**Chapter 5: A Tree Rotten from its Roots, Justice Has No Foundation.**
Three days ago, a royal merchant ship from the World Government's affiliated country, the Nismal Kingdom, received a threatening letter while returning from the Sabaody Archipelago. The letter stated that they had been targeted by Pirates.
Therefore, they chose to dock near the G-51 Marine Branch in Marster Port of the kingdom and requested a Marine battleship escort.
Not long after arriving at the G-51 Marine Branch, they successfully captured a Pirate attempting to infiltrate the branch at the port and initially confirmed that the individual was the one who sent the threatening letter.
"How interesting."
Lying on a deck chair on the battleship's deck, Loy took a sip of ice cola while looking at the detailed mission report in his hand.
"Captain? What's interesting?"
Hans, who was at the helm, also asked curiously after hearing this.
And it wasn't just him; the other Marines from the Detainment Unit also gathered around, curious.
"The criminal we're escorting this time is very interesting—give me another one."
Loy said softly while handing the ice glass to Far.
"No bounty and no name. This indicates that the other party should be an unknown figure."
He pointed to the report in his hand.
"But such a guy actually dared to rob a royal merchant ship of a World Government affiliated country, and even dared to send a warning letter beforehand."
Speaking of this, Loy stroked his chin with interest.
"Captain, now that you mention it, it is indeed quite rare."
Far nodded while pouring a new ice cola: "But he was caught so easily. I wonder if he's a rookie Pirate who just set out to sea and dares to do anything?"
"Perhaps,"
Loy nodded, but then he sat up from the deck chair and took off his sunglasses: "Oh, we've arrived."
He saw a sizable island gradually appearing on the distant horizon.
The first thing that caught his eye was the gigantic white building standing near the island's coastline.
The massive Marine symbol gleamed brilliantly under the sunlight, and in the prominent position on the tall building, the black letters 'G-51' and the Marine flag were clearly visible.
That was the G-51 Marine Branch on the Grand Line, their destination.
And as the battleship approached,
Besides the branch, the contours of the city on the island also gradually became clear.
It was a prosperous port.
The huge harbor was filled with various ships, with large and small merchant ships and fishing boats constantly entering and exiting the port.
"It's really bustling,"
Hans, who was at the helm, exclaimed somewhat surprised.
"After all, this is Marster Port—it's an important port of the Nismal Kingdom."
Far said as if it were natural.
As mentioned earlier, the Nismal Kingdom is one of the over 170 affiliated countries of the World Government, directly protected by the World Government and the Marines.
Just like Marster Port—a Marine branch is directly established here.
Therefore, most Pirates wouldn't consider attacking this place.
Most merchant ships from various countries are also willing to dock here.
Even if it requires paying expensive docking fees, it's better than being plundered by Pirates.
"It is indeed prosperous, but..."
Loy nodded, his gaze turning to the other side of the port.
That was a town.
However, compared to the noisy and bustling port, this town appeared much quieter—the buildings weren't tall, and upon first glance, they could even be described as dilapidated.
It wasn't hard to guess that it was likely where the island's original inhabitants lived.
Just like in most countries in this world—the prosperity of the port, the wealth of the country, and the lives of its citizens were not truly related.
"Let's go, to the branch's port."
So, Loy had no intention of looking further and ordered the battleship to head towards the Marine branch's private port.
But upon arriving at the G-51 Marine Branch's port, Loy was slightly taken aback.
Because at that moment, docked within the G-51 Marine Branch's port, besides the branch's battleship, was clearly a merchant ship.
It was far more enormous and magnificent than the ordinary merchant ships in Marster Port; its golden hull and giant figurehead proclaimed its nobility.
The crown flag hanging from its mast revealed its identity.
"This should be the royal merchant ship that received the threatening letter, right?"
Loy chuckled: "It actually docked directly in the branch's port... It seems the Colonel of this branch has a good relationship with the Nismal Kingdom."
As he spoke, the battleship docked at the branch's port.
"Is this the Detainment Unit from Marine Headquarters?!"
The Marine from the branch responsible for managing the port asked.
After confirming Loy's identity, he saluted: "The handover of the criminal is ready, Colonel Aste is waiting for you in the office!"
"I understand."
Loy nodded, but then his gaze swept around: "Where are the others here?"
He had already noticed a small problem.
That was, the number of guards at this port was clearly inadequate.
Most of the Marine posts at the docks were empty; only a scattered few were present.
"They are all in the branch preparing for tonight's banquet!"
The branch Marine said.
"A banquet?"
"Yes—because that Pirate was caught, the Nismal Kingdom merchant ship's manager, Mantel, organized this banquet and invited the brothers from the branch to attend. It is said that Manager Mantel even prepared gifts for every Marine as a token of gratitude."
The branch Marine seemed somewhat excited as he spoke.
No one would be unhappy about extra income.
"So generous?"
Loy grinned: "You'll also go to the banquet later, right? What about the port guards?"
"Captain, you don't need to worry."
The branch Marine was very confident: "This is the port of a World Government affiliated country. Normally, no Pirates would dare to attack here."
"What's more, aren't they still here?"
As he said this, he pointed to a spot not far away.
Loy turned his head and indeed saw some guards dressed in magnificent court attire walking near the dock where the royal merchant ship was berthed.
"Who are they?"
Before Loy could ask, Hans had already asked curiously.
"Oh, they are the Nismal Kingdom's Royal Guards."
After hearing the branch Marine's answer, Hans continued to ask: "They aren't attending tonight's banquet?"
"Of course not, they need to guard the cargo on the ship."
After briefly understanding the situation, Loy didn't say anything more.
He simply turned his head to Hans: "Hans, you and Far go back to the ship and tidy up the temporary brig. I'm going to meet Colonel Aste for the handover."
"Yes, sir!"
After Hans acknowledged the order and returned to the battleship, Loy politely declined the Marine's offer to lead the way and walked towards the G-51 Marine Branch building himself.
However, as he walked, his gaze couldn't help but fall upon that royal merchant ship—primarily because of the ship's striking size.
And after a closer look, Loy discovered many peculiar details.
For example, on this ship's hull, many sharp iron spikes were clearly visible.
The entire hull also seemed unusually sealed; only through the cannon openings could one glimpse the interior, vaguely revealing a structure akin to a prison.
"This ship..."
Loy frowned, muttering to himself.
But it was at this very moment,
"Can Li! Can Li!"
He heard a noisy sound.
And when he turned his head, he clearly saw a person struggling to squeeze out of an opening on that royal merchant ship.
It was an old man.
His body was emaciated, his skin and clothes were covered in bloodstains, his eyes were almost sunken into their sockets, and his white hair was matted together.
A hemp rope hung around his neck, and he wore shackles on his feet.
"Can Li... Can Li..."
He waved his hand, muttering, seemingly clutching something.
Loy's exceptional eyesight allowed him to vaguely see what the other party was holding—it seemed to be a piece of cloth.
At this moment, the merchant ship's guards also spotted him.
"It's this old lunatic again. Quickly, get him back inside!"
"How did he get there? Where are the people in charge of guarding the cargo hold?!"
Soon, through the crack of the opening, Loy saw a hand seemingly reach out from behind the old man, roughly grabbing his hair and pulling him back inside.
"..."
Loy watched this scene, saying nothing.
But then,
[Rabbit-Rabbit Fruit, Snow Rabbit Form LV1 - Loaded - Partially gained Snow Rabbit characteristics, body comprehensively enhanced, additional enhancement to hearing and speed.]
His enhanced hearing allowed Loy to hear the sounds of beating and curses coming from within the ship's hold, accompanying the old man's muttering.
"Can Li... Can Li..."
"Your daughter has already been bought! You old thing, a piece of cargo that won't sell is still causing trouble for me—if the manager hadn't said your fresh organs were still worth some money and we need to find other smuggling channels, I would have killed you long ago."
And so, Loy understood everything.
"The spikes on the ship and the prison-like structure... So that's how it is."
"A slave ship."
He mumbled softly, making a logical deduction.
Slave trade.
One of the evils of this world.
Although the World Government overtly prohibits the buying and selling of human slaves.
In reality, however, due to the existence of the Celestial Dragons,
slave trade itself is actually a gray area—the World Government not only genuinely doesn't manage it but even covers it up.
Just like now.
The World Government's affiliated country, the Nismal Kingdom, was clearly engaged in the slave trade.
Even their methods of transporting slaves could absolutely not be called covert; at the very least, Loy could confirm that the high-ranking Marines within the G-51 Marine Branch definitely knew.
But even so, they were still providing escort for a returning slave ship.
"Justice, huh?"
Loy clicked his tongue.
This was also why he scoffed at the Marines' so-called Justice.
A tree rotten from its roots; Justice has no foundation.
(end of chapter)