Logue Town Base Commander Roya

The Execution Square had been scrubbed for a week before the blood-red stains finally faded, returning the ground to its original color. The damage was also fully repaired.

Only then did the silent Logue Town regain some of its former bustle.

Branch, Base Commander's office.

The window was wide open, letting in a cool breeze.

Roya sat in front of the tea table, stacking stones he'd picked up, completely absorbed in the task, the Marines' shouts echoing in his ears.

The number of Marines in the Branch was less than half of what it used to be, but their shouts were even louder, and having been tempered by life and death, their presence was even more concentrated.

A true Elite Troops!

Fullbody arrived at the door, holding a thick stack of documents.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Come in."

Fullbody approached the tea table, a beaming smile on his face as he handed over the documents. "Major, no, Colonel! Your Promotion papers are here."

"Hmm, let me see."

Roya picked up the documents, casually flipping through them.

His merit in eliminating the Arlong Pirates had earned him a double Promotion, elevating him to Branch Colonel and appointing him as the Base Commander of the Logue Town Branch.

It was about what he expected.

But he couldn't be careless. Marine Headquarters must have noticed his little tricks, but with the heavens high and the emperor far away, they had no evidence and couldn't do anything to him for the time being.

Headquarters will definitely take action.

"As expected!"

Roya flipped to the last page, looking at the Silver-Haired Man with a fierce face, as if everyone owed him money, and smiled.

What's coming, will come!

It was the famous Smoker!

The Logue Town Branch had suffered heavy losses, so Marine Headquarters, under the guise of providing support, dispatched Headquarters Colonel Smoker to Logue Town Branch to take up a position.

In name, he was Roya's subordinate.

But in terms of rank, a Headquarters Colonel was clearly higher than his Branch Colonel. Whether he could command Smoker would probably depend on who had the stronger fist.

Moreover, if Smoker found evidence of him killing Murak and the others, he might directly replace him and take over Logue Town.

That must be what Headquarters intended.

If all goes well, they can compete for the top spot based on their abilities; otherwise, he would be directly removed.

"Smoker, huh!"

Roya was somewhat happy.

Smoker was his favorite Marine officer, bar none. A large part of the reason he applied to come to Logue Town was to see Smoker.

The reason was very simple: while Smoker harbored Justice, he wasn't so rigid. He dared to openly defy his superiors, dared to challenge the Warlords of the Sea who were allied with them, and even dared to question the World Government's actions.

In Roya's view, the Marines needed talent like Smoker who dared to draw their sword!

If the Marines were all like Marshal Sengoku, blindly following the World Government's orders, the future of the Marines would be hopeless.

Roya put down the papers and asked, "How is the compensation for the fallen soldiers?"

"It has all been distributed, without a single omission," Fullbody said, his expression dim.

Although most of the fallen soldiers didn't get along with them, they were still comrades who had fought together, and some sadness was inevitable.

However, that was how the Marines were. As long as there was war, there would be sacrifices. It was just that the casualties were greater this time.

If one couldn't adapt to the passing of comrades, they might collapse first.

Roya nodded slightly.

"How is the seizure of Commodore Murak's and the lieutenants' assets proceeding?"

"It's being verified," Fullbody said, perking up and informing Roya of the verification progress.

Murak had ruled Logue Town for many years, not only controlling numerous Gray Industry operations but also buying a large amount of real estate and the like. Even the cash he had hidden exceeded 500 million Belly.

In short, he was very rich.

Roya pondered for a moment and ordered, "Use these assets as an extra subsidy for the Branch and distribute them to the families of the fallen Marines."

"Yes!"

A smile appeared on Fullbody's face.

Along the way, he had been well aware of all of Roya's actions, but the crazy actions in Logue Town had really scared him. He had worried that Roya would fall into the trap of wealth and power struggles.

Now it seemed that he had worried needlessly.

"Go on."

Roya waved his hand and went to the window, looking down at the Marines training.

He liked money, but he took only what belonged to him, and he didn't lack money. Staying in the Branch all day, there was no place to spend it.

Although it was insignificant, he still hoped that the money could flow to those who needed it, at least within his power.

Next, he had to clean up Logue Town, but before that, there was something very important to do.

"Large-Scale Recruitment!"

The next morning, the Branch Marines posted new recruit notices along every Street in Logue Town.

The density was comparable to small advertisements.

The Logue Town Branch's troop configuration was 1,000 Marines, up to 1,500 at most, but now there were only more than 500, making it difficult to even ensure the most basic shift duties.

He had to recruit soldiers as soon as possible to fill the vacancies.

Otherwise, when Pirates appeared, there wouldn't be enough troops to mobilize.

However, the result was not ideal.

For three consecutive days, less than 100 New Recruits joined the Branch, and the people of Logue Town reacted rather coldly.

New Food Tavern.

Roya leaned against the bar, holding a glass of Wheat Beer in his hand.

Ririka stood behind the bar, wiping the dust off the wine bottles, complaining, "The nearby customers are all scared, and they're cautious even about going out for a drink. Of course, they don't dare to join the Marines."

"I see."

Roya suddenly understood.

He only thought about improving the treatment, but he had forgotten the most primitive fear of Humans when facing death. When he joined the 153rd Branch, it was a similar situation, with few New Recruits in his batch.

As for the solution.

Recruit soldiers on other Islands, or win a few beautiful victories, and that would naturally make the people build confidence in the Marines.

Or, he could forcibly conscript them!

Roya had an idea in his mind. He drank the wine and prepared to leave to visit an Old Woman.

Before leaving, he looked around the tavern.

"By the way, where's Zoro?"

"He went out the day before yesterday. That brat is gone for at least three days each time he leaves. I don't know what he's doing outside."

Ririka couldn't help but complain.

Zoro was now 16 years old, and in her eyes, he was like a younger brother. Although he was very strong, he was a complete rookie in life, and he even took a long time to find his way back to the tavern whenever he's out.

"Hmm, I understand."

Roya nodded in understanding.

That kid was probably lost again.

It seemed he had to build a training ground as soon as possible, specifically for Zoro's use, to prevent him from not being able to find him when he was needed.

Roya waved his hand.

"I'm leaving."

"I'll wait for you to come back tonight!"

"Got it."

The Streets were much quieter than before. The punks and hooligans that used to be everywhere were gone.

The Underground Force of Logue Town were well aware that the newly appointed Base Commander was a ruthless Man who wouldn't tolerate any nonsense. He had already made Logue Town a chaotic place.

Just as they were panicking, considering whether to move away from Logue Town, an Invitation was sent to them.

"Eh? An Invitation from the Marines?"

Colonel Roya, the new Base Commander, invited them to visit the Branch and emphasized that anyone who didn't give him face would suffer the consequences.

"Could it be..."

The faces of the various bosses turned pale.

Could it be a Treacherous Feast!