Chapter 55: Requesting Follow-up Reads! Colonel Haros's Quick Wit and Decision!
South Blue, Watermelon Island, Navy Branch 194 Base.
The Major ignored the salute of the Marine Soldier along the way.
He rushed in, pushing the door open directly without even knocking.
After entering the room, he immediately rushed towards Colonel Haros, who had just looked up from his desk, shouting.
"Base Commander, Rear Admiral Dorag has sent an Order, demanding we arrive at Tutmos Kingdom Waters within two hours to cooperate with the capture Operation!"
"Huh? Didn't they say those two 'Cat' had already been captured?"
The Major's words were a bit rushed.
Colonel Haros didn't react immediately and was a little confused.
But he quickly realized the key point of the problem.
"Tutmos Kingdom Waters!"
He suddenly stood up from the Sofa, propping his hands on the desk, and asked in shock:
"Why are we going there? And you just said it's a capture Operation, who are we capturing?"
Colonel Haros actually had a vague guess in his Heart, and an ominous feeling surged within him.
"The explanation from over there is to capture the Underworld's 'Slave King' Taklama, thoroughly investigate the entire Tutmos Kingdom, and arrest all Armed Personnel. If they resist, permission is granted to execute them on the spot!"
The Major's face was pale, with beads of cold sweat seeping from his forehead.
Colonel Haros's face kept changing.
But eventually, it turned into a sigh, and he said, "Did something still happen... Am I really that unlucky?"
The previous few Base Commander before him had all smoothly made enough money to get promoted or retire.
Why did everything completely blow up when it came to him? If this isn't bad luck, what is?
"I didn't expect it, truly didn't expect it. The Marine Headquarters Fleet wasn't here to capture any 'Cat' at all. Rear Admiral Dorag was aiming for the Tutmos Kingdom from the start!"
"We were all fooled by him. I suppose King Taklamakan over there is probably in the same situation..."
The Major asked in panic, "Colonel, what should we do now? Should we immediately notify King Taklamakan to prepare?"
"Absolutely not!"
Colonel Haros's quick wit kicked in.
Although his Body Aptitude wasn't high, his brain was quite good, and he quickly thought about various details.
"Marine Headquarters is clearly well-prepared this time. Rear Admiral Dorag releasing a 'Smoke Bomb' earlier also shows they have suspicion and caution towards us South Blue Branch."
"At this moment, someone might already be monitoring Transponder Snail nearby, just waiting for us to call!"
"Most importantly, our 194 Branch is the closest to Tutmos Kingdom Waters, and we'll likely be the focus of attention."
"We absolutely cannot panic now, and even more so, we cannot have any further contact with them. Moreover, King Taklamakan is finished, completely finished. What's the point of notifying him?"
But the Major was a little confused and asked, "Completely finished? Surely not. As far as I know, this 'Slave King's' Strength and Influence/Power are both Strong."
"He has been a big figure in the Underworld for decades. Although the Marine Headquarters Fleet is Strong, but this time only two Rear Admiral came."
"Hmph, I say he's completely finished because his Identity is completely exposed. Marine Headquarters clearly intends to deal with him ruthlessly."
"Compared to the World's strongest Military organization, what is a Slave King?"
Colonel Haros looked at the Major with disdain.
"A big figure in the Underworld is certainly terrifying if they remain in the Darkness, but once exposed to the Sun, that is Meat on a chopping block!"
"Even if Tarklama has the Ability to defeat Rear Admiral Dorag's Fleet, what about when Marine Headquarters sends even Stronger, larger-scale Combat Power later? Leaving everything else aside, what if Vice Admiral Garp comes?"
After speaking, Colonel Haros said meaningfully to the Major:
"Between the Slave King who is about to be finished and Marine Headquarters, which side to stand on, I think that shouldn't be a difficult choice."
"And I can be sure that even without us, there will be fools who call to warn the Tutmos Kingdom, perhaps even right now, and those people will become our Scapegoat!"
The Major calmed down after hearing this explanation.
He then asked the last remaining doubt, "If we are already suspected, we will definitely be held accountable. What should we do about that, Base Commander?"
"The possibility of being held accountable is high, but it's not a capital offense. We've only been here for a few years. If they really investigate, the previous few Base Commander would all have to be thoroughly checked one by one."
"Conversely, if we still try to help King Taklamakan now, that would be burying ourselves with him!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Colonel Haros adjusted his Suit and Coat of Justice, then picked up the Transponder Snail and issued an Order sternly, saying:
"Pass down the Order! The entire Ship is to prepare for departure immediately! We must arrive at Tutmos Kingdom Waters within the stipulated Time!"
He then quickly walked past the Major and headed outside. The latter saw this and hurriedly followed behind him.
"Base Commander, how much Military Strength should each of our Warship deploy this time?"
A Branch Warship can conventionally carry three hundred people, and five hundred at full capacity.
The exact number of people depends on the Situation, with the remaining Marine staying behind to guard the Base.
"Full capacity!"
Colonel Haros answered decisively.
Since he had decided to continue standing with the Marine, he had to show the greatest sincerity.
He felt this was the best way to save himself at this moment.
"Understood!"
Ten minutes later, the eight Warship of the 194 Branch, which were already prepared.
Fully Armed, they quickly sailed out of Watermelon Island towards the Tutmos Kingdom.
Meanwhile.
Rear Admiral Dragon's Marine Headquarters Fleet was less than three hours' voyage away from the Tutmos Kingdom.
Rear Admiral Aven walked out of the Cabin onto the Deck.
"Rear Admiral Dragon, you were right. CP2 just sent Intelligence. Branch 242 and Branch 289 immediately notified the Tutmos Kingdom after receiving our Order."
"But strangely, there was no movement from Branch 194, which is the closest. Instead, they sent all their Warship at full Military Strength."
Initially, upon hearing the first part, Dragon showed no change, still silently gazing at the Sea Surface in the distance.
But after hearing the latter part, his brow unconsciously twitched, and he turned his face to look at the other person.
"I remember the Base Commander of Branch 194 is Colonel Haros, right?"
"That's right."
"It seems this Colonel Haros is very smart."
Dragon's mood was slightly complex at this moment.
He had originally planned to report to Marine Headquarters later and clean out all the corrupt Marine who were colluding with the 'Slave King'.
But now, Haros's performance made things a bit difficult.
Because he had a clear contrast with the other two Base Commander.
Given this, the higher-ups in Marineford would likely not make things too difficult for him after they found out.
At most, they would confiscate most of his Bribery Property, demote his Military Rank, and transfer him from his post.
As for those two Base Commander, they would have to take a trip to Enies Lobby.
"I really should meet this Colonel Haros when the Time comes."
Following that, Dragon looked at Rear Admiral Aven and asked, "How are the Pirate doing?"
"Those who survived don't have serious Injuries. The Ship Doctor have already treated them."
"The two 'Cat' Captains are still unconscious. Their Injuries are the most severe."
"However, the Doctor said they shouldn't die. After all, they are Zoan User, their Life Force is different from ordinary people."
After speaking, Rear Admiral Aven asked curiously, "From what you're saying, you're not planning to send them to Enies Lobby for trial?"
"Yes, I want to take them back to Marineford and hold them in the Prison there first."
Dragon didn't hide anything, appearing very frank and upright, and said directly:
"Judging from the fact that these Pirate didn't harm Civilian, I don't think they qualify as Evildoer. They don't deserve to be sent to that hellhole Impel Down. I'm considering taking them in as Marine and training them myself."
"So that's it. Two Zoan User are indeed quite valuable. If trained well, they would be good Combat Power."
Rear Admiral Aven nodded and wasn't particularly shocked.
There were many Officers in the Marine who, after capturing Pirate, if they found them agreeable, would take them in as Marine and Subordinate.
Generally speaking, as long as they weren't major criminals of the World Government, the higher-ups would turn a blind eye to this Matter.
But if something happens afterwards, that Officer will be held accountable.
Thanks to the reader 'Cat who doesn't eat meat' for the 200 Tip! Thank you, thank you!
(End of Chapter)