What happened today left a very deep impression on Iceburg.
So much so that when he later founded the Galley-La Company, he resolutely refused to hire fish-men as employees.
Numerous journalists raised their cameras and snapped photos, their blinding flashes capturing the expressions of Master Tom's last two disciples, creating a stark contrast with the pitiful beauties in the shipping containers behind them.
They were recording the scene with great interest, already mentally drafting the headlines for the next day.
Shocking! Master Tom's two close disciples caught with multiple beautiful women!
Is this a sign of moral decay or a decline in ethics?
Jonathan carefully observed the surroundings and quickly counted the number of women in the container.
Jonathan has an excellent memory, and the number of beauties present was vastly different from the number of slaves held in the basement of the Haba Hardware Store.
If Haba's initial intelligence was correct, it meant that some had already been secretly moved.
"Captain, one of the ships that recently docked here must be a pirate vessel, carrying away a small number of people as slaves."
"Impossible!"
Upon hearing this, before Damon could speak, Iceburg retorted to Jonathan.
Damon and the others turned to look at him. Iceburg smiled wryly and quickly waved his hand, saying:
"Don't look at me like that, as if I'm a suspect. The reason I denied it is because most of the containers at this dock hold resources needed for the major construction on Enies Lobby. Only government ships from the Judicial Island dock here to retrieve these items. You can't say that Enies Lobby is a den of iniquity, can you?"
Quiet!
Silence!
When Iceburg finished speaking, everyone seemed frozen in time.
The reporters' eyes lit up as if they had heard earth-shattering news. They forgot about taking pictures and quickly took out their notebooks.
"Whether these human slaves are being transported to Enies Lobby or not, why not just ask these fish-man pirates?"
Damon drew his sword, the tip almost touching the neck of a merman. The merman's panicked expression was reflected in the blade.
"You agree, don't you?"
Faced with Damon's "kind" smile, the fish-man's legs went weak with fear.
He had witnessed firsthand how this young man had shattered their resistance with overwhelming force, so he dared not hide anything.
"Don't kill me! Don't kill me!"
"I'll talk, I'll talk!"
"I heard from Brother Makuro that the best-looking women among the 'goods' were all taken by the officers of CP9."
"To avoid attracting attention, the CP9 commander announced a large-scale construction project on Enies Lobby. He applied for a large sum of money to purchase building materials and stored them at this dock. Every time the transport ship arrived, we would secretly hide several women in one of the containers."
The media reporters were in an uproar.
Without hesitation, they threw their drafted headlines away. Some reporters even eagerly asked the boy who appeared to be the leader:
"This action by Enies Lobby is tantamount to defiling the word 'Justice.' Can the Navy uphold its sense of justice and save the girls who have gone astray on the Judicial Island?"
The moment the reporter posed that question, Damon felt all eyes on him.
Dozens of newly rescued women helped each other up, their eyes filled with anticipation. More than anyone, they hoped the Navy would step forward.
Iceburg and Franky remained silent, but they too were filled with a certain expectation.
They were, after all, ordinary shipwrights with their own families. None of them wanted to see their loved ones become playthings of the privileged.
Why do ordinary people still have such expectations of the Navy despite the corruption?
It comes down to one word: Justice.
Although there are scoundrels in the Navy, they ultimately protect the majority. The word "Justice" may seem simple, but it is forged with the blood and sacrifice of countless individuals.
Damon was well aware that his next answer would be crucial.
If he just wanted an ordinary life as an officer, he could easily pass the buck. However, if he wanted to change this rotten world, he knew he couldn't do it alone. He needed strong followers and a shared vision.
Loyalty gained by force is false; only lofty ideals can truly unite hearts.
Damon looked around and saw approval in the eyes of his five friends. No matter his decision, they would stand by him.
Damon drew his sword and slashed the blade across the palm of his left hand.
He raised his blood-stained hand, his face grim, and said:
"No one can tarnish the word 'Justice'—not me, not the Navy, and certainly not Enies Lobby!"
"Before dawn arrives, someone must light up the darkness!"
"No matter who the other party is or how powerful their backing, I will make them pay the price they deserve!"
"Before dawn arrives, someone must light up the darkness!"
"Our justice and honor lie in protecting ordinary people!"
Damon slammed a fist heavily into his chest, blood staining his uniform. He solemnly swore an oath to the world:
"We will storm Enies Lobby and rescue the girls!"
"We will defend our honor with our blood!"
Behind him, the five other officers stood firmly and simultaneously pounded their fists against their chests.
Sunlight cast its glow upon the six young Marines, gilding them in gold, making them appear sacred and solemn.
The journalists snapped photos frantically. A new generation of Marines determined to seek justice against the government's own institution! This was the headline of the century.
Having obtained their material, the reporters scattered like birds.
While handing over the captured fish-men to the local garrison, Damon checked his system notifications.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, host, for reciting a classic line from Genshin Impact. You have been awarded one chance to draw a prize. Would you like to activate the prize wheel?"
A familiar wheel appeared with categories: Summoned Characters, Artifacts, Items, Talent Skills, and Skins.
[The Witch's Everlasting Feather]: One of the Crimson Witch of Flames Artifacts. (1/4)
Set Bonus: Gain 15% Pyro Damage Bonus.
A fiery red feather landed in Damon's hand and merged into his body.
In the continent of Teyvat, there are rumors about this ever-burning feather: She chose the path of hellfire, leaving only ashes in her wake.
Damon's plan to attack Enies Lobby was no different. It was an institution directly under the World Government. Attacking it would damage the government's reputation and could cost him his career or his life.
But he chose the path of fire without hesitation.
"Someone must burn away the pain before new hope can be brought forth!"
As the shackled pirates were handed over, the local Marines—many of whom outranked Damon—bowed to the six young officers as they departed.
They had heard of Damon's resolve. Anyone with a shred of justice left respected him.
The Major leading the garrison watched them disappear into the distance, thinking:
"I will use all my connections to protect you from the World Government's scrutiny at Headquarters! You are not the only ones defending honor with blood!"
Damon's words were like dandelion seeds, spreading to the hearts of Marines everywhere.
Before the group had gone far, Iceburg arrived with his followers, holding a brocade box.
He forced a smile. Despite the earlier friction, Damon's decision had moved the future mayor of Water Seven.
He opened the box, revealing a Devil Fruit and a ship deed.
"Officers, these gifts are a token of my apology and support for your righteous cause."
Iceburg's generosity was staggering. On the black market, a Devil Fruit was worth at least 100 million Berries. The deed was for a three-masted sailing ship, worth tens of millions more!