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Nico Robin.
Kojin’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he looked away. He didn’t disturb the girl engrossed in her book, instead turning to follow Dr. Clover to continue their tour of the massive Tree of Knowledge.
“This place is the collective wealth of all humanity,” Dr. Clover sighed. “If it were ever destroyed, it would be a catastrophe and an irreparable loss to history.”
Kojin nodded.
He understood the unspoken request behind Dr. Clover’s words: it was a subtle plea for assistance.
After that, they continued walking around the island.
Ohara as a whole gave off a feeling of comfort and ease. It was filled with a rich atmosphere of learning, and it made one feel inner peace and tranquility.
“Are you researching something forbidden by the World Government?” Kojin suddenly asked as they walked beneath the shade of some trees. His tone was calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
Dr. Clover’s expression shifted slightly. “Child, what are you talking about?”
“The truth of history should not be buried,” Kojin said calmly. “But you lack the power to handle it. All you’ll bring upon yourselves is disaster.”
His domain covered the entire island, so he had naturally seen the perfectly square stone engraved with mysterious writing beneath the Tree of Knowledge.
Dr. Clover’s expression shifted repeatedly. Then he suddenly let out a long sigh.
“How much do you know?”
“I know what I should and what I shouldn’t,” Kojin replied quietly.
“If one day Ohara is destroyed, Doctor, what choice will you make?”
Dr. Clover froze. He pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
“Even if I have to give everything I have, this old man will never let Ohara’s will be extinguished.”
“And you, child? What choice will you make?”
But Kojin had already turned around and started walking forward.
“I’m leaving, Doctor!”
After walking more than ten meters, he finally raised his right hand and waved goodbye.
Dr. Clover still had not received his answer until Kojin completely left the island.
“This old man understands,” he murmured. “As a Marine, you have your own faction and your own duties to fulfill. If that day ever comes… I have my own beliefs to stand by.” With that, Dr. Clover turned and vanished.
Ohara remained calm and serene, but back at the base, Kojin summoned all the commanding officers of the Third Division before him and spoke with an icy expression on his face.
“The very purpose of our existence as Marines is Justice!” He declared. “This Justice is not bestowed upon you by anyone else; it is the standard measured by the moral compass within your hearts—the line that defines what it means to be human! Remember for whom you fight, and for whom you wield your blades!”
“From today onward, Bullet, double the training intensity again. I want you to train these thirteen thousand men to become true elites within two years!”
The stern, cold voice made every commanding officer of the Thirteenth Division shudder inwardly.
The first eight commanding officers of the thirteen divisions had all once been Kojin’s subordinates. The Ninth through Thirteenth Divisions, however, had undergone constant adjustments throughout training.
Only those with great strength and good character were qualified for such positions.
…
In the blink of an eye, half a year passed.
During this time, the G-18 Fortress reverberated daily with the thunderous sounds of intense training.
Bullet’s rigorous training regimen left countless soldiers constantly grumbling, yet their strength steadily improved. Meanwhile, Crocodile, T. Penn, and others were responsible for ideological indoctrination.
They repeatedly emphasized to the soldiers what true justice was, even boldly pointing out negative examples from the Marines’ past. This subtly influenced everyone’s way of thinking.
On this day, a merchant ship arrived at the entrance of the G-18 fortress.
“Who are you?”
“The Capone Family?”
The Marine on the watchtower revealed a shocked expression the moment he learned their identity.
“The Marines have nothing to do with mafia scum like you. Get lost now!”
With the G-18 Fortress right behind him, the Marine guarding the gate showed not the slightest fear.
“Please convey our respects to Vice-Admiral Kojin,” the leader said, “and deliver our gift.”
The man leading them looked to be around twenty years old. A cigar hung from his mouth, yet he was only about 5 feet 5 inches tall. He was none other than the current head of the Capone family, Capone Bege.
“A gift?”
The Marines exchanged glances. They had already seen the piles of crates stacked on the ship’s deck. But as for what was inside, they had no idea.
“We’ll have to consult our superiors about this,” One of the Marine said.
“Please convey the Capone Family’s regards,” Capone Bege said with a smile. “We simply wish the honor of meeting Vice-Admiral Kojin in person.”
Six months ago, he had already heard stories about this Vice Admiral. Today, he finally had the opportunity to pay him a visit. Compared to the Capone Family, Vice-Admiral Kojin, Commander of the West Blue, was undoubtedly the true overlord of these waters.
If Bege wanted to develop safely and steadily here, he would need Kojin’s protection.
The retired Vice-Admiral Johnny had been the same.
At the same time, Kojin had also heard about this matter from Eveya.
“Capone Bege?”
His eyebrows rose slightly as he let out a chuckle and left only one sentence.
“Leave the gift. Then get the hell out.”
Soon, the gate Marines received their orders.
“Vice-Admiral Kojin says to leave the gift and get lost immediately!”
Capone Bege froze momentarily but showed no sign of displeasure. Instead, he turned on his heel with decisive efficiency.
A moment later, the gate Marine watched as the man departed in a small boat, leaving the massive merchant ship behind.
“What are you doing?!” One of them shouted.
“All the cargo on this ship is a gift to Vice Admiral Kojin!” Capone Bege’s voice echoed from a distance.
The Marines’ eyes immediately filled with shock.
Just from the crates stacked on the deck, the ship looked heavily loaded. Judging from the waterline, there was likely even more stored inside the hold.
Just how much wealth was there?
After Crocodile finished taking inventory of all the goods on board, he received a number that surprised even him.
“A total of 200 million Beli.”
“This kid isn’t holding back,” Crocodile remarked, slightly surprised. “He left the goods and didn’t even mention his own requests.”
“Now this is how a smart man thinks,” Kojin said with a faint smile.
Looking at the mountain-like piles of wooden crates and the gold, jewelry, paintings, and other valuables spilling out of some of the open boxes, his eyes flickered slightly.
Not long ago, he had been worried about money.
But now, it seemed he had found a path to profit.
There were five great mafia families in West Blue, and Capone Bege was only one of them.
If all of those people served him…
Then he would become the greatest underground king in West Blue. More importantly, he would no longer need to worry about the cost of maintaining his elite troops.
He could save an extra portion for other matters.
(End of Chapter)
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