Aokiji and Tsugikuni Yoriichi had uncovered crucial evidence during the Lorro Trading Company's underground auction. After freeing most of the slaves, Yoriichi, Aokiji, and their team escorted anyone connected to the Marines or pirates back to the 133rd Branch for interrogation.
With Monk's testimony, several captains were quickly arrested.
Once those captains realized their crimes could no longer be hidden, they began dragging others down with them. Soon after, several branch majors were implicated as well.
And with majors involved, the situation escalated rapidly. As more and more officers were named, the rot festering beneath the 133rd Branch finally began to surface.
Ghost-payroll scams. Treating Marine laborers as disposable slaves. Collusion with pirates. Accepting bribes.
One crime after another came to light—and even the supposedly upright Colonel Kane, soon to be promoted to brigadier general, was dragged into the scandal.
The Mia Kingdom, under the control of the 133rd Branch, had always been considered a "lawful zone"—one of the safest places in the entire West Blue.
It was precisely because of Kane's "achievements" there that Fleet Admiral Sengoku had valued him so highly. He'd chosen this place as the internship site for Yoriichi and Kyros after deliberate consideration.
But Sengoku could never have imagined that the kingdom's peace had been nothing more than a façade built on collusion between Marines and pirates.
The Lorro Trading Company, whose influence stretched across the entire Mia Kingdom, was in truth a massive pirate crew with over 800 members—the Lorro Pirates.
Captain Lorro and Colonel Kane shared a deep personal relationship. Together, they plotted a grand scheme to control the entire kingdom.
In times like these, how could either pirates or Marines rely on honest business for money?
The two struck a deal. Kane would maintain the illusion of law and order, attacking pirate targets only after secretly ensuring the Lorro pirates were protected.
The Lorro Trading Company, meanwhile, would "leak" pirate intel to the Marines, bribe officers within the branch, and carry out its own line of business.
And of course—what pirate genuinely followed business rules?
If they saw a good shop, they robbed it.
If they saw a competitor, they assassinated them—or had the Marines "arrest" them on trumped-up charges.
In just a few short years, the Lorro Trading Company had grown into the largest commercial force in the entire kingdom, its industries spanning every region.
The king of the Mia Kingdom was a mediocre man, far more concerned with what he'd eat tomorrow and which concubine's palace he'd visit than the affairs of the country.
On paper, he ruled the kingdom.
In truth, Lorro and Colonel Kane were its real sovereigns.
The darkness of the Mia Kingdom hid perfectly behind a mask of peace.
Even Marine Headquarters had been deceived for years.
Occasionally, Marines from other branches sensed something was off—but they never made it out of the kingdom's waters.
They were "attacked by pirates."
In the chaotic West Blue, the loss of a few Marines was hardly unusual.
But Kane and Lorro's coup collapsed entirely the moment Yoriichi and Kyros started their internship.
Before he attempted to assassinate Yoriichi, Kane had never imagined that a teenage Third-Class Seaman could possess such overwhelming strength.
Yoriichi's deceptively youthful appearance, paired with his terrifying power, became the very reason their plot failed.
The scandal at the 133rd Branch was massive. Aokiji and Viktor worked without rest, organizing evidence and interrogating every involved Marine.
Yoriichi, on the other hand, was only busy at the start—helping Kyros clear out the Lorro pirates' remaining forces.
After that, he drifted around the branch with nothing in particular to do and spent his days training his Haki.
Whenever patrol ships encountered pirates, he'd head out with his squad to "stretch his muscles."
And truth be told, having the rank of Marine Major made life much easier.
Sailing, lookout duty, routine patrols—his subordinates handled everything.
All the major had to do was unleash a flying slash when they found a pirate ship.
The pirates of the West Blue couldn't withstand Yoriichi's Haki-laced strikes at all.
Most were defeated the moment they saw his blade flash.
During the investigation, the slaves they'd rescued were gradually sent back to their homelands.
It was worth noting that Nico Olvia of Ohara was personally escorted home by Aokiji—though Yoriichi had no idea why the kid was being so enthusiastic about it.
Monk, the Marine laborer who had been sold as a slave, officially became a Third-Class Seaman and was assigned under Kyros.
Oh—right. After a few successful missions in the West Blue, Kyros had already been promoted to sergeant thanks to his outstanding performance.
For anyone with real strength, as long as there were enough pirates to fight, achievements came naturally—and promotions followed quickly.
Soon after, Aokiji and Viktor submitted a preliminary report to Headquarters summarizing their current findings.
Less than half a day after the report was sent, Yoriichi received a long-distance call from Zephyr.
Over the vast sea, a Marine warship cut across the waves, leaving a white trail behind.
Yoriichi stood at the bow in his pristine Marine uniform, blade in hand.
With a swift motion, he coated the blade in Armament Haki and sent a Haki-infused slash toward the ocean surface.
His Haki training had entered a new stage.
He could now coat his entire body in Armament with ease, shifting his focus toward increasing its power.
He didn't have eight mountains to train with like Garp, but the endless sea was durable enough to withstand his strikes.
Over this period of training, Yoriichi could clearly feel himself growing stronger bit by bit.
As he repeatedly used and condensed his Haki, Yoriichi noticed that his total reserves were increasing, and the overall intensity of his Haki was rising as well.
"Buru buru~"
"Buru buru~"
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi in Yoriichi's arms began ringing. He withdrew his Haki, sheathed his blade, and reached into his inner pocket to pull out the phone snail.
"Kacha~"
With a soft click, Yoriichi lifted the receiver, greeting cheerfully:
"Hello, Teacher Zephyr."
But the moment he finished speaking, Zephyr's jovial voice sounded from the other end:
"Yoriichi, you've really done it this time."
"You made such a big commotion in the West Blue that everyone at Headquarters knows your name now."
Hearing Zephyr praise him, Yoriichi smiled and replied, "It's all thanks to your teaching, Teacher Zephyr."
"Cut it out! I didn't teach you that. This mess is all yours."
"Everyone at HQ is talking about you—some trainee third-class seaman in the West Blue suddenly deciding to arrest half the officers in a branch."
"You're famous now!"
Zephyr's tone was strange, and Yoriichi immediately picked up on the sarcasm—yes, unmistakably sarcastic.
"Heh… how could I still be a third-class seaman? I'm a Headquarters major now…" Yoriichi coughed lightly, looking a little embarrassed.
The next moment, Zephyr's roar blasted through the receiver:
"You've got some nerve bringing that up! If I hadn't gone to Sengoku to clean up your mess, do you think you'd still be relaxing right now?!"
"Enough nonsense. I'm calling to inform you—your internship is over. Get back to Headquarters!"
Despite the volume, Yoriichi heard no real anger—only concern… and maybe a touch of longing.
"Yes, yes, I'll start preparing right away. I'll head out first thing tomorrow morning."
"Please don't be angry, Teacher Zephyr."
Even though he could tell Zephyr wasn't truly furious, Yoriichi still hurried to reply, afraid the shouting might continue.
There were plenty of subordinates on deck. If they overheard, it wouldn't exactly help his image as a major… assuming a major like him still had any authority at all.
"That's it. I expect to see you here within ten days!"
(End of chapter)
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