Chapter 108: Dare You Touch the Truth?
"What are you talking about? As a powerhouse, do you still need such verbal tricks!"
Naturally, Zephyr wouldn't believe Nereus's words.
Although the recruitment process for new Marines here was relatively simple and didn't require political background checks or anything, being able to be promoted to Admiral meant that besides their own strength, the World Government also trusted their loyalty.
They themselves also believed in the Marines and were willing to fight for it.
Zephyr was not someone temporarily selected during the World Military Draft to fill combat power gaps; he started from a recruit step by step and gradually grew up within the Marines.
Compared to those monsters with proud talents, the first half of Zephyr's qualifications could even be said to be mediocre.
Joining the Marine Academy at 14, he didn't become a non-commissioned officer until 28. He mastered Armament Haki at 34, and this year, he became the youngest Marine Admiral.
Compared to those officers who were granted ranks based on strength from the start, Zephyr had greater prestige among ordinary Marines, and he was also a general who deeply cared for his subordinates.
As a high-ranking Marine general who accumulated his strength slowly before bursting forth, he was the goal in the hearts of many young Marines.
Although only 38 years old, Zephyr had dedicated most of his life to the Marines. This was the representative of justice in Zephyr's heart; naturally, he wouldn't be shaken by a single sentence from Nereus.
"As expected, you don't believe it?"
"A coward who holds hostages—how could I possibly believe the words of someone like you! What exactly is your purpose!"
"Didn't I say it? I just want to chat with you. As for the hostages... if I don't control them, I'm afraid it would be very difficult to get you to listen to me obediently.
In that case... I would just have to kill you, which would be somewhat of a pity, no matter how you look at it."
Although Garp was hesitant, he still adhered to "My Justice," striving in the Marines with his own perspective.
Sengoku was even cultivated by Kong as his successor. Unlike Garp and Zephyr, who didn't understand the inside story, Sengoku had long been exposed to the darkness within the Marines, but his viewpoint remained unchanged.
"Reigning Justice" was Sengoku's ideology. Compared to them, Zephyr was actually the one most likely to waver.
In the "Supreme Hostage" meta, Zephyr ultimately couldn't extricate himself.
Of course, interest was just interest. If things developed to an uncontrollable stage, Nereus would still strike to kill.
He didn't have a "no-kill" principle; as long as it was an enemy, even if they had respectable traits, he wouldn't show mercy.
"I disdain lying. However, you'd better not let anyone else know what I say today. It might not affect you much, but the soldiers under your command will highly likely be silenced.
Over two years ago, you should know about the Marines' operation in the West Blue, right? At that time, Garp, who was on vacation, was urgently transferred to God Valley..."
"I am very clear about this matter. That was also the beginning of the annihilation of the Rocks Pirates. You pirates gathered in the West Blue..."
"Yes, we were all in the West Blue. But what exactly could make the Rocks Pirates and the Roger Pirates appear in the West Blue at the same time?
It's quite funny to talk about it; one of the reasons was a woman."
Rocks's goal was his family. Others more or less had their own hidden agendas, but in fact, many people's target was indeed Shakky; this point could not be changed.
However, in Zephyr's ears...
"Are you messing with me... Can such words satisfy the sick desires in your heart?"
"Sigh, these days, people who tell the truth are always suspected. It's really hard for honest people to live."
A group of pirates with bounties starting at a billion gathered on an ordinary small island in the West Blue, and their target was just one woman—this sounded truly absurd. Although Roger, Whitebeard, and others were pirates, Zephyr also admitted that these people all had their own convictions. Saying they were all bewitched by a woman, he didn't believe it either.
"But the real answer is that the Celestial Dragons held a killing game there. All the slaves, as well as the natives of God Valley, were their hunting targets.
Garp was transferred there just to protect the Celestial Dragons. Hearing anything more detailed will do you no good.
In the entire God Valley Incident, you Marines were merely accomplices.
Speaking of this, you've been the one asking me all along. May I ask this youngest Marine Admiral, sir, how do you view the matter of Celestial Dragons and slaves? And how do you view the Sabaody Archipelago, the human trafficking houses operating right under the Marines' noses?"
"..."
Facing this question, Zephyr had no way to answer. He wasn't clear about the truth of God Valley, but the human trafficking houses on the Sabaody Archipelago were an unavoidable issue.
Even if it was marked there that the sources of slaves were all members of non-member nations and pirates, it couldn't change this established fact. Moreover, where the sold slaves actually came from was just a matter of their words anyway.
Most crucially, if the Celestial Dragons were really involved...
It wasn't impossible for them to do such things.
Although Celestial Dragons weren't good people, they lived in Mary Geoise most of the time and didn't come down to the sea often. Even if they caused some harm, it was far less than the destruction caused by pirates.
This was a viewpoint agreed upon by many Marines: an order rotten to the bone is better than disorderly chaos. Besides, from the perspective of member nations, the World Government was actually passable.
"You can't prove that what you're saying is true..."
Zephyr was still denying Nereus's words. He couldn't accept the Marines becoming accomplices in this kind of thing; this wasn't just letting things run their course, but being an out-and-out participant.
"I'm not sure how you Marines blocked the news of this incident internally, but Garp is a Marine from the same period as you, right? Perhaps you can ask him.
Or go find his son to understand the situation? Monkey D. Dragon—that young Marine actually broke precedent and shot at a Celestial Dragon in God Valley, although he only fired tranquilizer rounds.
But nowadays, he's no longer in the Marines, is he?"
He hadn't noticed before; after all, Zephyr also had to go out on missions and didn't pay too much attention to his comrades' children. Thinking carefully, that "Marine Lone Wolf" who was heavily commended after the West Blue incident had indeed not appeared again in these past two years.
"I've said all I need to say. For the rest, I think with your authority as a Marine Admiral, you can always find some clues. Your compromise bought the survival of these young soldiers, and it's time for me to leave here.
Or rather, do you insist on fighting me to the death here?"
Zephyr didn't speak, just letting Nereus leave. Although Nereus said things like he didn't strike to kill, those Marine soldiers were still paralyzed on the ground, unable to stand up.
After a while, when the reinforcements from Marine Headquarters arrived here, what they saw were unconscious Marine soldiers all over the ground, a few traces of battle, and Zephyr sitting blankly on the side.
☆☆☆
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you