Pirates: How Many Divisions Do the Five Elders Have? Justice Delayed Is Not Justice

Garen instantly stepped in front of Ma Qiao, catching the middle-aged man Smoker threw at him.

Twitch curled his lip. This silly guy is just relying on his high level, isn't he?

Once I, the ADC, am fully developed, I'll unleash my ultimate and wipe you all out!

Garen wouldn't stoop to the level of this stinking Nezumi from the Zaun sewers, and simply put the middle-aged man down.

The middle-aged man, who had been treated roughly by Smoker, did not complain. Instead, he slowly tidied his clothes and then immediately spotted Ma Qiao was dressed in a distinctive manner.

He jogged up to Ma Qiao and extended his right hand:

"Wallace, deputy editor-in-chief of the East Blue Daily! May I ask who you are?"

"Freelance contributor Ma Qiao! Nice to meet you!"

Ma Qiao extended his hand to shake his, and the two exchanged pleasantries.

Ma Qiao asked, "Mr. Deputy Editor, did you bring what I asked for?"

Wallace pointed to the folder and laughed, "Of course I won't fail you! I hope Mr. Ma Qiao's revelations this time are as explosive as ever!"

"You mean the Big News Morgans like the Twin Stars of the Worst Generation, Hundred Plans -Plan Urpo D. Kuro and Fire Fist Portgas D. Ace?"

Ma Qiao laughed heartily, patted Wallace's hand, and affirmed, "That's something beyond the Gemini, explosive news enough to shake the world's most notorious villains!"

"That's good, that's good! As expected of Mr. Ma Qiao, the master of Big News Morgans!"

Wallace flicked the raindrops off his hat, his old face beaming with a smile.

Smoker had had enough of their small talk.

He has never had a good impression of journalists.

Half of his reputation as a violent Warmog's Armor was fabricated by these people who made baseless accusations and exaggerated stories, all under the guise of freedom of the press.

He stepped forward and pushed Wallace aside, saying, "Scarf Kid, the person's been delivered. Shouldn't we get down to business?"

"Of course it's a serious matter!"

Ma Qiao looked up at the distant mountains, "It's just that it might be a little different from what you're thinking..."

"Genzo, right?"

Ma Qiao approached the village Peacekeeper, who had never seen so many sailors in his life and was completely bewildered. "Lead the way, take us to... the naval heroes' cemetery..."

The rain grew heavier and heavier, pouring down like a torrential downpour.

The orange grove was lush and green in the rain.

This autumn is sure to be a bountiful harvest season.

Nami followed the man in a daze, unable to believe what he had just said.

Led by Genzo, the naval team quickly passed through the Orange Grove and arrived at a cliff overlooking the sea.

A small grave sits quietly here.

There were no flowers or wine at the grave; in fact, it was rather dilapidated.

Over the years, under the elusive surveillance of the Fish-Man cadres, no one has dared to come here to sweep the grave of the owner of this tomb.

Even Nami has to hide her soft heart and maintain her villainous persona.

But today is different.

"Stand at attention!"

"Salute!"

The navy aboard the Good Guy Twitch already knew about Bellemere's deeds.

He single-handedly confronted a powerful pirate of the "Shichibukai" level, and ultimately lost his life protecting his daughter.

Even the most unruly sailors, at this moment, all felt a deep respect for this remarkable senior.

There are already too many stories of the strong on the high seas.

Even if the strong turn a blind eye to real evil and slack off, people will still regard them as heroes.

But those naval officers who, with their mortal bodies, uphold true justice are merely labeled as overestimating their abilities.

This absurd situation will begin to change little by little today.

Ma Qiao is not a naval officer, so it's not appropriate for him to step in at this time.

He naturally embraced Nami, who was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Ma Qiao knew he wasn't a jerk.

This is not about taking advantage of someone's misfortune.

This is simply because this poor girl needs a broad shoulder to lean on right now.

And my shoulders are just the right width.

And it's warm.

Twitch took a yellowed old newspaper from Wallace's briefcase.

Garen stepped forward and held up the umbrella, not for Twitch, but for the newspaper in Twitch's hand.

Twitch held the newspaper high; it depicted a dashing figure in a cloak of justice, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and a rifle in hand. (See picture)

This is an old newspaper that exists in the archives of the East Blue Daily.

Seventeen years ago, this young female Petty Officer First Class Bellemere successfully defeated a group of pirates with a bounty of 1.5 million Beli, which made headlines.

Perhaps, in everyone's eyes, a pirate with a bounty of 1.5 million Beli is nothing to worry about.

We've defeated countless pirate groups along the way, and we've even clashed with members of the Worst Generation like Hundred Plans -Piece Kuro and Fire Fist Ace.

But, upholding justice in her heart and fighting for the weak, Petty Officer First Class Bellemere is the epitome of countless ordinary navy personnel.

Fifteen years ago, she honorably retired from the army and returned to her hometown, where she personally planted this orchard.

She dedicated the best years of her life to the navy and never married.

But what I want to say is that she had already married; she married the cause of justice!

However...

Justice betrayed her!

Six years ago, remnants of the Sun Pirates arrived on this island.

The 16th Branch of the East Blue, which was right next door, turned a deaf ear.

They were even afraid of the Fish-Man's powerful fighting force, and greedy for the bribes they offered, so they willingly provided them with protection and covered up their evil deeds!

Not only that, the despicable, shameless, corrupt and incompetent rats of the 16th Branch also embezzled the veterans' allowances allocated by Marineford.

These fools who have betrayed justice have no idea what kind of money is acceptable to embezzle and what kind of money is off-limits!

With two children and an orchard to manage, Bellemere, a retired Marine, couldn't even afford to pay the Fish-Men a paltry 100,000 Beli for their lives!

Of course, I believe that even if Petty Officer First Class Bellemere were rich, he would never kneel before these wicked villains!

She died in battle!

Her heroic deeds were covered up for many years.

This is a disgrace to justice, a disgrace to the 16th Branch, and a disgrace to every one of our naval officers and soldiers!

Twitch shouted hoarsely, "We're too late! Justice delayed is justice denied! The entire former Nezumi Army is guilty!"

"Exist!"

More than a hundred elite troops from G2 joined in unison.

"Take down the 'justice' behind you and put on the 'root' symbol!"

"Yes!"

"From today onward, our unit will be called the 'Root' Unit, meaning to be down-to-earth and rooted in the grassroots! Only when we can completely eradicate the evil in the world will we be qualified to once again bear the name of justice!"

"Yes!"

"Play music!"

"Offer flowers!"

The Root Division soldiers pulled out the newly purchased and issued Big Bird Brand Den Den Mushi and played funeral music.

Despite the torrential rain, all the officers stood in line quietly.

Ma Qiao, with Nami in tow and a daisy in hand, stood at the very back of the group.

After all the naval officers had presented their flowers, Ma Qiao stepped forward, bent down, and silently placed the daisies down.

"Everything will be alright, Nami."

These words seemed to be the last straw that broke the camel's back, and Orange Hair could no longer suppress his sadness and excitement.

She knelt down in front of her mother's tombstone and wept bitterly.

Nami turned her head, raindrops streaming down her soft cheeks and falling to the ground along with her tears.

"Joe... help me..."