"For me, it doesn't matter whether I'm a Rear Admiral or a low-ranking private. Any position is fine as long as I can uphold justice! But…"
Kadarou drained the remaining half bottle of wine in one gulp. The liquid dribbled down his beard and soaked his collar, his voice growing ever more sorrowful.
"Recently, the fishman captured by Admiral Kizaru… is going to be released! The same vicious fishman responsible for the deaths of dozens of my men… will be freed!"
Zhang Da Ye realized he was referring to Arlong. Releasing Arlong meant Jinbei would soon become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
As part of the exchange, all members of the former Sun Pirates would be absolved of their crimes and allowed to return to civilian life—a cruel outcome for civilians and Navy personnel who had suffered at their hands.
Zhang Da Ye didn't know how to comfort the Rear Admiral, so he simply listened quietly.
"My greatest hatred was always for pirates, and now I must add human traffickers! Without them, there wouldn't be so many slaves! My men wouldn't have died for the absurd reason of 'recovering slaves'! And that fishman, I will never forgive him!"
Kadarou slammed the empty bottle onto the table, his words becoming increasingly incoherent.
"Today, I killed ten human traffickers—ten! They'd only been caught for half a month, yet seven without bounties are going to be released… I cannot accept this. Even if it breaks the rules, I follow my justice!"
Ten traffickers, seven set for release… Zhang Da Ye felt a pang of guilt, realizing a righteous Navy officer risked rule-breaking because he himself hadn't intervened.
Appearing satisfied after venting, Kadarou swayed to his feet and handed some cash to Zhang Da Ye.
Zhang Da Ye pushed it back: "No, consider it my treat."
Kadarou tapped the money on the table and left. The door bell jingled as he exited, accompanied by a firm voice: "Do you think I'm here to freeload? Don't be ridiculous—I am a Navy officer!"
Staring at the slowly swinging door, Zhang Da Ye murmured, "Did I do something wrong?"
In this world, Navy officers generally cannot execute already captured criminals. Ordinary criminals are detained at Navy bases, processed on judicial islands, and sent to Impel Down if necessary.
Special cases, like Tom who built ships for Roger, are judged by judicial ships before potential imprisonment. Officers like Kadarou who take matters into their own hands could face punishment.
Tom, chewing his finger, didn't care for these convolutions.
Artoria spoke calmly: "We caught and handed them over; that was our duty. If the criminals evade proper justice, that's the judiciary's failure. But righteous officers shouldn't bear the consequences of systemic flaws. Until we can change the World Government, we must handle such villains more decisively ourselves."
Most bounty notices say "DEAD OR ALIVE," making it legally acceptable for ordinary people to eliminate these criminals.
"I'll learn to accept this," Zhang Da Ye said, collecting Kadarou's empty bottles, determined not to let another good person pay for his inaction.
The three tidied the tavern, and Zhang Da Ye placed a "Closed for the Day" sign at the door.
"Tomorrow is the 1st; we'll close to avoid trouble."
Artoria recalled that on the first of each month, the "Occupation Bureau" opens, asking: "Because of the Celestial Dragons?"
Zhang Da Ye nodded: "Yes. Your beauty and temperament, or Tom's intelligence, might draw their attention. Rumors are manageable, but direct observation by them is risky."
Tom blushed, shyly reacting to being called smart, his eyes sparkling.
Zhang Da Ye patted Tom: "I wasn't exaggerating—stop acting so bashful."
Artoria added: "If Celestial Dragons come to Sabaody, I want to see these so-called nobles for myself."
Zhang Da Ye hesitated: "I planned to take you to Sabaody Park for food."
Without much thought, Artoria said: "Food can wait." It seemed she had made up her mind.
"You'll need to kneel before the Celestial Dragons, or it will cause chaos. Should we observe from afar?" Zhang Da Ye rummaged through his inventory and found a possible solution.
"Is this… invisible ink?" Artoria remembered the gadget, which could allow close observation if used carefully.
Zhang Da Ye shook the bottle: "Invisible ink. About ten milliliters can make one person invisible. This bottle can be used multiple times."
A rare tool indeed. Artoria nodded: "Then we'll use it. Thank you."
"No need for thanks," Zhang Da Ye said, still unsure how best to use it.
At that moment, he was as curious as visiting a zoo to see monkeys, though feeling guilty for the comparison.
Would Observation Haki detect them? Not likely—the Celestial Dragons' bodyguards aren't always as alert as someone like Luffy.
Since the World Government's establishment, most people have been taught that Celestial Dragons are descendants of the gods, their authority absolute. Eight hundred years of indoctrination make rebellion unthinkable.
Zhang Da Ye now understood why, in other stories, people would only apologize rather than resist—even if treated violently.
"Let's plan for emergencies next," he said.
"Emergencies?"
"If the Celestial Dragons do something outrageous, you won't be able to stand by."
"…Sorry."
"You haven't done anything wrong," Zhang Da Ye reassured her. "If I had the strength to punch a Yonkou or kick an Admiral, I'd crush those scum myself."
(TL/N: Opening the draft on mobile fk'd the format up :()