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The next day, in the morning.
At Hachinosu port, hundreds of Cozia Kingdom nobles and commoners crowded the port square, every one of them terrified.
Besides the nobles, the other hostages included kingdom soldiers, merchants, sailors, servants, and slaves, all of whom had now become bait.
The surrounding area was full of pirates watching the show.
"Will that Koby show up?"
"Impossible!"
"Gah-gah, how interesting."
In the alleyway, Koby looked at the Cozia people held hostage, his heart filled with unwillingness, but there was nothing he could do.
"Damn it!"
By himself, it was incredibly difficult even to escape.
Koby took out a Den Den Mushi, contacted headquarters to explain the situation and request support, and waited a full hour before receiving a response.
"Captain Koby, rescue the King of Cozia Kingdom at all costs!"
"What about the other hostages?"
"Headquarters' Marine warships have already departed and will rescue the other hostages upon arrival. Your current mission is to prioritize the King's safety!"
"Understood!"
"Click!"
The Den Den Mushi disconnected.
Koby didn't notice anything amiss, took a few deep breaths, and resolutely walked toward the port square. If he could exchange himself for the hostages, he was willing to sacrifice himself!
"A Marine has appeared!"
When Koby, dressed in a Marine officer's uniform, appeared, the pirates were startled, not expecting a Marine to actually show up.
Center of the square.
The hostage group was divided into two parts. Seeing the Marine officer who had rescued them yesterday, the hostages were incredibly excited.
In the left area, seven or eight Cozia Kingdom nobles were tied together, one of them wearing a crown—the King of Cozia Kingdom.
"Koby, ignore those commoners!"
"Our safety is paramount!"
"Quickly, get us out of here!"
The nobles were terrified, each of them with a hateful expression, urging Koby. As for the lives of the 500 hostages, they didn't care at all.
Koby was in a dilemma.
In his heart, he wanted to rescue the majority of commoners, but the mission from above was to save the King.
Headquarters' support was on the way!
Koby comforted himself, his gaze turning to Speed.
"I'm surprised you showed up."
Speed nodded slightly, showing appreciation.
Exchanging one's life for hostages—such a character was indeed worthy of respect.
Speed spoke coldly.
"Choose one side."
Koby was silent for a few seconds, then walked toward the commoners.
Amidst the commoners' surprised gazes, Koby bowed ninety degrees in apology. "I'm sorry, I can't save you for now, but headquarters' support will arrive soon, and the Marines will definitely save you!"
After apologizing, Koby walked toward the nobles.
Hope turned into disappointment, even despair.
Watching the fleeing nobles, the commoners' gazes gradually became numb. They actually understood that people like them could not be saved.
Speed's gaze showed a hint of disappointment. She had thought the young Marine in front of her would be different, but she had overthought it.
"Let him go."
"Yes!"
To Koby's puzzled gaze, the pirates did not imprison him but let him leave with the nobles.
Koby couldn't understand.
"Why let me go?"
"That's Daichi's order."
Speed shook her head and turned to leave.
Her mission was complete—the other five hundred hostages would be sent to North Blue and arranged by the Hoenn government.
A moment later, Hoenn Community.
"Daichi-sama, according to your orders, we have released Koby."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Daichi-sama, I don't understand why we let that guy go?"
"You wouldn't understand."
Daichi smiled and waved his hand.
He didn't care about Koby or those hostages at all. Playing this game was mainly to disgust the Marines.
Koby had only three choices.
First, don't save them.
This would damage the World Government's prestige, and Koby would gain a reputation for cowardice, making it impossible for him to become a Marine "hero" in the future.
Second, save the commoners.
This was the best choice and would enhance Koby's personal reputation, but given the World Government's nature, this was impossible. The World Government would definitely order Koby to save the nobles.
Therefore, upon his return, Koby would face punishment for disobeying a superior's order, and might even face a military court.
Being punished despite doing good would inevitably affect the morale of Marine soldiers, especially Garp.
Third, save the nobles.
Abandoning the majority of commoners to save a minority of nobles would not stand up to public opinion and would similarly affect the Marines' morale if word got out. Moreover, by choosing this, Koby would likely receive commendation upon his return, much like Smoker's experience in Arabasta.
This was very subtle.
To strike down a person, one does not necessarily have to destroy their body—one can also destroy their beliefs and sense of justice.
What would other Marine soldiers think when they saw Koby being commended for abandoning commoners, a distorted sense of justice?
In any case, no matter what Koby chose, it would have a negative impact on the Marines, and letting him go was for this reason.
The Marines had to see Koby's efforts!
Hachinosu, Southwest Sea.
The G-14 Branch Marine warship rendezvoused with Koby's small boat, and the royal nobles were immediately taken to the warship's cabin.
"Vice Admiral Doll!"
Koby faced Vice Admiral Doll and anxiously said, "There are still 500 hostages, and Peacock-senpai and the others were also captured. Let's hurry and save them!"
"Koby, your mission is complete. Now, get some good rest. Don't worry about anything else."
Doll spoke softly, sighing inwardly.
"I don't need to rest—!"
Koby wanted to say that he was fine, that he couldn't rest easy until the hostages were rescued, but he suddenly noticed something.
The warship changed course, not heading to Hachinosu!
Koby froze.
"Vice Admiral Doll, aren't you here to rescue the hostages?"
"Koby, my mission is to escort the King of Cozia Kingdom back to headquarters. Other matters are not our responsibility."
Doll shook her head. "Give up, Koby. That's Hachinosu. It's already a miracle that you managed to rescue the nobles."
"You mean...?"
Koby looked incredulous.
Could it be that headquarters had no intention of rescuing the commoners at all?
Doll shook her head again, saying no more.
She was powerless to change these things.
Koby knelt on the ground, clutching his head, nearly collapsing.
"I made a promise to them! I can hear their voices, and I know how helpless and scared they are!"
"And Peacock-senpai and Grus-senpai, and Helmeppo!"
"They're also waiting for me!"
Not just the hostages.
His comrades were also captured by pirates, their lives now uncertain. If he didn't go to save them, how desperate would they be?
"Puru puru puru~~"
The Den Den Mushi on the mast rang.
A call from headquarters!
"Click!"
"Captain Koby, your performance in this rescue of the Cozia King was outstanding. The World Government has decided to award you a medal, and your rank will be promoted to Commodore!"
"I don't need a reward!"
Koby rushed to the mast, snatched the Den Den Mushi, and roared, "Quickly send Marine warships over! There are 500 commoners waiting for us on Hachinosu, and my comrades too!"
"Commodore Koby, this is not within your jurisdiction!"
"Click!"
The Den Den Mushi hung up.
Koby gritted his teeth, utterly despairing, and walked alone to the ship's rail.
"I'm going back!"
"Bang!"
A chop to Koby's neck knocked him unconscious.
"Take Koby to the medical bay."
Doll ordered, then walked alone to the side of the ship, threw her cigarette butt on the ground, and stomped on it forcefully!
She took a letter from her chest.
The letter was signed by her direct superior twenty years ago.
Vice Admiral Saul.
"I'm quitting!"