, with a maximum capacity of five hundred.
At this moment, on the top floor of the main building, in a nearly three-hundred-square-meter office, Captain Harros, with his naturally light yellow hair and aquiline nose, stands by the large floor-to-ceiling window, admiring the view of the entire island, occasionally glancing at the distant horizon.
"By my calculations, it should be arriving soon."
[Knock, knock, knock!]
"Come in."
An unremarkable major enters, holding an ordinary wooden box. After closing the door, he respectfully looks at Captain Harros's back.
"Base Commander, the goods have arrived, along with your item."
"Finally!"
Harros quickly turns around, his face lighting up with excitement as he sees the box in the major's hands. He strides over, takes the box, and is about to open it when he pauses, glancing at the major.
"You may leave now."
"Yes, sir!"
Once the major leaves the office, Captain Harros eagerly lifts the lid of the wooden box. Inside, he finds a bright green Devil Fruit covered in spiral patterns, accompanied by a card.
"Ha! Finally, it's here. Now my son's future is secured!"
He excitedly took out the Devil Fruit and examined it closely, as if it were a rare treasure. Indeed, in terms of price, it could be considered a treasure.
He had spent a whopping 500 million Berries to buy it from King Taklama, essentially emptying half of his life's savings.
Fortunately, since becoming the base commander here, his annual income had been substantial. This wasn't just from the meager earnings of the island's residents selling melons, but mainly from the regular 'protection fees' sent by the Kingdom of Tutmose.
Of course, this wasn't because of his position as a mere branch captain, but rather due to his role as the commander of the 194th branch base.
The so-called 'goods' he had been waiting for were precisely this!
Captain Harros's son, Gasparde, had joined the Marine Headquarters as a third-class seaman three years ago, thanks to his naturally large, strong, and powerful physique, along with his father's recommendation.
But after all these years, he had only been promoted to first-class seaman. Although his son had mentioned that he was about to be promoted to squad leader, Harros still felt it was too slow.
He understood, of course, that promotions at Marine Headquarters were much harder to come by compared to the branches in the four seas, and the pirates in the Grand Line were far more formidable.
So, for the sake of Gasparde's future and safety, he had been thinking of sending him a powerful Devil Fruit. However, even though he was a Marine captain, his influence was limited.
True, Marine Headquarters did have channels to exchange military achievements for Devil Fruits, but not only was it time-consuming and laborious, but the abilities of the fruits couldn't be guaranteed. Over the years, the truly good fruits had already been picked!
This had troubled him for quite some time, until he finally thought of seeking help from the 'resourceful' and 'far-reaching' King Taklama.
At first, he had only asked tentatively, but not long after, the king actually offered to provide a Devil Fruit that sounded incredibly reliable.
The Special Paramecia-type Candy Fruit, which granted the user a Candy Transformation Ability similar to the elementalization of Logia types! Naturally, Captain Harros was extremely pleased with this surprise, but the king had his conditions.
First, the price was 500 million Berries—an exorbitant amount. The market price for a normal Paramecia-type Devil Fruit was around 100 million Berries, but since this was a Special Paramecia, it was understandable.
Second, he had to ensure that he wouldn't be transferred for the next five years.
This wasn't a big deal, as the Marines currently had no fixed term limits. As long as he didn't make any mistakes or achieve something that forced Headquarters to take notice, he wouldn't be removed or promoted.
He just needed to lay low! Third, he had to further support the Kingdom of Tutmose's business, such as dispatching fleets for escort missions when needed.
In the end, he agreed.
"With this Special Paramecia-type Candy Fruit, Gasparde will at least become a Marine captain, maybe even a vice admiral. Then I'll have a solid backing in the South Sea!"
Captain Harros was well aware of his own limitations. Even if he ate a Devil Fruit, his potential would still be limited. It was better to give it to his exceptionally talented son.
If he ever had a Marine admiral as a son, he would have nothing to fear in the South Sea.
[Knock, knock, knock!]
The office door was knocked on again, causing Captain Harros, who was lost in his visions of a bright future, to frown slightly in displeasure. Nevertheless, he placed the Candy Fruit back into its box.
"Come in."
"What is it now?"
The same major entered and reported, "Base Commander, Rear Admiral Monkey D. Dragon from Marineford has arrived in the South Blue with a fleet of five headquarters warships. He claims to be here to capture the Black Cat Pirates and the White Cat Pirates. He's requesting our assistance in locating them and is prepared to call for our support at any moment."
"What? Five warships?"
Captain Harros looked utterly baffled.
"While the bounties on the 'Black Cat' and 'White Cat' are quite high, and their numbers aren't insignificant, there's no need for this many warships, is there? And they want us on standby for support?"
The fleet led by Dragon, as mentioned by the major, was undoubtedly composed of headquarters-grade warships. Harros had personally witnessed the sheer scale of those ships when he took his son to report at Marineford.
"Ahem, Rear Admiral Avène, who is temporarily acting as Rear Admiral Dragon's aide, quietly informed me that this Rear Admiral Dragon is the son of Vice Admiral Garp. Therefore, he insists that all South Blue units take this matter seriously!" The major added with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Captain Harros was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter as everything clicked into place.
"So that's it! That's what's going on! The son of the Navy's hero is here to rack up some achievements. Well, those two cats are in for a rough time. If this operation goes smoothly, fine. But if they dare to harm Rear Admiral Dragon, tsk tsk, the consequences will be even worse. Hahahaha!"
After his laughter subsided, his expression turned serious, and he looked at the major with a stern gaze, issuing orders: "Pass the command down. Prepare the warships for deployment. The moment the order comes, we set sail immediately. No delays!"
In his view, this was a rare opportunity to get close to Dragon. If he could casually mention his son's name in front of him, that would be even better.
The son of Vice Admiral Garp—this was the top-tier second generation within the Navy's hierarchy!