This idea immediately flashed through Robin's mind like a bolt of lightning.
If it wasn't about the Pluton, then this "scavenged content" should refer to defeating Crocodile.
Toppling Crocodile and saving Alabasta could be considered a significant accomplishment.
However, the World Government would undoubtedly not expose the truth. If it were revealed that pirates defeated the Shichibukai and the Shichibukai had taken control of an allied country, it would be a great embarrassment for both the Marines and the World Government. It would also mean that the Five Elder Stars, who decided to establish the Shichibukai, made a mistake and chose the wrong people.
According to the World Government's usual operations, they would undoubtedly conceal the truth. However, the fact that Crocodile usurped the throne would definitely be hard to hide, as many people in Alabasta were aware of it. The only option left would be to balance the merits and demerits.
They would attribute the credit for defeating Crocodile to the Marines. This way, they would maintain the face of both the Marines and the World Government, and prevent the spread of the "absurd" notion that pirates saved an allied country.
If that was the case, the answer became quite obvious.
Robin looked at Luo ke and said, "Answer: D, Vice-Admiral Smoker of the Marines."
Robin's choice surprised everyone; they thought she would choose Dragon from the Revolutionary Army.
After all, Robin had joined the Straw Hat Pirates, and Dragon was Luffy's father. It would be natural for her to disclose the whereabouts of the Pluton to him.
But instead, she chose Smoker?
Could it be that there was something they didn't know about?
Upon hearing this answer, Sengoku immediately ordered an investigation into Smoker's recent activities.
The results revealed that Vice-Admiral Smoker had recently led a Marine unit to set sail and capture the Straw Hat Pirates. They were likely on their way to the Grand Line.
Sengoku and the others were shocked by this news. Could it be that Smoker had actually obtained the location of the Pluton in Alabasta?!
Well done, Smoker!
Now they remembered Smoker, who had suffered from a flawed personality and often defied his superiors. Despite being an elite Marine from Headquarters and a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, he was demoted to the rank of Branch Colonel in Loguetown in the East Blue.
It was akin to being exiled to the frontier. As it was well known, the rank of Branch Colonel was three levels lower than that of Headquarters Colonel. Smoker was essentially demoted to the rank of Headquarters Captain, while his contemporary, Sengoku, became a Headquarters Colonel. It was evident how miserable his situation had become.
They had almost forgotten about this chain-smoking man who had shown promise at Headquarters, but now they encountered him here.
"If Smoker really has a way to extract the whereabouts of the Pluton from Nico Robin, I suggest we send him immediately to Alabasta," said to Sengoku.
"I agree, Vice Admiral. Given Nico Robin's affiliation with the World Government, she might not disclose the information even if we capture her forcefully. But if Vice Admiral Smoker can do it, he is the best candidate!" Sengoku replied.
...
The other Marines concurred.
Sengoku nodded. It was also time to transfer Smoker back to Headquarters. After so many years, it was likely that he had smoothed out his rough edges. With this major achievement, it was time to bring him back.
After all, he was a Logia-type user and a former Marine elite. It was a waste to keep him stationed in the East Blue. Now was the perfect time to utilize him.
As Sengoku contemplated this, the other Marines also realized the same. It seemed that Smoker could return to Headquarters. Many of them were Smoker's seniors or contemporaries and had been taught by the same instructor. They understood his abilities and recognized that it was indeed a waste to keep him in the East Blue.
Just as they were pondering this, Luo ke announced the correct answer in the live broadcast.
"The answer is correct."
The Marines at Headquarters, including Sengoku, couldn't help but smile. It seemed that they had finally obtained the Pluton. Since this matter was true, it was only natural to send Smoker to retrieve it. They didn't expect Smoker to play such a significant role at this moment.
However, their joy didn't last long as Luo ke continued speaking.
"Colonel Smoker from Loguetown's Marine Branch pursued the Straw Hat Pirates into the Grand Line after they wreaked havoc in Loguetown. When the Straw Hat Pirates arrived in Alabasta, Smoker followed suit. However, he fell into Crocodile's trap during the pursuit of the Straw Hat Pirates and was captured. He was trapped in the Sea Stone prison and nearly drowned when Crocodile flooded it with seawater. The Straw Hat Pirates saved him in a critical moment and, out of gratitude, he gave up chasing them further and entrusted the task to his subordinates. He set sail in advance to seize Baroque Works' artificial rain production ship. After the Straw Hat Pirates defeated Crocodile, the higher-ups, in order to cover up the Straw Hat Pirates' actions in Alabasta, attributed the credit for defeating Crocodile entirely to Smoker."
Upon hearing this answer, the high-ranking officers at Marine Headquarters were dumbfounded.
So the "scavenged content" referred to the credit for defeating Crocodile, not the Pluton?!
This... this...
The expressions on the faces of the Marine officers turned grim. This matter was too embarrassing if it were to be exposed.
The Marines not only failed to assist in defeating Crocodile but also had their lives saved by the Straw Hat Pirates. Yet, they claimed the credit afterward and took it for themselves.
This matter would not only be embarrassing if it were to spread but would also make them blush with shame.
Sengoku's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. He originally thought Smoker had found the Pluton, but he never expected it to be this. The Marines' reputation was utterly ruined, making them look like clowns.
Sengoku felt a surge of anger!
The Marines were practically stripped naked by Luo ke's revelations, and yet, there was nothing they could do about it.
Because everything that was exposed was the truth.
Even if Sengoku used his brain, he knew that this decision was made by the Five Elder Stars. The reason was simple: to maintain the face of the World Government and the Marines and prevent pirates from establishing a positive image in people's minds.
Although he understood the reasoning behind it, once the matter was exposed, the embarrassment faced by the Marines and the World Government was even greater than before.
Sengoku could only curse the Five Elder Stars in his heart for coming up with such terrible ideas and blame Smoker for not being competent enough. He actually fell into Crocodile's trap and got captured.
If Smoker had managed to defeat Crocodile before the Straw Hat Pirates, things wouldn't have been so complicated.
However, Sengoku also knew that it wasn't entirely Smoker's fault. Crocodile was not someone easily defeated, and Smoker never intended to claim that credit for himself—it was forced upon him.
Overall, apart from not being able to defeat Crocodile, Smoker hadn't done anything wrong. But incompetence was his original sin.
After considering it, Sengoku decided to stick to his previous idea of recalling Smoker to Headquarters. Keeping him stationed in the East Blue was a waste, especially since he was a rare Logia-type user. It was time for him to grow at Headquarters.
Sengoku was nearing retirement, and he needed to leave some talented individuals at Headquarters to carry the burden.
This scandal of scavenged content quickly caused a stir worldwide.
People felt angry, made jokes, expressed discontent, and looked down upon the World Government and the Marines..
If it weren't for witnessing the true face of the World Government and the Marines during this period, they would have believed that they were as noble and just as they were portrayed.
Now it seemed that wasn't the case after all.
"I can't kill enemies, but I'm number one at stealing credit."
These guys' methods are too despicable.
Now people are starting to doubt whether many other credits were also snatched by the World Government and the Marines in the past.
As the saying goes, when you see one cockroach in the house, there might actually be several nests already.
The Marines are so skilled in their handling of these matters, so it's likely not the first time they've done this.
I really didn't expect it. They used to think that only certain Marines had personality issues and were too cold-blooded. Now it seems that they are not only cold-blooded but also hypocritical, claiming others' accomplishments as their own.
It's quite laughable.
People worldwide scoff at the World Government and the Marines' attempts to save face.
Meanwhile, on the way to the Grand Line, Smoker's face turns incredibly dark. He never imagined that he himself would be the one caught scavenging.
As if scavenging wasn't enough, it's this kind of thing.
Smoker immediately curses out loud.
"Why don't these old geezers from the World Government just die? Can you believe they came up with this kind of trick?!"
The surrounding Marines exchange looks upon hearing Smoker openly berate the Five Elder Stars. However, they dare not say anything and pretend not to have heard.
Smoker is infuriated. He feels like he's hit Luo kek bottom, encountering this kind of situation.
This leaves him with no face to show in the future.
The "Scavenger King," the Scavenger King... People will immediately think of these three words when they see him.
Even if he becomes a high-ranking officer in the Marines in the future, people will suspect that he obtained his position through scavenging.
He can already imagine that scene.
"Hey, look over there! Isn't that Smoker, the one who's said to have scavenged in Alabasta?"
"Yeah, it's really him..."
...
This act of claiming credit for someone else's accomplishments is already disgraceful enough, but now it's being broadcasted for people worldwide to see. He has completely lost his dignity.
Damn those Five Elder Stars!... Smoker grits his teeth.
Smoker, who has suffered undeserved calamity, is filled with anger.
Meanwhile, in the New World, Big Mom and Kaido burst into laughter.
They are not surprised by these tactics of the World Government.
Why?
Because during the Battle of God Valley years ago, their Luo keks Pirates fought against the Roger Pirates and the Marines simultaneously.
After that battle, the Marines propagated the outstanding performance of Captain Cap, shaping him into a hero of the Marines. Even to this day, Cap's name as a Marine hero is widely known.
However, no one knows that the Roger Pirates also fought side by side with Cap and his crew during that time.
The methods used in this scavenging incident are just like the tactics used during the Battle of God Valley.
No, it's even more shameless. At least during the Battle of God Valley, the Marines did contribute significantly. But in this scavenging incident, the Marines merely cleaned up the battlefield and claimed credit.
These guys are becoming more and more shameless... Big Mom and Kaido think disdainfully.
However, as pirates, comparing who is more shameless between the Marines and the World Government is quite amusing in itself.
Laughter echoes from Whole Cake Island and Onigashima.
...
Robin breathes a sigh of relief upon hearing that her answer was correct. Now, only one question remains. If she answers this question correctly, she will receive a reward.
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(End of this chapter)