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Chapter 55 - Chapter 53: Nami's heart flutters as she confronts Admiral Kizaru! [Bonus]

This Chapter is being broadcast as an extra because we passed 100 power stones.

The Marine soldiers, who had been starving three meals a day under Colonel Nezumi, never would have imagined that this esteemed Celestial Dragon adult not only didn't implicate them but also invited them to a sea cow banquet.

At first, the Marine soldiers were trembling with fear over Nezumi's execution, afraid that a single misstep would displease Saint Ian and cost them their lives.

But gradually, they discovered that Saint Ian didn't seem as terrifying as they had imagined. Not only that, but he also shared some scraps with them. One soldier was even overjoyed to receive a piece of bullwhip.

Colonel Nezumi, on the other hand, died peacefully, immersed with Arlong's Gang in the open-air swimming pool, completely undisturbed by the banquet, sleeping until the end of time.

Just as Nami, after rapid training by Anna, returned to Ian's side in a noble outfit that revealed her figure, a flash of light suddenly appeared in the sky.

The next second, a figure shot from the sea, landing steadily beside the open-air swimming pool where Arlong's Gang and Colonel Nezumi were immersed. It was Marine Headquarters Admiral Kizaru, who had arrived on orders.

Wearing a Marine Admiral's cloak and a miniature den den mushi on his hand, Kizaru looked around, taking in the ongoing banquet in a corner of the park. He then immediately retracted his gaze to the pile of people in the pool and habitually said, "How terrifying, Arlong's Gang has been wiped out!"

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Kizaru's pupils contracted, and his gaze lingered on Nezumi, who was wearing a Marine uniform. "This is... a Marine 16th Branch uniform?"

"Admiral Kizaru!!!"

Just then, a cry of surprise suddenly rang out. Immediately after, the Marine soldiers of the 16th Branch, who were participating in the banquet a second ago, all stopped their actions and looked at Kizaru in terror.

Similarly, Ian, Gunko, and Nami also noticed Kizaru at this moment.

Under everyone's gaze, Kizaru decisively walked over.

"Saint Ian, it seems you don't need my rescue!"

Kizaru, who had arrived in front of Ian, bowed slightly and then slowly said, "Arlong's Gang are all soaking in the pool, so presumably the tenryūbito tribute they stole has been recovered. Since that's the case, I won't disturb Saint Ian's banquet and will return to Marineford to report to Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

"Since you're already here, stay and join the banquet!"

Ian smiled and pulled Nami, who had become even more dazzling and charming in her noble attire, into his arms. He then said, "Although Arlong's Gang has been completely subdued, your Marine's work doesn't seem to be up to par. In a mere East Blue, criminals who dare to rob the tenryūbito tribute have emerged. Today, it's their bad luck to have encountered This Young Master. If it were another Celestial Dragon envoy, it wouldn't be Arlong's Gang soaking in the pool now!"

"Also, do you see that Marine in the pool?"

"He is Colonel Nezumi of the East Blue Marine 16th Branch. For years, he has colluded with Arlong's Gang, harming the populace. If he had only recently colluded with Arlong's Gang, you Marine Headquarters officers, being out of reach, might still be excused!"

"However, you didn't discover his decade-long collusion with Arlong's Gang; that is your dereliction of duty! Borsalino, as an Admiral of Marine Headquarters, you bear an inescapable responsibility!"

"..."

Kizaru's mouth twitched slightly. Had Saint Ian taken the wrong medicine? To utter words like 'harming the populace,' as a 'god' high above, when did he start caring about the populace, who were merely a group of ants and commoners in their eyes?

Although he thought this inwardly, Kizaru dared not show it. He bowed slightly and said, "Saint Ian's lesson is correct. When I return to Marineford, I will definitely report this matter to Fleet Admiral Sengoku and immediately begin an investigation into the East Blue Marine, to root out Marine scum like Nezumi and punish them according to the law!"

"Hm," Ian nodded with satisfaction, his tone gentle. "They say when you see one cockroach in the sun, it means there are already too many hidden cockroaches in the dark to conceal! The corruption within the Marine must be investigated, and without mercy!"

"As long as anyone is found to have violated Marine justice, whether they are Marine soldiers or officers, whether their crime is corruption and bribery or harming the populace, they shall all be executed! From today onwards, the Marine will not keep idlers!"

Kizaru bowed and nodded again: "Understood!"

Nami, who was forcibly pulled into Ian's arms, her beautiful eyes slightly wide, looked at Ian's face, so close, with a surprised expression. In her impression, Celestial Dragons were all arrogant, self-important nobles who never cared about the lives of commoners like them.

But this man in front of her not only reprimanded Kizaru, who was a Marine Admiral, but also ordered the Marine to immediately launch an internal investigation and execute all Marines who were corrupt, took bribes, or oppressed and harmed the populace.

For a moment, Nami inexplicably had the illusion that 'this man in front of her is not a proper Celestial Dragon.'

"It's not just the Marine's internal anti-corruption efforts; whether it's the East Blue, the West Blue, or even the Grand Line, your Marine's main work is also very inadequate!"

Ian glanced at Kizaru, who was bent almost ninety degrees listening to the lecture, then said seriously, "Just in a mere East Blue, someone dared to plunder the tenryūbito tribute. It's not hard to imagine how rampant pirates are in other sea areas!"

"In short, during This Young Master's return to the Holy Land, the Marine must fully clear out pirates. If This Young Master finds another pirate along the way, not only you, but Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters Sengoku must also give This Young Master an explanation!"

With that, Ian casually cut a steak from the sea cow Moomoo and handed it to Kizaru. "Business is done. Now, eat your fill. Steak, bullwhip, whatever you want, there's plenty!"

Kizaru dared not linger there. After taking the steak, which weighed over ten pounds, he said with a serious expression, "Saint Ian, as you said, corruption has appeared within the Marine. I must immediately return to Marineford to report it and immediately begin internal rectification. Even a moment's delay will cause countless commoners to suffer greatly."

Before he finished speaking, Kizaru directly released his Devil Fruit ability, transforming into a flash of light and ascending into the sky, clearly worried that Ian would forcibly keep him, making him continue to bow and receive lectures. In the blink of an eye, he was gone.

"He ran off quite fast."

Ian smiled, then raised his hand and pinched Nami's cheek, saying with a cheerful smile, "You have great courage, to dare to look directly at This Young Master's heavenly countenance."

"Go, wait on the ship. This Young Master will be there shortly. The night should be beautiful tonight."

"Ah?"

Nami stood up flustered, her face red, and timidly said, "Do...do you want to now?"

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