Chapter 80: Smoker's Visit (Part Two)

Smoker had completely dismissed his suspicions that Garen had willingly fallen into depravity and become a bandit, for what he saw here had nothing whatsoever to do with the word "pirate." On the contrary, the place radiated such overwhelming positive energy that it was impossible to imagine it had so recently been a pirate den.

Even more astonishing were Garen’s officers; they left Smoker feeling somewhat out of place. None of them possessed the coarse manners typical of men of the sea—each greeted him with kindness and a smile, making Smoker and his Navy companions momentarily believe they had entered some well-serviced luxury restaurant.

These former laborers and pirates had not been born with such refined conduct; it was all due to Garen’s requirements. The criteria for officer evaluation were tied entirely to Garen’s notions of good and evil. With such a system hanging over them, the newly promoted officers transformed at a near-magical pace toward the model civil servant Garen envisioned.

Moreover, thanks to Garen’s strength and prestige, his subordinates could not help but develop a genuine admiration and longing for him. After all, these officers had passed the test of Garen’s Greatsword, sharing his views on morality, and were, in essence, true compatriots.

Led by several junior officers, Smoker and his entourage proceeded toward Garen’s office building—formerly Krieg’s mansion. Along the way, Smoker witnessed even stranger sights: in the construction sites and large warehouses, crowds of men—faces etched with hardship, shackles on their feet—labored at heavy tasks. Armed overseers stood nearby, watching and threatening, making the workers seem indistinguishable from slaves.

The harsh scene unsettled Tashigi, whose nature was gentle and kind. “Who are these people?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“Labor reform convicts,” replied the guiding officer, introducing a new term and explaining, “They’re all former pirates, sentenced to labor reform.”

“Pirates, eh.” Smoker’s interest waned immediately, and he paid the slave-like convicts no further attention. In his view, pirates were unworthy of sympathy.

Tashigi, however, still felt uneasy and pressed on, “How long must they work like this?”

“How long?” The officer responded in a matter-of-fact tone, “Life sentences.”

“Life?” Tashigi exclaimed, “Doesn’t that mean they’re slaves for life?”

“They’re not slaves,” the officer corrected her seriously, “They are labor reform convicts. Lord Garen said: those who abuse the name of freedom are unfit to possess it.”

“But surely not all deserve life sentences!” Tashigi protested, “Are their crimes truly equal?”

The officer shook his head, resigned, “We have no comprehensive laws here, no proper judicial system. Lord Garen could only resort to such a sweeping measure. Besides…” His tone grew more disdainful and cold, “If they truly had clear consciences, they would have volunteered for the evil index test long ago.”

Officers chosen by Garen’s Greatsword shared his views on good and evil. Thus, most of Garen’s subordinates, like him, held a natural hostility toward pirates as a group.

“However…” the officer explained to Tashigi, “I hear Lord Garen is planning to train professional labor reform instructors. Once our system is perfected, those convicts who perform exceptionally during their sentences will receive reasonable reductions.”

Tashigi nodded slightly, accepting—albeit reluctantly—such a seemingly harsh method of handling things.

When they reached Garen’s office, he was already waiting at the entrance, informed of their arrival by his subordinates.

“Smoker! Tashigi!” Garen greeted his old friends warmly, though it had been only a short while since their last meeting. “What brings you two here?”

Smoker glanced at the retinue behind Garen and the sprawling ‘office building,’ and said, somewhat displeased, “It’s only been a few days, and you’re already the leader of a heavily armed group. If I hadn’t come, you’d probably be raising the pirate flag by now!”

“Pirate?” Garen waved his hand, “I am no pirate—don’t be ridiculous!”

Turning, Garen looked to his secretary, Miss Vivi. Due to a lack of talent in the new organization, Princess Vivi had volunteered to work under the knight. Thanks to her royal education, Vivi had ably assisted Garen, a novice in governance, throughout the week.

Catching Garen’s glance, Vivi handed him a fresh newspaper, which Garen then passed to Smoker. “See for yourself—I would never act against justice!”

Smoker took the paper and glanced at it, immediately noticing a familiar writing style in the headline: “Garen: Pioneer of Justice Transforming the Old Pirate Era.”

The article declared that the righteous Garen, bold and resolute, had eradicated the notorious East Blue criminal syndicate led by Krieg; afterward, Garen dedicated himself to the people, rooting justice in the countryside, aiding the masses, and sweeping away the remnants of the pirate era to create a new age of justice.

Seeing such overtly opinionated prose, Smoker instinctively searched for the author’s name. Sure enough, he soon found a familiar byline: East Blue Daily, Wallace.

“That guy again!” Smoker gritted his teeth. “You think you can fool me with these lies?”

“Lies?” Garen shook his head, speaking earnestly, “Of course, it’s just rhetoric. But no organization on the sea claims justice as I do.”

“Claims justice?” Smoker scoffed, “Just pretending to be righteous—what’s the point?”

“There’s a point!” Garen replied, undaunted:

“What a person thinks, I don’t care—no one does. But as long as he speaks and acts as such, it is justice! If one can keep up the act for a lifetime, then he is indisputably righteous!”

Smoker pondered a moment, then asked, “How will you ensure your organization doesn’t become corrupted?”

Garen answered without hesitation, “I will supervise my organization myself. As for me… You could join and oversee my actions.”

“Join your organization?” Smoker’s eyes widened. “Impossible! I am a Navy man!”

“No, no…” Garen explained, “What I mean is: we initiate joint military-civilian law enforcement.”

“Joint military-civilian law enforcement?” Smoker was puzzled.

“Exactly!” Garen guided him gently, “We combine the strength of enthusiastic East Blue citizens with that of the Navy, fighting together at the forefront against pirates! You and Tashigi are recognized champions of justice and can serve here as instructors, advisors, even commanders.”

Smoker’s eyes lit up: granting him and Tashigi such positions would be tantamount to handing over command. Having witnessed East Blue’s reality, Smoker knew that the Navy at Loguetown alone was woefully inadequate. Now, with an armed force boasting over fifty warships, he could finally maintain order in East Blue.

Excitement stirred in Smoker’s heart. Though, from another angle… it was simply working for Garen.

Garen, however, gave Smoker little time to dwell on this, and quickly painted an even grander vision: “Actually, I am also planning a vast, loose organization—the League of Heroes.”

“The League of Heroes?” Smoker’s interest was piqued. “What’s that?”

Garen explained eagerly, “It’s a large association dedicated to fighting evil and promoting good, recruiting heroes with a heart for justice. The League and its members are not in a hierarchical relationship, but rather form a civilian organization akin to the Pirate Hunter Association. According to strength and achievements, the League will assign ranks and tasks, and provide benefits. Membership levels are tentatively S-Class Hero, A-Class Hero, B-Class Hero, C-Class Hero…”