One Piece: Starting as a Marine Lieutenant, I Slack Off and Get Stronger

Smoker pointed to the execution platform high above and sighed, "I was probably 12 years old back then. Roger walked past me and went up to that execution platform..."

"Time flies, I'm already 34 years old, and the Great Pirate Era that Roger started is not over yet..."

Looking at the execution platform high above, Karl smiled slightly: "Do you believe that the Great Pirate Era is about to end?"

Smoker paused, then shook his head: "It's not that easy. Even if you send all four Yonko to Impel Down, there will still be other pirates who will take those positions. Someone will always choose to be a pirate, won't they?"

Karl smiled without saying anything, then quickly changed the subject: "How have things been lately? You must be having a pretty good time in the East China Sea, right?"

"It's not exactly leisurely, but there's not much challenge. I was quite free for a while."

"A while ago? I see you seem pretty free now, don't you?"

Smoker exhaled a smoke ring and slowly said, "Yesterday, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) sent me intelligence about evidence of Colonel Monka of the 153rd Branch of the East China Sea abusing his power and oppressing the people. I was planning to go to the 153rd Branch to arrest Colonel Monka in the next couple of days, but I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly."

Axe God Morgan? Karl realized the key element, but remained outwardly calm.

"So, you're saying my presence is disrupting your work?"

Smoker shook his head: "It's not that bad. We've got a naval hero like you, so why not use you?"

"You've got a knack for ordering people around. Fine, I've got nothing else to do anyway, so I might as well get this sorted out!"

Smoker was somewhat surprised, but a smile quickly appeared on his face: "Let's go without delay!"

Since the Holy Light was a steamship, it was incredibly fast in the beginner-level waters of the East China Sea, far exceeding the speed of other warships. Therefore, Smoker unceremoniously requisitioned Karl's Holy Light, much to Karl's dismay.

"I really miss those days! Before the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was established, I used to follow you around every day, investigating corrupt sailors!"

Karl couldn't help but smile: "Yeah, I remember it started in... Cocoyasi Village, right? Hmm... the Arlong Pirates colluded with that guy called Rat."

"Haha, you have a great memory. The only one I remember is that little girl with orange hair. She must be all grown up now. I wonder what she's doing?"

Orange hair? Smoker was probably referring to Nami. It's hard to say what Nami is doing now, but she's definitely grown up, that's for sure.

"Haha, who knows?"

To be honest, Loguetown is quite far from Shellstown, where the 153rd branch is located. At the speed of a regular warship, it would take at least a whole day to get there.

However, Karl's Holy Light was quite fast, and by around 9 a.m. the next day, it had already arrived in the waters near Shells Town. But in order to avoid being noticed, the Holy Light did not dock at the port of Shells Town, but instead docked directly on the sea some distance away.

In Smoker's words, seeing is believing. The evidence was compiled based on reports submitted by others, and its authenticity was yet to be verified. Therefore, after the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) staff compiled the "evidence," they would send people to conduct on-site investigations in the area to confirm the evidence before making arrests.

"This guy used to be a righteous navy officer, but he's become increasingly arrogant since becoming a colonel. Recently, he even wants to build a statue of himself in front of the naval base! Hmph, what an ignorant fool."

"Ha, the whistleblower materials might have been submitted by his subordinates. 'Those with power are the greatest people in the world,' how dare a mere branch colonel say that?"

Smoker curled his lip dismissively: "Who knows? Alright, we're here. Hey, why are you wearing a mask?"

"Nonsense, too many people recognize my face. If I didn't wear a mask, I'd expose myself in a heartbeat!"

Smoker: ......

Execution ground of Branch 153.

Zoro was tightly bound to a pillar, enduring the double torment of being exposed to the scorching sun and starving.

At this moment, a guy wearing a straw hat came to buy melons—no, to find a crew member.

Chapter 211 Axe King Monka

Zoro looked up, pursed his lips, and thought, "It's that guy again."

"It's you again. Are you really that relaxed?"

Luffy looked at Zoro seriously: "I'll untie you, and you can be my crewmate!"

"What did you say?" Zoro's tone was somewhat surprised. He was a renowned pirate hunter in the East Blue! Had this kid gone mad?

"Hey! I'm looking for crewmates to become pirates with."

Zoro rejected Luffy's invitation without hesitation. He would rather be tied up here and starve to death, or die on a pillar, than become a pirate.

Besides, if he wanted to be a pirate, he would have been one already. Why would he need this guy to invite him?

His sole purpose in setting sail was to defeat the naval swordsman Karl and the world's greatest swordsman, Mihawk.

Becoming a bounty hunter only earns me some travel expenses, but the travel expenses are spent quickly. I'm always just wandering around a few islands. I've been a bounty hunter for almost a year, and I haven't even left the East China Sea yet. How infuriating!

"You want me to become a pirate? Don't waste your time. I, Roronoa Zoro, will never willingly associate with villains like you!"

Luffy scratched his head: "What's wrong with being a pirate?"

"Piracy is a crooked and evil path. Who would want to become a pirate for no reason?"

Luffy grinned: "What does it matter? You're already known as an evil bounty hunter!"

"No matter what others think of me, I have never done anything that I regret. No matter what, I will live on and accomplish what I want to do!"

Zoro's eyes were serious as he said this, and Luffy nodded in agreement.

"Oh, I see. But I've already made up my mind to have you as my companion."

Zoro was speechless upon hearing this, feeling that the guy in the straw hat in front of him seemed a little off, or in short, not very bright.

"You use a sword, don't you?"

Zoro was taken aback, then nodded: "Yes, it's a pity that my sword was taken by Colonel Morgan's idiot son."

"I can get it back for you, but if you want your knife back, you'll have to be my buddy, hehe."

Zoro was furious: "You, you, you bastard!"

Before Zoro could finish speaking, Luffy dashed off towards the gate of the Marine base...

Zoro muttered to himself, "Is this guy trying to barge into the Marine base alone? How audacious! Wait, bastard!!! The Marine base is over there! You're going the wrong way!!!"

It turns out that Zoro knows his way around when he doesn't have to walk. It's likely that he's under some kind of curse—a curse that makes it difficult for him to go wherever he wants, and there's no way to break it.

"Rubber Rocket!!!"

With a whoosh, Luffy flew straight out, and Zoro's eyes widened in surprise. This guy was actually a Devil Fruit user?

Shields Town.

"Hello, is this Colonel Morgan from the base?"

The residents who were asked looked on with fear and quickly walked away. Smoker shook his head slightly.

"I asked several people, and they all said the same thing. It seems that the accusations against Monka for abusing his power and oppressing the people are true."

Standing next to Smoker, Carl pointed to the naval base not far away and said, "You'll see when you look over there. Tsk tsk tsk, even a branch colonel has the courage to have a statue erected for himself. I'm so envious. I'm a naval hero, but I don't even have a statue!"

"Hmm?" Smoker stroked his chin, looking up at the marines bustling about above, and snorted coldly, "Perfect, the evidence is conclusive. I'd like to see how this guy explains himself!"

After saying that, Smoker grabbed Carl and quickly headed towards the naval base.

Above the base.

Colonel Monca, seeing that his statue had been raised slightly, immediately shouted, "Okay, stop for a moment!"

"Listen up, all of you. When I give you my command, erect the statue in one go. Understand?"

"Yes!"

At this moment, Colonel Morgan's simple-minded son, Bellemere, said with a wronged expression, "Dad, why haven't you avenged me yet! That kid in the straw hat slapped me in the face! Even you, Dad, have never hit me!"

With his back to his son, Monka said in a deep voice, "Why haven't I hit you yet? Do you know why?"

"Huh? That's because, to Dad, I am..."

“That’s right, because you are a…” Monka suddenly turned around and punched Bellmeber in the face.

"You idiot, you're not worth my time! Don't get me wrong!"

"Your greatness lies with your father, that is, me! Speaking of which, it's like a rat wandered into the execution ground."

Helmeppo quickly said, "Well, I've already taught that little girl who brought Zoro rice balls a lesson!"

"Has she already been executed?"

"Hey, no, no, she's just a little brat..."

Monka scoffed disdainfully and pointed at the naval soldier beside him, shouting, "Hey, go to town and execute that little girl!"

The naval officer who was called upon said with difficulty, "How can you do this? She... she's just a little girl. Even if it's your order, Colonel, this..."

"Hmph, any brat who disobeys my orders is a traitor."

"But I can't do it!"

"Huh?" Monka raised his arm, which had been transformed into a giant axe, high and slammed it down on the naval soldier, sending him flying.

"Lieutenant!"

Even Bellambe couldn't stand it anymore and said with a heavy heart, "Isn't this going too far, Dad?"

Instead of being ashamed, Morgan proudly declared, "I became a naval captain precisely because of this strength. Listen carefully, in this world, military rank is everything!"

"As the supreme commander of this base, I am the best, so everything I do is correct, don't you agree?"

Under Monka's intimidating power, the naval officers and soldiers present had no choice but to shout, "Yes, you are right!"

Monka nodded in satisfaction and looked at his statue: "We can deal with that brat later. The most important thing now is to erect this statue that represents my power!"

"I want to demonstrate my greatness from the highest point of this base!"