Uchiha's personal opinion

Which of these slave shops doesn't have some powerful backer?

Behind them are either high-ranking naval officers, major pirate crews, or even nobles and royalty from member states—these are the kinds of things that royalty and nobility like to do to deal with rebels and losers in a struggle.

In addition to this, there is another particularly important factor in the existence of slave shops: the Celestial Dragons!

The Celestial Dragons, residing in Mary Geoise, the highest institution of the World Government located behind the Sabaody Archipelago, are most fond of buying slaves from the Sabaody Archipelago for their amusement!

Without the existence of these slave traders to satisfy the Celestial Dragons' depraved desires, the ordinary people living in the Sabaody Archipelago, and even the families of the Marines, would probably suffer!

Therefore, the existence of slave traders is an extremely complex issue, and it is not something that can be dealt with by simple force.

However, for the navy, which is committed to justice and bound by so-called rules and regulations, even if it cannot take action against these "legally paying taxes" in violation of regulations, it is still acceptable to stand by and watch.

After all, the navy isn't a city defense force; it has neither the obligation nor the need to intervene in such matters.

"...Let's go!"

Seeing that the fire had been extinguished by other nearby businesses, the naval captain shook his head with regret and prepared to lead his team away.

"Why don't we take a look? What if they're some lone wolf pirates, scattered and disorganized? They're the most dangerous!"

The lieutenant, who was about to speak, spoke again, drawing the attention of the accompanying naval officers.

"...Go and take a look, investigate thoroughly, and while you're at it, piece together the bodies and write a report to analyze the cause of death!"

The naval captain stared at him for a long time before sneering.

If it weren't for the fact that he was a colleague and that this lieutenant's position and duties were rather special, he would have wanted to kill this guy with a slave trader family background right there in the street!

"...Yes, sir!"

The lieutenant, who had been openly slapped in the face, dared not object and could only sheepishly accept the order, entering the ruins of the slave shop where only a few embers remained burning.

However, after searching through the items, he unexpectedly discovered a broken handle with a ring and half a piece of charred yellow paper.

"This is……"

This thing looked familiar, but the lieutenant, known for his incompetence, couldn't recall its origin for the time being.

I vaguely remember seeing something similar at some internal intelligence briefing...

"What could it be...?"

The lieutenant bent down and picked up the broken handle.

"what……"

Suddenly, he noticed that the ring on the handle seemed to be connected to a very thin steel wire.

Upon closer inspection, it appears that the short, thin wire broke when the handle was picked up.

"……Well!"

The lieutenant seemed to suddenly realize something, and then a look of panic immediately appeared on his face. He immediately got up and tried to run out the door.

But it's too late.

The instant he stood up, a fierce flame completely engulfed him!

Meanwhile, the navy personnel outside the street only saw the shop ruins explode violently again, even forming a small mushroom cloud!

"..."

The naval officers looked at each other in bewilderment.

Although they disliked the lieutenant, they didn't intend to let him die!

And most importantly, if he dies, someone else will have to take care of those Celestial Dragons who come to the 'mortal world' to play and have fun!

'Thud!'

A blackish-red, fragrant half-arm fell in front of the naval officers, its hand still tightly gripping a handle with a ring, perhaps due to excessive tension.

"He's really dead..."

A naval officer couldn't help but sigh, "They're already in this state, is there any need to rush in and try to save them?"

"What's there to save? People are so happy they could fly!"

Another stern-faced naval officer gloated, "Dying in a slave shop is like returning to one's roots. It's much better than the miserable fate of us who might perish overseas at any time!"

"We're all on the same side, don't make sarcastic remarks..."

The naval captain slowly squatted down and casually said, "It wouldn't be good for the navy's image if word got out."

"What image do we have left in the navy? Boss, you're too confident."

The naval officer muttered again.

At the same time, everyone's attention was drawn to the sun as the naval captain examined the handle with the ring.

"I vaguely remember..."

A captain scratched his head.

It's so itchy! It feels like a brain is growing inside my muscular skull!

"I knew it……"

The naval captain roughly broke off the severed arm's fingers, revealing the handle he was holding in his palm and half a piece of yellow paper.

"As expected..."

The naval captain wore an expression of unsurprised surprise.

The naval officers who were watching immediately realized what was going on.

Of course, regardless of whether you truly understand or have guessed it, not having a knowing expression on your face at this moment would only make you seem out of place with your colleagues.

"The weapons used by the Kirigakure Pirates are almost identical to those shown in the intelligence reports..."

The naval captain slowly said, "A short-handled, double-edged weapon typically used in close combat or throwing, plus this strange talisman that can explode..."

"It's those guys!"

The naval officers and officers became agitated.

After being reminded by his superior, even the most ignorant person could recall some intelligence information that he had read before.

"Those guys aren't very strong, but they're incredibly hard to catch!"

"That's true! Their diving skills aren't much worse than those fishmen's!"

"But those guys of unknown origin never come ashore, so how did they suddenly end up in the Sabaody Archipelago?"

"Yeah! That shouldn't be the case! Their navigation system seems pretty bad; they were just wandering around aimlessly in the East China Sea!"

The naval captain listened quietly to his subordinates' argument and fell into deep thought.

"Perhaps it's revenge~"

A naval officer said, "These pirates love to kill each other, so it's not surprising if it was indeed done by pirates."

"However, behind this slave shop, there seems to be..."

Another naval officer was about to speak out casually.

"Be careful!"

The naval captain immediately interrupted him.

"Perhaps their goal is the new world."

A bald naval officer pondered for a long time before speaking: "After all, what these pirates like to do most is to rush into the New World and kill each other after they think they are very powerful."

"And they even call it an adventure..."

The naval officers burst into laughter.

The air was immediately filled with a joyful atmosphere.

If it's confirmed that the Hidden Mist Pirates were responsible, then there's nothing to worry about.

After all, these pirates of unknown origin and extremely ruthless methods are not very strong. If they dare to enter the Sabaody Archipelago on a large scale, they will be easily wiped out by the Marine Headquarters' Rear Admirals and Vice Admirals. No matter how fast their iron-hulled ships are or how strange their methods of summoning mist are, it will be useless!

"Report this to headquarters..."

The naval captain kicked the severed arm away and said listlessly, "Also, send someone to monitor all the coating craftsmen and see if any special ships have arrived recently."

"Oh, and also let them know about Mermaid Island, so those other creatures should keep an eye on the underwater routes..."

After saying that, the naval captain left on his own.

……

"I'm rich!"

In a luxurious suite in the hotel district, Uchiha Nobutora emptied all the money and valuables from the safe, and Hyuga Shinki jumped up excitedly.

"...What use is money to us ninjas? Especially the money of this world!"

Uchiha Nobutora cursed irritably, then unsealed a small radio from the sealing scroll and began transmitting messages.

The Dynasty Navy's navigation methods are quite unique, primarily relying on radio for directional positioning and navigation. Therefore, Uchiha Nobutora and the other squadron leaders all share a responsibility: upon arriving at the target location, they must maintain close radio communication with the expeditionary force command via dense radio waves, keeping their phones on during this time to facilitate the command's technical personnel in completing the final positioning.

"By the way, why don't we buy a house to use as our base?"

Hinata Araki said enthusiastically, "In that case, we'll not only have a legitimate identity, but we can also establish a longwave radio station!"

"...Isn't the longwave radio station a bit conspicuous, considering its high power output?"

Uchiha Nobutora was somewhat tempted, but still had some hesitation.

"Hey!"

Hinata Shinki said dismissively, "These backward natives even rely on sails to power their ships. They probably haven't even heard of radio. Do you think they can track things by radio?"

"That makes sense... Go take a look then."

Uchiha Nobutora was also somewhat tempted, "It would be best to find one in a civilian area, so it won't be too sensitive..."

"I understand!"

Hinata Shinki left after saying that, and then ran off excitedly.

"Really..."

Uchiha Nobutora shook his head, then continued sending intelligence, beeping incessantly.