Chapter 35: Where Is Marine Justice?

Kelo raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips:

“Knew you were hard to kill—but what’s with him…?”

Looking at Akin on Gao Wen’s shoulder, Kelo frowned slightly; the danger of that battle still hadn’t fully sunk in.

Especially the belief Akin displayed—betting everything on victory—made even Kelo feel a pang of awe.

Had Kelo not awakened his true nature, the outcome of the fight would have been uncertain.

“You know his identity—enough that even enemies tried to rescue him. Gao Wen, excessive mercy won’t carry you through the Grand Line, let alone the New World.”

Gao Wen gently set Akin down, summoned the ship’s medic to treat his wounds and internal toxins, then turned to Kelo and explained:

“He’s also a pitiful soul.”

“Besides, a crewman who stands up for his captain even after being abandoned, willing to trade his life for his captain’s—no one could dislike him.”

“But whether he survives such injuries… it’s up to fate.”

Kelo paused slightly, then said coolly:

“Just know your own mind.”

“If he wakes up and still wants revenge against Krik, I’ll handle him myself—but you…”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Gao Wen glanced at Kelo and casually tossed a scan his way:

【Name—Kelo】

【Potential—Silver】

【Rating—Bronze: Awakened True Nature, Activated Haki, Completed Residual Techniques!】

As expected.

After awakening Observation Haki, Kelo’s potential now matched Gao Wen’s, and his combat power had already surged to Bronze rank; once his wounds healed, his strength would leap another tier.

No wonder the brat was practically wearing “arrogant” on his face.

Who else would dare speak to their captain like that—right in front of everyone—right from the start?

Gao Wen sneered inwardly.

Doesn’t matter.

A few good beatings will fix that.

And I can’t let the gap widen so far he sees no hope—otherwise his Dao heart will shatter and he’ll just give up…

Thinking of this, Gao Wen had his answer. He set Kelo aside for now and turned to Jasha:

“The Marine fleet has entered. We—!”

As Gao Wen spoke, hurried footsteps sounded outside the lord’s mansion.

Smoker’s Marines were approaching; even before they arrived, a heavy, storm-before-the-surge pressure hung in the air.

The guards at the gate rushed in, voice trembling:

“My Lord, the Marines have surrounded the place. Their leader is a white-haired man—he looks dangerous. What do we do?”

Jasha frowned tightly:

“This shouldn’t be happening. Even without a search warrant, they dare act like this?”

Moli looked between Gao Wen and the others, face grim:

“Your Highness, we must prepare. If they force entry, we…”

“Don’t panic. I’ll go see.”

Jasha patted Moli ’s shoulder, nodded to Gao Wen, then walked toward the gate with her.

“Wait.”

Gao Wen interrupted Jasha’s movement:

“That guy operates outside the rules. To prevent him from attacking you directly, I’ll stay close—it’s safer.”

Gao Wen understood Smoker’s nature well.

A man who dares to curse his direct superior and outright refuse promotion ceremonies won’t follow Marine regulations.

If he takes Jasha hostage, we’ll be completely on the defensive.

“Fine.”

Jasha nodded, had Gao Wen don a guard’s armor to conceal his face, handed the Guanshi Zhengzong to Kelo, grabbed a random longsword, and walked beside her.

…

Creak~!

The mansion’s main gate swung open.

Smoker’s harsh face appeared directly before Jasha.

Behind him stood a line of armed Marines, all tense, weapons ready, radiating an invisible pressure.

Jasha involuntarily swallowed.

“Marine officer, how may I assist you?”

Smoker’s expression was blank:

“We’re hunting a pirate crew. We’ve searched every corner of the island—only this place remains.”

“There are no pirates here.”

Jasha shook her head:

“Look elsewhere.”

Smoker’s brow tightened.

They’d scoured every inch of the island—no trace of Gao Wen’s pirate crew.

A crew of dozens couldn’t vanish without a trace. Combined with Jasha’s current attitude, he was certain Gao Wen’s crew was hidden inside the lord’s mansion.

His demeanor grew harsher:

“Don’t make this difficult for me…”

Swish!

The Marines instantly raised their rifles.

Black muzzles encircled them—yet Jasha grew calm, staring coldly at Smoker:

“So this is Marine justice? Fleeing from pirates, then turning your guns on civilians? Or have you been stealing under the guise of building branch bases all these years?!”

“I…”

Smoker fell silent, cursed internally at Marine scum, yet pressed on:

“I’ll report the earlier incidents to headquarters personally. I’ll deal with every officer who extorted money from you.”

“But now!”

“Know what you’re doing—and what price you’ll pay—or…”

Smoker slowly drew his jutte from his back, eyes icy:

“Don’t blame me for using force!”

As he spoke, a violent aura surged from Smoker, crushing down like a mountain.

Jasha, at the center of his gaze, broke into goosebumps.

She felt her legs weaken, about to collapse backward.

Then a large hand pressed firmly on her shoulder—the mountainous pressure vanished instantly.

Gao Wen stepped forward, shielding Jasha behind him, coldly asking:

“Do you even know what you’re doing?”

“Even the Marines cannot enter the mansion of a World Government member state without a search warrant—that’s the agreement between the Marines and the World Government.”

“Are you defying it?”

“If necessary.”

Smoker’s tone was firm, his eyes showing no hesitation.

As time passed, his conviction grew stronger—if Gao Wen escaped here, capturing him later would become infinitely harder.

“Even if I lose this uniform, capturing that man makes this trip worthwhile.”

“And…”

Smoker frowned slightly, studying the guard beside Jasha.

The guard’s unintentional aura had sent a chill through him—even he found it terrifying.

If such a being existed in this port, how could Krik’s men have invaded so easily?

Or was it…

“Who are you?!”

Gao Wen subtly tightened his grip on the longsword, ready to fight.

But Jasha spoke first:

“Just a mansion guard.”

“A mansion guard doesn’t have eyes like that.”

Smoker’s voice turned sharp:

“Then who are you—!”

At that moment, a small pebble flew into Smoker’s line of sight.

He crushed it in his hand, then turned to see a girl with tears in her eyes, and countless harbor residents filled with rage.

(End of Chapter)