Hunting Devil Fruits

"Fine!"

Tsuru's expression was subtle. It seemed this former Chief Jailer was quite ill, but she wasn't surprised. After all, she had encountered countless mental patients of all kinds.

The strongest she had ever seen was Golden Lion Shiki.

He had stormed Marineford alone because he refused to believe Roger had been captured by the Marines. Tsuru thought this was a foolish act.

If it was attributed to a mental illness, then everything made sense.

After all, a person with normal thoughts and intelligence wouldn't commit such an idiotic act; they would at least gather their subordinates.

He came alone, truly showing no regard for Marine Headquarters.

He paid a great price afterward, being imprisoned in Impel Down and losing both legs, then disappearing for over twenty years.

His future had been bright. If he hadn't stormed Marine Headquarters that one time, the current pirate landscape wouldn't be dominated by the Yonko.

At the very least, it could be confirmed that the Flying Pirates were the strongest pirate crew.

"Brrr brrr."

Tsuru directly dialed Magellan's Den Den Mushi, and it was answered quickly.

"Magellan here."

"This is Tsuru."

"Vice Admiral Tsuru, what can I do for you?"

Magellan's voice carried respect and a hint of surprise.

"Major General Wilton has arrived at Marine Headquarters and is currently in my office. He's accompanied by the former Chief Jailer Sadi and four Jailer Beasts."

"Currently, Sadi and the four Jailer Beasts wish to follow Major General Wilton. So, I'm calling to get your opinion."

As soon as Tsuru finished speaking.

The other side fell silent.

Sadi, who had been looking pitifully, turned to Tsuru with a grateful expression. Wilton also felt speechless. This was hardly a normal inquiry from Tsuru.

The pressure was now on Magellan.

"If Major General Wilton also agrees, then Sadi and the Jailer Beasts will have to resign from Impel Down."

Magellan wasn't foolish.

He understood Tsuru's meaning. Moreover, Impel Down didn't lack Sadi and the four Jailer Beasts. If they left, they left. It was better to grant the favor.

"Thank you, Director Magellan."

Wilton didn't stand on ceremony. He had been coveting these four Jailer Beasts for a long time.

The Den Den Mushi call ended.

From this day forward, Sadi and the four Jailer Beasts were officially Marines and would become Wilton's direct subordinates. Honestly, this setup wasn't something a Major General typically had.

After all, the strength of the four Jailer Beasts far surpassed that of a Major General.

Perhaps it was due to the battle at Loguetown, or the great contributions Wilton had made in the past five years, his considerable potential, his brave and upright character, and his adherence to Justice.

Coupled with this being Sadi and the four Jailer Beasts' own choice, neither side had any objections. Tsuru saw no need to be difficult.

It was better to go with the flow.

"Vice Admiral, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving Headquarters to head to the Grand Line. As long as pirates and evil aren't eliminated, Justice will struggle to shine upon the people, and the world will struggle to find peace."

Wilton was preparing to depart to hunt for Devil Fruits.

He didn't want to waste time at Marine Headquarters, at least not yet.

"So soon?"

Tsuru was taken aback. She hadn't expected Wilton to want to leave for pirate hunting right after arriving at Headquarters and speaking with her.

"Every pirate less on the seas could mean one more person, one more family saved. A true man lives to protect the weak and uphold Justice."

Wilton spoke righteously, his eyes seemingly burning with fierce flames.

"Go!"

Tsuru looked deeply at Wilton and waved her hand in agreement.

He was indeed single-minded, upright, and focused on action, but why was he so likable? If only the Marines had more people like Wilton.

Soon.

Wilton left the Headquarters building. This time, Sadi and the four Jailer Beasts could follow him openly. A short while later, their warship disappeared over the horizon.

Meanwhile, Tsuru arrived at Sengoku's office.

"How was it?"

Sengoku looked at Tsuru as she entered his office and smiled, stopping his work.

"It's as Dalmatian said. Major General Wilton is a very upright and brave officer, worthy of cultivation, but he still needs further observation."

Tsuru began to recount her meeting.

Sengoku listened intently; he knew Tsuru had a good eye for people.

"So, you made an exception to call Magellan and had that former Chief Jailer and the four Jailer Beasts become Wilton's direct subordinates?"

"Mm, I want to see Wilton's performance going forward."

"Since you've made up your mind, let's wait and see! It just so happens that the Marines have become a bit complacent internally, and they need a commander like Wilton to shake things up."

Light shimmered.

On the vast, boundless sea, a warship sped rapidly in a certain direction. Wilton, shirtless, was training.

Drops of sweat continuously fell onto the deck, forming small puddles.

"Ah~"

In a corner by the railing not far away, Sadi knelt with a dazed expression. A large lump was rising on her head, still steaming; she had just been thoroughly beaten to her satisfaction.

At this moment, she was savoring that pleasure.

The four Jailer Beasts ran back and forth on the deck. The fresh air and blue scenery outside made them happy.

It was unlike the oppressive, irritable atmosphere of the dark and sunless Impel Down.

"You four, come here."

Wilton dropped the dumbbell in his hand. After the four Jailer Beasts ran over, he clasped his hands over his chest, puffed out his muscles, and struck a pose to receive blows. "Hit me."

"Moo?"

The four Jailer Beasts were completely bewildered. Their dull, large eyes, whose intelligence was questionable, were filled with confusion.

"Attack me, start with your fists."

Wilton glanced at the weapons of the four Jailer Beasts, planning to start with their fists. It might be too difficult to withstand maces and other weapons right from the start.

He wanted to train Tekkai and Armament Haki.

The simplest, most brutal, and fastest way to train was to get beaten. It was like forging iron; the more it was hit, the harder it became. With Recovery, Heal, and Justice Potential as a safety net, he only needed to endure the pain.

This would also better train his willpower.

"Attack."

Seeing the four Jailer Beasts looking uneasy, Wilton couldn't help but glare. The latter shivered and quickly clenched their fists, starting to smash them into Wilton.

Bang, bang, bang!

Wilton didn't fight back. He activated Tekkai and covered himself with Armament Haki, enduring the blows head-on.

A mouthful of blood sprayed out.

The four Jailer Beasts stopped, but Wilton insisted they continue.

And so it went.

An hour passed, then three hours passed. Wilton was like a punching bag, surrounded and beaten by the four Jailer Beasts. Slowly, he became bruised and battered, covered in wounds.

Both external and internal injuries were severe.

Yet, he reveled in it. The only thing unbearable was the pain.

Moreover, the Tekkai he was training wasn't just for his surface muscles and bones, but also for his internal organs. He was forging a body of steel.

Hard inside and out.

After all, Armament Haki had an internal destruction technique, and Conqueror's Haki could be wrapped around attacks, both having the effect of striking through obstacles. Therefore, he wouldn't leave any weaknesses; his body had to be an impregnable fortress.

"Prepare food for me."

"I'll do it! I'll do it!"

Sadi raised her hand and volunteered. After being satisfied, she would return to normal.

After eating.

A Recovery.

"Continue."

Without wasting a moment, Wilton stood up and had the four Jailer Beasts continue beating him, immersing himself in his training.

In the blink of an eye, the sun set, and the warship sailed on the boundless sea. The clanging sounds of blows had not ceased.

Until a hint of dawn appeared on the horizon.