Chapter 67: Using Public Office for Private Gain
After exchanging a few words with Johnny and Joseph, Ian already had some ideas in mind about how to head to the Grand Line.
However, before leaving, Ian still had some things to do.
Two days later, on the training ground of the Loguetown Marine Base, over three hundred Marine soldiers stood in two neat rows. When Ian appeared, they all raised their hands in unison to salute.
Ian walked among these saluting Marines, feeling somewhat emotional. No wonder so many people in this world wanted to join the Marines—this kind of ceremony, discipline, and uniform attire truly gave one a sense of imposing dignity. Even though Ian was only a temporary swordsmanship instructor, he still received the Marines' respect. In such an atmosphere, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
Passing through the corridor of saluting soldiers, Ian ascended the platform in the training ground. He turned to face the Marines below, who stood at attention in unison, their eyes fixed on him.
Ian scanned the crowd and slowly began to speak: "In two days, my term as swordsmanship instructor will come to an end. Although it's only been a short month, I've gotten to know many of you and have gotten along well with everyone. So here, I want to thank you all for your support of my work."
"You're too kind, Instructor!" the Marines roared in unison, sending a wave of sound across the training ground.
Ian pressed his hands down to quiet the crowd. Once silence fell, he continued, "Many of you here probably know why I became the swordsmanship instructor... That's right, it's because I couldn't afford to compensate for the damage to the execution platform!"
The Marines below couldn't help but burst into laughter. Even Tashigi found it amusing. Everyone in the base knew that Ian had been roped into being the swordsmanship instructor by Captain Smoker. Seeing Ian admit it so openly, the Marines felt a bit more warmth toward his frankness.
After they finished laughing, Ian continued, "Although my agreement with that chain-smoker Smoker was only for a month, I can swear with my hand on my heart that I taught you all with complete sincerity! I held nothing back. The most important thing in swordsmanship is the basic movements, and that's exactly what I had you practice every day. From what I've seen, you've all basically mastered them now. So even after I leave, as long as you keep practicing persistently, you'll become swordsmanship masters one day!"
"Instructor!" a Marine raised his hand and asked, "Can we really become swordsmanship masters like you, capable of killing Krieg in one strike?"
"Yes!" Ian said with certainty. "I can't say exactly when, but definitely yes! And not only can you kill pirates, you might even be recruited by Marine Headquarters to become true Marine elites!"
"R-Really?" The Marines below were stirred into a fervor by Ian's words, unable to contain their excitement.
Smoker was currently at the window of the base's tower, biting his cigar as he watched the scene on the training ground. He heard Ian calling him a chain-smoker but didn't mind. However, he frowned at Ian's words meant to inspire the Marines.
Not because he thought Ian was wrong, but because he felt Ian was implying something more.
Sure enough, after getting the Marines all riled up, Ian suddenly spoke again: "Of course, if you want to become elite soldiers at Headquarters, just burying your heads in practice isn't enough. Now, raise your hands and let me see—how many of you have actually gone to sea and captured pirates?"
Among the soldiers present, a little less than half raised their hands. Those who didn't lowered their heads in shame.
Although Loguetown was the largest Marine base in the East Blue, to be honest, most of the Marines here only maintained order in Loguetown. The former captain in charge of Loguetown was a hedonist who would never take the initiative to lead his men out to sea to hunt pirates.
Ian had learned this from the soldiers during his time at the base, which was why he asked. And sure enough, that was the case.
But he wasn't done yet. He continued, "Now, those who have actually fought pirates face-to-face, please raise your hands."
This time, even among those who had raised their hands earlier, most put them down. Face-to-face combat? Are you kidding? Most of them were low-ranking soldiers, not even lieutenants. Even if they had captured pirates, it was by firing cannons from a distance on a ship. Even if they had participated in capturing pirates in the square, it was only after Captain Smoker had tied them up with his ability, and they just took over. Actual combat experience was pitifully scarce...
Seeing the soldiers all wearing expressions of shame, Ian curled his lips into a slight smile. Perfect, these guys were cooperating just as he'd hoped.
So, putting on a pained expression, he shook his head and said, "It seems the situation is worse than I expected... But that's not your fault. Maybe you just haven't had the chance!"
Hearing Ian give them an out, the Marines lifted their heads a bit. Yeah, it wasn't that they didn't want to catch pirates—they just hadn't had the opportunity.
Ian paced back and forth on the platform, pretending to think, then suddenly clapped his hands and said, "Alright, that's settled!"
He looked at the Marines below and said, "As Marines, our duty is to protect the peace and uphold the dignity of the Marine flag. I said that although my teaching time was short, I was serious and responsible. So, in the last two days remaining, I plan to arrange a practical exercise for everyone. Besides testing the results of your month of training, it will also give you a real combat opportunity."
"P-Practical exercise!?" The Marines below were stunned and began murmuring among themselves.
Ian looked at them coldly and said, "What? Not willing? Ha, how ridiculous. With that kind of attitude, you want to become Headquarters elites?"
That one sentence stirred the Marines up again. They all stood at attention, eyes fixed on Ian, as if to say, "Practical exercise it is—who's afraid of who?"
"Good!" Ian said with satisfaction. "Now, listen to my command! About face! Double time, march! Destination, the port docks! Prepare food and water, then board the ship!"
The Marines followed Ian's orders and left the training ground. Only Tashigi remained. She came up to Ian and shouted, "What are you trying to do!? You want to take a warship out to sea!? Without Captain Smoker's orders, you can't do this!"
"Then just get him to agree, right?" Ian shrugged, then turned and said, "Isn't that right, Captain Smoker?"
Tashigi turned around and saw Smoker standing behind them. She said anxiously, "Captain Smoker, stop him!"
But to her surprise, Smoker ignored Tashigi and asked Ian suspiciously, "I don't object to a practical exercise—these guys need some training anyway—but what are you really up to? Is it really just a practical exercise?"
Ian shrugged and said, "It's just a practical exercise. I plan to take them out to sea and see if we run into any pirates. I'm sure you don't want to keep a bunch of pampered soldiers, do you? Besides, I want to experience what it's like to command a Marine warship. Is that reason enough?"
Smoker didn't say anything. He sucked hard on his cigar, filling the area around his head with smoke. After thinking for a long time, he finally jabbed Ian in the chest and said, "I can agree to this practical exercise, but you have to promise me you'll bring my soldiers back safely! Can you do that?"
"Don't worry!" Ian said. "If we run into a strong enemy, I'll handle it myself."
With that assurance, Smoker couldn't say anything more. He waved his hand at Tashigi and said, "Keep an eye on him!" Then he left.
With Smoker's orders, Tashigi immediately gripped her sword tightly and stared at Ian, as if she had already started carrying out Smoker's instructions.
Ian didn't mind at all. He turned and walked away, with Tashigi hurrying to follow.
When they slowly arrived at the port, the Marines had already prepared a warship. The branch base's warship was smaller than the Headquarters' version, but it was enough to carry two or three hundred people. Under the gaze of the Marines, Ian boarded the ship with Tashigi and said to the crowd, "This exercise has been approved by Captain Smoker, so... let's set sail!"
"Cast off the ropes! Hoist the sails! Depart!"
At the command of the Marine navigator, the warship slowly left the port. The people lingering at the port naturally saw this and exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what the Marines were up to now.
"Course, southeast!" Ian shouted loudly from the deck.
"Yes, sir! Course, southeast!" the Marine at the helm repeated loudly and immediately began turning the wheel.
Ian stood at the bow, facing the sea breeze, feeling an incredible sense of satisfaction at being the captain. With just a shout, the ship moved according to his will.
At this point, the Marines on board thought Ian was just taking them out for a spin, and if they encountered pirates, they'd capture them. So they didn't see anything wrong and faithfully carried out their duties.
But if they could have checked Ian's pocket at that moment, they might have found a wanted poster inside.
And if they saw that wanted poster, every soldier present would probably burst into tears.
Because the wanted poster in Ian's pocket was none other than the highest bounty in the East Blue: Arlong's!
Saying it was a practical exercise was all a lie. This guy Ian was using public office for private gain. He wasn't just taking the Marines out for a casual spin—he was going straight for Arlong...