Chapter 55: Please keep reading! Colonel Harros's quick wit and decision!

South Sea, Watermelon Island, Navy 194th Branch Base.

The Major ignored the salutes of the Marines along the way.

He rushed in, pushing the door open without even knocking.

Upon entering, he immediately shouted at Colonel Harros, who had just looked up from behind his desk.

"Base Commander! Rear Admiral Dragon has issued orders! We are required to arrive in the waters of the Thutmose Kingdom within two hours to assist in an arrest operation!"

"Hmm? I thought they said those two 'Cats' had already been caught?"

The Major's speech was somewhat hurried.

Colonel Harros didn't react immediately, feeling a bit dazed.

However, he quickly realized the crux of the problem.

"The waters of the Thutmose Kingdom!"

He lunged up from the sofa, bracing both hands on the desk, and asked in shock

"Why go there? And you just said an arrest operation—arrest whom?"

A suspicion began to form in the Colonel's heart, and an ominous feeling welled up within him.

"The word from headquarters is to arrest the 'Slave King' Taklamakan of the Dark World, conduct a thorough investigation of the entire Thutmose Kingdom, and arrest all armed personnel. If there is any resistance, they are authorized to use lethal force on the spot!"

The Major's face appeared pale, with beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.

Colonel Harros's expression shifted repeatedly.

Ultimately, it dissolved into a sigh as he said, "So, something has happened after all... Am I really this unlucky?"

The previous few base commanders had all smoothly made enough money to either get promoted or retire.

How did everything blow up completely once it reached him? If this wasn't bad luck, what was?

"I didn't expect it, I truly didn't expect it. The fleet from Navy Headquarters wasn't here to catch any 'Cats' at all; Rear Admiral Dragon was aiming for the Thutmose Kingdom from the very beginning!"

"We've all been played. I imagine it's much the same for King Taklamakan..."

The Major asked in a panic, "Colonel, what do we do now? Should we immediately notify King Taklamakan to prepare?"

"No!"

Colonel Harros thought quickly on his feet.

Though his physical aptitude wasn't high, his mind was sharp, and he rapidly processed various details.

"Navy Headquarters is clearly coming prepared this time. The fact that Rear Admiral Dragon previously threw out 'smoke screens' shows he already had suspicions and vigilance regarding branches like ours in the South Sea."

"At this moment, someone might already be monitoring the Den Den Mushi nearby, just waiting for us to call!"

"Most importantly, our 194th Branch is closest to the Thutmose Kingdom's waters. We will most likely be treated as a primary focus."

"We absolutely cannot panic, and we certainly cannot maintain contact with them. Besides, King Taklamakan is finished—completely finished. What is the point of notifying him?"

The Major, however, was somewhat unconvinced, asking, "Surely he isn't *that* finished? As far as I know, this 'Slave King' possesses immense strength and influence."

"He has been a major figure in the Dark World for decades. While the Navy Headquarters fleet is powerful, they only sent two Rear Admirals this time."

"Hmph. I say he is finished because his identity has been completely exposed. Navy Headquarters is clearly intending to deal with him ruthlessly."

"Compared to the world's strongest military organization, what is a 'Slave King'?"

Colonel Harros looked at the Major with disdain.

"A major figure of the Dark World is indeed terrifying while they remain in the shadows, but once exposed under the sun, they are nothing more than meat on a chopping block!"

"Even if Taklamakan has the ability to defeat Rear Admiral Dragon's fleet, what happens when Navy Headquarters sends even stronger, larger-scale forces in the future? Setting aside everything else, what if Vice Admiral Garp comes?"

After saying this, Colonel Harros spoke to the Major with profound meaning

"Between a doomed Slave King and Navy Headquarters, it shouldn't be difficult to decide which side to stand on."

"And I am certain that even without us, some fool will call to warn the Thutmose Kingdom—perhaps even right now—and those people will become our scapegoats!"

Hearing this explanation, the Major calmed down.

He then voiced his final doubt: "If we are already under suspicion, we will surely be held accountable. What do we do about that, Base Commander?"

"The possibility of being held accountable is high, but it won't be a death sentence. We've only been here a few years. If they truly investigate, the previous base commanders will all have to be scrutinized one by one."

"Conversely, if we try to help King Taklamakan now, we'll just be burying ourselves with him!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Colonel Harros straightened his suit and justice coat, picked up the Den Den Mushi, and issued a solemn command

"Pass down the order: all ships are to prepare for departure immediately. We must arrive in the waters of the Thutmose Kingdom within the specified time!"

He then strode past the Major toward the exit, with the latter hurrying to follow behind.

"Base Commander, how many troops should each ship deploy this time?"

The branch's warships could normally carry three hundred men, with a maximum capacity of five hundred.

The exact number would depend on the situation, while the remaining Marines would be responsible for guarding the base.

"Full capacity!"

Colonel Harros answered decisively.

Since he had decided to remain within the ranks of the Navy, he had to show the utmost sincerity.

He felt this was the best way to save himself at this moment.

"Understood!"

Ten minutes later, the eight warships of the 194th Branch, having prepared in advance, set sail at full speed from Watermelon Island toward the Thutmose Kingdom.

Meanwhile.

The Navy Headquarters fleet led by Dragon was less than three hours away from the Thutmose Kingdom.

Rear Admiral Evan stepped out of the cabin onto the deck.

"Rear Admiral Dragon, you were right. Intelligence just came in from CP2. After receiving our orders, the 242nd and 289th Branches immediately notified the Thutmose Kingdom."

"However, strangely enough, there has been no movement from the 194th Branch, which is closest to them. Instead, they have dispatched all their warships at full capacity."

Initially, upon hearing the first part, Dragon showed no change, continuing to gaze silently at the distant sea.

But after hearing the latter part, his eyebrows twitched instinctively, and he turned to face the other man.

"I recall the Base Commander of the 194th Branch is Colonel Harros, correct?"

"That is correct."

"It seems this Colonel Harros is quite clever."

Dragon's mood was somewhat complex at this moment.

He had originally intended to report to Navy Headquarters after the operation to purge all the corrupt Marines who had conspired with the "Slave King."

But Harros's current performance made things a bit complicated.

Because Harros would now stand in stark contrast to the other two base commanders.

In such a case, he believed the high-ranking officials at Marineford would not make things too difficult for him.

At most, they would confiscate most of his bribe-tainted assets, demote his rank, and transfer him from his post.

On the contrary, those two other base commanders would likely end up at Impel Down.

"I really must meet this Colonel Harros when the time comes."

Then, Dragon looked at Rear Admiral Evan and asked, "What is the situation with the pirates?"

"The survivors' injuries are not severe; the ship's doctors have already treated them."

"The two 'Cat' captains are still unconscious; they sustained the heaviest injuries."

"However, the doctors say they won't die. After all, they are Zoan users; their vitality is naturally extraordinary."

Having said that, Rear Admiral Evan asked curiously, "Judging by your tone, you don't intend to send them to Impel Down for trial?"

"No, I intend to bring them back to Marineford and imprison them there first."

Dragon did not hide his intentions, appearing very frank and upright as he said

"Judging by the fact that these pirates did not target civilians, I don't consider them extreme criminals. There is no need to send them to that hellish place called Impel Down. I am considering taking them in as Navy subordinates."

"I see. Two Zoan users indeed hold significant value. If trained well, they will make excellent combat assets."

Rear Admiral Evan nodded, not feeling particularly shocked.

In the Navy, there were plenty of officers and commanders who, upon capturing pirates, would take them as subordinates if they found them suitable.

Generally speaking, as long as they were not major criminals of the World Government, the high-ranking officials would turn a blind eye.

However, if trouble arose later, that officer would be held accountable.