A Tree Rotten at the Root, Where Justice Cannot Dwell.

[Three days ago, a Royal Merchant Ship from the World Government's affiliated nation, the Kingdom of Nysmal, received a threatening letter while returning from the Sabaody Archipelago. The letter indicated they had been targeted by pirates.]

[Therefore, they chose to dock near the Navy's G-51 branch in the kingdom's Master Port and requested escort from a Navy warship.]

[Shortly after arriving at the G-51 branch, they successfully apprehended a pirate attempting to infiltrate the branch at the port and preliminarily identified the individual as the one who sent the threatening letter.]

"Interesting."

Luo Yi took a sip of Ice Cola while lounging on a deck chair on the warship's deck, examining the detailed mission intelligence in his hand.

"Officer? What's interesting?"

Hans, who was at the helm, asked curiously upon hearing this.

And it wasn't just him; other Marines from the Detention Unit also crowded around, curious.

"The criminal we're escorting this time is quite interesting—another one."

Luo Yi handed his empty ice cup to Fal as he spoke softly.

"No bounty and no name, which means this person should be completely unknown."

He pointed to the intelligence in his hand.

"But a guy like this dares to rob a Royal Merchant Ship of a World Government affiliated nation, and even dares to send a warning letter in advance."

At this point, Luo Yi stroked his chin with great interest.

"Officer, now that you mention it, it is indeed rare."

Fal nodded as he handed over a new Ice Cola: "But he was caught so easily. I wonder if he's just a rookie pirate who just set sail and dares to do anything?"

"Perhaps."

Luo Yi nodded, but then he sat up from the deck chair and removed his sunglasses: "Oh, we're here."

In the distance, on the horizon, an island of considerable size was gradually unfolding into view.

The first thing that caught their eye was the massive white building standing near the island's coastline.

A giant Navy emblem gleamed under the sun, and in a prominent position on the tall building, the black characters 'G-51' and the scales-and-seagull flag were clearly visible.

This was the Grand Line Navy's G-51 branch, their destination.

And as the warship approached.

Besides the branch, the outline of the city on the island also gradually became clearer.

It was a bustling port.

The vast harbor was filled with all sorts of ships, with merchant ships and small boats of various sizes coming and going.

"It's so lively."

Hans, who was at the helm, exclaimed in surprise.

"After all, this is Master Port—it's an important port in the Kingdom of Nysmal," Fal said as a matter of course.

As mentioned before, the Kingdom of Nysmal was one of the World Government's over 170 member nations, directly protected by the World Government and the Marines.

Just like this Master Port—a Marine Branch was established right here.

So, most pirates wouldn't consider attacking here.

Merchant ships from most countries were willing to dock here.

Even if they had to pay high docking fees, it was better than being plundered by pirates.

"It is indeed prosperous, but..."

Luo Yi nodded, his gaze sweeping to another side of the port.

That was a town.

However, compared to the bustling and lively port, this town seemed much quieter—the buildings were not tall, and at first glance, they could even be called dilapidated.

It was not difficult to guess that this was where the island's original inhabitants lived.

Just like in most countries in this world—the prosperity of the port and the wealth of the nation were not truly related to the lives of the citizens.

"Let's go, to the Branch's port."

Therefore, Luo Yi didn't linger, ordering the warship to sail towards the port exclusively for the Marine Branch.

But upon arriving at the Marine Branch's port, Luo Yi was slightly stunned.

Because at the docking berths of the Marine G-51 Branch's port, besides the Branch's warships, there was clearly a merchant ship docked.

It was far larger and more magnificent than the ordinary merchant ships in Master Port, with a golden hull and a huge figurehead showcasing its nobility.

The royal crown flag hanging from the mast indicated its identity.

"This must be the Royal Merchant Ship that received the threat letter?"

Luo Yi smiled, "To think it docked directly in the Branch's port. It seems that that Colonel from the branch gets along well with the Kingdom of Nysmal."

Saying this, the warship docked at the Branch's port.

"It's the Headquarters' Detention Unit!?"

The Marine soldier in charge of managing the port asked.

After confirming Luo Yi's identity, he saluted: "The handover of the criminal is ready. Colonel Aster is waiting for you in his office!"

"I know."

Luo Yi nodded, but then his gaze swept around: "What about the others here?"

He had already noticed a small problem.

That was, the number of guards in this port was clearly not right.

Most of the naval sentry posts at the berths had no sailors, only a scattered few.

"They are all in the branch preparing for tonight's banquet!"

The branch Marine soldier said.

"Banquet?"

"Yes--because that Pirate was captured, Manager Mantar of the Nysmal Kingdom Merchant Ship organized this banquet and invited the brothers from the branch to attend. It is said that Manager Mantar also prepared gifts for each Marine as thanks."

The branch Marine soldier said this with some excitement.

No one would be unhappy with extra income.

"So generous?"

Luo Yi grinned: "You'll be going over later too, right? What about the port's defenses?"

"Officer, you don't need to worry."

The branch Marine soldier was very confident: "This is a port of a World Government member state, so normally no Pirates would come to attack."

"What's more, aren't they here?"

He said, pointing not far away.

Luo Yi turned his head and saw that near the berth where the Royal Merchant Ship was docked, there were indeed some guards in gorgeous court attire walking around.

"Who are they?"

And without Luo Yi needing to ask, Hans was already curiously inquiring.

"Oh, they are the Royal Guard of the Nysmal Kingdom."

After hearing the branch Marine soldier's answer, Hans continued to ask: "Aren't they attending tonight's banquet?"

"Of course not, they have to guard the cargo on the ship."

After understanding the situation in a few words, Luo Yi said no more.

He just turned his head to look at Hans: "Hans, go back to the ship and tidy up the temporary prison with Fal. I'll go and hand over with Colonel Aster."

"Yes!"

After Hans took the order and returned to the warship, Luo Yi politely declined the Marine soldier's offer to lead the way and walked towards the G-51 branch building himself.

However, as he walked, his gaze couldn't help but fall on that Royal Merchant Ship—mainly because the size of this ship was too conspicuous.

And upon closer inspection, Luo Yi noticed many strange things.

For example, on the ship's side, many sharp iron spikes could be clearly seen.

The hull also appeared somewhat too sealed, with only the cannon openings revealing the interior, where structures resembling cages could be vaguely seen.

"This ship..."

Luo Yi frowned, muttering to himself.

But it was at this very moment...

"Keli! Keli!"

He heard a noisy sound.

And when he turned his head, he clearly saw someone struggling to squeeze out of a cannon opening on that Royal Merchant Ship.

It was an old man.

His figure was hunched, his skin and clothes were covered in blood, his eyes were almost sunken into their sockets, and his gray hair was matted into clumps.

He had a rope around his neck and shackles on his feet.

"Keli. Keli..."

He waved his hands, muttering, and seemed to be holding something in his hand.

Luo Yi's excellent eyesight allowed him to vaguely see what the man was holding—it seemed to be a piece of cloth.

At this moment, the merchant ship's guards also noticed him.

"It's this crazy old man again. Hurry up and take him back!"

"How did he get there? Where are the people in charge of the cargo hold?!"

Soon, through the gap in the cannon opening, Luo Yi saw a hand extend from behind the old man, roughly grab his hair, and pull him back.

"..."

Luo Yi watched this scene without speaking.

But

[Rabbit-Rabbit Fruit: Snow Hare Form LV1 - Loaded - Can gain partial Snow Hare traits, body enhanced in all aspects, additionally strengthens hearing and speed]

His enhanced hearing allowed Luo Yi to hear the sounds of beating and curses coming from the ship's cabin, accompanied by the old man's ramblings.

"Keli. Keli."

"Your daughter has already been bought! Old man, you're causing trouble for me with a piece of cargo that couldn't be sold—if the steward hadn't said your fresh organs were still worth something and needed a new sales channel, I would have killed you long ago."

Thus, Luo Yi understood everything.

"The spikes on the ship and the cage-like structures. I see."

"A slave ship."

He murmured softly, making a logical deduction.

The slave trade.

One of the festering sores of this world.

Although the World Government officially prohibited the buying and selling of human slaves.

In reality, due to the existence of the Celestial Dragons.

The slave trade itself was actually a gray area—the World Government not only wouldn't truly intervene but would even cover it up.

Just like now.

The World Government's affiliated nation, the Kingdom of Nysmal, was clearly engaged in the slave trade.

Their methods of transporting slaves were by no means discreet; at least Luo Yi was certain—the high-ranking Navy officials within G-51 Branch were definitely aware.

Yet, even so, they were still escorting a returning slave ship.

"Justice..."

Luo Yi tutted.

This was also why he scoffed at the Navy's so-called justice.

A tree rotten from the roots up had no place for justice to take root.