Sailing: I Open Treasure Chests in the Pirate World

Ian sighed inwardly.

Good heavens, this will affect my career...

Would Aokiji really "exile" me to the Shikai branch?

In that case, it would truly be—

That's great!

Aokiji's expression grew increasingly serious, and the biting cold seemed to freeze the entire general's office.

But in the next instant, the spring breeze thawed the ice and snow.

"Pfft hahaha!"

Aokiji burst into a loud laugh.

"New recruit! Now I understand why Instructor Zephyr recommended you to the SWORD unit!"

"You're very funny!"

SWORD unit?

The Navy Headquarters' secret special forces unit—the Sharp Blade Unit?

Ian gleaned a crucial piece of information from Aokiji's words.

He quickly connected all the known information—

Zephyr directed him to Aokiji so that he could recommend him to join the SWORD unit?

"By the way, recruit—no, Adrian? I'll just call you Ian!"

Aokiji wiped away the ice crystals that had appeared on his face from laughing, and put on a serious expression again.

Do you know about the SWORD unit?

I know, but not much.

Ian pretended to be a newbie and shook his head.

"SWORD Unit, or rather, the Sharp Blade Unit."

Seeing this, Aokiji spoke up to introduce them.

"This is a secret special unit established by headquarters, and its strategic position is roughly equivalent to that of the SSG led by Dr. Vegapunk."

"Members of the Sharp Blade Squad, simply put... are navy personnel who have submitted their resignations."

"The mission of the Sharp Blade Squad is to fight pirates, to fight all pirates, including the Pirate Emperor!"

"Apart from that, the Sharp Blade troops are not required to follow any orders."

"This is a 'guerrilla force' that can move freely."

Aokiji finished explaining the general situation of the Sharp Blade Squad.

He then calmed down and gave the other person some time to process and understand.

Frankly speaking.

The information Aokiji provided was largely the same as the information Ian possessed.

The only thing that surprised him was that the strategic importance of the Sharp Blade Unit could be compared with that of the SSG!

SSG stands for "Special Science Group".

This organization may sound unfamiliar, but it actually possesses formidable combat power.

[Pacifista], [Laser Gun], [Bubble Shield], [Green Blood], [Seraph]...

This series of groundbreaking inventions and creations are all related to the special science class.

The Special Science Class almost single-handedly supported the Navy Headquarters' scientific forces!

Its status is evident.

The elite special forces are nowhere near comparable to the special science corps...

But then again.

Aokiji knew the Sharp Blade Corps inside and out.

Does this mean that he is the highest-ranking officer in the Sharp Blade unit?

Just like Kizaru commands the Marine Headquarters Science Unit.

However, after leaving the Navy, Aokiji became the tenth giant captain of the Blackbeard Pirates.

If Aokiji is the highest-ranking officer of the "guerrilla" unit, the Sharp Blade Division.

So……

Is he an undercover agent?

A series of thoughts flashed through Ian's mind.

Just then, Aokiji continued speaking.

“Ian, Professor Zephyr spoke highly of you in his letter, saying that your personality is well-suited to the Blade Force.”

At this point, Aokiji paused and casually listed a few points from the recommendation letter.

"Self-discipline, hard work, not blindly believing in authority, and having one's own unique concept of justice."

There's one more thing that Aokiji didn't mention.

That is, Ian has an absolutely clean family background!

Ian's ancestors for three generations were all in the Navy.

Even at Navy Headquarters.

There are few marines with the talent and ability of Ian, who are enlisted in the Navy's standard gull flag.

The Sharp Blade Unit is a classified special forces unit.

Its special nature dictates that the identities of military personnel must be "absolutely pure".

Ian's family background is precisely what ensures this "purity".

Aokiji gazed at Ian and extended an invitation.

"Recruit Ian Adrian, would you like to join SWORD and become a member of this classified unit?"

Ian remained very calm and did not rush to agree.

Joining the Sharp Blade unit had both advantages and disadvantages for him.

Well known.

The righteous navy only needs to obey orders and act as the World Government's lackeys.

However, for elite units that can disregard orders and act freely, there are many more things to consider.

Before answering this question.

After a moment of silence, Ian asked.

"I still have a few questions to answer."

Aokiji nodded, indicating that it was perfectly acceptable.

"Just ask."

Ian asked first.

"The Sharp Blade Unit is a classified special forces unit. How high is its level of secrecy?"

Aokiji gave a simple response.

"Within the Navy, only the Marshal and the Admiral are qualified to know the full list of members of the Sharp Blade Force."

Ian pressed for an answer.

What about the World Government?

"government?"

Aokiji gave a rather subtle expression.

"The government will not know about the existence of the Sharp Edge Force."

ah? real or fake?

Ian was incredibly surprised.

Is the Sharp Blade Unit really that independent?

Even the World Government is unaware of the existence of Razor?

With severely insufficient intelligence, Ian has no choice but to temporarily believe Aokiji's account.

He quickly asked a third question.

"If the Sharp Blade Force can launch an attack on a pirate emperor, then what about the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"

Generally speaking.

Without permission from the highest level—the Five Elders.

Even the Navy Headquarters cannot easily provoke a conflict with the Pirate Emperor.

Even minor frictions can lead to larger-scale wars.

However, the Blade Force can directly attack the Four Emperors!

This is what makes the Sharp Blade Unit so special!

That being the case.

The Seven Warlords of the Sea are "official pirates" officially recognized by the World Government.

Are they also within the range of the Sharp Blade Unit?

Aokiji gave Ian a deep look.

As a naval admiral.

How could Aokiji not be aware of the harm that the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" system poses to the Navy and to justice?

But that is, after all, the policy of the world government!

A special policy implemented to stabilize the order of the seas and divide the pirate camp!

The Navy Headquarters has no right to comment.

But the Sharp Blade Squad...

Aokiji nodded slowly.

"can."

The Blade Force can even fight the Four Emperors, so why can't they fight the Seven Warlords of the Sea?

As for resisting the policies and orders of the World Government...

“But I need to warn you in advance, Ian.”

Aokiji said seriously.

"Headquarters will not be responsible for the actions of members of the Sharp Blade Unit, and they may be discharged from the military at any time."

If there is an order from the World Government.

The Navy Headquarters might even proactively erase the existence of members of the Sharp Blade Squad!

"last question."

Ian ignored Aokiji's warning and instead gave a relaxed smile.

"Will my salary increase if I join the Sharp Blade unit?"

"Of course! The benefits and perks of the Sharp Blade Squad are absolutely among the best in the entire navy!"

Aokiji also smiled.

"The Blade Forces welcome you, Ian Adrian."