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Chapter 22 Bait
[The next morning, G-5 branch drill ground]
The sun is rising, and golden rays are shining obliquely.
The ruined warehouse and the charred remains of the main warehouse stood quietly in the morning light. The thunder and flames of last night seemed to have not yet gone away, and the smell of gunpowder and blood still lingered in the air.
The wind blew through the broken wall, rolling up a few pages of burnt account book paper, swirling in the air, and falling at the feet of the silent soldier.
The entire G-5 was like a sleeping giant beast that had just crawled out of the battlefield, silent and solemn, but its bloodline had not yet dried.
In the center of the playground.
Rogge stood on the high platform, his cloak fluttering, his face stern, holding a stack of sealed lists in his hand, his eyes as sharp as a knife.
Rhett stood to his left, his fists folded across his chest, his eyes as fierce as a wolf's.
Enel leaned in the shadow of a pillar, his silver hair fluttering in the wind, but his eyes were as sharp as lightning.
The solemn and murderous atmosphere oppressed the entire playground and no one dared to speak.
Rogge spoke slowly, his voice as hard as iron:
"The results of last night's cleaning."
"Smuggling groups in secret passages, smuggling gangs in the Dongdao warehouse, and bribery of military officers in the main warehouse..."
"A total of forty-seven people were beheaded and three were captured alive."
"The evidence list, original account documents, and smuggled materials have all been sealed and escorted by warship directly to the Marineford Military Court."
His tone was steady, but each number pierced everyone's heart like an icicle.
Below, all the soldiers looked pale, with cold sweat dripping quietly from their foreheads.
Rogge suddenly looked up and glanced over.
He stared at every face and said slowly:
"But—the cleanup operation is not over yet."
"This branch is my territory."
"But—anywhere that's infected with rot and insects, it must be opened and removed."
His eyes were cold and his voice was low:
"you--"
"Or be converted."
"Or return to the grave."
The short eight characters are as powerful as thunder.
The playground suddenly became dead silent!
Everyone lowered their heads, some clenched their teeth, and some had cold sweat on their palms that soaked through their military gloves.
Countless people who had been involved in the black market, smuggling, and collusion fell into an icy cave.
And more people who were already angry about corruption but had to remain silent finally raised their heads!
The heavily armored "Iron Fist" Bastiel strode forward, half-knelt on his knees, and hammered his heavy sword into the ground. The sound resonated throughout the playground:
"Righteousness is ruthless, justice has soul!"
"I, your subordinate, am willing to serve you—to follow Lord Rogge and clean up the world's filth!"
His voice was loud, like the beating of a war drum, clanging and deafening!
A moment later, "Anvil" Barros also came up with a serious face:
"This is what a Marine should be."
"I've been wanting to smash the teeth of those smuggling dogs for a long time!"
"This time—I'll fight you with my life."
In the array of soldiers, the officers who were originally watching and hiding looked at each other in confusion.
But soon, more people's eyes became determined, and the formation quietly tightened.
——They saw the real "Marine's Blade".
Justice cleaning is no longer a "campaign run by the higher-ups."
But it is - a real beheading sword!
On top of a hill.
Rogge stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the G-5 formation that had returned to order. His eyes were slightly downcast, but still as cold as iron.
He turned slowly and said in a deep voice:
"From now on, justice will no longer be an excuse."
The fierce wind blew the military flag, its silver wings fluttered, and the solemn pattern on the black background stood proudly high like an eagle's beak pecking at blood.
At this moment, G-5 is no longer the muddy water in the Marine.
But it is - the first piece of land that the Suzheng Army stepped onto!
[Hougang Branch · Dawn]
The setting sun has not yet risen, and fog is lingering on the sea like lingering smoke.
Vergo was dressed in a neat Vice Admiral uniform, his badge shining, and in his hand was a copy of the official transfer order stamped with the "Countersignature of Marshal Sengoku."
The paper is clean, the ink is slightly damp, and it is flawless.
——But it is a lie that is fabricated to the point of being an art.
He walked calmly and with a calm expression, as if it was just an ordinary "military supplies transfer mission".
But the attendant following closely behind him was holding a dark golden sealed weapons box in his hand.
The box is engraved with the "Headquarters Top Secret" logo, and inside is sealed an extremely dangerous "Marine High-level Combat Deployment Map".
It's called - Plan B.
Virgo made no unnecessary movements, his eyes did not wander, and his demeanor remained the same as usual.
Only he himself knew that at that moment, he was carrying more than just a black box.
Rather, it is a "bomb" that has not yet exploded.
[End of the Pier]
The soldiers of the Suzheng Fleet lined up without saying a word.
Rhett had already stood still, with Seastone knuckles on his hands, his eyes cold and fierce.
Virgo continued walking, and as he passed him, he nodded calmly, "Deputy Captain."
Rhett snorted coldly and did not move.
On the steps ahead, Rogge, wearing a solemn black cloak, stood between the gangway and the sea breeze, his eyes as calm as the night.
Lei Te gritted his teeth and asked in a low voice:
"Where is he going?"
Rogge answered simply:
"Marineford, supplies handover."
Lei Te raised his eyebrows, his voice cold and angry:
"Fake. He's a traitor, carrying the black box."
"We already know the truth. Letting him leave now—isn't that too merciful?"
"Let me do it. Just one clean punch, and I'll feed the Sea Kings with both the man and the box!"
Rogge turned his head and looked at him, his eyes as cold as the abyss of the night sea:
"No rush."
"A dog will bite a man and then he will be crushed to death."
"Taking action too early will only make the snake behind you hide deeper."
Rhett gritted his teeth and clattered his fists.
"He'll run away."
"Then let him run."
Rogge turned around, his eyes fixed on the receding figure in the distance, his voice as low as the wind:
"He can escape today, but he can't escape his master's face."
[Branch Communication Hall·Confidential Call Room]
"Requesting connection to the Marineford Marshal's Office."
Click——
Den Den Mushi opened its eyes, and an old yet majestic voice slowly came out from the receiver:
"This is Sengoku."
After a moment, the fearless marshal spoke with a heavy tone:
"Are you going to let Virgo go?"
Rogge's expression was calm, and his voice was like a steel blade cutting through ice:
"yes."
"He's not a target."
"Our target has never been just a mole hiding in the base."
"But—the one sitting behind the chair, the political puppet and the master of the black market."
There was silence on the other end of the Den Den Mushi for a few seconds.
Then, Sengoku sighed softly:
"...You want to catch Doflamingo?"
"He's not someone who's easily taken in."
Rogge said softly:
"I know."
"So I have to hold the line myself, stare at the bait, and wait for the moment he bites the hook."
"I will pull this line to the end."
Sengoku said slowly:
"I approve."
"You are responsible for monitoring all of Vergo's movements."
"If necessary, mobilize SSG forces to assist."
"I just want one result—"
"Let the world know: Marine, we will never again allow maggots to hide under the guise of justice."
Click.
The Den Den Mushi is hung up.
The early morning wind swirled between the playground and the pier.
The small ship that left the port has slowly sailed out of the sea outside the branch.
Virgo stood on the deck, his back silent.
He didn't look back.
But he knew that the cold and ruthless Blade of Justice was on the high platform, silently watching him leave.
——Rogge knew he was a traitor.
——And he also knew that from now on, he was completely exposed to the "hunter's gun".
But he knew better:
[As long as he can successfully return that "black chess piece"——]
[The Donquixote family will never sink into the deep sea.]
On the platform, Rogge whispered quietly:
"The one who was let go was not a traitor."
"It's the fuse."
"I want to expose everything hidden in the dark to the light of day."