[Three days ago, a royal merchant ship from the World Government member nation, the 'Nismael Kingdom', received a threatening letter on its return journey from the Sabaody Archipelago. The letter indicated they were being targeted by pirates]
[Therefore, they chose to dock near the kingdom's Master Port Marine G-51 Branch and requested a Marine warship escort]
[Shortly after arriving at the G-51 Branch, they successfully captured a pirate attempting to infiltrate the branch at the port, and have preliminarily identified him as the pirate who sent the threatening letter]
"A bit interesting."
Lying on a deck chair on the warship, Roy took a sip of his ice-cold cola as he read the detailed mission intelligence in his hand.
"Sir? What's interesting?" asked Hans, who was at the helm, his curiosity piqued.
It wasn't just him; the other Custody Unit marines also gathered around curiously.
"The criminal we're escorting this time is very interesting. Another glass."
Roy said softly as he handed his iced glass to Fal.
"No bounty and no name, which means he's probably completely unknown."
He pointed to the intelligence report in his hand.
"But a guy like this actually dares to rob a royal merchant ship from a World Government member nation, and even dares to send a warning letter in advance."
At this point, Roy rubbed his chin with interest.
"Now that you mention it, sir, that is indeed rare."
Fal nodded as he handed over a fresh glass of ice-cold cola. "But he was caught so easily... I think maybe he's a rookie pirate who just set out to sea, daring to do anything?"
"Perhaps..."
Roy nodded, but then he sat up from his deck chair and took off his sunglasses. "Oh, we're here."
On the distant sea horizon, a sizable island was gradually coming into view.
The first thing that caught the eye was the giant white building standing near the island's coastline.
The massive Marine emblem shone brightly in the sun, and on a prominent spot on the tall building, the black letters 'G-51' and the seagull-and-scales flag were clearly visible.
That was the Grand Line's Marine G-51 Branch, their destination for this trip.
As the warship approached.
Besides the branch, the outline of the city on the island also became clearer.
It was a bustling port.
The huge harbor was filled with all kinds of ships, with merchant vessels and small boats of various sizes moving in and out of the port.
"It's so lively," Hans at the helm said with some amazement.
"It's Master Port, after all. This is an important port for the Nismael Kingdom," Fal said as if it were a matter of course.
As mentioned before, the Nismael Kingdom was one of the 170+ member nations of the World Government, directly protected by the World Government and the Marines.
Just like this Master Port—a Marine branch was established right here.
Therefore, most pirates would not consider attacking this place.
Most countries' merchant ships were also willing to dock here.
Even if they had to pay a high mooring fee, it was still better than being plundered by pirates.
"It is indeed prosperous, but..."
Roy nodded, his gaze sweeping to the other side of the port.
There was a town there.
However, compared to the noisy and bustling port, this town seemed much quieter—the buildings were not tall, and at first glance, could even be called dilapidated.
It was not hard to guess that this was where the island's original inhabitants lived.
Just like in most countries in this world—the prosperity of the port and the wealth of the nation were not truly related to the lives of its citizens.
"Let's go, to the branch's port."
So Roy didn't look any further and ordered the warship to head for the port exclusively used by the Marine branch.
But upon arriving at the Marine branch's port, Roy was slightly taken aback.
Because at this moment, within the berths of the Marine G-51 Branch port, besides the branch's warships, there was a merchant ship docked.
It was far larger and more magnificent than the ordinary merchant ships in Master Port, its golden hull and giant figurehead proclaiming its nobility.
The crown flag hanging from the mast indicated its identity.
"This should be that royal merchant ship that received the threatening letter?"
Roy smiled. "To dock directly in the branch's port... It seems the Captain of this branch gets along well with the Nismael Kingdom."
As he spoke, the warship docked at the branch's port.
"Is this the Headquarters Custody Unit!?" a branch marine in charge of managing the port asked.
After confirming Roy's identity, he gave a military salute. "The criminal transfer is ready. Captain Aster is waiting for you in his office!"
"I understand."
Roy nodded, but then his gaze swept around. "Where is everyone else here?"
He had already noticed a small problem.
The number of guards at this port was clearly not right.
Most of the Marine guard posts at the berths were empty, with only a few scattered people.
"They're all in the branch preparing for tonight's banquet!" the branch marine said.
"Banquet?"
"Yes—because we caught that pirate, Steward Mantar of the Nismael Kingdom's merchant ship organized this banquet and invited all the brothers from the branch to attend. It's said that Steward Mantar has also prepared a gift for every marine as a token of gratitude."
The branch marine was a little excited as he said this.
No one would be unhappy about extra income.
"So generous?"
Roy grinned. "You'll be going over later too, right? What about the port's defense?"
"Sir, you don't need to worry," the branch marine said confidently. "This is a port of a World Government member nation. Normally, no pirates would come to attack."
"Besides, aren't they still here?"
As he said this, he pointed not far away.
Roy turned his head and saw that near the berth where the royal merchant ship was docked, there were indeed some guards in magnificent court attire walking around.
"Who are they?"
Without Roy having to ask, Hans had already inquired curiously.
"Oh, they are the royal guards of the Nismael Kingdom."
After hearing the branch marine's answer, Hans continued to ask, "Aren't they attending the banquet tonight?"
"Of course not, they have to guard the cargo on the ship."
After getting a brief understanding of the situation, Roy said no more.
He just turned his head to look at Hans. "Hans, you go back to the ship with Fal and get the temporary prison ready. I'll go and handle the handover with Captain Aster."
"Yes, sir!"
After Hans accepted his orders and returned to the warship, Roy declined the marine's offer to lead the way and walked towards the G-51 Branch building on his own.
As he walked, however, his gaze couldn't help but drift to the royal merchant ship—mainly because its size was truly conspicuous.
And upon closer inspection, Roy discovered many strange things.
For example, on the ship's side, many sharp iron spikes could be clearly seen.
And the entire hull seemed a bit too enclosed, with only the cannon ports offering a view inside, where cage-like structures could be faintly seen.
"This ship..."
Roy frowned, muttering to himself.
But just at that moment...
"Keli! Keli!"
He heard a clamorous sound.
And when he turned his head, he clearly saw a person struggling to squeeze out from one of the cannon ports of that royal merchant ship.
It was an old man.
His body was hunched, his skin and clothes were covered in bloodstains, his eyes were sunken deep into their sockets, and his matted, graying hair was stuck together in clumps.
He had a hemp rope around his neck and shackles on his feet.
"Keli... Keli..."
He waved his hand, muttering deliriously, seemingly clutching something.
Roy's excellent eyesight allowed him to faintly see what was in the man's hand—it seemed to be a piece of cloth.
At this moment, the merchant ship's guards also spotted him.
"It's this old madman again... Get him back inside quickly!"
"How did he get there? Where are the people in charge of the cargo hold?!"
Soon, through the gap of the cannon port, Roy saw a hand seem to reach out from behind the old man, violently grabbing his hair and pulling him back in.
"..."
Roy watched this scene without a word.
But...
[Rabbit-Rabbit Fruit, Model: Snow Rabbit LV1 - Equipped - Grants partial snow rabbit traits, enhances the whole body, with extra reinforcement to hearing and speed]
His enhanced hearing, however, allowed Roy to hear the sounds of beating and cursing coming from within the ship's hold, accompanying the old man's delirious muttering.
"Keli... Keli..."
"Your daughter has already been bought by someone! You old thing, an unsellable piece of cargo still causing trouble for me—if the Steward hadn't said your fresh organs are still worth some money and we need to find another sales channel, I would have killed you long ago."
And so, Roy understood everything.
"The spikes on the ship and the cage-like structures... I see."
"A slave ship."
He whispered under his breath, making the logical deduction.
The slave trade.
One of the festering sores of this world.
Although the World Government officially prohibited the sale of human slaves.
In reality, due to the existence of the Celestial Dragons.
The slave trade itself was actually a gray area—not only would the World Government not truly intervene, but they would even cover it up.
Just like now.
The World Government member nation, the 'Nismael Kingdom', was clearly engaged in the slave trade.
And their methods of transporting slaves were by no means subtle; at the very least, Roy was certain that the high-ranking officers of the G-51 Branch definitely knew.
But even so, they still had to escort a returning slave ship.
"Justice, huh..."
Roy clicked his tongue.
This was also why he scoffed at the so-called justice of the Marines.
On a tree that is rotten from the root, justice cannot reside.