Red Force
"Faster! Increase speed! Don't let them catch up!"
Benn Beckman barked orders as the crew pushed the ship to its limits, desperately fleeing Totto Land while dodging the pursuing cannon fire.
Shanks leaned against a wall, panting heavily, in no mood to say a single word.
After nearly three hours of nonstop flight, they finally shook off Charlotte Linlin's pursuit. Only then did Beckman allow himself to relax.
"Hey, Shanks. You alright?"
Shanks shook his head.
"I'm fine. Just burned through too much stamina. Big Mom's physique is terrifying."
Beckman patted his shoulder and pulled out a cigarette.
"If the Marines hadn't interfered, we wouldn't have ended up in such a sorry state."
"The Marines?" Shanks frowned. "You mean the guy who pretended to be one of us—then smashed the photo and drove Big Mom berserk?"
Beckman nodded.
"That's him. Marine Vice Admiral Karl. His ability is Holy Light—healing and physical enhancement."
"If he hadn't secretly boosted those Charlotte brats, we wouldn't have lost so many brothers."
"But at the same time… he also killed quite a few Charlottes and even helped block the pursuit. I really don't get him."
Shanks laughed softly.
"As long as everyone's alive, that's what matters. As for Karl—I think he was aiming for balance."
"Balance?"
Shanks' expression turned thoughtful.
"Exactly. Balance. His goal was to maximize losses on both sides."
"Maximize losses…" Beckman exhaled a smoke ring. "I get it now."
"He wanted us to fight Big Mom with everything we had—but didn't want us to give up and join her. That's why he acted the way he did."
"Big Mom's ambitions were crushed, and we were badly weakened. That outcome suits the Marines perfectly."
Shanks sighed.
"In other words, we were just a chess piece the Marines used against Big Mom."
"But something like this won't happen again."
Beckman smiled faintly.
"There are already three sea rulers—why can't there be a fourth?"
The two exchanged a look.
No further words were needed.
Meanwhile, Karl had already returned to Marine Headquarters with Borsalino to report to Sengoku.
"Hahaha! Well done, Karl," Sengoku said heartily. "You didn't disappoint me."
Karl waved modestly.
"If Admiral Kizaru hadn't come to support me, I wouldn't have been able to withdraw so smoothly from Totto Land. Right, Admiral Kizaru?"
He turned—
Borsalino was calmly trimming his nails. It looked like he'd already finished clipping and was now filing them.
"Eh? What was that?"
Sengoku shook his head helplessly.
"Just ignore him. Now, Karl—do you want to continue operating in the first half of the Grand Line, head to the New World… or perhaps take command of a branch?"
After a moment's thought, Karl replied,
"Marshal Sengoku, I'd like to take up a base command. Paradise or the New World—either is fine."
Sengoku nodded, clasped his hands, and met Karl's gaze.
"The G-10 Base in the New World happens to be short a base commander. Are you willing to go?"
"G-10?"
Karl immediately recalled the Marine base distribution map.
G-10 Base, located on Milram Island, sat near the very center of the New World routes—reasonably close to Wano and Dressrosa, surrounded by World Government member nations such as Dressrosa and the Lulusia Kingdom.
"I'm willing, Marshal Sengoku."
"Good," Sengoku said. "Go back and prepare. I'll issue the appointment shortly. You'll depart for G-10 tomorrow."
"One more thing—if you take up residence at G-10, that old man Whitebeard may cause trouble. If they really show up, request reinforcements immediately. Don't try to play the hero."
"Understood."
Stationed at a base meant Karl wouldn't need to run back and forth to Marine HQ anymore.
G-10 would become his home.
Pros: easier life, far more freedom—he'd be the highest authority at the base.
Cons: G-10 sat in the New World, meaning inevitable clashes with Emperor-level crews like Whitebeard or Kaido. Combat intensity would skyrocket.
Overall, though, the advantages outweighed the risks.
No matter how reckless the Emperors were, they wouldn't mobilize their entire crews to assault a Marine base—after all, the Marines were still the largest force on the seas.
Karl wasn't too worried.
That afternoon, the appointment letter arrived. He could depart for G-10 immediately.
But Karl wasn't in a rush. Tomorrow's business could wait.
First—he wanted to check on Smoker.
Office of the Director, Marine Integrity Commission
Knock knock knock.
Smoker, sorting documents, looked up.
"Come in."
"Cough—hey! Can you open a window or something?" Karl complained. "The place reeks of smoke."
Smoker laughed.
"Used to it. I heard you just got back from Totto Land. How'd it go?"
"Not bad. Mission accomplished."
Karl plopped down into a chair and looked at him.
"What about you? How's the work progressing?"
Smoker shook his head.
"So-so. After the public trials, a lot of officers voluntarily submitted self-reports—but they're all minor issues. Big fish like before are probably gone for good."
Karl laughed.
"Isn't that exactly what you want? The more idle you are, the better the Marines are doing."
Smoker smiled faintly.
"That's true. But lately I've been thinking—should we start correcting certain behavioral issues among Marines? Some of the hawkish officers, for example—they often—"
Karl cut him off immediately.
"Don't touch that."
"As long as they aren't colluding with pirates or engaging in corruption, leave them alone."
"But they disregard civilian lives just to complete missions," Smoker argued.
"What kind of Marines are they? Who are they even protecting?"
"Shouldn't we intervene?"
Karl shook his head.
"They completed the mission. By what right do you condemn them?"
"That's not the same!" Smoker insisted.
"You once said there are many ways to complete a mission—ways that don't require sacrificing civilians. Why should innocent lives be the price for killing pirates?"
"The duty of a soldier is to obey orders," Karl replied calmly.
"I know what you're thinking, Smoker—but this isn't something you should be dealing with right now."
"Your task is to ensure that the Marines are free of corruption and collusion with pirates. Leave everything else alone—for now."
"Otherwise, the Integrity Commission will become history."
With that, Karl left the office.
Smoker sat in silence for a long time… then let out a heavy sigh.
"The road ahead is long and heavy…"
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