What made Water Seven stand out among other islands, aside from its intricate network of waterways spanning the entire city, was its reputation as the best ship-repairing hub in the Grand Line.
Nearly every small inland lake leading to the ocean was dotted with slightly damaged ships.
Most of these were rchant vessels or military ships, though the latter were mostly outdated models phased out by the Marines.
The most advanced warships, to prevent design blueprints from being stolen, were usually repaired at Marine Headquarters Mary Geoise or on Egghead Island.
Jake and Monet stood on the backstreet of Tom's Workers, where few pedestrians passed by.
Most were shirtless shipwrights carrying construction materials.
Due to the high humidity and temperature, the shipbuilders were already drenched in sweat.
However, Jake didn't ask Monet to activate her Devil Fruit ability imdiately.
Tom's Workers was a massive place and what they saw before them was only a small part of it.
If Monet used her ability to bring comfort to this small group, the shipbuilders in other areas who didn't receive the sa treatnt would feel resentful and direct their dissatisfaction towards Jake and Monet.
Moreover, this was an extrely open area.
If Monet wanted to maintain a comfortable temperature for an extended period, she would need to expend a great deal of energy to sustain her Devil Fruit ability continuously.
If she chose to rest midway, the shipbuilders might either smile understandingly or react with complaints and discontent.
People care more about fairness than scarcity.
As long as everyone suffers equally, a decline in quality of life becos bearable.
Besides, maintaining a comfortable temperature wasn't Monet's responsibility.
If she exhausted her energy doing so, what would she rely on if real danger arose?
Could they expect these shipbuilders enjoying the cool air to understand Monet and fight for her?
No, most likely they would simply complain that she and Jake were incompetent Marines and report them to their superiors for failing to fulfill their duties.
If you can't do sothing right, it's better not to do it at all—at least then no one can accuse you of mistakes.
Monet listened to Jake's words, her striking dark golden eyes flickering with surprise as she pondered the validity of his reasoning.
In less than two minutes, she reached a conclusion: Jake was right!
So, she followed his advice, shrinking the range of her Devil Fruit ability from dozens of ters to just around herself and Jake.
As the cool, comfortable breeze enveloped them, Monet continued questioning Jake.
"Jake, before we split into teams, that Fish-Man glanced at us and then had a brief chat with T-Bone. Did they know each other before, or did they just click instantly upon eting?"
Hearing this, Jake explained.
"During a break in training a while back, I overheard Old William and the others ntion that Marines stationed at branches usually rotate every two years. Liutenant Commander T-Bone was stationed in Water Seven four years ago."
"But why? Doesn't rotating every two years hinder long-term developnt for the Marines? I an, in those two years, the stationed Marines would have familiarized themselves with the surrounding environnt, enemy conditions and the island's situation. What's the purpose of replacing them?"
Faced with Monet's question, Jake provided the answer.
"I asked Old William the sa thing back then, and here's what he told ."
"Because in many places, there have been instances where the Marines stationed long-term ended up colluding with underground rchants on the islands, even cooperating with nearby pirates to oppress local residents. It was during one of Vice Admiral Sakazuki's vacations that he accidentally uncovered such a situation."
"Upon witnessing this, Vice Admiral Sakazuki was naturally furious. After making the simplest report to Marine Headquarters, without waiting for a response, he proceeded to obliterate the entire branch, along with the local black market and pirate ships anchored in nearby waters. In that battle, Vice Admiral Sakazuki took no prisoners."
"As a result of this incident, Vice Admiral Sakazuki who was already a vice admiral at the ti, was even demoted to rear admiral. But later, he climbed back up through his own rits. To prevent such incidents where long-term stationed Marines betray the na of justice, it beca rare to deploy branch Marines to any location for extended periods."
"However, since troop redeploynt involves many complications, this policy mainly applies to important islands in the Grand Line. In the four seas, recruitnt and garrison duties are mostly handled locally, with occasional patrols by Headquarters forces."
Listening to Jake's explanation, Monet nodded thoughtfully.
"Then Water Seven must be an extrely important island. Even now, shortly after the Great Pirate Era began, when military resources are so scarce, it strictly implented a two-year rotation garrison system years ago."
"Yes, Water Seven's geographical location is very special. It's near the boundary between the first half of the Grand Line, 'Paradise' and the second half 'the New World.' Leaving Water Seven, one can reach Sabaody Archipelago and from there, enter the New World."
"At the sa ti, Water Seven isn't far from Enies Lobby, Marine Headquarters, or Impel Down. Between these three locations, there's a triangular-shaped exclusive current where seawater flows counterclockwise, facilitating warship navigation."
However, just as Jake was explaining this to Monet, a sowhat arrogant voice interrupted.
"Hey~! You two Marines over there! Aren't you here for guard duty? Why are you chatting instead? Are you actually doing your jobs?!"
Turning toward the voice, they saw a man wearing a floral shirt and only underpants on his lower half, looking displeased at them.
His appearance instantly revealed his identity to Jake.
The Cyborg—Franky.
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