Chapter 126: Stationed in the New World

The Red Force.

"Quick! Speed up! Don't let them catch up to us!"

Beckman was directing the crew to hurry away from Totto Land to avoid the pursuers' cannon fire.

Shanks leaned against the wall, panting, not wanting to say a word.

After running for nearly three hours, they finally shook off Big Mom's pursuers and were temporarily safe. Only then did Beckman let out a sigh of relief.

"Hey, Shanks, are you okay?"

Shanks shook his head: "I'm fine, just a bit of stamina drain. Big Mom's physique is too terrifying."

Beckman patted Shanks on the shoulder and pulled out a cigarette: "If it weren't for the Marines meddling, we wouldn't have been in such a sorry state."

"The Marines? Is it that guy who pretended to be one of us and then broke the photo to make Big Mom go berserk?"

Beckman nodded: "That's right, it's him, Marine Vice Admiral Karl. His ability is Holy Light, which has healing and physique-strengthening effects."

"If he hadn't secretly helped the Charlotte family pups, we wouldn't have lost so many brothers."

"However, this guy also killed quite a few of Charlotte's people and helped us block the pursuers. I really don't understand him."

Shanks laughed: "As long as you guys are fine, it's good. As for that Karl, I think it must be for balance!"

"Balance?"

Shanks showed a thoughtful expression: "That's right, balance. His goal is to maximize the losses on both sides."

"Maximize losses... I understand!"

Beckman exhaled a puff of smoke and said faintly: "He wanted us to fight Big Mom with everything we had, but didn't want us to give up and join Big Mom, so that's why he did it."

"Not only did he make Big Mom's ambition fall through, but he also caused us heavy losses. This outcome is exactly what the Marines want to see."

Shanks sighed: "Yeah! To put it bluntly, we are just a pawn used by the Marines to deal with Big Mom. But this kind of thing won't happen again."

"That's right, there are already three overlords on the sea, why can't there be one more?"

Shanks and Beckman smiled at each other, everything understood without words.

Meanwhile, Karl had already returned to Marine Headquarters with Borsalino to report the mission to Sengoku.

"Hahaha, well done, Karl. You truly didn't let me down."

Karl waved his hand modestly: "If Admiral Kizaru hadn't come to support me, I wouldn't have been able to retreat from Totto Land so easily, right, Admiral Kizaru?"

Turning his head to look, Kizaru was trimming his nails—or rather, he had already finished and was using a file to polish them.

"Eh? What?"

Sengoku shook his head helplessly: "Don't mind him. By the way, Karl, do you want to continue operating in the first half of the Grand Line, or go to the New World?"

"Or perhaps, go guard a certain branch?"

After pondering for a long time, Karl looked up and said: "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I'll go guard a branch first. Whether it's Paradise or the New World, I'm fine with either."

Sengoku nodded, clasped his hands together, and looked straight at Karl: "The G-10 base in the New World happens to be missing a base commander. Are you willing to go?"

"G-10?"

Karl recalled the Marine branch distribution map and immediately confirmed the location of the G-10 branch: Melem Island, located in the very center of the New World route. It wasn't too far from Wano Country and Dressrosa, and it was surrounded by World Government member nations Move Move Like Dressrosa and the Lulusia Kingdom.

"I am willing, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

Sengoku nodded: "Very good. You go back first, I'll give you the appointment letter later, and you'll set off for the G-10 base tomorrow."

"By the way, about Whitebeard—if you station yourself at G-10, that old guy Whitebeard might cause you trouble. If they really come, request support immediately, don't try to be a hero."

"Understood!"

Guarding a base and becoming a base commander meant Karl wouldn't have to keep running back to Marine Headquarters; the G-10 base would become his home.

The benefit was that it was easier and more relaxed to slack off; after all, he was the highest-ranking officer of the base, and what he did and how he did it was entirely up to his own will.

The downside was that the G-10 base was located in the New World, so it was inevitable that he would have to fight overlord-level pirate crews, such as Whitebeard's or the Beasts Pirates. The combat intensity would rise sharply.

However, overall, the benefits outweighed the disadvantages. No matter how crazy Whitebeard or Kaido were, they couldn't possibly attack a Marine base with their entire crew; after all, the Marines were the largest force on the sea.

So Karl wasn't too worried.

In the afternoon, Karl had already received his appointment letter and could set off for the G-10 base that very day.

However, Karl wasn't in a hurry to leave. Tomorrow's business could wait until tomorrow; first, he'd go see how Smoker was doing lately.

Office of the Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

*Knock, knock, knock.

Smoker, who was organizing documents, looked toward the door: "Come in!"

"*Cough cough~* Can you open a window, man! The room is full of smoke."

Smoker laughed: "I'm used to it. I heard you just got back from Totto Land? How was it?"

"It was alright! The mission was a complete success."

After saying this, Karl plopped into a chair and looked at Smoker: "What about you? How has work been going lately?"

Smoker shook his head: "So-so. After the public trials, many Marine officers voluntarily submitted self-criticisms, but they were all minor issues. The big fish Move Move Like before might not be caught anymore."

"Hahaha, isn't that a good thing? Isn't that exactly what you hoped to see? The freer you are, the better the current Marines are."

Smoker revealed a faint smile: "That's true, but I've been thinking lately about whether to rectify the conduct of some Marines, Move Move Like some of the hawk-faction officers who often..."

Before he could finish, Karl immediately interrupted: "It's best not to get involved in that. As long as they aren't colluding with pirates or engaging in corruption, it's best not to interfere."

"But these people, in order to complete their missions, completely disregard the lives of civilians. What kind of Marines are they? What exactly are they protecting?"

"Shouldn't we do something about it?"

Karl shook his head: "They completed the mission, didn't they? What right do you have to criticize them?"

"It's different. Just Move Move Like you said before, there are many ways to complete a mission. There must be a way to achieve the best of both worlds. Why sacrifice the lives of civilians to kill pirates?"

"A soldier's duty is to obey orders. I know what you're thinking, Smoker, but these aren't problems to be considered at this stage."

"Your mission is to ensure that there are no more parasites within the Marines colluding with pirates or engaging in corruption. As for the rest, don't worry about it for now. Otherwise, the Anti-Corruption Bureau will become history."

After saying this, Karl walked out of the office. Smoker remained silent for a long time before letting out a long sigh.

"The road ahead is long and arduous!"