One Piece: Nobody knows Devil Fruits better than me.

Chapter 5: Justice has nowhere to reside in a tree that is rotten at the roots.

Three days ago, a royal merchant ship of the Kingdom of Nismael, a member state of the World Government, received a threatening letter while returning from the Sabaody Archipelago. The letter stated that they had been targeted by pirates.

Therefore, they chose to anchor near the Navy's G-51 branch in the Kingdom's Masterport and requested naval escort.

Shortly after arriving at the G-51 branch, they successfully captured a pirate attempting to infiltrate the branch at the port and preliminarily confirmed that the pirate was the one who sent the threatening letter.

"interesting."

Lying on a sun lounger on the deck of the warship, looking at the detailed mission intelligence in his hand, Roy took a sip of iced cola.

"Sir? What's interesting?"

Upon hearing this, Hans, who was at the helm, asked curiously.

Not only him, but the other marines in the detention unit also curiously gathered around.

"The criminal we're escorting this time is quite interesting—another drink, please."

As Roy handed the ice glass to Far, he said softly.

"The lack of a bounty and name suggests that the other party must be completely unknown."

He pointed to the intelligence report in his hand.

"But this guy actually dared to plunder the royal merchant ships of member states of the World Government, and even dared to write a notice in advance."

At this point, Roy stroked his chin with great interest.

"Now that you mention it, it is indeed quite rare, sir."

As Far nodded, he handed over a new iced cola: "But he was caught so easily. I think he might be a rookie pirate who just set sail and is willing to do anything?"

"maybe"

Roy nodded, but then he sat up from the chaise lounge and took off his sunglasses: "Oh, we're here."

On the distant horizon, a sizable island gradually unfolds into view.

The first thing that catches the eye is that huge white building standing near the island's coastline.

The huge naval insignia gleamed in the sunlight, and the black lettering of 'G-51' and the Scales and Seagulls flag were clearly visible in a prominent position on the tall building.

That was the G-51st branch of the Grand Line Navy, their destination.

As the warships approached...

Besides the branch, the outline of the city on that island gradually became clearer.

It was a bustling port.

The huge harbor was filled with all kinds of ships, with merchant ships and small boats of all sizes coming and going.

"It's so lively."

Hans, who was at the helm, was somewhat surprised.

"After all, this is Master Port—an important port of the Kingdom of Nismair."

Far said it was only natural.

As mentioned earlier, the Kingdom of Nismael is one of the more than 170 member states of the World Government and is directly protected by the World Government and the Navy.

Just like this Masterport—a naval branch was established right here.

Therefore, most pirates would not consider attacking this place.

Merchant ships from most countries are willing to dock here.

Even if it means paying exorbitant berthing fees, it's still better than being robbed by pirates.

"It is indeed very prosperous, but..."

Roy nodded, his gaze sweeping across the other side of the harbor.

It was a town.

However, compared to the bustling port, the town seemed much quieter—the buildings were not tall, and at first glance, they could even be described as dilapidated.

It's not hard to guess that this was where the island's original inhabitants lived.

Like most countries in the world, the prosperity of the port and the wealth of the country are not really related to the lives of the people.

"Let's go to the branch's port."

So Roy didn't look at it any longer and ordered the warships to head to the port reserved for the naval branch.

But upon arriving at the naval branch port, Roy paused for a moment.

Because at this moment, in the port berth of the Navy's G-51 branch, besides the branch's warships, there was clearly a merchant ship docked.

It was far larger and more magnificent than the ordinary merchant ships in Masterport, with its golden hull and huge figureheads exuding prestige.

The crown-shaped flag hanging on the mast identified it.

"This must be the royal merchant ship that received the threatening letter?"

Roy smiled and said, "They actually docked directly at the branch port. It seems that the colonel at the branch has a good relationship with the Kingdom of Nismair."

With that said, the warship docked at the branch's port.

"It's the headquarters' detention unit!?"

"I am a marine in charge of port management," the branch officer asked.

After confirming Roy's identity, he gave a military salute: "The handover of the criminals is ready. Colonel Astor is waiting for you in his office!"

"I see."

Roy nodded, but then his gaze swept around: "Where is everyone else here?"

He has already discovered a small problem.

That is, there is something clearly wrong with the number of guards at this port.

There were no navy personnel at most of the naval guard posts, only a few scattered individuals.

"They're all at the branch preparing for tonight's banquet!"

The branch marines then said.

"banquet?"

"Yes—because the pirate was captured, Manager Mantal of the Nismair Kingdom's merchant ships organized this banquet and invited the brothers of the branch to attend. It is said that Manager Mantal also prepared a gift for each marine as a token of gratitude." The branch marine said this with some excitement.

No one would be unhappy about having extra income.

"So generous?"

Roy grinned. "You'll be going over there later, right? What about the port's defenses?"

"Sir, you don't need to worry."

The branch marines were very confident: "This is a port of a member state of the World Government. Normally, no pirates would come to attack it."

"Besides, aren't they still here?"

As he said this, he pointed to the distance not far away.

Roy turned his head and saw that there were indeed some guards dressed in gorgeous court attire walking around near the berth where the royal merchant ship was docked.

"who are they?"

Without needing Roy, Hans had already asked curiously at that moment.

"Oh, they are the royal guards of the Kingdom of Nismair."

After hearing the branch marines' answer, Hans continued to ask, "Aren't they attending tonight's banquet?"

"Of course not, they have to guard the cargo on the ship."

After briefly understanding the situation, Roy said no more.

He simply turned to Hans and said, "Hans, go back to the ship and help Far tidy up the temporary prison. I'll go and hand it over to Colonel Astor."

"Yes!"

After Hans returned to the warship, Roy declined the marines' offer to lead the way and headed towards the G-51 branch building on his own.

However, as he walked, his gaze inevitably drifted to the royal merchant ship—mainly because the ship's size was quite conspicuous.

Upon closer inspection, Roy discovered many strange things.

For example, on the side of this ship, you can clearly see many sharp iron spikes.

The ship's hull also appears somewhat enclosed, with only the cannon muzzles revealing the interior, where a cage-like structure can be vaguely seen.

"This Ship"

Roy frowned, muttering to himself.

But it is precisely at this moment
"Kori! Kori!"

He heard a commotion.

When he turned his head, he clearly saw a person struggling to squeeze down from one of the cannons on the royal merchant ship.

It was an old man.

His body was hunched over, his skin and clothes were covered in blood, his eyes were almost sunken into their sockets, and his gray hair was matted together.

He had a rope around his neck and shackles on his feet.

"Ke Li. Ke Li"

He waved his hand and muttered to himself, as if he were holding something in his hand.

Roy's excellent eyesight allowed him to vaguely see what the other person was holding—it seemed to be a piece of cloth.

At that moment, the guards on the merchant ship also spotted him.

"It's that old madman again. Get him back here!"

"How did he get there? Where's the person responsible for watching the cargo hold?!"

Soon, through the gap in the cannon muzzle, Roy saw what appeared to be a hand reaching out from behind the old man, roughly grabbing his hair and pulling him back.

"."

Roy watched this scene without saying a word.

But
[Rabbit-Rabbit Fruit - Snow Rabbit Form LV1 - Equipped - Grants access to some of the Snow Rabbit's characteristics, enhancing all aspects of the body, with additional boosts to hearing and speed]

With his enhanced hearing, Roy could hear the sounds of beatings and insults coming from inside the cabin, accompanied by the old man's delirious mutterings.

"Ke Li. Ke Li"

“Your daughter has already been bought! You old bastard, you’ve caused me trouble with an unsellable commodity—if it weren’t for the manager saying that your fresh organs are still worth something and that we need to find another way to sell them, I would have killed you long ago.”

And so, Roy understood everything.

"The spikes on the ship and the structure that looked like a prison cell. I see."

"A slave ship."

He murmured to himself, making a logical deduction.

The slave trade.

One of the world's malignant sores.

Although the world government explicitly prohibits the buying and selling of human slaves.

But in reality, due to the existence of the Celestial Dragons...

Therefore, the slave trade itself is actually a gray area—the world government not only doesn't really care about it, but even protects it.

Just like now.

The Kingdom of Nismael, a member state of the World Government, was clearly involved in the slave trade.

Even their methods of transporting slaves were far from covert; at least Roy was certain that the high-ranking naval officers within the G-51 branch knew about them.

Even so, they still had to escort a returning slave ship.

"Justice!"

Roy clicked his tongue.

This is also why he scoffs at the Navy's so-called justice.

Justice has nowhere to reside in a tree that is rotten from the roots.

(End of this chapter)