The benefits of establishing the Independent Commission Against Corruption were clear. The iron-willed style of the War Faction officers would also ensure the integrity of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. It was a new institution that would bring nothing but benefits to Marines.
While Rowen's unilateral establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption raised suspicions of power usurpation, it was not so much about seizing Marine's authority as it was about taking power from the corrupt government officials who had inserted themselves into Marine's supervisory institutions.
Just think about the grandeur of Rear Admiral in the original work, and you'll understand. They sheltered the corrupt elements within the Marine through these supervisory institutions, siphoning off offerings like parasites, acting as white-eyed wolves feeding off others while giving nothing in return.
Now, the Marine wasn't giving them a slice of the pie, so they would surely obstruct the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
But there was one precondition!
That was the perennial issue of the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) stance!
As long as the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) nodded in agreement, not to mention a group of corrupt government officials, even the Celestial Dragons' households would have to carefully consider the consequences.
So, the question arose.
Would the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) agree to allow Marine, acting as watchdogs, to successfully seize authority?
The answer...
Rowen himself wasn't entirely sure.
But he knew the chances weren't zero.
...
On the third day after the news reached Headquarters, Rowen finished his daily training and came to the training ground. What he needed to do now was to polish his skills, and it couldn't be rushed.
"Hah!"
On the training ground, a petite figure gripped a famed blade two-thirds her height, giving an explosive shout as she swung it towards Vice Admiral Momonga not far away.
"Fool!"
Ding!
Vice Admiral Momonga didn't make much of a move. He simply raised a meaty palm, using Rokushiki's Tekkai to harden the muscles of his hand. With just a single finger, he effortlessly blocked Tashigi's full-force strike.
"How many times have I told you not to rely on brute force? Does your arm strength surpass that of a man?!"
"Take a step while considering the coordination of your waist, leg muscles, and overall joint movement. Adjust your breathing, adapt to the rhythm of your heartbeat, and concentrate your entire strength into your weapon to truly grasp the essence of a vertical strike!"
"Again!"
As he taught, Vice Admiral Momonga showed none of his usual gentle demeanor. His angry roars were clearly audible to the soldiers patrolling outside the training ground. They quickened their pace, avoiding this troubled area.
"I... Understood!!"
Sweating profusely, Tashigi endured both pain and pleasure as Vice Admiral Momonga exposed all of her weak points that she hadn't noticed before, tormenting her with the kind of training from the recruit camp that was all about "who could shout the loudest" time and time again.
After finishing, Tashigi stood, her limbs weak, and raised her weapon, the blade pointed towards Vice Admiral Momonga. She muttered to herself.
"Adjust your breathing... Pay attention to the coordination of your entire body... Focus your will..."
"Hah!"
Taking a step forward, Rowen couldn't bear to watch.
Pū Tōng...!
"Ouch, it hurts so much!"
This silly girl focused too much on theory. With no talent for multitasking, not only did she fail to get closer to Vice Admiral Momonga, but she also lost her balance the moment she stepped forward, falling to the ground in a sprawl.
Her head hit the floor hard, emitting a crisp sound.
Vice Admiral Momonga: "..."
This was just the most basic vertical strike!!
Are you kidding me?!!!
"An old piece of wood can't be carved!"
Sighing quietly, Vice Admiral Momonga waved his hand. "Rest for half an hour, then continue!"
Tashigi, with teary eyes from the pain, quickly stood up.
"Understood!"
Thud!
"Pain, Pain, Pain, Pain!!"
As Tashigi got up, she also saluted, not realizing that she was still holding the weapon. Consequently, the back of the blade directly bumped against her forehead.
Fortunately, she hadn't learned the reverse grip, or her face would definitely be marred!
Vice Admiral Momonga's face darkened, and he turned away from the training ground.
Koby, who was watching nearby, felt his heart trembling. He thought he wasn't any smarter than Tashigi and decided that it would be better not to practice the Sword Technique in his lifetime.
Rowen's gaze swept over, giving Koby an ominous premonition.
"Report! I've completed a thousand push-ups, and I've done fifty frog jumps!"
"Well, I see... Have you noticed the sandbags over there?"
Rowen raised his hand and pointed to a row of sandbags in the corner of the training ground, filled with small iron balls!
Gulp...
Koby's premonition grew clearer. He nodded laboriously.
"Yes!"
"I'll give you three days to smash them all! You're not allowed to use any armor or weapons..."
Koby was left stunned.
Adults aged 24-26 might not show much difference, but for kids between 14-16, the gap is quite significant.
Joining the Marines at the tender age of 14, Koby's foundation was... well, it was hardly worthy of being called a foundation!
He could only focus on refining his physique.
So what if his hands trembled while eating, making it hard to even hold chopsticks? So what if he lacked the strength to even lift the blankets after waking up? You just get used to it.
Tashigi looked at Koby sympathetically. After all, she was a swordsman and could rely on the advantage of wielding a weapon. Koby, on the other hand, didn't seem like someone cut out for learning Sword Technique. He was the epitome of a standard martial artist.
To smash Colonel Smoker's specially-made iron ball sandbags without wearing any protective gear was something even adult soldiers would find challenging! With a tearful face, Koby nodded.
"Yes!"
Then, he ran to the corner, nervously swallowing saliva.
"Ahh!"
Thud!
"Ouch, it hurts!"
Thud!
"My hand!"
The wails and impacts continued, but even though Koby was in agony, he executed Rowen's orders with meticulous precision.
Soon, the knuckles were scraped raw, the flesh a mess. The sight was too gruesome to bear!
Enduring hardships makes one a better person. Flesh wounds rarely leave irreversible damage, and they also help build tolerance to pain. Rowen didn't have any sympathy for him.
Back when he was training like a maniac, he'd grit his teeth even when his bones were broken. At that time, he didn't have the self-healing ability he had now. Recovering from severe injuries like strained muscles and fractured bones took a good two months.
At this moment, Vice Admiral Momonga, who had taken a break in the base room, emerged from the main door. Rowen seemed to have a realization and looked over, only to find Vice Admiral Momonga looking as dark as thunder.
"It seems there's news?"
Zap!
With a flash of electricity, Rowen vanished from the training ground amidst the awed gazes of the people there.
...
Loguetown Marine Base, Independent Commission Against Corruption Office.
In reality, this was just an old warehouse cleared of clutter. The newly established Independent Commission Against Corruption didn't have a separate budget, so they had to make do with this office space.
Due to a shortage of personnel, Smoker took on the roles of both Colonel of the Loguetown Base in East Blue and Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. His subordinates... ranged from big to small, including a few kittens.
Most of the soldiers were carefully selected from the stationed Marines in Loguetown, those whom he trusted. Even Tashigi was pulled in to serve as a clerk.
Accompanied by Rowen, Vice Admiral Momonga arrived here. Smoker was seated in a recliner, gnawing on his cigar, a headache evident from going through the documents. When he noticed the two enter, he flicked out a thin strand of smoke to retrieve the papers he had tossed aside, trying to maintain an appearance of diligent work.
Both Rowen and Vice Admiral Momonga were fully aware of his little act. With a grim expression, Vice Admiral Momonga asked, "Do you have a Fax Den Den Mushi here?"
"Yes, it's over there," Smoker said, pointing to a corner.
Den Den Mushis in the One Piece World were truly remarkable! They could handle more than just calls; they could record, send faxes, and even transmit telegrams. With a slight modification and the right training, a Den Den Mushi could do it all.
In one corner of the office, there was a fax machine. At this moment, the pale-yellow Den Den Mushi beside it opened its eyes in a timely manner, emitting a "PuruPuru" sound.
KāCha...
Vice Admiral Momonga pressed the switch, and the information began to be transmitted from the Den Den Mushi to the machine via a rather inexplicable route. Sheets of documents were printed out, quickly forming a sizable stack.
"Smoker, listen up!"
Vice Admiral Momonga picked up the pile of documents solemnly, taking a deep breath.
Smoker extinguished his cigar, his expression serious. He noticed the symbol of the World Government, the Crossed Flag, on the cover of the documents.
"To adapt to the new situation and Marine's development needs, by resolution of the Marine Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the highest authority of the World Government, the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars), Vice Admiral Strawberry of Marine Headquarters is appointed as the head of the East Blue branch of the Marine Independent Commission Against Corruption, concurrently serving as the Commissioner of the Independent Commission."
"Colonel Smoker, the head of the East Blue Loguetown Base, is concurrently appointed as the Director of Enforcement, responsible for overseeing the construction of the Independent Commission Against Corruption building and ensuring the safety of personnel, assets, and property."
"This appointment takes effect immediately from the date of issuance!"
Smoker was momentarily stunned, and then a surge of joy welled up within him.
Although it was a newly established department and its future development was uncertain, the fact that Fleet Admiral Sengoku had sent a Vice Admiral from Headquarters to serve as the branch head was telling.
This wasn't just for the show!
Marine was genuinely determined to root out corruption in the branches!
"Yes!"
Smoker saluted solemnly, carefully accepting the appointment letter.
Done!
With this, he finally had a resolution for his return to the Grand Line!
The only thing he was unsure about was whether this Vice Admiral Strawberry would be easy to get along with. Smoker found himself caught in a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
Ignoring Smoker's internal turmoil, Vice Admiral Momonga, after finishing reading the appointment letter, gave Rowen a meaningful glance. A rare hint of a smile appeared on his usually stern face.
"Rowen, I'll give you a heads up... "
"Hmm?!"
Rowen instantly had an ominous premonition.
"The Independent Commission Against Corruption is now officially established. However, the Fleet Admiral is not pleased with you taking matters into your own hands. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll be quite busy in the future."
Rowen: "..."
"Hehe!"
(End of this chapter)