Chapter 81: Cooperation Between the Military and Civilians

This is a vision that could change the future.

It redefines the balance of the world and reshapes the coming century. Just hearing Garen describe it aloud stirs a sense of grandeur, as if the tides of a new era are rushing forth, brilliant and boundless like the splendor of the Milky Way.

After Garen finished speaking, Smoker’s first reaction was:

“You’re just talking nonsense!”

“Do you really think you can build an organization on this scale?”

“Hahaha…”

Garen smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

“It’s only a vision for now.”

“When I become strong enough, the organization will naturally take shape.”

Smoker gazed at Garen deeply, pondering for a moment before speaking with utmost seriousness:

“To realize such a vision, how strong would you have to be?”

“Do you know what terrifying enemies you’ll face?”

From its inception, the nature and principles of the League of Heroes were a declaration of war against all evil forces on the seas—pirates, warlords, illicit merchants, corrupt navy officers alike.

Though Smoker wasn’t the most contemplative type, he clearly recognized the danger inherent in this idea.

“I know,” Garen replied earnestly. “I will become strong.”

“Strong enough to crush all resistance.”

The clarity and force of his words made Smoker pause, momentarily forgetting the cigar in his mouth. It was as if he was seeing the man before him for the very first time.

After several seconds of silence, Smoker suddenly burst out laughing:

“What an arrogant fellow!”

Garen chuckled in response, “It’s confidence.”

He truly possessed this confidence. From a weakling barely able to fend off stray dogs to the newly crowned “Overlord of the East Sea,” Garen had taken less than a month.

If a person with such fortune lacked even the courage to speak boldly… it would be far too pitiful.

Smoker was subtly moved, and Garen seized the moment to propose:

“To realize this plan, we’re still far from having enough resources.”

“But we could start with a pilot project in the East Sea.”

“A pilot project?” Smoker repeated the unfamiliar term.

“Exactly.” Garen looked at Smoker. “Though we’re nothing on the Grand Line, in the East Sea we’re already at ‘Overlord’ level.”

“If we work together, we can make a real impact in this region.”

“So you mean…” Smoker recalled the concept Garen had mentioned earlier. “That joint military-civil enforcement?”

“Yes.” Garen revealed his true purpose at this stage:

“With our cooperation as the starting point, we’ll gradually rally more allies from the side of justice as we combat pirates together.”

“Those who yearn for freedom won’t join the Navy, but their hearts are for justice—they’re not pure pirates either.”

“I want to give them another option: to become heroes.”

Smoker pondered for a moment, then cautiously asked:

“If we cooperate, what terms can you offer?”

After some discussion, Garen and Smoker quickly decided on the outline for this “joint military-civil enforcement”:

Smoker and his subordinates would train the soldiers under Garen’s command.

With the goal of combating evil, Smoker and Tashigi would have command authority over the troops, able to mobilize Garen’s fleet at any time.

Meanwhile, Garen and his men would uphold justice, gradually conducting special anti-crime operations in the East Sea with the Navy’s support.

From Garen’s perspective, the terms of this cooperation were quite “harsh.” The power to train and command his soldiers was handed to the Navy, nearly amounting to surrendering his forces outright.

Had the leader been less respected, this would have been little different from submitting to naval authority.

But Garen didn’t mind.

He knew Smoker and Tashigi’s sense of right and wrong closely matched his own, making any conflict unlikely.

Besides, in this world, external influence is only that—external. True power lies within oneself.

As long as he was strong enough, his forces would never become mere vassals of the East Sea Navy.

Indeed, the situation could even reverse…

Compared to these trivial drawbacks, Garen valued more the legitimacy gained from cooperating with Smoker.

With the approval of Smoker, the highest-ranking officer in the East Sea Navy, Garen’s forces became absolutely legitimate “enthusiastic citizens” in the region, allowing him to build his justice camp with peace of mind.

At that moment, host and guest were delighted.

With the goal of eradicating crime and maintaining order, the League of Heroes took shape—the East Sea Joint Military-Civil Enforcement Special Zone was established.

Tashigi, however, had some reservations. She spoke with concern:

“Colonel Smoker, isn’t this a bit against regulations?”

“We’re only the garrison of Loguetown…”

“Regulations?” Smoker sneered, blowing a smoke ring and answering calmly:

“With so many pirates in the East Sea, isn’t it good to have a free army as support?”

“If the old men at headquarters have a problem, let them come guard Loguetown themselves!”

Smoker’s rebellious nature proved crucial here.

Already admiring Garen, Tashigi, with her superior’s strong support, not only stopped worrying about navy rules but immediately accepted the appointment of “Chief Instructor of the East Sea Enthusiastic Citizens.”

Garen thought highly of Tashigi as chief instructor.

As a little angel with zero evil, kind-hearted and beautiful, Tashigi possessed a unique charisma.

Her influence always brought out the best in people, leading those around her unconsciously toward goodness.

In the original story, Tashigi’s personal charm even managed to reform a group of rough soldiers from the Navy’s G5 branch.

“By the way…”

After discussing the cooperation plan, Smoker curiously asked:

“What does your organization call itself?”

“Are you just going to use ‘League of Heroes’ as its name?”

It was only during negotiations that Smoker realized he didn’t even know the official name of his partner’s group.

With Garen’s current strength, such a grand title was clearly out of reach.

“Have I not introduced it yet?” Garen realized his oversight and awkwardly explained:

“Actually, my organization’s official name is a company.”

“A company?” Smoker pressed, “What kind of business?”

His tone was full of distrust and his natural wariness toward evil.

After all, large armed organizations usually conduct… less than legal business.

Faced with Smoker’s interrogation, Garen patiently explained:

“A shipping company. A shipping company.”

“A shipping company?” Smoker asked, puzzled. “Why suddenly this?”

“Creek used to rely on exploiting laborers to maintain his fleet. I can’t possibly run my territory with such crude methods.”

Garen laid out the plan he had developed in recent days with Wallace, the merchant prince, and Dexter, the former mayor—his economic and administrative ministers:

“Develop commerce, expand the tax base, and grow the pie—that’s the proper way.”

“To stimulate regional economic development, you need a pillar industry.”

He continued, “I inherited Creek’s massive fleet; the Wallace family has industry connections, and Nami possesses exclusive and confidential sea charts for the East Sea.”

“With those assets, establishing a large shipping company is hardly difficult.”

“So…” Garen said solemnly, “My organization’s current name is:

‘Demacia City-state Kingdom Shipping and Logistics Express Company.’”

“That’s a long name…” Smoker couldn’t help but remark.

Garen replied casually, “Just call it ‘Demacia Logistics.’”