Exterminating Evil

It was shocking, absolutely shocking.

Kuzan was shocked by the crimes committed by the Donquixote Family after reviewing the information provided by Ma Qiao.

Kuzan has always served as Nico Robin's secret protector.

Following the young Robin on her journey, Kuzan also witnessed much of the darkness in this world.

The darkness of the Underworld is no less than that of the Celestial Dragons.

This is why, despite not recognizing the Celestial Dragons' rule, Kuzan has diligently fulfilled his duties as a Marine Admiral all these years.

Kuzan knew very well that the reason why those unstable elements in the Underworld did not seem as hateful as the Celestial Dragons was simply because they had not yet taken the position of Celestial Dragons.

If they were to sit on the thrones of the Celestial Dragons, the world 'Celestial Dragons, and have the opportunity to wield supreme power, these guys might do something even more evil than the Celestial Dragons.

This is perhaps the meaning behind Sakazuki's oft-repeated saying, "Even the worst order is better than no order at all."

However, today, Kuzan witnessed the actions of the Donquixote Family and was still shocked by Doflamingo, a former Celestial Dragons and supplier of raw materials for the underworld.

Ma Qiao stepped forward and patted Kuzan's... waist.

"Brother Kuzan, don't be angry. I just got this information myself, and its authenticity needs to be verified. Why don't we go and investigate Doflamingo's underground factory together?"

You're right.

Kuzan nodded.

Although he said that, he actually believed the information provided by Ma Qiao in his heart.

The reason he entrusted Nicole Robin, whom he had raised with such care, to this young man was precisely because of his unparalleled abilities.

Kuzan believed this without a doubt.

However, some things still need to be seen with one's own eyes.

At this point, Maggio introduced another of his tainted witnesses to Aokiji, Trafalgar Law.

As a well-known rookie pirate in the North Blue, Kuzan, who missed his hometown folks, had heard of Law.

Six months ago, Trafalgar Law and his Heart Pirates suddenly disappeared, an event that even occupied a small section on Marineford's internal military affairs website.

However, Kuzan acted as if he didn't know Luo, and simply nodded to him indifferently.

Ma Qiao has been on good terms with some pirates for quite some time now, and even Garp and Zephyr turn a blind eye, so Kuzan naturally doesn't bother to care.

Anyway, it seems this guy is quite sensible in his actions; his interactions with pirates are just superficial... I guess...

"Hello, Mr. Ma Qiao!"

"Mr. Ma Qiao, have you eaten?"

"Mr. Ma Qiao, would you like to come aboard our ship for a drink?"

"Mr. Ma Qiao, you absolutely must try the girls in Dressrosa! For just 5,000 Beli, you can find the hottest dancer!"

"..."

Along the way, the drunken Whitebeard Pirates greeted Ma Qiao enthusiastically.

Kuzan, walking behind Ma Qiao, looked even darker than before.

This guy is practically a friend of pirates, a big star in the Whitebeard Pirates!

However, Kuzan is not Akainu.

Deeply influenced by his close friend Saul, his understanding of justice had long since become somewhat distorted.

Led by Luo, the group quickly traversed the chaotic streets and arrived at the entrance to the Donquixote Family 'Toy House and underground factory.

"Mr. Ma Qiao, we meet again."

Kuzan rubbed his forehead.

I'm starting to regret entrusting Robin to him.

Ma Qiao really has friends all over the world...

Is a man who's never home really suitable to take care of Robin?

If Ma Qiao knew what Kuzan was thinking, he would definitely slap him Kog'Maw without hesitation.

What does it mean to be truly suitable?

For Robin-chan, I even specially trained in tentacle magic, okay?

Wasn't that taken good care of?

Of course, Ma Qiao didn't have time to observe Kuzan's expression at that moment.

He was looking at the middle-aged man in front of him with a wry smile, a man whose figure was out of shape and who was dressed in baby clothes.

"Pica, I didn't expect we'd meet here."

"I didn't expect that either, but Mr. Ma Qiao, you can't go in."

Ma Qiao sighed. "You should know what's behind you, and you're acting as an accomplice to evil."

After a long silence, Pica struck a pose with Cat Ear Fist:

"I'm sorry, Mr. Doflamingo has been incredibly kind to me... and as for the sins I've committed, if I could, I would gladly pay for them in hell..."

"You can't pay me back."

Ma Qiao's expression hardened. "Your child died because of you, your wife fell seriously ill because of you, yet you haven't left the Donquixote Family. People say you're a real man, but I say you're nothing but a coward!"

You can't say that to Mr. Pica!

At this point, Pica's supporters protested in a flurry of voices.

Ma Qiao threw a Jack in the Box, sending the brainless women screaming and scattering in all directions.

Throughout the entire process, Señor Pica did not stop him.

He gritted his teeth, his hands trembling as he rested on his temples. "I'm sorry, I can't do it. Anyway, if you want to get in, you'll have to step over my dead body..."

With that, Pica did a diving somersault and unleashed Cat Ear Fist, aiming straight for Ma Qiao... Kuzan behind him.

As one of Doflamingo's subordinates, Pica had participated in the recruitment of the Shichibukai and was naturally impressed by the Navy's top combat force.

Pica didn't know the full extent of Ma Qiao's strength, but he was well aware of how terrifying the man known as Kuzan was.

His attack was less about stopping Ma Qiao and the others, and more about seeking death to escape this agonizing choice.

"He's courting death."

A cold smile appeared on Kuzan's lips, and a chill emanated from his palm.

He bent down gently, preparing to turn this strange cross-dresser into an ice sculpture.

Just then, Tahm Kench made the first move.

He also used an Abyssal Dive to plunge into the stone-paved ground.

"How... how is this possible!"

Pica was taken aback. "There should only be one Swim-Swim Fruit (also translated as Swim-Swim Fruit) in this world!"

"Fool, I am the River King!"

As he spoke, Tahm Kench leaped up from below, knocking Pica out of the way.

Immediately afterwards, a lotus flower bloomed at Pica's feet.

At the same time, from somewhere far away, a deadly brilliance arrived in an instant.

Pica's fleshy left shoulder was mercilessly pierced, and he was immobilized on the spot.

Disappointed, Xin Zhao and Jax put down their weapons and went forward to tie him up.

This guy with a bounty of 58 million Beli is not even worth their time.

Actually, Xin Zhao and his team underestimated Pica.

Pica was simply resigned to his fate but unwilling to take action against Ma Qiao.

His true strength is at least at the level of Supernovas two years ago, so he shouldn't have been defeated so easily.

"Kill me, Ma Qiao, I've done too many wrong things."

The penetrating wound in his shoulder didn't elicit a groan from the man, but his face showed absolutely no sign of life.

"I'm a law-abiding citizen recognized by Admiral Kuzan, how could I kill people so easily?"

Ma Qiao shook his head. "Think of Lucian, what was her only reason for living?"

Upon hearing his wife's name, the obese middle-aged man finally lost control of his emotions and shed tears.

"Your crimes will be handed over to... um, Kuzan, do you have a military court-martial?"

Ma Qiao turned his head and asked curiously. In his memory, prominent criminals in the Grand Line never seemed to need Judgment; they were simply thrown into Impel Down without any mention of how many years they would be sentenced to.

For example, if Doflamingo were imprisoned in the original timeline, would he be destined to be a prison newspaper reader for the rest of his life?

This is completely unreasonable.

At least give them a sentence of three to five hundred years imprisonment as a token gesture...

To everyone's surprise, Kuzan replied matter-of-factly, "Courts? They're nothing more than toys for the Celestial Dragons. I, Marine Admiral, possess the right to adjudicate!"

Ma Qiao: "..."

This is a legitimate integration of the public security, procuratorate, and judicial systems.

But that's fine too. Since Kuzan has the power to convict criminals, Ma Qiao simply used his power to sentence Señor Pica to 200 years in prison.

"By the way, Kuzan, have your navy's prisons been quite strained lately?"

Ma Qiao ordered Tahm Kench to carry Pica in one hand and Vergo in the other, then suddenly asked a question.

"That's true."

Kuzan nodded. "Ever since Roger uttered those seductive words, more and more people have been heading to the sea. The vast majority of them have become pirates, and the prisons of all branches, Impel Down, Enies Lobby, and the temporary prison in Mary Geoise are all overcrowded."

"Furthermore... according to the logistics department's calculations, even imprisoning a single prisoner at the lowest standard would cost over 1,000 Beli per month, which is a huge burden for the Navy and Impel Down."

"1000 Beli?"

Ma Qiao was stunned.

A newspaper in the One Piece world costs between 100 and 200 Beli.

1000 Beli isn't even enough for Doflamingo to read the newspaper for a month in prison.

This standard is really low...

And there's something Kuzan didn't mention, but even Ma Qiao fool could guess it.

That's thanks to the large number of prisoners tortured to death in Impel Down every year; otherwise, the Navy wouldn't have room for all the newly captured prisoners or the wanted criminals sent by Pirate Hunters.

I have an idea!

Ma Qiao suggested, "Why don't I fund the construction of a private prison? You only need to pay each prisoner 500 Beli per month."

"This..."

Kuzan's little brain clearly couldn't keep up with Teacher Ma's wildly imaginative thoughts, and he briefly went blank.

In fact, it wasn't just Kuzan couldn't keep up with the train of thought; even Ma Qiao himself struggled to grasp this bizarre line of thinking.

However, this is all wisdom that was readily available from across the ocean in a previous life.

There, private prisons not only thrived, becoming a pillar industry in the region, but judges could even be bribed to imprison minors who had committed minor offenses or were innocent, allowing them to work as sewing machines.

In contrast, those little bastards in the East who should be spending their lives treading sewing machines are able to live carefree lives, which is quite remarkable.

Ma Qiao certainly wouldn't be so outrageous as to arrest innocent people and have them put on sewing machines, but does the world of One Piece lack criminals with undeniable crimes?

It's a waste to keep those strong, able-bodied men in Impel Down up in their cells eating for free. They'd be better off learning a trade like sewing, so they'd have a means of making a living when they get out.

Furthermore, don't underestimate the revenue-generating potential of private prisons.

In his previous life, Ma Qiao had studied the US stock market and discovered a private prison group called GEO Group, which had a total market capitalization of over $1 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 13. It was a solid value stock with an annual dividend yield of 3%, which was higher than bank interest rates.

Furthermore, with the surge in the Latino population, the number of American prisoners is also spiraling upwards. This blue-chip stock, with its high growth potential comparable to that of photovoltaic new energy, is truly enviable.

Today, Dressrosa's population is predominantly Latino...

This is inappropriate!

With over 500 hours of experience building Heshen's prison on Steam, Ma Qiao is extremely optimistic about the untapped potential of the private prison market.

Kuzan listened to Ma Qiao's vision of a private prison, especially his ideas about higher-ups securing funding and increasing production and efficiency, his mind went completely blank.

During the conversation, the Donquixote Family's underground factory finally appeared before everyone.

The first thing you smell is the strong stench of blood.

Even though most of the slaves involved in the work were toys, there were still flesh-and-blood Tontatta, gladiators who had lost in the arena, or some other kind of people among the slaves.

Moreover, the two most important commodities in the Donquixote Family's underground factory were drugs and people.

Whether women, children, or able-bodied men, they were all covered in wounds, their condition a pitiful sight.

Ma Qiao did not go inside.

He truly couldn't bear to witness this scene of hell on earth.

Kuzan, Xin Zhao, Jax, and Graves went inside together.

Soon after, the screams of the Donquixote Family's soldiers could be heard from inside.

This was partly due to personal feelings; Ma Qiao knew that if Kuzan wanted, he could have quietly ended it all in an instant.

After a while, Kuzan came out.

"Your bodyguards are excellent; I've left them inside."

Kuzan looked unwell. "There are many wounded inside who need treatment. I've already called the nearest naval patrol ship, and it's on its way."

Ma Qiao nodded, but did not suggest sending a doctor himself.

Firstly, there's no need to reveal Teleport abilities to the Navy; secondly, Teacher Ma isn't one to seek personal glory...

The credit for rescuing and treating the wounded, and for saving Dressrosa from the pirates at just the right moment, should naturally go to the navy patrolling the nearest waters.

And that navy...

Kuzan's Police Communicator started beeping.

He opened the app and frowned.

"It's not surprising that Rear Admiral Garen is out in the New World again, enforcing regulations across regions. But why is Darius here too?"

Kuzan had a good impression of Garen, but he wasn't too fond of Darius, who was self-destructive and resembled someone from the movie "My fate is in my own hands."

Is there any possibility that...?

Ma Qiao frowned and said, "Darius, like you, is also here in Dressrosa on a mission? By the way, Kuzan, what exactly are you doing here?"

"Of course I am..."

Kuzan for a moment, then suddenly slapped his thigh and quickly raised his watch. "Oh no, we're going to be too late!"