However,
In response to his subordinate's words, Smoker took the cigar from the corner of his mouth, flicked off the ash, and coldly said, "Foolish. You should know that all of this was funded by money swindled from the Navy Headquarters! And..."
He glanced around at the energetic civilians, his eyes flashing slightly, then turned his head and coldly looked at Mok.
"That guy, as a Navy Captain, has been colluding with pirates. The evidence is undeniable. It's an unforgivable crime!"
"Hey, hey, hey! You...!!! My boss isn't a bad person!" Hearing Smoker insult his boss, Mok, who already felt guilty for bringing the Navy over due to his own mistake, immediately became even more furious.
"I won't let you insult him! Even though we're pirates, we haven't done anything bad. Our boss has always kept us in check!"
"A pirate is the greatest evil!"
"Dammit! You damn Navy bastard..."
However,
Before Mok, who was filled with anger, could roll up his sleeves and give Captain Smoker a piece of his mind...
"Captain Smoker, you're joking. Do we not know what evil is?"
A helpless voice suddenly came from behind.
The three turned around and looked behind them with Mok, only to see a Navy soldier from the 16th Division—Udo—who had appeared behind them at some point.
"There are more than twenty villages like the Conomi Islands, and while Cocoyasi Village has developed well, it was just a very ordinary village at first. In fact, because it was closer to the Arlong Park, it was even worse off than other villages back then," Udo said with a helpless expression as he walked over.
Looking at the three Inspectors, he shook his head and continued, "I came from another village in the Conomi Islands. I watched with my own eyes how this poor island, where people struggled to even get enough food to eat, developed into what it is today."
"Back then, the entire Conomi Islands were under the rule of Captain Nezumi and the Fishmen. Everyone struggled to survive. Adults had to pay a monthly tribute of 100,000 Berries, and even newborn babies were required to contribute 50,000 Berries. How could such a small village possibly raise so much money in just one month? I still remember how hopeless it felt until the arrival of the Captain... only then did our lives start to get better."
His gaze landed on Captain Smoker, and his tone became one of deep emotion.
"Also, requesting military funds from the Navy Headquarters has always been my responsibility. Perhaps at the beginning, the Captain did indeed use military funds to help us, but that was just to ensure we could have enough to eat. After that, I can guarantee that every single beli allocated by the Navy Headquarters has been used for the development of the Navy. As for the construction of the Conomi Islands now... it's just an East Blue Navy branch, and we couldn't possibly get that much military funding."
With those words,
this time...
Smoker fell silent as well.
As an East Blue Navy Captain, he knew that Udo's words were indeed true.
The Navy Headquarters' strategic deployments have always focused on the Grand Line and the New World, and the weakest sea, the East Blue, truly couldn't receive much military funding.
However...
Smoker still coldly glared at him. "That doesn't give you the reason to collude with pirates to deceive the Headquarters. I can hold off on arresting your Captain for now, but you must give me an explanation."
But then...
"Huh? We didn't collude with any pirates!" In response to Smoker's questioning, Udo directly looked away, his gaze drifting as he spoke, "Our 16th Branch doesn't know any Mok Pirate Crew."
"?!"
Mok, who was momentarily stunned, seemed to become a bit smarter in that moment, understanding Udo's meaning. He also averted his gaze, whistling at the sky. "That's right, I don't know any Navy Captain! I'm the captain of the Mok Pirate Crew; how could I know any Navy?"
With that,
"..."
The four of them stared at Mok with blank expressions.
Did this guy even know what he was saying?
Especially Smoker... His brow furrowed as he glared at Udo and Mok, as though insulted. "Are you treating me like a fool?"
There was clear evidence, yet they still dared to argue in front of him?
With his right hand, clad in leather gloves, gripping his weapon... his custom-made "Nanashaku Jitte," ready to show them that he wasn't a fool.
But suddenly...
"Calm down, Smoker." Garp intervened, followed by him patting his snack-stained hands, seemingly not upset by the earlier nonsense. He cheerfully looked at Udo and said, "What needed to be seen, we've all seen. I have to admit, it was a bit beyond my expectations. Now... it's time to have a good talk with your Captain."
With a meaningful look.
"I'm curious to see how that kid plans to convince me."
The words fell.
"…"
Looking at that meaningful gaze, Udo sighed helplessly in his heart.
He understood that what was about to happen was beyond his control, so he could only step aside and gesture for them to follow.
"This way, the Captain is already waiting for everyone."
Following Udo, the three, along with the furious Mok, walked ahead.
Not long after.
They arrived in front of a grand and solemn white building.
Before Udo could enter to report.
"Hahaha, Chacher kid, I'm here!" Behind him, Garp casually walked past, leading Smoker and Tashigi inside. While walking, he yelled loudly, "Have you figured out how you're going to make excuses?"
As the voice fell, the three had already entered and saw Chacher sitting behind the central desk, dressed in a white navy uniform, draped in a black fur coat, and his hands crossed before his chin.
Next to him stood a girl in a white blouse, black skirt, with orange hair.
Before Garp, who was digging his nose and about to say something, could finish.
Chacher sighed, looked at him, and then said seriously, "Vice Admiral Garp, we received word that one of your grandsons has become a pirate."
The words fell.
Udo, Mok: !!!
Smoker, Tashigi: ?!
Garp, still digging his nose: ...
The smile on his face stiffened.
Feeling the strange gazes from around him, Garp immediately scowled at Chacher.
This kid... isn't playing by the rules!
**********
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