[Three Days Later, Sabaody Archipelago]
"Yo, how scary, yo. That commotion really is big, huh."
At the highest point of Island No. 1, Borsalino stood there, clicking his tongue in amazement as he looked below.
The entirety of Island No. 1 had been searched thoroughly by the marine within three days.
All the slaves were liberated. As long as they dared to resist, the marine could directly kill them.
Such a thing could be said to be the first time in 800 years.
And this incident was broadcast live in its entirety, led by Admiral Sakazuki, with Borsalino, as a member of Rosse's faction, of course joining in the fun.
Free credit, who wouldn't want it?
What's more, this was a matter of promoting justice. Most of the marines wanted to participate.
This time, just on Island No. 1, over 5,000 marines were sent to carry out the mission.
This wasn't the marine's limit, it's just that Island No. 1 was only so big and couldn't accommodate too many people.
"Purururururu!"
At this moment, the Den Den Mushi in Borsalino's hand rang.
"Moshi moshi!"
Borsalino pouted, chuckling as he answered.
["Borsalino, gather up."]
From the other end of the Den Den Mushi came Sakazuki's cold and stern voice.
"Be right there," Borsalino chuckled, his body turning into light, instantly streaking downward.
In just one minute, he had already appeared on the clearing that had gathered over 50,000 people.
Aside from the 5,000 marines, the rest were all slaves that had been rescued.
As for those slave owners and merchants, if they had connections, they had long received word and left in advance.
No connections? Well… tough luck for them, they had all become the marine's captives.
Borsalino found a spot, casually standing in place, his gaze scanning around.
The faces of the marines were filled with fervor and the excitement that came after executing justice.
Ever since the era of great pirates, such expressions had rarely been seen on the faces of marines.
More often, they had become numb from capturing pirates.
And the remaining slaves, at this time, most of them bore the joy of surviving a great calamity, though even more had nervousness in their hearts. They did not know what awaited them.
Borsalino casually glanced around, and finally rested his gaze on the tall platform at the very front.
There, Sakazuki, Rosse, and Otohime stood together.
Borsalino's gaze first landed on Sakazuki, clicking his tongue in amazement, "Yo yo, that Sakazuki guy, finally got his wish. After this incident, Fleet Admiral Kong should be retiring, and he'll be taking over."
Ever since Sakazuki and Rosse joined forces to kill the Red Count, Sakazuki had become the marine's hero of the era.
The last time a legendary pirate died at the hands of the marine was over ten years ago, Rocks.
It was also that battle which forged the fame of Marine Hero Garp.
Though the Red Count wasn't quite on Rocks's level, in the eyes of the people, member nations, and even the Five Elders, the two were almost equal.
In terms of merit, Sakazuki had already done enough.
After liberating the slaves of Sabaody Archipelago this time, his reputation had also reached the necessary threshold.
On the path to becoming Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki was only one step away from the goal.
Borsalino's gaze shifted again, landing on Rosse. He chuckled and said, "Your Highness Rosse, following you really is easy, huh. I'm tempted to just lie flat with you."
This sentence from him came from the heart.
He remembered them when there were benefits, gave money when there was a lack of money, gave credit when credit was lacking. A superior like that was hard to come by.
And matters like liberating slaves didn't just mean military merit and fame…
Borsalino looked at Rosse, with a hint of respect in his eyes.
As for the speech to come, he had heard some of it from Sakazuki.
Regarding Rosse's thinking, he wouldn't say he agreed 100%, but he truly felt admiration from the heart.
"Ahem!"
On the tall platform, Sakazuki pressed both his hands down.
An invisible aura spread out, and the entire plaza instantly fell silent.
A person's name is like the shadow of a tree.
With the world government's continuous propaganda, everyone recognized Sakazuki as the marine's top combat power and one of the leading candidates for future Fleet Admiral.
Not to mention, the people below had personally experienced Sakazuki's heat.
But this time, the one who spoke wasn't Sakazuki, but Rosse, who had been standing in the center.
Rosse stood on the platform, looking down on the crowd, and said flatly, "My identity, I won't repeat."
If it weren't for this being broadcast worldwide, he wouldn't even bother with that sentence.
"Let's get to the point. Due to Princess Otohime's real-name report, there were illegal acts of slave trading on Sabaody Archipelago. So, with Admiral Sakazuki's assistance, the World Government completed its investigation of Island No. 1 of Sabaody Archipelago."
Otohime heard Rosse's words and had no particular reaction, instead puffing up her small chest.
Originally, her name wouldn't be included.
But this matter indeed was related to her.
After finding another slave store selling mermaids, Otohime and Rosse were once again attacked.
Moreover, the slave shop selling the mermaids was also tied to members of the Ryugu Kingdom.
This time, Otohime had come because she was already upset about Neptune's matters. And this time, she was truly furious.
Under Rosse's instigation, Otohime chose to file a real-name report to the Five Elders in her capacity as a member of a World Government member nation.
The one who accepted the report was Saint Saturn, and of course, it was quickly approved. An admiral was dispatched, and an attack was carried out on Island No. 1.
"Island No. 1 had a total of 518 slave shops, all 518 of which were engaged in illegal activities. Among them, the enslavement of member nation citizens was the most severe. In addition, irregularities such as illegal operations and private dealings with pirates also existed…"
"After investigation, all 518 slave shops were shut down. All staff and responsible persons were sent to Enies Lobby for trial."
This slave liberation was essentially a political performance.
But for everyone except the slave traders, they all got what they wanted.
The World Government happened to want to promote Sakazuki, and this was a perfect opportunity to boost his reputation in one stroke.
Sakazuki gained fame and popular support, and could be promoted to Fleet Admiral at any time.
The marines upheld justice and strengthened their loyalty to the World Government.
The slaves were liberated and gained their freedom anew.
Otohime fulfilled her dream of liberating slaves and felt even more grateful to Rosse in her heart.
Rosse gained the loyalty of the marine, Otohime's gratitude, and an enhanced reputation for righteousness abroad, truly a complete win.
But the only small blemish was that because this operation had been notified to the World Government early on, those slave merchants with connections had escaped, leaving only some scapegoats behind.
Regarding this, Rosse was slightly dissatisfied.
Those people weren't his, and it was certain they wouldn't become his.
The only one related to him, Doflamingo, had already transferred the personnel over here when Rosse asked about the price of mermaid slaves.
Since that's the case, might as well have killed them all in advance. The void left behind would be filled by him.
The stronger the power and influence he controlled, the more Rosse felt that some people in the World Government were truly a bit of an obstacle.
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