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Several days passed in a flash.
The Hachinosu hostage incident was reported in the newspapers, but there were two versions of the story.
One was from the Hoenn Daily, which was largely factual and circulated in the New World and North Blue, and the other was propaganda from the World Government.
"Hero" Koby, the Captain!
Koby, disregarding his own life, rescued the Cozia Royal Family from the den of iniquity, "Pirate Paradise." His heroic actions were heavily publicized by the World Government.
And he was even called a "Hero"!
"Hahahahaha! That's too funny!"
"A hero who abandoned civilians and ran away!"
"My stomach hurts from laughing!"
Seeing the newspaper, Hachinosu was filled with the laughter of pirates, who treated the report as entertainment for their drinking tables.
G-14 Marine Branch.
Hibari, a new member of SWORD, found Doll with a worried expression.
"Koby-senpai is still in his room, refusing to see anyone. He asked me to convey his refusal of the World Government's commendation ceremony."
"I understand."
Doll, with a cigarette in her mouth, was in a bad mood.
Ever since Koby woke up, he had been staying in his room, refusing to come out, and hadn't eaten anything for days.
That child had become withdrawn.
"Bwahahaha! Where's Koby!"
Suddenly, a familiar loud laugh came from outside.
Doll went to the window and saw Vice Admiral Garp at the port, and couldn't help but be stunned, her scalp tingling slightly.
Damn it, why did this old man come!
"Koby!"
Garp charged straight through, and after destroying seven or eight walls, he arrived at Doll's office.
Veins popped on Doll's forehead.
"Vice Admiral Garp, are you here to cause destruction?"
"Bwahahaha!"
Garp laughed heartily and without a care.
"Don't mind it, Doll."
"How can I not mind it!"
Doll really wanted to curse.
But thinking about her own decision, it seemed she really didn't need to care.
Garp looked around.
"Where's Koby?"
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
Koby came to the office, and the moment he saw Garp, his almost collapsed emotions completely erupted, tears streaming down his face.
"Vice Admiral Garp, I'm sorry! It's all my fault. Peacock, Grus, Helmeppo—they were all captured by pirates."
"Bwahahaha! Don't worry!"
Garp laughed as he pressed Koby's shoulder.
"We're going to Hachinosu right now to rescue Helmeppo and the others!"
"Can we really?"
Koby's eyes were blank.
At this moment, these words were the greatest salvation for him.
"It's too late, Vice Admiral Garp."
Doll poured cold water on the idea. "According to the information I received, Helmeppo and the hostages have already been taken away by the pirates. Even if you go to Hachinosu now, you won't find anyone."
"What?!"
Garp looked shocked.
He had just heard the news and rushed over from Marine Headquarters!
"Doll, then do you know where Helmeppo and the others are?"
"They should be at the Hoenn government."
Doll sighed. "You don't have to worry about their safety. I just contacted Saul, and Hoenn won't harm them, nor will they harm the hostages."
"Oh, then I'm relieved."
Hearing that Helmeppo and the others were fine, Garp relaxed, plopped down on the sofa, and called out to Doll.
"Doll, do you have any tea?"
"Find it yourself!"
Doll put her hands on her hips in annoyance.
Garp relaxed, drinking tea and eating snacks, but Koby was still tense.
"Vice Admiral Doll, I've heard about Vice Admiral Saul. He's now a Vice Admiral in the Hoenn Navy. Why would he tell you this?"
"Saul used to be my direct superior."
Doll sighed. "Also, I've already submitted my resignation to the higher-ups and am preparing to take a position in the Hoenn government."
Silence for a few seconds.
"Pfft!!!"
Garp spat out all the tea in his mouth!
Koby and the others were also shocked and speechless.
"Vice Admiral Doll, why would you?"
"You know in your hearts."
Doll didn't bother to explain.
When she met Saul at Reverse Mountain, she already had the idea. This incident made her make up her mind.
She wanted to leave the World Government.
Doll pretended to be relaxed. "Actually, I've long been displeased with the higher-ups. Being able to continue as a Marine in Hoenn isn't a bad thing."
Koby felt pain in his heart.
In this incident, he was incredibly angry and disappointed with the choices of the higher-ups, even questioning justice itself.
He could understand Vice Admiral Doll's thoughts.
But the sudden departure of this big sister who had always looked after them from the Marines inevitably made him feel lost and even more confused.
Had the Marines truly fallen this far!
"Bwahahaha!"
Garp suddenly burst out laughing, giving Doll a thumbs up. "Doll, do whatever you want to do. The most important thing in life is to live according to your own will!"
"Don't lump me in with you!"
Doll glared at Garp.
The most unreliable officer in the Marines was this guy—he never listened to orders and did whatever he wanted.
Damn it, it's truly enviable!
"Forget it, I'm leaving."
Doll shook her head and took out her backpack from under the desk.
If she didn't leave now, it would be difficult to leave later.
She wasn't the only officer who wanted to leave.
"Puru puru puru~~~"
The Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
"Hello, this is Garp!"
Garp answered the phone without thinking.
The Den Den Mushi was silent for a few seconds.
"Vice Admiral Doll, regarding your resignation, the government's higher-ups have not approved it. Please continue your service."
"Hey, tell the higher-ups for me."
Doll stepped on the window sill with one foot, looking back at the Den Den Mushi.
"Let them eat shit!"
"Bang!"
The woman left using Moonwalk.
On the other side, at G-5 Branch port.
"Let them eat shit!"
Smoker said the same words, put away his weapons and luggage, and started his specialized amphibious motorcycle.
Tashigi caught up.
"Captain Smoker, I want to leave with you!"
"Then get in, idiot!"
Smoker's face was cold. Amidst the reluctant farewells of the G-5 Branch thugs, he carried Tashigi and disappeared over the sea.
He had long been dissatisfied with the higher-ups. This time, after receiving a letter from Kuzan, he finally decided to leave the Marines.
Even if it meant risking his life!
The same situation was unfolding at Marine Headquarters.
"Incompetent Marines!"
Zephyr strode out of Marine Headquarters, and behind him, a wanted poster for a Warlord fluttered.
He had fought for the Marines his entire life, only to be betrayed in the end, which made him completely lose faith in the Marines' justice.
"Zephyr-sensei, wait for us!"
Ain and Binz caught up.
Even if they had to leave the Marines, they would always follow Zephyr-sensei. Regarding the Warlord matter, as survivors of that incident, both of them were filled with anger.
Zephyr came aboard the ship, took out a letter from his coat, and a helpless smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Kuzan, I'm not as insightful as you, my disciple!"
He, as a teacher, hadn't seen things as clearly as his disciple. He only realized it now. Now that his disciple had found new justice, he would go and witness it!