Chapter 60: Hidden Evil, the Best of Slave Trade! (Two-in-One)
The examiner sent by the Navy Headquarters to the 133rd Marine Branch was none other than Kuzan, who had become a brigadier general.
In addition to the accompanying officers and soldiers from the headquarters, Tsugikuni Yoshiichi also saw another familiar face.
"Oh! Instructor Victor, you're here too."
The two men leading the headquarters were Kuzan, a commodore from the Naval Headquarters, and Victor, an instructor at the Naval Academy. Both were acquaintances of Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Cyrus.
"Yuichirō, what kind of person am I? Why can't I be an investigative officer?"
"If a guy like you can become a major, what's wrong with me as an examiner?"
"You, you're just here for an internship in the West Sea, yet you caused such a big commotion."
"Do you know that because of you, Mr. Zefa has received a lot of criticism?"
Aokiji, wearing a white suit and a cloak of justice, slowly walked down from the boat. Seeing the spirited Tsugikoku Yoriichi, Aokiji couldn't help but smile, but his smile disappeared as he turned to complain.
Victor followed Aokiji, walked down the warship, smiled at Yoriichi and Cyrus, and remained silent.
"Is the criticism due to my rapid promotion to major?"
"Indeed, this kind of improvement is probably unique in the navy."
The Navy today hasn't launched a "world conscription." Marines' ranks are promoted step by step, and it's impossible for a civilian to suddenly become an admiral, as they would in the future.
It was already an amazing thing for someone like Yoriichi Tsugakuni to rise from a private to a major. Even though Yoriichi Tsugakuni had killed 200 million pirates in the Neil Kingdom and had the merit of protecting the royal family of the Allied Kingdom.
Leaping ten levels is still too shocking.
During the time when Aokiji set out for the West Sea, the news of Tsugakuni Yoshiichi's promotion to major had already spread throughout the Naval Headquarters.
Although it was the order of General Sengoku, as Yuichiro Tsugakuni's teacher and also Yuichiro Tsugakuni's current guardian, it is difficult for others not to associate Yuichiro Tsugakuni with Zephyr when he had such a leap.
Of course, the fact is that Zefa did intervene.
"If you had just been promoted to major, there wouldn't be so much criticism."
"The biggest reason for the controversy is what you did in Branch 133."
"Just because of suspicion, you arrested all officers above the rank of lieutenant in the branch. Honestly, no one has ever done such a thing before you."
"This incident has had a huge impact, and for some unknown reason, word has spread to other branches of the Navy, and the reactions from each branch have been very intense."
"Now people in headquarters are saying that Mr. Zefa dotes on you too much, saying that the navy belongs to everyone, not just a few high-ranking individuals."
"If this matter is not handled properly, it will be a big deal."
"Yuichirō, is there something wrong with the 133rd branch? Did you find anything?!"
After getting off the boat, Aokiji walked over to Tsugakuin Yoriichi and lowered his voice to talk to Tsugakuin Yoriichi about some things about the headquarters. Hearing Aokiji's words, Yoriichi could roughly imagine what kind of pressure Zephyr was under.
Although Zefa's status is unlikely to be affected by these rumors, it is conceivable that if the branch's affairs are not handled properly, Zefa's prestige in the navy will definitely be damaged.
Realizing that Zephyr was under public attack, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's expression became much more serious.
With just one sentence, Future Roger launched the terrifying Age of Exploration. No matter what the circumstances, Tsugikuni Yoriichi would never underestimate the power of public opinion; it was an invisible sword that could kill without leaving anyone behind.
"Let's go to the base first, and I'll explain everything to you. Before you came, I was consolidating the actions of the branch navy."
"There's no one I can trust, and there are many pirates in the waters near the Mia Kingdom. Cyrus often needs to lead the team to attack."
"To be honest, I have never opened a so-called investigation."
"However, Kuzan, I am certain of one thing: Branch 133 must have some serious problems."
While the two were talking, Yoriichi Tsugakuni and Aokiji walked towards the conference room of the naval base. Victor listened to the conversation between Yoriichi Tsugakuni and Aokiji throughout, and his expression was always calm.
As he followed Aokiji and Tsugakuni Yoriichi towards the base, his eyes kept wandering over the sergeants of the branch, as if he was examining something.
The headquarters navy led by Aokiji arrived at the branch, and all the marines patrolling and in charge of the prison in the branch were replaced by people from the headquarters.
Yoriichi led Aokiji and Victor into the conference room. After they sat down, Yoriichi Tsugakuko began to tell Aokiji and Victor about what he had encountered in the branch, and also told them some of Yoriichi Tsugakuko's speculations.
From the moment Yoriichi and Cyrus boarded Cain's returning warship in secret, to Yoriichi's suspicions about the missing "Miscellaneous Staff" on board, to the bizarre ambush they encountered while sailing, Yoriichi recounted every detail to Aokiji and Victor.
At the same time, in order to prove his words, Yoriichi took Aokiji and Victor on board the patrol ship where he was before and showed them the "scene" at that time.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni knew from the beginning that the headquarters would come to investigate the matter, so Yoriichi never cleaned up the "scene" on his patrol ship at that time.
When Yoriichirō, Aokiji and others boarded the patrol ship again, a strong smell of blood and corpses hit them in the face.
After more than ten days, the bodies had already begun to rot.
However, this did not affect Aokiji and the others' examination of the injuries. After all, it was quite easy to distinguish whether the fatal wound was a sword wound or a gunshot wound. Moreover, the firearms used in the firing were left at the scene, so it was not difficult to investigate the matter.
After inspecting the scene and understanding the whole process of the incident, Aokiji looked much more relaxed. He also realized that the 133rd Marine Branch probably had some serious problems.
Although Zefa had already told him some things before coming, Aokiji was still a little nervous before seeing the scene. It was not that he did not trust Tsugakuni Yoriichi, but he felt that Tsugakuni Yoriichi might not be so reliable because of his young age.
However, Aokiji did not expect that what Tsugakuni Yoshiichi did was quite methodical. Although the approach was a bit rough, he could indeed start an investigation based on the existing information.
Soon, Aokiji took over all the affairs of the branch and began to review all the officers in the branch.
It was not until Aokiji began to investigate these officers that Tsugakuni Yoshiichi was finally able to free up his hands and conduct a thorough investigation of the Lolo Chamber of Commerce, whose tentacles covered the entire Mia Kingdom.
Yunyi did not forget that the group of pirates he slaughtered at that time came with the order of the "President"!
"There will be more great value products coming soon."
"Please pay attention and don't miss it!"
"Then, please take a look at the next item."
This is the venue of a large auction organized by the Lolo Chamber of Commerce. In the center of the venue, the host is holding a microphone and inciting people's emotions.
As the host spoke, the lights in the venue dimmed. In the center of the venue, a beam of light shone onto the stage at the very center.
A crack appeared on the ground next to the host, and the next second, the floor slowly separated, and a lift carrying a huge cage slowly rose up.
"Hey! Everyone, please look here!"
"Lot number six! Five muscular slaves!"
"This is the premium merchandise our guild has gone through so much trouble to acquire! These guys are all big pirates with bounties on their heads!"
"In order to maintain peace in the territorial waters of the Mia Kingdom, we went to great lengths to capture these people."
"Lot No. 6: Five pirate slaves who roamed the West Sea!"
"Starting price: 5 million berries! For just 5 million berries, you can take these pirate slaves away!"
"Go! Start bidding!"
As the host finished speaking, enthusiastic cheers erupted from the venue. While the auctioneers were clearly engaging in human trafficking, their enthusiasm was high, their cheers seemingly capable of breaking through the roof.
"Some of the items auctioned earlier were quite normal, but now, have they started auctioning slaves?"
"Speaking of which, the Mia Kingdom is a member of the World Government, right? Is it true that slave auctions are legal in all member countries?"
In a corner of the auction venue, Ji Guoyuan, dressed in casual clothes, folded his hands on his chest, his back slightly leaning against the back of the chair, and looked calmly at the "number six lot" in the center of the venue, and asked his companions beside him.
"That's basically it. Almost all countries have slavery. Once you become a slave, you become an object. It's not surprising to see them at auctions."
"In Dressrosa as well, a large portion of the gladiators fighting in the arena are slaves."
Beside Tsugikuni Yoriichi, Cyrus frowned slightly, as if he remembered something bad, and answered in a deep voice.
"How do slaves come about?" Yunyi didn't have a deep understanding of "slavery" in this world. Seeing that Cyrus seemed to have some understanding, he continued to ask.
But this time, the one who answered Tsugakuni Yoriichi was not Cyrus, but another person sitting next to Tsugakuni Yoriichi.
"There are many ways to obtain slaves. Some are sold into slavery by their families, some are children of slaves, some are pirates captured by slave-catching squads, and some are simply bought through trade."
"Why? Yunyi, are you interested in slaves?"
Aokiji slumped in his chair, staring coldly at the center of the auction hall, and asked in a deep voice. Kuzan now believed in "burning justice." Although he wouldn't stop this kind of human trafficking, Aokiji couldn't stand it.
After this item came up for auction, Aokiji's face looked a little ugly.
"How is that possible? I'm asking this simply to find out what kind of slaves are compliant and what kind of slaves are not."
"Look at those 'honest' 'pirates' in the cage. No matter how hard I look at them, I can't see any signs of thieves in them!"
Tsugikuni Yoriichi's words made Aokiji and Cyrus look slightly stunned, and then they both looked at the cage in the center of the venue.
Before Yoshiichi Tsugakuni said this, Aokiji didn't pay much attention. After hearing this, Aokiji looked carefully at the five pirates in the cage and soon found some problems.
There is no murderous intent in these five pirates.
Pirates, what kind of people can be called pirates? Can those who pursue freedom and sail on adventures be called pirates? If so, isn't that too glorifying pirates? If such people are pirates, then people like Rolando are also pirates?
Those who roam the seas, relying on plunder and slaughter to obtain resources, are called pirates. Those who can be called great pirates have likely experienced countless battles, both large and small. Regardless of their strength, the murderous aura they exude is undoubtedly intense.
However, the five "big pirates" trapped in the cage at this time had no murderous aura at all, and did not look like pirates at all. Although these five slaves were very strong, their bare upper bodies showed no scars at all.
"Yuichirō, what do you mean?" Aokiji touched his chin, and asked, taking this discovery to heart.
"The breakthrough point for the Luoluo Chamber of Commerce may lie here."
"Just take action! I have a feeling these five people can give me the information I want."
While Tsugakuni Yoichi was speaking, Cyrus had already stood up with his sword in hand, ready to take action. However, after he stood up, he found that Tsugakuni Yoichi and Aokiji were both sitting in their seats, looking at Cyrus with strange expressions.
Seeing that Aokiji and Tsugikoku Yoshiichi hadn't made any moves, Cyrus scratched his head in confusion and asked, "Aren't we just going to attack directly? What are we waiting for?"
Aokiji's breathing stagnated upon hearing this, and he slightly widened his eyes and looked at Cyrus in disbelief, as if he had seen some strange species. Seeing Cyrus' serious expression, Aokiji finally sighed and said:
"I can take action directly, but not now!"
"There are too many people and the impact is too great. I know you are anxious, but please don't be anxious."
"Wait a minute, after the auction is over, we'll do it. Don't worry, there's still time. The person there won't run away."
"By the way, let's continue to see what else the auction house will sell. Perhaps, they still have such 'pirates'."
Aokiji pulled Cyrus's clothes and pulled him back to his seat.
At this time, people participating in the auction have started bidding.
Normally, the minimum price for an ordinary male human slave is 500,000 Beli, and for these five people, it would not exceed 3 million Beli. However, after being given the title of "Great Pirate", the final transaction price reached 7 million Beli.
After confirming the buyer, the lift slowly descended. The host looked down at the auction sheet in his hand and suddenly shouted excitedly:
"Everyone, please pay attention!"
"The items to be auctioned next are the top-quality items in this auction!"
"Come and see lot number seven!"
As he spoke, the spotlight shone on the center of the venue, and the lifting platform that had just lowered slowly rose up.
On the lift platform was an exquisite pink cage, and inside the cage was a young woman.
She was wearing a black long dress, with her snow-white hair casually draped over her shoulders.
Her eyes were bright and lively, and there was wisdom in her deep black eyes.
The woman has a pretty face and exudes an inexplicable air of independence. Her beauty is not that of a charming woman, but that of an intellectual one. Even though she is in a cage, she still exudes a calm and unique temperament.
The appearance of women's items also pushed the atmosphere of the auction to a climax, and the excited cheers of the spectators instantly filled the entire venue.
"Why does this person look familiar to me?"
Tsugikuni Yoriichi's gaze fell on the woman in the cage and he frowned slightly. He felt a strong sense of familiarity from the other person, but Yoriichi didn't know where this sense of familiarity came from.
In the center of the venue, the host began to introduce the items for auction.
"This woman is not only beautiful, but she is also a scholar!"
"She is different from the common things you have seen. Such a high-quality slave is extremely rare!"
"I don't need to tell you much. Just buy it and savor it carefully!"
"Starting price: 10 million Baileys!"
(End of this chapter)
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