One Piece: The Strongest Admiral

Marineford, Naval Headquarters.

Zephyr had just entered the headquarters fortress, and along the way, generals and officers at all levels saluted and greeted him one after another.

Zephyr is 63 years old this year, and there are fewer and fewer veterans of his generation in this department.

Instead, there are students trained by Zephyr.

Be it doves or hawks.

Regardless of the concept, respecting the teacher is the same.

Kizaru happened to pass by, and when he saw Zephyr, he also stopped and greeted with a smile: "Teacher Zephyr."

"Yeah." Zephyr replied, walking past Kizaru.

Kizaru was not angry either.

Zephyr didn't like him when he was in military school.

Of course, Kizaru doesn't like Zephyr either.

Watched by Kizaru, Zephyr enters Sengoku's office.

"Sengoku."

As soon as Zephyr entered the office, he asked directly: "What happened before Kuzan disappeared?"

Hearing this, Sengoku pretended to be puzzled, "I don't know either."

Sengoku won't tell Zephyr about the science unit.

If this matter gets out, Zephyr's temper will explode even more.

"I went to Victor."

Zephyr definitely wouldn't believe it, so he showed his cards: "He told me it was a secret, and asked me to come to you."

When Sengoku heard this, he secretly scolded Victor as an asshole.

Zephyr asked seriously, "What happened?"

Sengoku thought for a while and said, "Victor is right, this is indeed a secret."

Zephyr frowned, "So, Kuzan's disappearance has something to do with secrecy."

"I can't answer you." Sengoku shook his head, "However, I can assure you that we will find Kuzan and talk to him face to face."

Sengoku's words were a delay, he didn't specify the time.

Boom boom boom.

At this time, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Sengoku breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly shouted towards the door.

He now has no excuses to get rid of Zephyr.

No matter what happened next, Sengoku could untangle and leave.

Crane walked in.

Sengoku saw the crane, and the crane said to Sengoku: "Sengoku, the commander asked us to go to Mariejois."

"I see."

Sengoku stood up and said to Zephyr: "Zephyr, I have something to deal with now, you go back first."

After speaking, Sengoku and Tsuru left the office.

When Sengoku and Crane left the office, Sengoku looked back, and before Zephyr came out, he asked Crane in a low voice, "Why don't I remember that the commander-in-chief is looking for us?"

Crane said, "I knew you were going to be in trouble just when I saw Zephyr coming to you."

"thanks."

Sengoku sighed.

Crane showed a dignified expression, "However, we really need to find time to discuss how to solve the problem of Kuzan's disappearance."

Admiral is missing, it's no joke!

...

Watching the seagulls fly over the sea, let the sea wind blow their hair.

Aokiji lay on the deck, dressed like a traveling adventurer.

It's been three months since the Pank Hazard affair ended.

During these three months, Aokiji went to many places.

Instead of riding his bicycle, he took the boat.

Merchant ships, cargo ships, passenger ships, cruise ships, and even passing pirate ships.

In short, ships other than warships will become Aokiji's means of transportation.

"Sir, lunch is ready."

At this time, a young girl with dark hair came to Aokiji.

The girl's name is Kasli.

Kasili is the daughter of the owner of the ship, and she is usually responsible for washing and cooking for the men on board.

His father made a living transporting goods.

"Thank you." Aokiji opened his eyes and thanked him.

Lunch was squid fried rice with some chickpeas and carrots for garnish.

Aokiji took the rice bowl, and like the sailors, he found a place on the deck at random, sat down cross-legged and ate.

At this time, Kasili came to the bottom of the mast with a basket, and she was going to deliver food to the sailors on the mast.

They are cargo ships for transportation, and there is no combat capability on board.

Therefore, sailors on the mast need to be vigilant.

They need to keep an eye on the situation at sea.

If pirates are found, they must give an early warning.

At this time, the sailors will abandon the heavy cargo and make the hull lighter, so as to escape the attack of the pirates.

Although the loss of the goods will cost them a lot of money, the most important thing is to save their lives.

Aokiji watched all this.

This is down to earth.

The people at the bottom have tried their best to guard against pirates and survive.

However, this also reflects another thing.

Marine still leaves a lot to be desired.

The existence of pirates has had a great impact on people's lives.

Fortunately, the cargo ship was lucky and did not encounter any pirates today.

The cargo ship successfully arrived at the destination - Antyas Port.

Port of Antyas is not a very lively port, it can even be said to be depressed.

It belongs to the Kingdom of Rhoderia.

The Kingdom of Rhoderia is a member country of World government.

"Entry tax."

"500 Baileys per person."

"Vessel parking tax."

"100,000 Baileys a day."

"Cargo handling tax, 500 Baileys per ton."

"Port Fire Prevention Fee."

"Port cleaning fee."

On the pier, the tax officer of the Kingdom of Rhoderia was collecting taxes.

Aokiji frowned when he heard the various taxes and fees.

"My lord, why has it increased again? This is a full double increase from the last time. We won't make any money at all after this trip."

Casili's father, Will, the captain, expressed his 'dissatisfaction' with some embarrassment.

"I can't help it, the gold in the sky has risen this year."

"In addition, the maintenance of Marine warships also requires money."

"Without their protection, do you want to be sold into slavery?"

The tax official said casually.

"However, it only went up last month"

Will grunted.

The tax officer was too lazy to chat with Will, he said impatiently: "Either pay the money to enter the port, or drive the ship back."

"Hey."

"These people are worse than pirates!"

"It's getting worse."

Will shook his head, unwilling to pay the money.

Pirates are robbed, and they can also find ways to hide.

However, the ruler is a 'legal' plunder, and it has to be handed over.

Failure to do so is illegal.

Aokiji sees it all.

During this period of time, Aokiji saw that many places were paying Marine.

Each branch of the Marine will charge a 'protection fee'.

Of course, the money was not collected directly by Marine, but by local officials and nobles.

In this way, local officials, or nobles, can make another fortune.

Gold in the sky, and a protection fee for Marine.

I heard that if the two sums of money are not paid, the consequences will be disastrous.

If you do not pay the heavenly gold, you will lose your qualifications as a member of the World Government, and all citizens will lose their 'human rights'.

The 'human rights' here are literal.

People in the entire country will lose their right to be human, and will be treated like animals and sold freely.

And Marine didn't receive the protection fee, so when encountering a pirate attack, he wouldn't take the initiative to attack.

If Marine arrived an hour late, the whole city would be ruined.

Aokiji got off the boat with his bag on his back.

Because he knows that even if he assumes the identity of Marine Admiral, things here are still beyond his control.

Victor told him.

If you want to achieve your goals, you have to use any means.

Indeed, there are some things where conventional methods really don't work.