[H2][CENTRE][color=fff200][b]KUROZUMI HAKU[/b][/color][/CENTRE][/H2]


“...I can explain.”

“You have a minute.” Cadog's fingers tapped his pipe as he took a match to light it, eyes bristling as he leaned forward with one arm on the table.

As the air filled with the scent of tobacco, Haku's eyes turned to their surroundings, not hearing anyone close to them and scanned for any escape routes.

“A month ago, the storms hit Gosa village hard and while there weren’t any pirates to take advantage of it, they’re still left devastated.”

A hum from Cadog was all that passed from his mouth, eyes closed as he brought the pipe to his mouth. Both First Mate and Haku kept a neutral expression, one that the latter already knew prior due to his investigation.

“So with that, I…gave the order to distribute supplies to them discreetly.”

Haku sympathized with that feeling, starvation was not a pleasant thing to see and worse to experience. Frankly, he too might have considered doing the same if he was placed in the captain's shoes.

But unfortunately, the rules are rules.

“Those supplies are for your men and this base so you can carry out your task of fighting pirates, patrol and keeping the peace.” Cadog said coldly as he waved his pipe and gestured to the base. “You can’t fight on an empty stomach, and they’re provided freely from central.”

“What happens if a pirate crew comes, puts you under siege and you no longer have any provisions? Or that the mayor swindled you and pocketed the profits from your supplies?”

“He won’t-”

“You’ll be court marshaled, trust will be lost, and most of all,” Cadog continued as he stood up from his seat, the similar scent of whisky intensifying around him. “An [i]injustice[/i] to the people.”

“I’m from Gosa village, sir.” 

“Additional charge of conflict of interest.”

“-!” The 77th Marine bit down on whatever comment he wanted to say and clenched his fist tightly at that.

Signs of resistance came but he put ir aside, any struggle was futile and he knew it. They have the same rank but the two might as well be continents apart in terms of strength.

“You’re done, your days in the marine are over.” Cadog delivered his verdict like a judge with a grim face as he let out a long blow of smoke. One that was mirrored by The Firstmate and Haku, the latter in particular, let nothing showed on his face.

[color=fff200] [i]Yes, this was supposed to be how it’s done.[/i][/color]

[color=fff200][i]Shouldn’t there be more?[/i][/color] Haku knows what will happen. The man will be replaced and the crew reshuffled with a new one, Gosa village will go through hard times but things eventually go back to normal after that.

But was it really justice?

[color=fff200][i]This man was still doing justice, wasn’t he?[/i][/color] No one deserves to starve and he helped the people he had sworn to protect.

Can he really stand and let nothing happen?

[color=fff200]”...If I may?”[/color] Haku finally spoke up, drawing the attention of the First Mate and 77th Captain but Cadog kept his eyes forward. A brief puff of his smoke pipe and wave indicated that Haku can speak his mind.

[color=fff200]“According to the law, he should be punished and lose his position but as it is, it won’t solve the current problem with Gosa village.” [/color]Haku led with that explanation first as he exchanged glances with the guilty man.

“Hmm.”

[color=fff200]“I propose, as part of his responsibility, to fix the mistakes and earn those supplies back while also helping out Gosa village in the day-to-day work. It’s lacking in fishery but there are still unclaimed areas that can be turned into farms or poultry raising.”[/color]

“...No overstepping of boundaries, and still within procedures” The First Mate replied after a moment of thought and running through the legal system in his head as he tapped his chin thoughtfully. “A modified version of the precedent set before, as per article-”

“Not good enough.”

Haku kept his lips tight, as if struck physically by Cadog’s rejection while the latter stood up even from his seat which took all of their attention with breath held.

“If a man transgresses this much, such punishment is not enough.” Cadog rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck. “You think the Marine laws is that simple? The law is the law, it’s what keeps the peace here in East Blue.”

“Letting it lax, even for a moment, will invite disaster. So an example must be set." Cadog thumbed the end of of his pipe and cut out the air to snuff the slow burning tobacco. 

“So your punishment will be to dedicate your entire life to the marines and the village. Until death, only then, can it be enough.”

Haku eyebrow rose, doesn’t that mean-?

“Additionally,” Cadog finally turned to Haku and met his gaze before returning to the 77th Captain. “Giving things out for free is taboo, but that’s a different case if you’re trading it for services.”

“...Beg pardon, sir?”

“You, captain, are simply giving those supplies out as investment and future. Future for Gosa village youth as they’ll one day join the marines just as well.”

Haku took a moment to process what’s going on at that, wasn’t it the same and Cadog frowned on it?

“Ah, a deposit sir?” The First Mate followed up immediately as he straightened his back, finally getting into Cadog’s scheme. “Then yes, article 126, subsection 9. Similar to how the World Government and above does things.”

Haku scrunched his head before recognizing that one after a moment. There was a missing keyword, one that all present won't and can’t say it out loud without getting into a mire of contradiction especially since it wasn’t that long ago that the law was changed.

After all, falling under the status of a slave often meant being closer to being classified as property.

Distaste flowered in his mouth but in this case, Haku kept quiet about it as the 77th Captain also looked conflicted at that.

But it was an exit.

“The pay will still come from you and your marines but!” Cadog held a fist and smirked. “It won’t be against the law.”

The 77th Marine looked on with a frown at first before it widened to a small laugh as he saluted at Cadog. "Thank you sir, this worthless marine will dedicate his life to others!"

“Now hold on, we’re not done yet-”

—

Gosa village, previously quiet for the day before, was much busier as Marines from 77th base was currently helping through the village. From catching fish, repairing buildings, and making clearings for chicken raising.
“Alright, boys, move those right there! Chop chop!” The 77th captain, bereft of his coat, and uniform, was working hard with the Mayor, sorting things, and placing his men where they benefit the most. 

After all, even as marines, they still had to maintain parts of the base and some had experience from family trade.

Usually, they had to patrol the waters and looked out for any threats but they had time for now and focused on putting all their manpower into this. Alleviating most of the troubled folks as everything was brought back to full operation.

From afar and into the seas, from the deck of the Marine battleship Kirin, Cadog observed the men working from the poop deck dispassionately as he leaned over with one arm. His smoking pipe lit but not taking a puff from it.

[i]What a troublesome person.[/i] He idly thought, giving him so much extra work. A moment later with a click of his tongue, Cadog stretched his neck as another person joined him at the top.

[color=fff200]“Sir, we have sent our latest request to headquarters. They’ve approved it.”[/color] Haku quietly said as he crawled to the top without anyone noticing. [color=fff200]“Extra supplies, due to our presence being extended and because of extra training to be given to the 77th Marine base.”[/color]

One that he had to write the report, request and then send via Den Den Mushi. Though what surprised him was the response, HQ had agreed to Cadog’s request without much argument.

“Hmph, then we better do our part. You memorized the patrol routes?”

[color=fff200]“Yes, all routes, areas and potential places for pirates to make a hideout, sir.”[/color] He quickly replied as Cadog broke his train of thought. While it was already mapped out, it's still worth taking multiple looks to ferret pirates out to make a mistake and he hadn't been part of the operations just yet.

“Good, you’ll be the first on each landing.”

[color=fff200]“Very well, sir.”[/color]

“Haku.”

[color=fff200]“Yes?”[/color] Haku halted himself as he looked towards Cadog, the latter looking much more relaxed than usual. 

“What you observed?”

Eyes turned towards the village, it was certainly more lively and will be getting into shape faster as he squinted his eyes. [color=fff200]“...The men working?” [/color]

“Speed of the operation and time this was resolved.” Cadog’s sharp voice returned as his eyes rolled at Haku’s answer. 

[color=fff200]“Fast, decisive, and acting on proper information. The speed was also quick as HQ was more receptive than expected.”[/color] Haku listed out his deduction before a thought crept to him from earlier. [color=fff200]“Do you often do this?” [/color]

“Hah, investigation? No, not all the time.” Cadog chuckled at that as he threw his head back at that and lowered his hat. "But training? Oh yes, I whip the east blue lads so they’re worth the salt whenever I can!” 

[color=fff200]“I see.”[/color]

“But this could’ve blown up into a storm. I still have half a mind to kick that man out of the Marines and I have to ensure reports on him come in regularly because of that.”

“[color=fff200]Gosa village was helped thanks to you, and as you say, more people will come to the Marines now,”[/color] Haku replied at that, repeating Cadog words back as the latter just grumbled annoyingly. 

[color=fff200]“And thank you for listening to me.”[/color]

“You’re still green,” Cadog mumbled as he looked to the skies. “Don’t go thinking everyone is like that.”

[color=fff200]“Understood,”[/color] Haku repeated as he stood straighter, knowing just how treacherous the people that lived out there. Some by choice, others forced due to circumstances.

So to see people who still truly want to help, even if it meant going against regulations, was heartening. The world needs more of them, after all, if only more people had helped back then perhaps his mothe-

[color=fff200]“But still, thank you.”[/color] He cut himself short and gave a deep bow instead of the salute. [color=fff200]“I’ll make sure to keep the lesson in mind, observe, gather information, decide and judge.”[/color]

“Executing judgement doesn’t end there. You need to pick the pieces up afterwards.”  Cadog added. “If only some of the Marines understood this-”

Haku pretended not to hear that part and closed his eyes at that, he had heard enough...’feedback’ about the state of the Marines and World Government to last a lifetime.

Good thing that Cadog was saved due to his achievements and slurred his words when he was drunk, an advent that was now significantly harder thanks to his devil fruit.

“You get all that, you sun-dried squid?”

[color=fff200]“I will ensure that the pieces will be indeed picked up, no matter what.”[/color] He replied without missing a beat as Cadog ended his rant and bowed slightly, it wasn’t a promise but a statement. One that Haku intend to follow through no matter what.

“...Aye, you’ll do that. Good. That’s good.” Cadog said as he took his flask, and nearly emptied it in one swig as he drank it akin to water and not a high grade of whisky that would’ve floored normal people. “If only every problem was just like this. What do you think of East Blue so far?”

[color=fff200]“It’s very peaceful,” [/color]

[color=fff200][i]Soft.[/i][/color] This wasn’t a place where conflict was always just around the corner, its seas and people reflected it.

“Not used to it?”

[color=fff200][i]Weak.[/i][/color] He can hardly imagine pirates that are strong enough to stand up to them in a head on fight in this seas if the 77th Marines are the standard.

[color=fff200]“No.”[/color] Haku replied before glancing at the shrinking island of Gosa Village. 

But camaraderie of the 77th Marine base, people, and kindness. It was a taste of home and an oasis where he longed for it after years.

He smiled warmly in return. [color=fff200]“But I don’t dislike it.”[/color]

“Hah!” That earned a laugh from Cadog before he slapped Haku on the shoulders and turned towards the crew beneath him. “Alright, that’s enough loafing then you sea dog! All of you, full speed ahead! We have plenty of area to cover!” 

“Aye aye, captain!” The Kirin crew replied as one, swinging into action as Haku was already down below to help the crew unfurl the mast. Some of them even sang and hummed as one.

Cadog took one last glance at Gosa village before turning his back and onwards to new horizons in this ever-blue sea.

[H1][CENTRE][b][First Arc Completed][/b][/CENTRE][/H1]