Grand Line, Paradise – Skoggy, the "Sculpture City."
"Still the same answer: I object!"
"That's right, we object!"
"Vice Admiral Momonga, you're going too far!"
"They are the property of Skoggy's citizens! You can't take them away!"
"…"
Inside the city hall conference room, a group of people loudly argued around a mahogany table, spit flying everywhere. The most agitated individuals were red-faced and yelling, practically bursting at the seams.
The few Marine officers sitting opposite them wore helpless expressions. Yet, they couldn't get angry, only letting the others yell at them.
"Mayor Yules, Minister Rowley, I have re-emphasized more than once that this is an order from Marine Headquarters. It's not something I can obstruct!"
At this point, a Marine officer stood up and spoke in a very helpless tone.
This man had a Mohawk hairstyle, with dark purple hair tied back into a topknot. His mustache was also dark purple. He wore a light purple pinstripe suit, a dark blue shirt underneath, and a white tie. A white Marine Justice coat was draped over his shoulders, and he wore black leather shoes, with a katana at his waist.
This was none other than Vice Admiral Momonga of Marine Headquarters.
"So what if it's an order from Marine Headquarters? Does that mean the Marines can just casually seize the property of a city?!"
Mayor Yules of Skoggy, was a large, corpulent man. He chomped on a cigar, and as he roared at Momonga, his ample flesh jiggled, almost tearing his white shirt and beige suit apart.
Thump, thump, thump…
Suddenly, a knock on the door sounded, interrupting their argument.
Then, the door opened, and a handsome young man with short silver hair stood at the entrance, slowly stating, "I am Major Amphitrite Cross of Marine Headquarters, here on assignment!"
Everyone scrutinized Cross. They saw his gentle gaze and a faint smile. He wore a blue suit with black karakusa patterns, a pure white shirt underneath, and a Justice coat draped over his shoulders, with a katana at his waist.
"Allow me to introduce him…!"
Seeing Cross, Momonga visibly relaxed and quickly said, "Major Amphitrite Cross is the ability user who brought those statues and sculptures to life! Marine Headquarters specifically dispatched him here to resolve this matter!"
"Hello everyone!"
Cross smiled as he walked into the conference room, casually closing the door behind him. He walked directly to Vice Admiral Momonga's side.
However, once the officials of the Skoggy City Hall learned Cross's true identity, they astonishingly revealed friendly smiles, completely shedding their previous enraged demeanor.
"Hello, Major Cross! I am Rowley, the Minister of Commerce for Skoggy. It's an honor to meet you, and thank you for your previous help to all our citizens!" A tall, slender man bowed slightly to Cross in respect, his words filled with reverence.
"I am Koons, the Chief Security Officer! Thank you for your previous help to all our citizens!"
"I am Nick, the Minister of Taxation! Thank you for your previous help to all our citizens!"
"…"
Immediately after, several other city hall officials present also bowed to Cross, expressing their respect.
"You're too kind, everyone. Protecting innocent citizens is the duty of the Marines!"
Cross was very surprised. He quickly raised his hand in a gesture of humility, speaking modestly.
This scene made Vice Admiral Momonga and the others equally astonished, completely unprepared for the level of respect these city officials showed Cross.
At this point, Mayor Yules' face beamed with joy. He quickly rounded the table to Cross, seized his hand, and enthusiastically said, "Major Cross, we meet again! Last time, due to time constraints and heavy workload, we truly couldn't properly host you. This time, you must let us treat you well!"
"Your Excellency, Mayor, you flatter me!"
Cross looked at the large, corpulent mayor before him, momentarily taken aback by his enthusiasm.
"It's only right! Only right!"
Mayor Yules' eyes crinkled with a smile. He repeatedly stated, "If Major Cross hadn't brought those sculptures and statues to life last time, and promptly maintained order within Skoggy, preventing the chaos from worsening, countless citizens would have lost their lives and property. Major Cross is Skoggy's benefactor!"
"You praise me too much, Your Excellency, Mayor. It was merely my duty!" Cross replied with a modest smile, then asked with confusion, "However, this time, Your Excellency, why are you obstructing the Marines?"
Hearing Cross bring up the current issue, Mayor Yules' face filled with anger. He said grimly, "Major Cross, it's not that I'm intentionally targeting you and the Marines. It's that the sculptures and statues you brought to life are the property of Skoggy's citizens. You've already taken hundreds of sculptures and statues without compensating us a single Berry, which we accepted, as it was for the protection of countless people."
"…Moreover, there are 227 Enlivened metal sculptures and 5,368 Enlivened stone sculptures within Skoggy. If they were all taken by the Marines, it would be an incredibly severe blow to Skoggy, the 'Sculpture City'!"
"Another point: because you left so many Enlivened sculptures and statues behind, Skoggy has attracted countless admiring tourists and artists over the past year, bringing immense economic growth to this city. Thus, the city government and citizens who have profited from this cannot accept losing them!"
"Furthermore, these Enlivened sculptures and statues are also Skoggy's most loyal guardians. Once we lose them, not only will our city government officials, but even the citizens will feel they have lost their safest protection!"
"Therefore, the entire city of Skoggy is refusing Marine Headquarters' orders!" Mayor Yules looked intently at Cross, laying out the most crucial reasons.
After listening, Cross couldn't help but smile wryly. He hadn't expected that these Enlivened beings would actually boost the prosperity of Skoggy, the "Sculpture City," contributing greatly to its economic growth and even being regarded as 'guardian deities' by the citizens. No wonder the entire city was resisting Marine Headquarters' orders.
"Mayor Yules, you've really given me a huge problem!"
Cross scratched the back of his head, a headache starting, and said with a wry smile, "You must understand that the Marines have suffered many casualties maintaining peace in the seas. These Enlivened sculptures and statues would make excellent soldiers. Keeping them in Skoggy is truly a waste!"
"Major Cross, we can't help it. After all, this is the property of Skoggy's citizens, and no one can seize it by force!" Mayor Yules said sternly, "If you Marines truly need them urgently, I can decide to give you half, but you must purchase them at market price!"
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