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Chapter 20: Rot
[G-5 Branch·Playground Rally]
The scorching sun burned the ground, and the air was filled with heat and oppression.
On the huge parade ground, thousands of G-5 soldiers stood in formation, their uniforms disheveled and their expressions panicked.
All members of the Rectification Fleet lined up around the drill ground. The atmosphere was as cold as a blade, like the silence before a hanging.
On the high platform.
Rogge stood with his hands behind his back, his black cloak fluttering in the strong wind, his black pupils cold as he looked down at the entire audience.
Rhett stood on the left, wearing seastone brass knuckles, with muscular torso and a wolf-like gaze.
Enel stood on the right, his silver hair flying, lightning flashing silently at his fingertips, his eyes playful and cold.
The solemn and murderous atmosphere seemed to be a substance that suppressed every inch of the air in the venue.
"The military order is officially promulgated."
Rogge's voice was low and cold, and every word he said was like a hammer striking everyone's heart.
The playground was dead silent.
"First--"
"All personnel identification numbers, current positions, and combat records will be thoroughly reviewed and approved within three days."
"Anyone who falsifies information, conceals information, or alters it will be executed on the spot!"
"second--"
"Military discipline must be rectified within three days!"
"Gambling, smuggling, and collaborating with the enemy, once discovered, no trial required—direct execution!"
"third--"
"From now on, the G-5 will be completely blocked."
"Private contact with outsiders is strictly prohibited. Violators will be executed!"
Every line, every word, is like a cold death sentence!
The soldiers' faces were pale, their backs were stiff, and cold sweat was dripping down their temples.
The young officers' legs trembled slightly, and suppressed panic appeared in their eyes.
In this dead silence that was suppressed to the ultimate level—
Among the crowd below the platform, a mid-level officer with a gloomy look secretly glanced at Virgo.
——Virgo narrowed his eyes imperceptibly, giving an extremely slight hint.
The middle-level officer who received the instruction took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and suddenly stepped out of the line, raised his hand and interrupted loudly:
"I have objections!!!"
The sudden shout was like dropping a bomb!
A slight commotion suddenly broke out on the playground, and countless soldiers looked at the middle-level officer in horror.
The man's face was full of stubbornness and fierceness, and he asked loudly:
"Rogge Commodore!"
"As a newly promoted Commodore, what qualifications do you have to give such an order to G-5?!"
His face flushed and his tone was inciting, trying to arouse more people to rise up in resistance!
On top of a hill.
Enel had already clearly captured this guy's intentions through the mind network.
——Corruption and smuggling.
——Accepting bribes multiple times.
——He also secretly planned to incite riots to cover up Vergo's secret transfer!
A flash of lightning.
Enel didn't even look at it, just flicked his fingertips slightly.
Bang!!!
A blazing white lightning descended like a spear of judgment!
The middle-level officer didn't even have time to scream before he was struck by lightning in full view of everyone!
Sizzle——!!!
Black smoke rose and the smell of burning filled the air.
The corpse, which still had a challenging expression on its face, collapsed to the ground, twitched twice, and then completely lost its life.
The whole audience was dead silent!
The soldiers watched helplessly as a chill that penetrated deep into their bones suddenly swept through their bodies.
On the high platform.
Rogge never even glanced at the charred corpse from beginning to end.
His voice and expression remained unchanged as he continued to read out the orders coldly:
"Correcting Article 4—"
"All financial, weapons, and logistical supplies of the G-5 branch must be immediately sealed and inventoried."
"Anyone who tampers with, conceals, or hides anything will be killed without mercy!"
The voice was deep and powerful, like a Shinigami's announcement.
All the soldiers on the playground, including the corrupt officers who had originally hoped for a lucky break, felt as if struck by thunder. Their legs went weak and their scalps went numb.
No one dares to question it anymore!
No one dared to say anything more!
Under the scorching sun, thousands of people stood in silence with their heads bowed. Their military boots were soaked with sweat, but no one dared to move!
The name of the Suzheng Fleet, Iron-Blooded, was branded into everyone's soul at this moment!
On the playground.
In just a few minutes, the atmosphere changed drastically!
A large number of soldiers looked terrified and kept swallowing;
Some mid-level officers frowned, exchanged glances, and their eyes wandered—
It seems like he has long been accustomed to hiding dirt, but now he is exposed to the sight of Shinigami!
Lei Te was like a silent god of war, standing at the side of the stage, looking down at everyone coldly.
The brass knuckles had already been clenched, and the joints were crackling, as if waiting for the order to come!
Rogge looked down at the whole audience quietly.
He didn't say anything, but his eyes were like a dark sea approaching and a storm was about to come.
Virgo was wearing a Marine Vice Admiral uniform, looking solemn and standing at attention.
The scorching sun was like a knife, burning the earth, but he was like a still statue, without any ripples.
——But that's just appearance.
Beneath his calm face, his heart was beating like a war drum, and cold sweat was quietly sliding down his forehead under his military cap!
[Not good…]
[This isn't just a cleansing... it's a purge... it's a hunt!]
[Everything must be burned before he can do anything...including people.]
Vergo's eyes were like nails, fixed on the figure with fluttering cloak on the stage.
For the first time, an unsuppressible chill rose in my heart.
After the lecture, on the podium.
Enel stood on Rogge's right side and closed his eyes after receiving Rogge's instructions.
He took a deep breath, his mind moved slightly——
——Observation Haki·Heart Network·Maximum Coverage!
"Sizzle."
Lightning quietly bloomed at the fingertips, turning into an invisible electric field and slowly spreading in the air.
That was not an explosive thunder, but a [perception field] as precise, accurate, and all-pervasive as a spider web!
In a flash——
The entire G-5 base was tightly wrapped by this silent lightning net!
The whispers in the command building, the breathing in the underground trading area, the sounds of movement in the logistics warehouse...
All heartbeats, thoughts, steps, pulses,
A three-dimensional and smelly picture of sin formed in Enel's mind!
He did not open his eyes, but slightly raised the corners of his mouth, and lightning flickered faintly at the edge of his lips.
"The stench is practically seeping out from the cracks in the bricks..."
He quickly locked onto several key signals:
Scarface John: He is directing several of his cronies to burn the smuggling account books in an abandoned warehouse in the black market, trying to escape.
Logistics Depot: Two soldiers are quietly loading a transport boat with undeclared bootleg weapons.
Underground corridor: Three smugglers in regular military uniforms are sneaking through a secret passage.
Vergo himself: A "covert cleanup team" is being mobilized through the alternate ordnance channel, intending to erase all traces of collusion with the Donquixote family.
At this moment, Enel sneered in his heart.
"Very good...all exposed."
"Tonight, please ask them to disappear... in batches."
After hearing the news, Rogge slowly put away his cloak and took a step forward.
——The footsteps sounded like a judge's hammer.
[I can't hide it anymore…]
The corners of his mouth curved up slightly, without a trace of smile, and he looked extremely cold.
[Scarface John, Internal Affairs Squadron 2, Smuggling Group...]
[Virgo.]
A "purge list" has already been drawn up in his mind.
He turned around calmly and said softly:
"...Get ready, take action tonight."
Enel lowered his head and chuckled, and lightning wrapped around his shoulders with a hiss.
"I can't wait any longer."
Lei Te only nodded solemnly, stroking his brass knuckles and growling:
"Crush them all?"
Rogge turned around, flames of destruction flashing in his black pupils.
"…Leave no one behind."