One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 4: It's my duty to work overtime, sir!

"That was close."

Blending in the crowd, I watched as a group of Marines from the Marine Police Department, responsible for maintaining order in Marineford, marched menacingly toward the place where the battle had just taken place.

Roy thought to himself, "That was close."

If he gets caught, the fine would be enough to wipe out a month's salary, and he would also have to be locked up for at least half a month.

"It's terrifying that we won't be able to drink Coke for half a month."

As for Smoker, who was still left behind by Tina, Roy had no interest in considering his situation—anyway, judging from the number of expensive cigars that the chain smoker wore around his neck every day, he must be quite wealthy.

As for the issue of confinement...
"It's best to keep that guy locked up for a while longer, otherwise he'll definitely cause me more trouble."

"Justice. No matter how grandly it's called, it's essentially just being a dog for the Celestial Dragons and the World Government. Who cares about that kind of thing?"

As Roy thought this, he crossed Oris Square and entered the Marine Headquarters's tall building, 'Tenshukaku'.

That's right.

Roy certainly didn't dislike Smoker—although he initially approached Smoker only because of the Devil Fruit ability he possessed.

However, during his naval training, he did acknowledge the other party as a friend.

What Smoker said about how they once chased after a sea to retrieve money meant to save a girl's mother's life was indeed true.

But as Roy said.

That has nothing to do with the 'justice' that the Navy has always touted and believed in.

“That young girl’s father died early, her mother has been ill for many years, and she herself is blind. She relies on the village’s assistance and the money her mother painstakingly saves by sewing small clothes every day. Those bastards and pirates can still be so heartless as to rob her. Who can stand by and watch?”

Roy didn't consider himself a particularly good philanthropist.

But as a time traveler, he still retains the basic principles and conscience he developed before his time travel.

But without a doubt, what he considered basic conscience is already extremely rare in this world.

Smoker came to approve of him because of that incident, and from then on regarded him as a friend and recognized his 'justice'.

But in fact, Roy's own attitude toward the Navy was exactly as he had just thought.

Having served in the navy for so many years, he certainly knew that there was no shortage of truly kind and righteous soldiers within the navy.

But this cannot change the fact that the Navy is itself part of the 'World Government'—and that supreme authority that rules the world is precisely the most corrupt part of the world.

Roy never intended to be a dog of the Celestial Dragons, so naturally he wouldn't truly believe in the Navy's so-called justice.

Of course, the same goes for pirates—Roy doesn't deny that there might be some truly heroic pirates on the seas of this world.

But the truth is that most of the pirates who set sail during the so-called 'Great Pirate Era' were just pure villains.

He dislikes the Navy, pirates, and Roy, and has no intention of truly joining any side.

His understanding of the navy was very simple.

The Navy was merely a hideout for him, and a place where he acquired Devil Fruit powers.

The detention unit was a 'key department' that he would never leave as long as he was in the Navy.

"However, Smoker is right about one thing: freedom is indeed very important."

“I know the locations of many ability users on this sea, but I’m currently restricted by headquarters’ rules and don’t have the opportunity to acquire their abilities.”

Thinking of this, Roy also showed a somewhat troubled expression.

This problem is essentially the same as the Pele problem he desperately needs to solve; it requires him to leave the Navy or the detention center to resolve, but he cannot leave the detention center now.
"It's troublesome"

Roy sighed.

"Hahaha!? You actually find things troublesome now—that's strange!"

But at that moment, a hearty laugh reached Roy's ears.

Unbeknownst to him, Roy had already arrived at an office.

The office door was tightly closed, but the laughter was coming from inside.

"Grandpa, were you using Observation Haki to eavesdrop again?"

Roy said helplessly, and then pushed open the office door.

The office was simply furnished—a desk with black tea and skewers of meatballs, a chair, and a pile of newspapers and wanted posters.

At the desk, an elderly man with bulging muscles was happily eating meatballs.

He wore a navy cloak over a shirt, and the scars all over his body and the medals on his uniform spoke volumes about the deadly battle he had endured.

"Hahaha! This old man is so bored in this place, it's hard to pass the time without gossiping every day!"

He chuckled after hearing what Roy said.

"Using Observation Haki to eavesdrop at headquarters is strictly prohibited!"

Roy rolled his eyes, but he knew that his words would have no effect on the old man in front of him.

Because the old man in front of him was his superior, Vice Admiral 'Bilos', who managed the naval detention forces.

This vice admiral is not named in the storyline that Roy knows, but he is a veteran with a long service record. He joined the Navy at the same time as Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Navy Hero Garp, and has experienced countless battles throughout his life.

Due to his advanced age and declining combat effectiveness, he was transferred to the detention center to retire, and now he is just waiting to retire.

It's well-known that this old man uses his Observation Haki to eavesdrop on gossip.

"Tell me, what's bothering you?" At this moment, the old man also looked at Luo Yi with curiosity.

Upon hearing this, Roy remained unmoved.

He certainly didn't reveal his true thoughts; he simply brought up what Smoker had just said.

"That guy's a real stubborn mule. I clearly recommended Lieutenant Tashigi to him."

He complained like this.

"I see."

Upon hearing this, Lieutenant General Bilos naturally had no doubts. He simply handed Roy a skewer of meatballs while munching on one himself.

“I think Smoker has a point—you’re really good, and it’s a waste of your talent to stay here.”

"I have my own sense of justice!"

Roy looked serious.

Clearly, within the Navy, this phrase is similar to a certain red-haired fox Jinchūriki's "This is my ninja way."

So once he said that, Lieutenant General Bilos naturally stopped trying to persuade him.

"How did the mission go?"

He just asked casually.

"The same as always, he's already been sent to prison."

Roy took out the manual and gave a brief report on the mission.

"Okay, I'll report your merits on your behalf."

Bilos nodded, but then changed the subject and handed over a piece of information: "Speaking of which, I just received a temporary mission—are you interested?"

"what?"

Roy instinctively took the intelligence report, but frowned: "I just got back to headquarters, and the old man and the brothers haven't even had a chance to sit down yet!"

"I know you always throw a celebration banquet after a mission and then let your subordinates rest for a few days, so I'm just asking you, aren't I?"

At that moment, Lieutenant General Bilos casually remarked.

"This matter concerns member states of the World Government, so you'll receive considerable credit. In two months, our headquarters' 'All-Army Military Exercise' will begin. If you can be promoted to colonel-level officer before then, you can participate in the exercise."

"A full-scale military exercise?"

Upon hearing this, Roy frowned.

The all-army military exercise is a major event that the navy holds every few years.

Navy officers of the rank of lieutenant colonel or above and under the age of 50 can sign up to participate; it is considered the Navy's 'martial arts tournament'.

If you achieve a good ranking, you can get an additional rank promotion—the top three can even be directly promoted to 'brigadier general', becoming a general-level officer.

Even more famous than the all-army military exercises is the 'world conscription' that the navy has only held a handful of times since its establishment.

But as I said before—Roy has no interest in these things.

Promotion in military rank is certainly good, but once promoted, one is likely to be transferred away from the detention unit, which is not good.

However, at this moment, Lieutenant General Bilos's words gave him a shock.

"Kid, I might have to retire after this all-army military exercise."

The old man crunched loudly as he chewed a string of meatballs, but what he said sounded like thunder to Roy.

"retire!?"

"Yes—my eldest grandson was born. I'm taking this opportunity to retire and train him properly, hoping he'll become an outstanding naval officer in the future."

Lieutenant General Bilos said with a grin, "And I've been in this detention unit for so many years. You're probably the most promising guy in the team."

What he meant was simple.

He was about to retire, and the special nature of the detention center meant that most ambitious and capable naval personnel were unwilling to come.

"If you can get a good ranking in the 'All-Army Military Exercise,' I, the old man, will apply to the Warring States period to let you stay and serve as the manager of the detention troops. What do you think?"

"."

how do you feel?
That's great!

Roy's excitement at that moment needs no further explanation.

Becoming the manager of the detention center would be extremely beneficial for him.

Even though the detention force itself is not highly regarded within the Navy, it is still a key part of the Navy's composition.

The commanding officers of the detention forces symbolized a high degree of freedom and status, while
"The managers of the detention forces are also responsible for escorting powerful criminals to Impel Down. They even have the authority to enter Impel Down for inspections."

This is the key point.

For Roy, that underwater prison that held countless powerful criminals was a true treasure trove.

so.
"Old man, let me see the mission!"

He spoke decisively, his words ringing with conviction.

"It's just overtime—it's my duty to fight for justice, sir!"

(End of this chapter)