"Fine!"
Tsuru's expression was subtle. It seemed this former Chief Jailer was seriously ill, but she was not surprised. She had seen countless people with mental disorders, of every kind.
The strongest one she had seen was Golden Lion Shiki.
Because he refused to believe Roger had been captured by the Navy, he had stormed Marineford alone. In Tsuru's eyes, that behavior was incredibly foolish.
If it was attributed to mental illness, then everything made sense.
After all, no one with normal thinking and intelligence would do something so idiotic. At the very least, he should have gathered his subordinates first.
Yet he had come alone. He truly had not placed Marine Headquarters in his eyes.
Naturally, he paid a tremendous price afterward. He was imprisoned in Impel Down, lost both legs, and then vanished without a trace for nearly twenty years.
His future had originally been bright. If he had not stormed Marine Headquarters back then, the current balance of power on the seas would not be the Four Emperors.
At the very least, the Flying Pirates would certainly have been the strongest pirate crew.
"Buru buru."
Tsuru directly called Magellan's Den Den Mushi, and the other side answered before long.
"This is Magellan."
"This is Tsuru."
"What can I do for you, Vice Admiral Tsuru?"
Magellan's voice carried respect, along with a hint of surprise.
"Major General Wilton has arrived at Marine Headquarters and is currently in my office. Accompanying him are the former Chief Jailer Sadi and four Jailer Beasts."
"At present, Sadi and the four Jailer Beasts wish to follow Major General Wilton, so I am calling to ask for your opinion."
As soon as Tsuru finished speaking—
The other end fell silent.
The previously pitiful-looking Sadi gazed at Tsuru with gratitude, while Wilton was speechless. This was hardly an ordinary inquiry.
All the pressure had instantly been placed on Magellan.
"If Major General Wilton agrees as well, then Sadi and the Jailer Beasts will have to resign from Impel Down."
Magellan was no fool.
He understood what Tsuru meant. Besides, Impel Down did not lack Sadi and the four Jailer Beasts. Losing them was no great loss, and he might as well do her a favor.
"Thank you, Warden Magellan."
Wilton did not stand on ceremony. He had long had his eye on those four Jailer Beasts.
The Den Den Mushi call ended.
From this day onward, Sadi and the four Jailer Beasts were part of the Navy. They would also become Wilton's direct subordinates. Honestly, this was not the standard arrangement a major general could possess.
After all, the four Jailer Beasts were already far stronger than ordinary major generals.
Perhaps it was because of the battle at Loguetown, or perhaps because of the great contributions Wilton had made over the past five years. He had sufficient potential, a brave and upright character, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
And since this was Sadi and the four Jailer Beasts' own choice, with neither side objecting, there was no need for Tsuru to play the villain.
Going along with it would be better instead.
"Vice Admiral, if there is nothing else, I will leave Headquarters and head for the Grand Line. As long as pirates and evil remain, justice will struggle to shine upon the people, and the world will struggle to find peace."
Wilton prepared to take his leave and hunt Devil Fruits.
He did not want to waste time at Marine Headquarters. At least, not yet.
"So soon?"
Tsuru was startled. She truly had not expected Wilton to leave for pirate suppression immediately after arriving at Headquarters and speaking with her.
"For every pirate fewer on the seas, one more person, one more family may be saved. A real man should protect the weak and uphold justice while he lives."
Wilton spoke righteously, as though blazing flames burned within his eyes.
"Go!"
Tsuru gave Wilton a deep look, then waved her hand in approval.
He really was single-minded, upright and incorruptible, caring only about doing real work. But why was he so likable? It would be wonderful if the Navy had more people like Wilton.
Very soon.
Wilton left the Headquarters building. This time, Sadi and the four Jailer Beasts could openly follow him. Before long, the warship vanished beyond the horizon.
Tsuru then went to Sengoku's office.
"How did it go?"
Sengoku looked at Tsuru as she entered the office, pausing his paperwork with a smile.
"Just as Dalmatian said, Major General Wilton is an exceptionally upright and brave officer. He is well worth cultivating, though he still needs further observation."
Tsuru began recounting their meeting.
Sengoku listened attentively. He knew Tsuru had always been an excellent judge of character.
"So you made an exception and called Magellan, then allowed that former Chief Jailer and four Jailer Beasts to become Wilton's direct subordinates?"
"Yes. I want to see how Wilton performs from here on."
"Since you have set your sights on him, then let us wait and see! The Navy has become somewhat lax internally lately. It needs officers like Wilton to give it a little stimulation."
The sea shimmered under the light.
Across the vast, boundless ocean, the warship sped toward a certain destination. Wilton stood bare-chested, training on deck.
Drops of sweat continuously fell onto the deck, forming small puddles.
"Ah~"
Near a corner by the railing, Sadi knelt with unfocused eyes. A huge steaming bump rose from her head. She had just been thoroughly beaten to her satisfaction.
Now, she was savoring that rush of pleasure.
The four Jailer Beasts ran back and forth across the deck. The fresh air and azure scenery outside made them happy.
Unlike the dark, sunless Impel Down, it was not oppressive or maddening.
"You four, come here."
Wilton tossed aside the dumbbells. Once the four Jailer Beasts ran over, he clenched both fists, puffed out his chest, and struck a pose inviting attack. "Hit me."
"Moo?"
The four Jailer Beasts were full of question marks. Their large, bell-like eyes, already of questionable intelligence, were filled with confusion.
"Attack me. Start with your fists."
Wilton glanced at their weapons. He intended to start by taking punches. Jumping straight into spiked clubs and other weapons might be difficult to withstand.
He wanted to train Iron Body and Armament Haki.
The simplest, most brutal, and fastest method of training was getting beaten. Like forging iron, the more it was hammered, the harder it became. With recovery, healing techniques, and Justice Potential as his safety net, all he needed to do was endure the pain.
It would also temper his will more effectively.
"Do it."
Seeing the four Jailer Beasts looking uneasy, Wilton could not help glaring. They jolted and hurriedly clenched their fists, beginning to pound Wilton.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Wilton did not fight back. He activated Iron Body, coated himself in Armament Haki, and simply endured the blows head-on.
He spat out a mouthful of blood.
The four Jailer Beasts stopped, but Wilton told them to continue.
And so—
An hour passed. Then three hours. Wilton was surrounded and beaten like a punching bag by the four Jailer Beasts, gradually becoming bruised and swollen, covered in injuries.
His external and internal injuries were both severe.
Yet he enjoyed it. The only unbearable part was the pain.
Moreover, the Iron Body he trained was not limited to his surface muscles and bones. It also included his internal organs. He was forging himself into a body of steel and iron.
He had to be tough inside and out.
After all, Armament Haki had the technique of Internal Destruction, while Conqueror's Haki coating could strike through defenses. Both had the effect of hurting someone from a distance through an intervening barrier. Therefore, he would leave himself no weakness. His body had to be a fortress without blind spots.
"Prepare food for me."
"I'll go, I'll go!"
Sadi raised her hand and volunteered eagerly. After having her needs satisfied, she became quite normal again.
After eating—
One recovery.
"Continue."
Without wasting a moment, Wilton got back up and had the four Jailer Beasts resume beating him. He immersed himself in training, unable to pull himself away.
In the blink of an eye, the sun set into dusk. The warship sailed across the endless sea, while the bang bang bang of impacts still did not stop.
Not until a streak of dawn appeared on the horizon.
Qidian: Thanks to (Qiu Qiu Qiu Ni Le) and (Adan AJT) for the 100 Qidian Coins.
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