Pirate: I, Buggy, am the Emperor, the Emperor of the Clown King!

The 8th Branch of the East China Sea Navy.

The air in the meeting room was stuffy.

It wasn't the kind of stuffy heat in a physical sense, but rather an indescribable feeling of oppression.

Dozens of Den Den Mushi (snail-shaped insects) were neatly arranged on a long table.

Each one has round, bright eyes, and its mouth opens and closes, making all sorts of sounds.

The sounds came from different directions, some clear, some muffled, some with electrical noise, all merging into an irritating wave of sound.

Governor Nelson Roy of the East China Sea branch sat in the main seat.

He was extremely obese and bloated, his whole body looked like a ball, with long mustaches on his face and circular lines on his cheeks.

There was only one Den Den Mushi in front of him.

The Den Den Mushi was a size larger than the others, and it was lying there lazily, its antennae twitching occasionally.

Nelson Roy didn't look at it; his gaze went past the neatly arranged Den Den Mushi and landed on the sea outside the window.

The sun is shining brightly.

The sea was as calm as a giant sapphire, and several fishing boats were slowly sailing through the harbor, leaving long white trails in their wake.

"Is everyone here?" Nelson Roy asked, his voice unhurried and composed, carrying the air of someone accustomed to a position of authority.

"Branch No. ... is here."

"16th Branch, here." Colonel Mouse's voice came from the left.

"Branch No. ... is here."

"77th Branch, here." Brigadier General Brinbrin's voice came from the right, steady and powerful.

"Branch No. ... is here."

"Loguetown, here." Smoker's voice came from directly in front, lazy and accompanied by a yawn.

Nelson Roy nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Den Den Mushi on the table.

"Let's begin then."

He paused, then looked at the Den Den Mushi on his left.

"Mouse, tell me about your situation first."

Nelson Roy and the rat are in cahoots. As the rat's backer, since the rat has completed the mission, it's only natural to take the rat out of the game first.

In that case, what could be better than letting the mouse speak for itself?

You decide for yourself what to say and what not to say.

"Yes, sir!" Colonel Mouse quickly took out the prepared manuscript.

Thankfully, it was a conference call, so no one could see him holding the notes.

"I have already given a detailed report to my superiors regarding the destruction of the Arlong Pirates. But to give everyone a clearer understanding of the situation, I will briefly reiterate it here."

He cleared his throat.

"The Arlong Pirates, captained by Arlong, with a bounty of 20 million Berries, had been entrenched in the Cocoyasi Village area for eight years, committing numerous atrocities. Now, this pirate crew has been completely wiped out by the Buggy Pirates."

"...According to reports from spies, Buggy's pirate crew has leaked information that the fish-men of the Arlong Pirates have been captured and had their hands and feet cut off."

"The evil dragon himself and his minions were either killed or maimed; none escaped unscathed."

"And the captain of the Buggy Pirates—" Colonel Mouse's voice paused, a slight tremor in it, "...the Clown King Buggy, with a bounty of fifty million Berries. His strength is unfathomable, and his methods are extremely cruel, far beyond what ordinary pirates can achieve."

A commotion came from the Den Den Mushi.

Those were officers from other branches whispering among themselves.

Fifty million.

In a place like the East China Sea, what does 50 million mean?

Previously, the dragon's 20 million was already the highest in the East China Sea, but now suddenly someone has appeared with 50 million, more than double the amount.

Although everyone had received the news in advance, the feeling was still complicated when the meeting started discussing this person.

As for how it will be handled in the end, what does that have to do with them?

Important matters are discussed in small meetings, while minor matters are discussed in large meetings.

Therefore, for them, such conferences are usually just notifications.

"A fifty million bounty's worth of strength?" A deep voice came from the Den Den Mushi with the particularly long antennae on the right. "Rat, are you sure?"

That's Brigadier General Brinbrin.

The commander of the 77th Naval Division, a middle-aged man with a strong sense of justice.

"I'm certain," Colonel Mouse's voice was firm. "I saw it with my own eyes."

"You saw it with your own eyes?" Brin's voice grew even colder. "You saw him cut off the dragon's hands and feet?"

Colonel Rat paused for a moment, then said somewhat guiltily, "...I saw the ruins of Dragon Paradise with my own eyes."

"The plight of those fish-men... it wouldn't be difficult to glean information from a group of pirates." Colonel Rat paused for a moment, then changed his tone: "Or perhaps, Commodore Brinbrin, do you have any instructions?"

"Instructions?" Brin's voice held a hint of sarcasm. "Colonel Rat, the dragon has been on your turf for so many years, and you don't even know what the dragon's strength is? Bucky the Clown, with a bounty of fifteen million, suddenly becomes the fifty million Joker King?"

"The Arlong Pirates have been in your territory for eight years, and you've been scouting for eight years?"

"You didn't discover them eight years ago? Seven years ago? Six years ago? Five years ago? Did you only start 'reconnaissance and deployment' after someone else had already vanquished the dragon?"

It's clear that Brigadier General Brin and the rat don't get along, and this is the perfect opportunity to make trouble.

The Den Den Mushi made a slight commotion.

Several half-asleep Den Den Mushi opened their eyes, their antennae standing up, seemingly waiting for a good show.

"What do you mean by that?" Colonel Mouse's voice shrieked.

"My meaning is very clear," Brinbrin said calmly. "The evil dragon has roamed the East Sea for eight years... Rat, are you trying to claim credit or shirk responsibility?"

"You—" Colonel Mouse's voice changed.

"Did I say something wrong?" Brigadier General Brinbrin interrupted him. "The evil dragon has been wreaking havoc in your territorial waters for eight years, and you did nothing about it? You reported it? You did nothing. Now that someone has cleaned up the mess for you, you suddenly become so eager. Fifty million? Why didn't you report a hundred million?"

Brigadier General Brinbrin's jurisdiction is actually quite far from Colonel Rat's.

The evil dragon is causing havoc here, but he truly doesn't know its exact location or the situation.

If he had known, he would have come long ago.

Brigadier General Bling's attitude displeased the colonels at other naval bases.

Some Den Den Mushi (snail phone) clearly showed signs of dissatisfaction.

Nami has been stealing treasure all over the East Blue, so how could she not have tried to anonymously report her?

It was no use; all the reports were suppressed.

Just like Colonel Mouse said, this is something that he couldn't do alone.

"Commodore Brin-Brin!" Colonel Rat's voice shrilled. "Don't just stand there and talk like you know nothing! Arlong's brother is Jinbe, a Shichibukai!"

"What can I, a colonel, do?"

General Mouse suddenly changed his tone as he spoke: "If you're so capable, why don't you go and do something about it?"

"I—" Commodore Brinbrin paused for a moment. Normally, it would be fine to send him to wipe out pirates, but sending him to his death was another matter entirely.

Brigadier General Brinbrin knew very well that if he went to Bucky's aid, he would surely die.

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean, '?' Colonel Rat became more and more agitated. "You, Brigadier General Blin-Blin, are so powerful, so righteous! Why didn't you destroy him?"

Brinbrin's voice turned somber: "I—"

Colonel Mouse mimicked his tone, "Bucky's still right under my nose. If you come, won't Bucky be wiped out?"

"A rat!" Brin's voice finally cracked with anger. "You're trying to shirk responsibility!"

"I'm shirking responsibility?" Colonel Rat's voice shrilled even more. "I'm stating the facts! You look all righteous, but when it comes to actually doing the work, are you even here?!"

"You—" Brigadier General Brinbrin was so angry he almost choked, but his eloquence was indeed not as good as a rat's.

"What do you mean, 'what are you talking about'?" Colonel Rat interrupted him again, the laughter in his voice fading slightly. "Which sea area are you in charge of again?"

"The 77th Branch Sea Area..." Brigadier General Brinbrin was completely at a disadvantage in terms of momentum.

"The 77th Branch," Colonel Mouse drawled. "That's a good place. Calm seas, few pirates, you can finish your missions while sitting in your office drinking tea and reading the newspaper. Unlike our 16th Branch, Arlong, Buggy, one after another pops up, keeping us constantly busy."

"...I didn't!" Brigadier General Brin was so bewildered that he didn't know what to say.

"Besides," Colonel Rat's voice returned to its slick tone, "even if Jinbe, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, is called the Knight of the Sea, which sounds quite benevolent... but who knows what these fish-men are?"

"What if we capture Arlong, and Jinbe claims he's one of his subordinates?"

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea are legal pirates recognized by the World Government!"

"It's legal!"

The Den Den Mushi stirred again.

Several Den Den Mushi squinted their eyes, seemingly deep in thought.

BrinBrin's voice fell silent.

I wasn't convinced; I was choked by the shamelessness emanating from the Den Den Mushi.

The meeting room was quiet for a moment.

BrinBrin's voice stopped speaking, and Colonel Mouse's voice also stopped ringing out.

The biggest problem is what Colonel Rat said.

If a legal loophole is opened for illegal activities, then many areas will become blocked.

On what basis can we say whether it's legal or illegal?

The lower-level people don't have the power to speak.

But the authorities don't clearly define the boundaries.

In order not to offend the higher-ups, the only option was to increase the penalties at each level.

Nelson Roy's lips twitched slightly.

But he didn't say anything.

Sometimes it's quite amusing to watch these silly guys argue.

He only needs to watch quietly until it's time for him to intervene.

For example, right now.

That's enough.

Nelson Roy's voice is very loud.

The two Den Den Mushi fell silent at the same time.

Nelson Roy's gaze darted back and forth between the two Den Den Mushi.

Having served as the governor of the East China Sea branch for so many years, he knew all too well what kind of people his subordinates were.

Colonel Rat is cunning, treacherous, a bully who preys on the weak and fears the strong—a typical opportunist.

This kind of person, if used well, can be a knife; if used poorly, can hurt oneself.

Brigadier General Brin is upright, rigid, and hates evil. He cannot tolerate the slightest despicable act.

This kind of person seems reliable, but is difficult to manage.

As for Smoker... well, that super troublemaker is even worse; he's completely disobedient.

"Let's put Bucky's matter aside for now." Nelson Roy looked away and glanced to his left and right.

"Governor—" Brinbrin wanted to say something.

"I said, put it aside for now." Nelson Roy's tone remained unchanged, but Brinbrin's voice immediately stopped.

"Now there's something else that's more important than Bucky."

Upon hearing this, all the Den Den Mushi opened their half-closed eyes, their lazy antennae stood up, and the entire conference room suddenly fell silent.

The naval officers who were drinking tea, reading newspapers, smoking, and daydreaming in their respective offices simultaneously put down what they were doing, sat up straight, and brought their ears close to the Den Den Mushi (snail phone).

After all, the matter between the dragon and Buggy was already quite serious, so what could be more serious than the matter between Buggy and the dragon?

Nelson Roy's gaze swept over the Den Den Mushi, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

"Our naval hero, Vice Admiral Garp's grandson—Monkey D. Luffy—has set sail to become a pirate."

Theoretically speaking, negative news about naval hero Garp should be covered up.

But in reality, this cover-up is only for the general public.

Given Nelson Roy's status, as long as he doesn't publish the news in the newspapers and spread it around, no one will care about him.

Not to mention informing one's subordinates in such a private meeting.

This is quite generous to the other naval officers.

After all, you wouldn't want to offend the descendants of a powerful figure for no reason, would you?

The Den Den Mushi (a type of electric scooter) instantly erupted in chaos.

"What?!"

"Lieutenant General Garp's grandson?"

"Monkey D. Luffy?"

"That Luffy?"

Nelson Roy did not interrupt them.

He simply listened, watching the Den Den Mushi (snail phones) stare wide-eyed, and hearing the officers' gasps of surprise rising and falling.

Once the noise subsided, Nelson Roy continued speaking.

"And—" Nelson Roy paused, lowering his voice even further, "this Luffy seems to want to learn from his father."

This statement is like a boulder thrown into calm water.

The sound from the Den Den Mushi disappeared instantly.

Utter silence.

I couldn't even hear him breathing.

The atmosphere in the meeting room felt suffocating, as if it had been emptied out.

Monkey D. Luffy's father.

This name doesn't need to be said.

Everyone present knew who that was.

The world's most wanted criminal, the most vicious criminal in the world.

Revolutionary Army Leader – Monkey D. Dragon.

A name alone is enough to make the Navy Headquarters feel like it's facing a formidable enemy.

A man who can make even the Five Elders uneasy.

Now his son has gone to sea.

The silence in the meeting room lasted for a long time.

Although the naval officers and officers across the seas are generally considered to be of lower rank than those at the Navy Headquarters, they are still leaders in the Navy, and they have heard about many of the gossip surrounding high-ranking naval officials.

For example, one of the biggest scandals in the Navy was that the son of Navy hero Garp left the Navy after serving for a while... and became the leader of the Revolutionary Army, becoming the world's worst criminal... Now this scandal seems to be escalating again, as the grandson of the Navy hero has become a pirate.

These naval officers felt a headache coming on at the thought that Garp was still sitting comfortably in the position of vice admiral.

The above idea is incomprehensible... it's truly mind-boggling.

Of course, this is a stance, not the opinion of some officers who are absolutely righteous.

For naval officers like Commodore Brimbrin, it was even more difficult to accept.

This is a disgrace to the belief in justice.

They felt their commitment to their naval duties was beginning to waver.

What does it mean that a naval hero has produced more than one vicious criminal?

Can we train another pirate?

Is this really our navy's absolutely righteous naval hero?

Unlike these naval officers in the East China Sea, there is one person here who dares to speak out.

The voice was lazy, with a hint of impatience, as if it had just been woken up from a dream.

"Loguetown," Smoker began.

"I'll take care of them in Loguetown." With that, the Den Den Mushi closed its eyes.

Although this might offend some people, Smoker isn't afraid.

With a click, the Den Den Mushi (snap stick) was switched off.

Clearly, even if Smoker said that, he was actually having a hard time keeping it to himself.

Garp's position in the Navy is too special.

Smoker is actually on Garp's side... so his feelings are even more complicated.

The call was interrupted.

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Then Colonel Rat's voice rang out, high-pitched and with a hint of sarcasm.

"Smoker the White Hunter... As expected of someone from headquarters, he left without even finishing the meeting."

At the 16th Naval Division, Captain Rat looked at the now-darkened Den Den Mushi, a slow smile spreading across his face.

That smile contained mockery, jealousy, and an inexplicable malice.

Like a mouse hiding in a ditch, watching a cat walk overhead, wanting to meow but not daring to, it can only bare its teeth and show a smile that doesn't care about anyone.

Brigadier General Brinbrin's voice immediately followed, cold and laced with undisguised sarcasm.

"At least Loguetown has been well-managed since Smoker arrived. Unlike some people who let pirates run rampant in their territory for eight years without daring to utter a sound."

Although Brigadier General BrinBrin's eloquence is far inferior to that of a rat, that doesn't stop him from seizing any opportunity to spar.

"Bling-bling!" Colonel Rat's voice shrieked again. "Stop with the sarcastic remarks! If you're so capable, go and take care of those pirates!"

"This is the Navy's justice." Brinbrin's voice was calm and powerful, carrying an undeniable firmness. "You don't need to tell me, I will do it."

He had come to understand some things after being stimulated by the rat.

Since the people in charge are not doing anything.

Then I'll take on that role!

The disillusionment caused by the collapse of faith can lead to self-destructive tendencies, and Brigadier General Brinbrin is clearly in this state now.

The naval hero Garp, his existence is too unique.

Not only is his strength ridiculously high, but his reputation is also extremely high.

This is one of the reasons why the world government tolerates Garp's reckless behavior.

Otherwise, based solely on what Monkey D. Dragon did, theoretically he should have been wiped out by the World Government.

The revolutionary army leader's nature is even more heinous than that of the Pirate King Roger.

"Ha!" Colonel Rat sneered. "Justice? You make it sound so easy! You show me what you've got! Go and catch Bucky, you go..."

Governor of the East Sea, Nelson Roy, did not stop the two from arguing.

He simply watched, as if he were watching a play, a play whose ending he already knew.

Colonel Rat will shirk responsibility, Brinbrin will get angry, Smoker will rush to take the lead, and the others will remain silent.

All of this was within his expectations, just as the sun would rise, the tide would recede, and pirates would emerge.

Then they will eliminate the pirates, and then more pirates will appear, and then they will continue to eliminate them.

This is the East China Sea, this is the navy, this is how the world works.

Pirates will not disappear, justice will not prevail, and order will not change.

Because the World Government needs pirates, just as hunters need prey, just as fishermen need fish.

Without pirates, who would need the Navy?

Without a navy, who would need a world government?

"Alright." Nelson Roy stood up and walked to the window.

The sunlight shone on his face, but his fat face remained expressionless.

He simply looked out the window at the fishing boat leaving the harbor, at the fading white trail, at the ever-fluctuating, ever-repeating, ever-changing blue.

That concludes today's meeting.

Meeting adjourned.

Nelson Roy stood up, his gaze sweeping over the Den Den Mushi as if he could see the naval officers behind the phones.

One Den Den Mushi after another, the eyes closed.

Colonel Mouse's voice rang out one last time, sharp and resentful, but eventually fell silent.

The meeting room fell silent again.

Nelson Roy stood by the window, looking at the sea outside, and remained silent for a long time.

Then he turned around, walked back to the table, and picked up the bounty poster for Bucky.

The masked man in the photo stands on a high place, with sunlight shining from the side, making his figure appear tall and slender.

Beneath the mask, the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, carrying a faint smile.

Nelson Roy stared at the photo for a long time.

"Fifty million..." he said softly.

He then put down the bounty poster and picked up another document.

That was a report about Monkey D. Luffy.

An ordinary-looking young man.

But his father is Dragon, and his grandfather is Garp.

Nelson Roy's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

He was thinking about something.

He was the governor of the East China Sea branch.

He works for the World Government.

His purpose is not to eliminate pirates, but to maintain order.

Order needs pirates to set it off, just as light needs darkness to set it off, just as justice needs evil to set it off.

A world government without pirates is like a fisherman without fish, a hunter without prey, or a soldier without enemies.

The World Government needs external pressure to maintain its stable existence. Only when pirates run rampant can they force kingdoms around the world to willingly join the World Government.

"Everything for the Celestial Dragons!"

Nelson Roy turned and walked out of the conference room.

As a member of the Celestial Dragons, Nelson Roy's stance is neither justice nor even the stability of the World Government.

Nelson Roy's stance is simply that of a Celestial Dragon.

For this reason, he would often deliberately hinder the navy.

For example, even though the East Blue should be the safest sea in the world, great pirates still emerge there, and this is only possible under the protection of Nelson Roy.

This is the enemy's command post in a true sense.

The door closed behind Nelson Roy, leaving the silent Den Den Mushi in the darkness.

He needed to go to a more secluded room to contact agents of the World Government.

After all, how to deal with Luffy is a really big problem.

In fact, it's not just the Navy that's having a headache; the World Government is also facing a similar problem.

For a naval admiral of Garp's caliber, his family would naturally be under the protection of the World Government.

However, Garp is too special. Without the orders of the Five Elders, no one dares to do anything to Garp's relatives.

Anyway, these bureaucratic, intelligent people are particularly conflicted.

So even if Nelson Roy is a Celestial Dragon, he wouldn't want to die if he could avoid it.

Offending Garp could really mean death; even the Five Elders might not be able to protect him. So, he really didn't want to get involved in this.

He is now going to capture the gift to be presented to the Celestial Dragons, the legendary Thousand-Year Dragon.

Therefore, he needs to mobilize a portion of the naval branch's forces.

Faced with the Celestial Dragons' gifts, let the mere pirates be.

Nelson Roy didn't care what kind of trouble Bucky would cause in the East China Sea.