Chapter 4: Just a little overtime, I won't refuse for Justice, Captain!
"That was close."
Blending into the crowd, Loy watched a group of Detainment Unit Marines, responsible for maintaining order in Marineford, heading with formidable momentum towards the location of the earlier battle.
Loy inwardly thought, "That was close."
If he had been caught, the fine alone would not only make him lose a month's salary, but he would also be imprisoned for at least half a month.
"Not being able to drink cola for half a month, that's truly terrifying."
As for Smoker, who was still left behind at the original spot, Loy had no interest in considering him—after all, judging by the numerous brand-name cigars Smoker hung from his chest every day, he should be someone with plenty of money.
As for the problem of imprisonment...
"It's best if that guy gets locked up for a while; otherwise, he's sure to come and cause trouble again."
"Justice. No matter how grandly it's glorified, at its core, it's just about being dogs for the Celestial Dragons and the World Government. Who cares about such a thing?"
As Loy thought this, he passed through Oris Plaza and entered the Marine Headquarters' tall building, the 'Tenshu'.
That's right.
Loy, of course, didn't dislike Smoker—even though his initial contact with Smoker was merely to acquire the Devil Fruit Ability on him.
But during his training in the Marines, he indeed recognized Smoker as his friend.
What Smoker said, about them once chasing a pirate to retrieve a young girl's mother's life-saving money, was indeed true.
But just as Loy said...
That had nothing to do with the "Justice" that the Marines constantly preached and believed in.
"That girl's father died early, her mother had been sick for many years, and she herself was blind. Relying on the village's assistance and the money her mother painstakingly earned sewing small clothes every day—how could those scoundrel Pirates cruelly steal that? Who could possibly bear to watch that?"
Loy didn't think of himself as some great benevolent person.
But as a Transmigrator, he still possessed the basic sense of morality he had developed before transmigrating.
Yet, without a doubt, the basic morality he considered standard was already a rarity in this world.
It was precisely because of that incident that Smoker acknowledged him, viewing him as a friend from then on, and accepting his "Justice."
But in reality, Loy's own attitude towards the Marines was just as he had thought earlier.
He had been in the Marines for so many years, and he naturally knew that the Marines truly didn't lack genuinely kind and righteous soldiers.
But this couldn't change one fact: the Marines as an organization were part of the 'World Government'—and that supreme organization, which governed the world, was precisely its most corrupt part.
Loy never intended to be a dog for the Celestial Dragons, so he naturally wouldn't truly believe in the Marines' so-called Justice.
Of course, Pirates were the same—Loy didn't deny that there might be some commendable heroes among the Pirates on this world's vast seas.
But the fact was that most of the Pirates who emerged during the so-called 'Great Pirate Era' were purely evil.
Loy disliked both the Marines and Pirates, and he had no intention of truly joining either faction.
His view of the Marines was very simple.
The Marines were merely a cover for him to hide and a means for him to acquire Devil Fruit Abilities.
And the Detainment Unit was a 'key department' he wouldn't leave as long as he remained in the Marines.
"However, that guy Smoker did have one thing right: freedom is indeed very important."
"There are many locations on this vast ocean where Ability Users reside, and I know them, but right now, I'm restricted by Headquarters' regulations and have no opportunity to acquire their abilities."
Thinking of this, Loy showed a somewhat vexed expression.
This problem was essentially the same as his urgent need for Beli; it required him to leave the Marines or the Detainment Unit to solve it, but he couldn't leave the Detainment Unit right now.
"How troublesome."
Loy sighed.
"Hahahahaha! You punk actually finds things troublesome—how curious!"
But at this moment, a hearty laugh entered Loy's ears.
It turned out that, without realizing it, Loy had already walked to an office.
The office door was tightly shut, but the laughter was coming from inside the office.
"Old man, are you using your Observation Haki to eavesdrop again?"
Loy said helplessly, then pushed open the office door directly.
The office's interior was simply furnished—an office desk with red tea and a string of dango on it, a chair, and a large pile of newspapers and wanted posters.
And in front of the office desk, an old man with bulging muscles all over his body was cheerfully eating dango.
He wore a Marine coat, with only an undershirt beneath it. The numerous scars on his body and the medals on his uniform were enough to prove the countless battles he had experienced.
"Hahahahaha! I'm so bored here, old man, I've used my Observation Haki to death! Every day, if I don't rely on eavesdropping, it's hard to pass the time!"
Upon hearing Loy's words, he also chuckled.
"Using Observation Haki to eavesdrop at Headquarters is strictly forbidden by explicit order!"
Loy rolled his eyes, but he also knew that these words were useless against the old man in front of him.
Because the old man in front of him was none other than his direct superior, Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Bilos, who managed the Detainment Unit.
This Vice Admiral wasn't prominent in the storyline Loy knew, but his seniority was considerable—he was an old soldier who had joined the Marines at the same time as Marine Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Marine Hero Garp, having experienced countless battles throughout his life.
Due to his old age and declining combat strength, he was reassigned to the Detainment Unit to live out his retirement, and was now just waiting for his official retirement.
And this old man's hobby of using Observation Haki to eavesdrop on gossip was well-known to everyone.
"Tell me, what is it that you find troublesome?!"
At this moment, the old man also looked at Loy curiously.
Hearing this, Loy's expression remained unchanged.
Of course, he didn't state his true thoughts, only bringing up the matter with Smoker from earlier.
"That guy is truly stubborn; I clearly recommended him to Ensign Tashigi."
He complained thus.
"So that's how it is."
After hearing this, Vice Admiral Bilos naturally didn't suspect anything, simply handing Loy a string of dango while 'munching, munching' on one himself.
"I think Smoker also has a point—you punk are indeed very strong, and you're wasting your talents here."
"I have my Justice!"
Loy said with a solemn expression.
And clearly, in the Marines, this phrase was akin to a certain red-haired pirate's 'This is my path!'
So, once these words were uttered, Vice Admiral Bilos naturally stopped trying to persuade him.
"How was the mission completed?"
He merely asked casually.
"The usual way, they've already been sent to prison."
Loy took out his handbook and briefly reported on the mission's situation.
"Good, I'll report your merits."
Bilos nodded, but then changed the subject and handed over an intelligence report: "Speaking of which, I just received a temporary mission here—are you interested?"
"Huh?"
Loy subconsciously took the report but frowned: "I just got back to Headquarters, old man—my brothers haven't even warmed their seats yet!"
"I know, you always celebrate with a feast after completing a mission and then let your subordinates rest for a few days, so isn't this bothering you?"
At this moment, Vice Admiral Bilos also said casually.
"This matter concerns a World Government Member Nation, so the merits are considerable. In two months, our Headquarters' 'All-Marine Drill' will begin. If you can be promoted to a commissioned officer rank before then, you can participate in the drill."
"All-Marine Drill?"
Upon hearing this, Loy frowned.
The All-Marine Drill was a major event held by the Marines every few years.
All robust young officers of the Marines, above the rank of commissioned officer and under 50 years old, could sign up to participate. It was considered the Marines' 'Martial Arts Tournament'.
Once a good ranking was achieved, additional military promotions could be obtained—the top three could even be directly promoted to 'Commodore', instantly becoming a flag officer.
Even more famous than the All-Marine Drill was the 'World Draft', which had only happened a few times since the establishment of the Marines.
However, it was still that same saying—Loy had no interest in these things.
Military promotions were certainly good, but once promoted, he would likely be transferred away from the Detainment Unit, and that would be very bad.
However, at this moment, Vice Admiral Bilos's words made his heart tremble.
"Kid, after this All-Marine Drill, I might be retiring."
The old Vice Admiral munched on a string of dango with crunching sounds, and the words he spoke sounded like a clap of thunder to Loy.
"Retiring?!"
"Yes—my grandson was born, so I might as well retire and properly train him, striving for him to also become an outstanding Marine in the future."
Vice Admiral Bilos said with a chuckle, "And I've been in this Detainment Unit for so many years... You, kid, are the most promising person in the squad."
His meaning was very simple.
He was retiring, and the unique nature of the Detainment Unit meant that most ambitious and capable Marines weren't very willing to join it.
"If you can get a good ranking in the 'All-Marine Drill', I, this old man, will apply to Sengoku to let you stay and take on the role of the Detainment Unit's manager. What do you think?"
"..."
What did he think?
It was simply too perfect!
Loy's excitement at this moment needed no words.
Becoming the manager of the Detainment Unit—for him, the benefits were immense.
Even though the Detainment Unit itself wasn't highly regarded within the Marines, it was still one of the key components of the Marine organization.
The Detainment Unit's managing officer symbolized extremely high freedom and status, and at the same time...
"The Detainment Unit's manager also needs to be responsible for escorting powerful Criminals to Impel Down. They even have the authority to enter Impel Down's interior for inspections."
This was the crucial point.
For Loy, that undersea grand prison, which held countless powerful Criminals, was truly a treasure trove.
Therefore...
"Old man, let me see the mission!"
He said decisively, every word clear and firm.
"Just a little overtime, that's all—for Justice, I cannot refuse, Captain!"
(end of chapter)