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Those participating in the Marine's elite training camp need to undergo a brief training period in Loguetown.
Within a week, personnel from the Marine headquarters will come to assist them. Naturally, Byakuya can skip such relatively basic training.
The intensity of such training is of no use to him; it's just a waste of time.
For Byakuya's 'special' treatment, other soldiers feel it's only natural.
After all, it's because of his strength! Those soldiers who hadn't witnessed the scene before might have some complaints in their hearts.
But any soldier who witnessed Byakuya's battle with Smoker didn't think Byakuya not participating in training was just showing off.
To dispel any potential discontent among a few people, Captain Smoker even said that if anyone could defeat him as Byakuya did, they wouldn't have to attend training either.
Defeat Smoker? They could only daydream about it, as no one dared to challenge him.
Not everyone is a monster like Byakuya. As a result, Byakuya becomes the most leisurely Marine in Loguetown.
Compared to the 'arduous' time spent searching for pirates at sea the previous month, the current life of strolls and good food is simply heavenly.
One day, just as Byakuya was preparing to go out again, Smoker suddenly showed up too.
"Want to go out for a stroll? I don't have anything to do today, so I'll accompany you. I can even be your guide."
Since Byakuya defeated Smoker, Smoker's attitude towards Byakuya has changed from the superior-subordinate to one of equals.
The two now interact as peers.
For most people, being defeated by a subordinate in front of their subordinates without seeking revenge is already showing great magnanimity.
But Smoker not only didn't seek revenge but also treated Byakuya as a friend.
Such a thing probably could only be done by someone like Smoker, who is somewhat of an oddity within the Marine.
Byakuya has no ill feelings towards Smoker either.
Whether from the original story or their interactions over the past few days, Smoker has proven himself worthy of the word "justice" even though he is just a stubborn little bastard.
Under Smoker's guidance, Byakuya even visited all the famous taverns in Loguetown.
The two went out in the morning and ended up drinking until sunset before heading back.
The once bustling square of Loguetown is now deserted, with only a towering execution platform casting a long shadow under the moonlight, facing towards the direction of the Marine base.
Smoker, with drunken eyes, stares at the execution platform and murmurs, "Byakuya, what do you think Roger was thinking about before he died?"
Byakuya scoffs, "Who knows what Roger was thinking? I'm not his conscience."
"Twenty years ago, I witnessed firsthand the execution of the infamous 'Pirate King' Gol D. Roger here, and heard him speak about the 'One Piece' moments before his death."
"Everyone who heard the news went crazy, rushing to set sail one after another, eager to find Roger's treasure."
"It was from this moment on that the number of pirates on the sea skyrocketed, with heinous incidents occurring one after another, showing me the ugly side of humanity when unrestrained."
"At the same time, I began to entertain the idea of joining the Marines to protect civilians, but after joining, I realized that the justice of the Marines was not exactly what I had expected as a child."
"There is also unspeakable ugliness within the Marines, and even some who wear the Marines' uniform do things more disgusting than pirates, but I can't stop them."
"So I was lost. After graduating from the Marine Elite training camp, I voluntarily applied to return to my hometown, Loguetown."
"At the very least, I wanted to use my abilities to ensure that my hometown would not be invaded by pirates."
"But pirates are like an endless stream. Today you kill a batch, tomorrow another batch, and the day after tomorrow, another batch will come. I'm tired of killing."
Listening to Smoker's words, Byakuya's expression was complex, and he couldn't help but sigh softly.
Smoker was indeed a bit drunk, and it was only because he considered Byakuya a friend that he spoke his mind.
He had indeed been too tired over the years.
Byakuya said softly, "As long as Seven Sin exists in people's hearts, there will be an endless stream of people setting sail to become pirates. There's no way around it."
Smoker buried his head in his hands, distressed. "Is there no way to stop it?"
"Of course, there is!"
Smoker's eyes lit up, somewhat excited as he grabbed Byakuya's arm. "What method?"
Byakuya uttered a few words, "Kill them all!"
As soon as the words were spoken, Smoker suddenly felt a chill, as if the temperature had dropped several degrees out of nowhere.
The bone-chilling cold sobered up the somewhat intoxicated Smoker instantly, hesitating. "Isn't that what we're doing now?"
Byakuya shook his head.
"It's different. The methods now are too soft. Capturing those big-time pirates and not killing them, instead locking them up in Impel Down."
Smoker defended, "But that's because if we kill those big-time pirates, their Devil Fruit abilities will reappear in the sea."
"If they are picked up by other pirates, it could lead to major losses again."
"If other pirates pick it up, it could pose a danger. But what if it's found by the Marines?"
"Is it that difficult for the Marines, with our strength, to find Devil Fruits?"
"The Marine's current actions are like cutting off one's nose to spite one's face."
"Why worry about the enemy getting stronger? Why not think about how to make ourselves stronger?"
Byakuya's words plunged Smoker into contemplation. Byakuya's point was valid, but such actions were a double-edged sword.
If not careful, they could easily hurt themselves.
"So what if it's picked up by pirates? I can kill the previous user of the fruit, and naturally, I can kill the next user."
"I'd like to see if those pirates still dare to eat Devil Fruits if we keep killing them like this!"
Byakuya's voice, though not loud, struck Smoker like thunder. Yes! Always being afraid, how can anything be done?
If I can kill the previous user, naturally, I can also kill you, the next user.
If the Devil Fruit is found by the Navy first, it would further strengthen the Marine's power.
Smoker exclaimed excitedly, "What else?"
"Furthermore, there's the matter of the Four Emperors in the New World."
"As long as the Four Emperors exist, it's like setting an example for other pirates below them, fueling their desire to become pirates."
Smoker said sadly, "But the Four Emperors' pirate crews are too powerful, and we can't deal with them at all."
Byakuya thought to himself, is it that we can't deal with them, or that 'we' don't want to deal with them due to the so-called 'Balanced'? That's hard to say!
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