Justice Marines Passing By

Just as Rod and his group were causing chaos in Spiders Mill, a warship was sailing on the sea not far away.

On the deck, besides the Marines performing their duties, a few Marine officers wearing Justice cloaks were having afternoon tea around a table in the center.

"After returning to Headquarters for your report, what are your plans?"

One of the burly Marines put down his cup and turned his head to look at a Marine sitting next to him.

She was a pretty female Marine with short, light pink hair, holding a cigarette in her mouth, exuding a cool aura. Her hand resting on the table was covered in dark purple gloves.

Although he said "you all," his gaze was fixed on the female Marine next to him, his eyes full of ardor.

"I'll stay in the Grand Line."

The female Marine didn't speak, just frowned slightly and took a deep drag. Instead, a Marine sitting opposite her spoke.

He was a calm-faced youth with an [X]-shaped scar on his chin.

Despite the relatively relaxed afternoon tea, this Marine sat upright, his expression serious.

"Alright, I understand, Colonel Drake. Then, what about you, Vice Captain Hina! You must also want to stay in the Grand Line, right? Have you thought about which Marine branch you want to go to? If you have any ideas, I can help a little."

The burly Marine responded casually, without even turning his eyes, still staring intently at Vice Captain Hina, and pretended to casually reveal some information.

"After all, Vice Admiral Jonathan of G8 Fortress is an old friend of my father's for decades."

Taking the cigarette from her mouth and putting it out in the ashtray, the female Marine named Hina sighed.

"Hina is annoyed!"

Vice Captain Hina stood up, pulled down the tea-colored sunglasses perched on her head, then adjusted her gloves, leaving her colleagues at the table behind and walking to the ship's side to gaze out at the sea.

I should have taken my own warship to Headquarters.

The thought flashed through Hina's mind.

In recent years, the situation in the North Blue had gradually calmed down. Doflamingo led the Donquixote Family to the New World and became a Shichibukai. The Germa, led by the Vinsmoke family, reached some agreement with the World Government and became a member nation again.

After several years of service in the North Blue branch, accumulating enough merit, she received a transfer order from Headquarters. She, along with several others from different branches, was to head to Marine Headquarters in Marineford for her report.

She hadn't expected that Colonel Monte Baro would pester her relentlessly since boarding the ship. She had heard about him; he was probably a prime example of rank exceeding ability. Out of apprehension towards Vice Admiral Monte Giles, who stood behind him, Hina had been enduring it without reacting.

However, it was indeed difficult to suppress her disgust.

"Are you bored from being on the ship for too long? The sea is so monotonous. But we'll be there soon. Let me get you a drink."

Colonel Monte Baro, completely oblivious, happily ran to the kitchen to bring Hina a fruit wine.

"Hina doesn't want to drink, take it away!"

If she hadn't been worried that he might cause trouble during the upcoming Headquarters report, Hina would have liked to splash the wine directly in his face.

However, she was not like Smoker after all. After years of training, she understood the destructive power of such a spoiled brat.

BOOM!!!

Just as Hina was getting annoyed by Colonel Baro's persistent advances, a violent sound came from afar.

"That direction is..."

The loud explosion attracted the attention of everyone on the ship. Colonel Drake also walked over from the table, glanced at the distant, faintly visible island, and recalled for a moment.

"That should be Spiders Mill Town. The sound is so loud from this far away, what happened there?"

As a native of the North Blue, and having wandered the seas with his father for years in his youth, he was very familiar with most of the important towns in the North Blue.

"Do you want to go take a look?"

"Such a huge commotion must have been caused by no ordinary character. But I haven't heard of any powerful pirate groups in the surrounding waters."

"Of course, we have to go! We are the Marines of Justice, how can we turn a blind eye to evil happening before our eyes!"

Colonel Baro's voice was sonorous and powerful. It would have been better if his eyes weren't secretly glancing at Vice Captain Hina when he spoke.

"Major General Bastille, what is your opinion?"

Drake shifted his gaze to the last Marine, a tall Marine wearing a bull-horn mask, holding a large pole saw.

This was Major General Bastille from Marine Headquarters. He had arrived in the North Blue a few months ago to handle an important matter in the Kingdom of Dawson, and afterward, he conveyed the Headquarters' orders to the three of them, bringing them to Marine Headquarters for their report.

Undoubtedly, only he could decide the direction of the warship.

"A Shichibukai's territory?"

Bastille muttered softly.

As a Major General of Marine Headquarters, he naturally had the right to know information about the Shichibukai. This small town called Spiders Mill was the place where one of the Shichibukai, Doflamingo, made his fortune, and it was also the current base of the Donquixote Family in the North Blue.

Although he really didn't want to get involved with the Shichibukai, especially the most troublesome one, Doflamingo.

However, as Lieutenant Colonel Baro had said, the Justice cloak on his back made it impossible for him to ignore what was happening before his eyes!

"Turn, head for Spiders Mill Town. All soldiers, prepare yourselves. Major Corlau, organize personnel and be ready to evacuate people later; Captain Bastoe, you will lead two squads of soldiers to receive and treat the island's wounded; the rest will accompany me, prepare for battle!

Major General Bastille looked towards the distant island. His Observation Haki was not very strong, so he couldn't sense the current situation on the island.

But, he had a feeling that on that small island, tricky fellows were waiting for him.

On the Island

"As expected, sea prism stone handcuffs aren't easy to find."

After turning the Donquixote Family's warehouse upside down, Rod sighed.

"Treasures like that should only be encountered once we reach the Grand Line."

Nerl, standing beside him, chuckled and handed Rod the last box of scavenged food.

"You help out too. You've just been wandering around here; I think you're just trying to slack off."

"How can you accuse me of something I didn't do..."

Rod took the box, and the two walked towards the port together.

After Gladius and Edouard Newgate were dealt with, the remaining Donquixote Family members quickly scattered. Rod and his companions, however, were happily enjoying the post-victory treasure-hunting phase.

It could be said that they were worthy of the Donquixote Family. Although they didn't find the various weapons Grey wanted, the other treasures collected in the Manor still astonished Rod and his companions.

Nia, in particular, cheerfully ran back and forth between the Polar and the Manor, handling more than half of the transportation work.

However, once all the valuable items were scavenged, Nia refused to leave the ship.

One moment she claimed she needed to stay on the ship to look after the injured Grey, and the next she said she had to guard the Polar to prevent thieves from sneaking aboard and stealing things. In short, she stayed glued to the treasure.

Thus, the food supplies had to be carried by Rod and Nerl.