Ch. 1The Sudden Arrival of the Inspection Team
Key Plot Points and Events
- Vice Admiral Garp and Lieutenant Colonel Smoker, along with their subordinates, are on a Marine warship headed to Marine Branch 16 in the East Blue.
- They are investigating Lieutenant Colonel Dand Xia Che, the base commander of Marine Branch 16, suspected of colluding with pirates and violating Marine justice.
- Xia Che and his team, including Nami, arrive at Cocoa Town, greeted by cheering villagers who have seen significant improvements due to Xia Che's influence.
Character Developments
- Vice Admiral Garp: He is portrayed as lazy and carefree, sleeping on the deck and only waking up when they reach their destination.
- Lieutenant Colonel Smoker: He is stern and serious, dedicated to his duty, and questions Xia Che's past and current activities.
- Dand Xia Che: He is confident and nonchalant, well-respected by the villagers of Cocoa Town. He is also shown to be generous and supportive of Nami's career in the Marines.
- Nami: She has become a Marine Sergeant, a significant improvement from her past as a pirate. She is grateful to Xia Che for her new position.
Significant Themes
- Corruption and Hypocrisy: The suspicion around Xia Che's activities and the potential collusion with pirates highlights the corruption within the Marines and the hypocrisy of their justice system.
- Redemption and Change: Nami's transformation from a pirate to a Marine Sergeant and the improvement of Cocoa Town under Xia Che's influence suggest that change and redemption are possible.
Character Interactions
- Xia Che and Smoker: There's an underlying tension between them due to Smoker's investigation into Xia Che's activities.
- Xia Che and Nami: They share a friendly, almost familial, relationship. Xia Che supports Nami's career in the Marines, and she is grateful to him.
- Xia Che and the Villagers: The villagers of Cocoa Town respect and admire Xia Che, crediting him with the town's improvements.