I guarded Impel Down for a hundred years in the pirate world.

He just wanted to coast through his term and retire early. Figo asked him to help Mendespensian pass on the word "get out," but how could he possibly do that? But how could he say it?

Just now, a marine he specially arranged came to report that Figo has appeared at the hospital. It wouldn't be right not to tell the Five Elders the news soon.

Just as he was struggling with this, there was a knock on his office door. His expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice:

"Come in."

The person who pushed open the door surprised him greatly. He stood up and said, "Figo? What brings you here..."

“I’ve come to apologize to Marshal,” Figo said sincerely. “I was in a bad mood earlier and my tone was a bit harsh. I was rude.”

Gandhar's expression softened: "It's alright, I understand, it's just..."

"Has the Marshal already spoken with the Five Elders?" Figo asked.

"Not yet." Gandharu didn't pretend to be defiant: "You dare to say it, but I dare not pass it on."

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Marshal," Figo said apologetically. "I initially thought that Mendespin was only targeting me, and I was a little angry. I didn't expect that Mendespin was thinking about the bigger picture and was worried that many of Professor Doug's students would have to come back from all over the world, causing chaos."

Gandharu looked somewhat uneasy.

Is this ironic?

How is this not targeted? What could possibly happen to a Commissioner of Impel Down like Figo if he were given a month's leave after his work was arranged? At worst, he could take turns with Deputy Commissioner Kingie, instead of resolutely refusing to grant him leave.

Doug's many students are the same. Not all the officers guarding a region can come back. But a branch with a highest-ranking officer is a lieutenant general. It doesn't matter if a colonel or major general is away for a month or two. They also have regular holidays every year and can reunite with their wives and children who are not by their side. But this time they are not allowed to take leave.

This is targeted! He also felt it was inhumane, but he was unwilling to express his opinion, so in the end he could only smile like a nice guy and remain silent.

Seeing this, Figo said, "I won't make things difficult for the Marshal. If you don't mind, I'll speak to Mendespin Saint myself."

That's great. Gandolpa, not wanting to have to do both, nodded and quickly handed the Den Den Mushi to Figo, who took it and dialed directly.

"What is it, Gandoru?"

“It is I, Mendespen Saint.”

Figo's opening remarks made Gandor's heart skip a beat. Good heavens, he didn't even use the word "sir" when speaking directly to him?

He couldn't afford to mess with him. He stepped back, pressed himself against the wall, and gave Figo some space.

Mendespen, on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, remained silent for a long while: "Gaston Figo? Gandoru, are you there?"

“He’s here, so please don’t make things difficult for the Marshal. It was a moment of impulse on my part that led me to run away from Impel Down. I feel deeply remorseful and now I’m resigning from my position as Impel Down’s warden,” Figo said.

"...Resign? Ha, Gaston Figo, this is an appointment made by the World Government. Do you think you can just resign whenever you want?"

"You've already visited Doug, haven't you? Now get back to Impel Down immediately. I'll let this matter drop regarding your desertion!"

“Then I’m applying for retirement. I’ve been stationed in Impel Down for 25 years since I was 20. I’ve spent all my best years there, it’s like being in prison. I’m exhausted, both physically and mentally, and I really can’t go on anymore.” Figo said, “I want to get out, get married, have children, and see the world while I’m still young. It’s only natural, you can understand, right?”

There was a silence on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, then Mendespen snorted, "The government won't approve your retirement! Get back here, Gaston Figo!"

Figo was greatly surprised: "They won't let me resign or retire. I should have joined the navy back then, not sold myself into slavery."

"Stop playing dumb, Figo," Mendespen said bluntly. "You should understand what I mean. You've repeatedly disobeyed government orders, and now you're both the warden of Impel Down and a prisoner! You'd better stay in Impel Down obediently, and in thirty or forty years, you'll be allowed to retire!"

So they really want to outlive me until I'm seventy or eighty? Actually, that's nothing to Figo. The Five Elders think they can outlive him, but in reality, he can outlive several of them. By then, he'll be completely invincible, able to leave Impel Down and easily wipe out the Celestial Dragons!

But as I said before, I can refuse, but you can't withhold it. I can voluntarily stay in Impel Down to grind monsters and build things, but you can't treat me like a prisoner and restrict my freedom!

After some thought, Figo was willing to compromise: "I can go back, thirty or forty years is fine with me, but I have one last request. Let me accompany my teacher through his final days, and let his students, those who can come back, come back too, how about that?"

"Impossible!" Mendespen Saint categorically rejected the idea. Why wouldn't he agree to let Doug's students return? Was he afraid Doug might do something before he died? No, he was actually afraid of Figo!

What he feared was that Doug would turn the students he had trained over the decades into Figo's network of connections! In that case, Figo would not only have reputation and strength in the Marine Headquarters, but also real power. And since Figo was an unruly guy, there was a possibility that the Marines would slip out of his control!

Only those marines who are willing to serve as tools to maintain the Celestial Dragons' rule are good marines. Those who are blinded by ridiculous justice need to wake up!

Just then, the Den Den Mushi suddenly beeped and was hung up. Mendesbin was stunned for a moment, then snorted angrily—it's happening again! It's always the same old Den Den Mushi that gets hung up on suddenly! What an arrogant and rude fellow!

In the Marshal's office, Figo shook his head at Gandor: "Marshal, seven years ago you were in charge of keeping an eye on the Hell Pirates, so you should know that the encounter was sudden and not a cleanup operation, but a shameful betrayal from the World Government."

Gandal looked somewhat awkward and nodded slightly: "I know. Thanks to you, otherwise the marines on the ten Buster Call warships, and even Vice Admiral Mia Doug, would probably have suffered countless casualties."

"So you see, they became Marines for justice, but the World Government probably only treats them like dogs. Now they won't even grant the normal request of an old Marine before he dies."

This is by no means an isolated case. How many cases like Doug have occurred in the past 700 years? Decades later, Zephyr suffered a fate several times worse: his wife and son were killed by pirates, his students were slaughtered by pirates, he lost his arm, and the pirate was eventually recruited by the World Government to become a Shichibukai.

Gandol was speechless. He watched Figo leave and slumped back into his chair, somewhat dejected.

Stepping down from the Navy Headquarters building, Figo was filled with resentment and planned to have a talk with the O family, but to his surprise, Mia was waiting for him in front of the square.

Following Mia were a group of somewhat familiar faces—Lieutenant General Doug's students who participated in the Buster Call seven years ago.

“Figo, you failed, didn’t you?” Mia said to him. “Your teacher said he understands the Five Elders’ arrogance better than you do. You were bound to fail. And with your fearless nature, you might impulsively run to the Holy Land and cause trouble.”

Figo was stunned.

I'm actually... not that impulsive.

“You’re not the only one who’s a student of the teacher; I’ll go with you.” Mia continued, “Seven years ago, the World Government betrayed us, and my entire ship of marines suffered deaths and injuries. We deserve an explanation!”

"We demand an explanation!" A rear admiral behind him shouted in agreement, "We're also Professor Doug's students, we'll go with you!"

"Let's go together! Let's go together!"

Many people responded!

It's not just for Doug, but also for the tarnished sense of justice in my heart, and for questioning the uniform I wear!

The combined aura of dozens of people was palpable! Seven years had passed, but they had not forgotten the betrayal by the World Government; on the contrary, they remembered it even more vividly!

Figo suddenly laughed.

Now, he's acting a bit impulsively.

"Let's go!" He walked ahead.

Mia followed closely behind him.

The other marines followed behind Mia.

The unexpected appearance of the group attracted more and more attention. Suddenly, another figure appeared beside Mia. It was a lieutenant general who had participated in the Demon Buster Order seven years ago. He just smiled and didn't say a word, silently following the group.

As the group moved forward.

The number of people in the group grew larger and larger! The group became more and more imposing! By the time they arrived at the port where the warships were docked, there were already more than three hundred people!

A thin, old man blocked their way. The line stopped. Figo looked at him, and the old man looked at Figo. Suddenly, a smile spread across his face.

"Take me with you?"

“I thought you were going to tell me about the horrors of the Holy Land again,” Figo said.

Ao Jia chuckled and scolded him, his gaze sweeping over the marines behind Figo.

Rebellion? No, it's not!

This is the steadfastness and fighting spirit the Navy needs! The Navy must never become a yes-man of the government!

Soon, two warships took off and flew straight towards Mary Geoise, the holy land where the World Government was located!

------------

Chapter Fifty-Seven: Figo's Justice

"What did you say?!"

In the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, Mendespin, one of the Five Elders, was filled with shock and anger, and he could barely hear Gandal's voice coming through the Den Den Mushi.

He slammed the Den Den Mushi down hard, his breathing becoming heavy, mixed with a hint of tension he didn't want to admit... Something terrible had happened!

What is this? This is a mutiny! An unprecedented naval mutiny in over 700 years!

How did things get to this point?

Damn Gaston Figo!

Damn the Oku family!

Are you guys crazy?!

With his brain still functioning, he immediately issued an urgent notice to the other four Elders to gather here. Upon hearing that the Oga family and Figo had gathered more than three hundred marines and were heading towards the Holy Land, the other four Elders were also greatly surprised and then enraged.

"Mendespen, is this how you manage the navy?! I told you long ago, don't be too lenient with the Au family! This situation is all because of your negligence!"

Mendespen did indeed have some regrets.

But he felt innocent too. If it was just the Au family… damn it, the key is that Gaston Figo! Doug and the Au family, two old geezers, both affected by him!

He could only admit fault: "Now is not the time to discuss responsibility. This is indeed my fault, and I will apologize to Lord Im. Now that things have come to this, we must also alert Lord Im."

"To alarm Lord Im? No way!"

"The eight-hundred-year period is approaching, and both the Heavenly King and the Sea King are about to be resurrected. Those who bear the name D are also gradually becoming active. At this time, do you want to disturb Lord Im for such a matter?"

"And this is the Navy! Not those pirates who used to break into the Holy Land and could be wiped out at will! Do you want the entire Navy to mutiny, plunging the world into chaos, and then what are we supposed to do but slowly rebuild order?!"

Mendespen clenched his fist in frustration: "Then tell me... what should we do? The World Government can't possibly compromise with the Navy!"

“That’s right. No matter what, we can’t set a precedent for the Navy attacking the World Government. This matter must be suppressed.” At this moment, one of the Five Elders, who rarely spoke and silently held his sword, spoke up, drawing the attention of the other four.

Saint Cherrolin, the least powerful of the Five Elders, is only responsible for combat. Normally, he's more of a figurehead among the Five Elders, but in the current situation, he has become the one with the most say.

"There's no need to alarm Lord Im; our strength is sufficient. Have Raul come immediately to stop them. We can't let them actually storm the Holy Land. Then have Moka come too! Saint Mendespin, and you, you know their intentions best. Why did things turn out this way? What are you still hiding?!"

Mendespen's expression was uncertain, but he finally closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

……

On the sea between the Navy Headquarters and the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, under the influence of the Oku family's Float-Float Fruit, two warships were flying steadily side by side toward the Holy Land.

Figo stood at the bow of the ship and said to all the marines, "I want everyone to know what we are doing on this voyage. There is no turning back."

Let me make this clear beforehand: that is the holy land where the World Government is located. If the Five Elders maintain a tough stance and even try to eliminate all of us who have offended the World Government, even I and the old Marshal of the Oku family may not be able to protect ourselves. As for you, you will either die or be thrown into prison!

It's not too late to regret it now. Board the warship on your right, and Marshal Au will release you. Return to port on your own. Compared to life and death, saving face isn't that important!

As soon as he finished speaking, no one on his warship moved, but the sailors on his right all jumped over to his side.

Figo chuckled and shook his head: "I know, don't jump, don't jump, it's quite high."

"Hahaha, Lord Figo, don't underestimate us!" a marine laughed.

"On our very first day as marines, we swore an oath to uphold justice to the death!"

"Without you, we might have died at the hands of the Hell Pirates nine years ago. What's there to be afraid of!"