Earlier, in order to obtain important intelligence, Maud had casually assumed a Marine identity.
His intention had been to make himself more convincing, and at the time, Maud had used Wolf Rat's name without giving it much thought.
Normally, this would not have mattered. At the very least, Maud would not have cared about such a trivial detail.
But after personally experiencing the villagers' anticipation and excitement,
Maud had shed the Marine identity without hesitation.
As for the reason...
A mere Arlong Pirates had been able to run rampant here for over six whole years.
If Maud had not happened to pass by and come here to harvest some experience,
the Arlong Pirates' rule would have continued until the Straw Hat Pirates arrived two years later.
In other words, a Fish-Man pirate crew that treated humans like livestock and raised them in captivity had ruled here for a full eight years.
Yet the Marines had done absolutely nothing about it.
Not to mention Marine Colonel Rat of the 16th Branch, who had colluded with the Arlong Pirates.
Moreover, the East Blue was the weakest sea, and there were only a few pirates with relatively high bounties.
From highest to lowest, they were Arlong, Krieg, and Clown Buggy.
Even though Arlong had the highest bounty among them, it was only twenty million.
Was it really that difficult to deal with?
For the Marine Hero who occasionally returned to the East Blue on vacation, would it not have been nothing more than a single punch?
Yet the Arlong Pirates had stood here undefeated for six years—or, more accurately, eight years.
Therefore, whether it was the villagers' expectations or their gratitude after he had casually dealt with the Arlong Pirates,
Maud could never accept it in the capacity of a Marine.
Because,
did