"That was close..."
Blending into the crowd, Roy watched as a group of military police Marines charged toward the battle site with aggressive intent.
He breathed a silent sigh of relief.
If they'd caught him, the fine alone would've eaten up a month's salary, not to mention at least two weeks in the brig.
"Two weeks without even cola... that's terrifying."
As for Smoker, who Hina had left behind, Roy had no interest in worrying about him—judging by all those premium cigars that guy wore on his chest every day, he clearly wasn't hurting for money.
As for confinement...
"Hope they lock him up for a while. Otherwise he'll just come bother me again."
"Justice... no matter how fancy you dress it up, at the end of the day you're just a guard dog for the Celestial Dragons and World Government. Who gives a damn about that?"
With these thoughts, Roy crossed Oris Plaza and entered Marine Headquarters' main building, the 'Tower Keep.'
That's right.
Roy certainly didn't dislike Smoker—even though he'd initially approached him purely for his fruit ability.
But during their Marine training, he'd genuinely come to see Smoker as a friend.
What Smoker had mentioned—how they'd once chased pirates across an entire sea region to recover money for a girl's mother's medical treatment—that was all true.
But as Roy had said, it had nothing to do with the 'justice' the Marines constantly preached.
"The girl's father was dead, her mother sick for years, she herself was blind, surviving on village charity and the little money her mother scraped together sewing clothes—and those bastard pirates still had the heart to rob them? Who could just stand by and watch that?"
Roy didn't consider himself some great saint.
But as a transmigrator, he still retained the basic moral compass he'd developed before crossing over.
Yet undoubtedly, what he considered basic decency was practically a rare treasure in this world.
That incident was exactly why Smoker had come to respect him, considered him a friend, and acknowledged his 'justice.'
But in reality, Roy's attitude toward the Marines was exactly what he'd just been thinking.
After all these years in the Marines, he certainly knew there was no shortage of genuinely good and just warriors within the organization.
But that didn't change one fundamental fact: the Marines as an organization were part of the 'World Government'—and that ruling institution was the most corrupt part of this entire world.
Roy had never intended to become a Celestial Dragon's lapdog, so naturally he'd never truly believe in the Marines' so-called justice.
Of course, pirates were the same—Roy didn't deny that this world's seas might have some pirates who could be called heroes.
But the fact was, most pirates who set sail during this so-called 'Great Pirate Era' were nothing but common thugs.
Marines, pirates—Roy didn't like either, and had no intention of truly joining either camp.
His positioning regarding the Marines was simple.
The Marines were just the company where he could hide in plain sight while collecting Devil Fruit abilities.
And the detention force was the 'key department' he wouldn't leave as long as he stayed with the Marines.
"Though Smoker did have one good point—freedom is definitely important."
"There are plenty of ability users out on these seas whose locations I know, but right now HQ regulations keep me from accessing their abilities."
Thinking about this, Roy showed a somewhat troubled expression.
This problem was essentially the same as his urgent need for berries—it required leaving the Marines or the detention force to solve, but he couldn't leave the detention force right now...
"Such a pain..."
Roy sighed.
"Hahaha!? You actually find something troublesome—now that's rare!"
But at that moment, a hearty laugh reached Roy's ears.
Without realizing it, he'd arrived at an office.
The office door was shut tight, and the laughter was coming from inside.
"Old man, you're eavesdropping with Observation Haki again?"
Roy said helplessly, then pushed open the office door.
The office was simply furnished—a desk with tea and dango skewers, a chair, and stacks of newspapers and wanted posters.
At the desk sat a muscular old man cheerfully eating dango.
He wore a Marine coat over a simple shirt, his body covered in scars and his uniform decorated with medals that spoke of the death matches he'd survived.
"Hahaha! I'm bored out of my skull in this place—without some gossip, how else am I supposed to pass the time!"
Hearing Roy's words, he chuckled.
"Using Observation Haki to eavesdrop at HQ is strictly prohibited!"
Roy rolled his eyes, though he knew these words were useless against the old man before him.
Because this old man was his direct superior, the Vice Admiral who managed the Marine detention force—'Bilos.'
This Vice Admiral didn't appear in any of the plot Roy knew, but his credentials were impressive—he'd joined the Marines in the same class as Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Marine Hero Garp, and had fought countless battles throughout his life.
Due to declining combat ability with age, he'd been reassigned to the detention force for retirement, just waiting to hang up his coat.
And this old man's habit of using Observation Haki to eavesdrop on gossip was pretty much common knowledge.
"So tell me, what's got you all troubled?"
The old man looked at Roy curiously.
Hearing this, Roy's expression remained unchanged.
He certainly didn't mention his real thoughts, instead bringing up the Smoker situation.
"That guy's stubborn as a mule. I already recommended Lieutenant Tashigi to him..."
He complained.
"I see."
Vice Admiral Bilos naturally didn't suspect anything, simply passing Roy a dango skewer while chomping on one himself.
"I think Smoker's got a point though—you're pretty strong, kid. You're wasted here."
"I have my own justice!"
Roy said with utmost seriousness.
And clearly, in the Marines, this phrase was similar to a certain red-haired fox jinchuriki's 'that's my ninja way.'
So after that statement, Vice Admiral Bilos naturally stopped trying to persuade him.
"How'd the mission go?"
He asked casually.
"Same as always. Already had him sent to the prison."
Roy pulled out his logbook and gave a brief report on the mission.
"Good. I'll submit your merit for you."
Bilos nodded, but then changed the subject and passed over an intelligence report. "But speaking of which, I just received a temporary assignment—interested?"
"Huh?"
Roy instinctively took the report but frowned. "I just got back to HQ, old man—the guys haven't even warmed their seats yet!"
"I know, you always throw a celebration feast after missions and give your men a few days off, which is why I'm asking."
Bilos said casually.
"This matter involves a World Government member nation, so the merit's substantial. Our HQ's 'Grand Tournament' starts in two months—if you can make Captain rank before then, you can participate."
"Grand Tournament?"
Roy frowned at those words.
The Grand Tournament—a major Marine event held every few years.
Any Marine officer at Captain rank or above under age 50 could register to participate, essentially the Marines' 'martial arts competition.'
Achieving a good ranking meant extra promotions—the top three could even jump straight to Commodore, becoming flag officers in one leap.
And even more famous than the Grand Tournament was the 'World Military Draft' that the Marines had only conducted a handful of times since their founding.
But still—Roy had no interest in any of that.
Promotions were nice, but rising in rank would likely mean reassignment away from the detention force, which would be terrible.
However, what Vice Admiral Bilos said next made his heart skip a beat.
"Kid, after this Grand Tournament, I'll probably be retiring."
The old man crunched through a dango skewer, but his words hit Roy like a thunderbolt.
"Retiring!?"
"That's right—my grandson was just born, so I figure it's perfect timing to retire and train him properly, hopefully turn him into an outstanding Marine someday."
Vice Admiral Bilos said with a grin. "And this detention force... I've been here long enough. You're the kid with the most potential in the unit."
His meaning was clear.
He was retiring, and the detention force's special nature meant most ambitious, capable Marines weren't too eager to join.
"If you can get a good ranking in the 'Grand Tournament,' this old man will request that Sengoku let you stay on as the detention force commander... what do you think?"
"..."
What did he think?
That would be absolutely perfect!
Roy's inner excitement was beyond words.
Becoming the detention force commander would be incredibly beneficial for him.
Even though the detention force itself wasn't highly regarded within the Marines, it was still one of the organization's key components.
The commanding officer of the detention force represented tremendous freedom and authority, and furthermore...
"The detention force commander is responsible for escorting dangerous criminals to Impel Down... and even has clearance to conduct inspections inside."
That was the key point.
To Roy, that underwater prison filled with countless powerful criminals was a genuine treasure trove.
So...
"Old man, let me see that assignment!"
He said decisively, every word ringing with conviction.
"A little overtime? For justice, it's all in a day's work, sir!"