Marine Branch 16 stood on a small island in a quiet corner of the sea.
Its overall strength wasn't impressive—about ten small patrol ships at most. Any more would have been unnecessary anyway. This was the East Blue; there were no real "big fish" here. A handful of light warships was more than enough for routine patrols.
"R-Report, sir! People from Marine Headquarters have arrived!"
Captain Nezumi froze mid-bite. The cheese stick slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor.
"W-What? Headquarters? Who is it?"
The Marine swallowed nervously. "It's… Rear Admiral Karl, sir."
Nezumi's face instantly turned ugly.
Is it exposed?
His heart pounded wildly. Did they find out about the bribes? No… that shouldn't be possible.
Only he and a few trusted subordinates knew about the deal. They'd all taken money—there was no way anyone would leak it.
His expression shifted back and forth. Finally, he clenched his teeth.
"Come with me. I'll go receive Rear Admiral Karl personally!"
Clack—boom.
The warship docked smoothly at the pier. Karl led Ain and Smoker down the gangway and onto Branch 16's base.
Nezumi, who had rushed over, forced a sycophantic smile onto his face.
"Hehehe, Rear Admiral Karl, welcome! I'm Captain Nezumi. May I ask what brings you to our humble branch?"
Karl gave him a flat glance.
Rat-faced, rat-eyed.
He really did look like a humanoid rodent.
Karl couldn't even be bothered to reply.
Smoker snorted coldly, his gaze sharp and dangerous—like he might punch Nezumi at any second.
Seeing no response, and sensing Smoker's barely concealed hostility, Nezumi's heart skipped a beat.
This is bad. Something's wrong.
"Bring in the prisoners."
At Karl's command, Nielsen escorted the captured members of the Arlong Pirates onto the island.
The moment Nezumi saw the fish-men, his face went deathly pale. His heart felt like it was about to burst.
It's over… completely over.
If the Arlong Pirates had been captured, how could his filthy dealings with Arlong stay hidden?
"Heh—ha…! I-Isn't this the Arlong Pirates? Wonderful! These despicable criminals have finally been brought to justice. Truly cause for celebration!"
Smoker laughed mockingly.
"Drop the act, Nezumi. You really don't know why we're here?"
Nezumi swallowed hard. He stammered, eyes darting everywhere, unable to look at the battered fish-men.
"Still refusing to see the coffin before shedding tears, huh?"
Smoker yanked out the evidence of Nezumi's collusion with the Arlong Pirates and slapped it straight into Nezumi's face.
"Still pretending you don't know? Or do you want me to have these guys explain it to you personally?"
Thud!
Nezumi collapsed to his knees, bawling.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was blinded by greed! I'll never do it again! Please—please spare me!"
Smoker snorted and grabbed Nezumi by the collar, lifting him off the ground.
"Spare you? What about the civilians hurt by the Arlong Pirates? What about the honor of the Marines? Huh?!"
"Y-You—what are you doing?! I'm the branch commander! What are you all standing around for? Help me!"
The surrounding Marines hesitated, rifles still lowered.
Karl stepped forward and patted Smoker's shoulder, signaling him to calm down.
Then Karl addressed the Marines of Branch 16.
"I am Rear Admiral Karl of Marine Headquarters. During our voyage, we captured the Arlong Pirates and uncovered evidence that Captain Nezumi of Branch 16 colluded with them."
"Captain Nezumi accepted bribes from the Arlong Pirates and knowingly sheltered them. The evidence is conclusive."
"Please lower your weapons and cooperate with the investigation."
Many of the Marines had long held grievances against Nezumi. Upon hearing Karl's words, they immediately stood down—and began exposing Nezumi's various misdeeds.
When a wall falls, everyone pushes.
Before, they'd been afraid of Nezumi's authority. Now?
Nezumi's face was ashen, his heart completely dead. He glared bitterly at the bound Arlong Pirates.
If it weren't for you useless trash, how would I have been exposed?!
With help from the loyal Marines, Smoker rooted out several of Nezumi's close accomplices as well.
They had aided his crimes—and in some cases gone even further than Nezumi himself. Arresting them was more than justified.
By the end of the reports, nearly all of Branch 16's senior officers had been exposed and arrested.
Seven in total.
The lowest rank among them was Sergeant.
With no one left to run the base, Karl used his authority as a Rear Admiral to appoint Major Gitt as the acting commander of Branch 16, responsible for daily operations.
After half a day of work, the anti-corruption operation at Branch 16 concluded. All corrupt Marines were locked up.
"Thank you for your cooperation. Only because of you were we able to remove these bad apples," Karl said.
"I also leave you with one reminder: never forget your original intent, and always remember your duty."
The Marines nodded solemnly as the Seastone warship sailed away from the base.
From start to finish, they believed Karl had merely uncovered Nezumi's corruption incidentally while pursuing the Arlong Pirates.
No one realized that Nezumi himself had been the true target from the beginning.
That was exactly what Karl intended.
This was a secret investigation and a quiet arrest.
If word spread, it would only alert others and jeopardize future operations.
Karl's goal was simple:
First, capture a batch of corrupt Marines.
Then escort them all to Marineford and conduct a public, collective trial—using it to formally announce the establishment of the Marine Integrity Commission.
The East Blue was only the beginning.
Next would be the South Blue, then the North Blue, then the West Blue.
He planned to thoroughly investigate all Four Blues first.
Cabin
Karl and Smoker sat together, smoke curling through the air.
"You did well this time, Smoker," Karl said. "But that temper of yours still needs work. Don't let emotions drive your actions."
Smoker sighed. "I know. I really do. But I can't help it—seeing those scum just makes my blood boil. Not beating them is already me holding back."
"Which is exactly why you need to stay calm," Karl replied.
"How else am I supposed to feel safe handing the Integrity Commission over to you?"
Smoker froze. "Hand it over… to me?"
"Of course. I'll oversee it for a while, then pass it to you. Only then can I relax."
Smoker broke into a grin. "Heh… well…"
No matter what Smoker thought, Karl had already made up his mind.
He only wanted to make a splash—establish the Commission, set the precedent—then step back.
Sitting in an office all day and slacking off might be comfortable, but it was also boring.
Going out to catch pirates was different.
To Karl, that was paid tourism.
There was no way he'd permanently chain himself to the position of Director of the Integrity Commission.
And Smoker couldn't remain his "ace enforcer" forever either.
Going independent suited Smoker far better—certainly better than his original fate of being stuck guarding Loguetown.
"Keep it up, Smoker," Karl said with a smile.
"You still have a lot to learn."
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