50 Chapter 50: Framed

The Randolph Theater Troupe had always enjoyed a good reputation among the general public. Initially, a few staff members didn't take it seriously and went up to greet the approaching Marines with a smile. However, one by one, they were beaten black and blue, causing immediate panic within the troupe.

As several Marines fired their guns into the air, the troupe's ship abruptly came to a stop on the sea's surface. 

In the cabin, Vivi, who was eating watermelon with her duck, heard the commotion. Curiosity filled their faces as they came out to investigate with half a watermelon in their hands.

They saw three Marine warships surrounding the Randolph Theater Troupe's ship. The Marines on the deck had stern expressions, each armed to the teeth. They didn't appear friendly in the slightest.

What's going on here? Vivi found it odd. She had specifically asked Dadi and Tashigi about Randolph's situation. The Marines internally had a policy of neither supporting nor suppressing him, but the aggressive attitude of these Marines seemed to contradict the rumors.

"What are you doing? We are a legitimate theater troupe," Randolph, who was rehearsing his lines in his room, heard the commotion and rushed out without changing his clothes, still wearing his theatrical costume.

The leading Marine officer wore a strictly professional expression. With a stern face, he said, "We received a report suspecting your theater troupe of transporting weapons for pirate crews."

"How is that possible!"

"This is a false accusation!"

The group became increasingly infuriated, but they were powerless to stop the Marines. They had no choice but to comply with the inspection.

They were driven one by one to the deck, while a large number of Marine soldiers entered the ship's cabin to conduct a search.

Half an hour later, the Marines carried out three large wooden crates from the cargo hold. They pried open the crates, revealing them to be filled with firearms and ammunition.

Randolph was furious, trembling with anger. He pointed at the leading Marine officer and exclaimed, "You...! How dare you use such despicable methods to frame me? You bunch of animals! You are trampling upon the honor of the Marines!"

The method of framing was indeed not clever. By first driving the people onto the deck, they had plenty of time, a whole half hour, to manipulate the ship. With all that time, wasn't it easy for them to plant something on the ship?

While Vivi could see through this childish framing, others might not. After the three crates filled with weapons were moved onto the deck, she noticed the changed expressions in the actors' and staff members' eyes when they looked at Randolph.

The barrels of the Marine soldiers' guns were aimed at the theater troupe. Vivi sensed a hint of murderous intent. As a stage actress, she certainly couldn't openly carry her Meito "Kashu" around. 

The sword was in Karoo's backpack, and she reached her hand into it. Once these guys started shooting, she would definitely strike first!

"Stop! Everyone, stop! No one is allowed to shoot! You must not harm my theater troupe! Whoever is behind this scheme, come out! I promise I won't resist," Randolph shouted.

After waiting for more than ten seconds, a Justice Coat-wearing officer descended from the ladder on a nearby warship.

The man was slightly bald on the top of his head, with high cheekbones and eyes filled with malice, epitomizing the term "sly and cunning."

The Marine soldiers quickly saluted their superior.

The man didn't even bother to look at them and walked directly to Randolph.

He smiled smugly and said, "Lt. Commander Randolph, long time no see."

The old man gritted his teeth and a name slipped through the gap in his teeth. "Governor."

The man emphasized, "It's Commander Governor now!"

'Oh, Lt. Commander Randolph, you were so powerful back then. Can you still discipline me? Can you still send me to Enies Lobby? My rank is now Commander! Hahaha, you old fool! As a criminal, kneel before me!'

Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, despite Commander Governor wanting to "catch up" with his former superior, the crowded and scrutinizing environment made him suppress his desires. He put on an official façade and pointed at Randolph.

"Arrest this criminal who was transporting weapons for pirates. If he dares to resist, kill him on the spot!"

"Yes!"

The Marines rushed forward, their gun barrels all aimed at Randolph. The old man signaled the members of the theater troupe not to panic. He extended his hands, allowing the Marine soldiers to handcuff and shackle him.

Commander Governor, brimming with arrogance, first pointed to the three wooden crates not far away, then gestured with his finger, encompassing the actors and crew members of the troupe. "The crates contain physical evidence, and these people are eyewitnesses. We are the righteous Marines and will not wrong an innocent person. Randolph's crimes will be judged by Enies Lobby. Of course, if anyone is willing to step forward now and further expose Randolph's crimes, they will be rewarded for their service. Is there anyone willing to come forward and expose him?"

Commander Governor stared intently at the members of the theater troupe.

The old man Randolph had always been kind to the members of the troupe, so publicly opposing him put enormous moral pressure on them. Vivi noticed a few people hesitating, but in the end, no one spoke up.

Commander Governor sneered disdainfully, "A bunch of clueless lowlifes! Take them all away!"

With one warship in front and two behind, with the theater troupe's ship in the middle, the Marine Headquarters Commander Governor acted decisively. That same day, he led the group to Enies Lobby, intending to submit the evidence and firmly establish Randolph's crimes.

"What should we do now, Jianna?" several familiar faces asked Vivi in a low voice.

Despite her daily slacking off and deliberately diminishing her presence, Vivi's aura couldn't be completely concealed. The Conqueror's Haki similarly strengthened her personal charm, causing people to gather around her unconsciously.

"Don't worry. Mr. Randolph was once a Marine Lieutenant Commander. The Marines won't let a good person like him suffer an unjust accusation," she reassured.

Vivi had no intention of joining the Marines herself, but after watching One Piece for so many years, she still held some idealized notions of Marine justice. Whether it was absolute justice, lazy justice, or unclear justice, the essence remained the same.

Leaving aside her idealistic attitude toward Marine justice, Commander Governor's despicable framing technique was too obvious. Randolph was not an ordinary civilian; he had connections within the Marines. Faced with such a clumsy scheme, he wouldn't be unjustly condemned, would he?

She pondered for a moment before speaking, "We should trust Mr. Randolph and have faith in the current judicial system. I believe that Enies Lobby will give Mr. Randolph a fair trial."

Vivi still had some trust in the Marines, but she had absolutely no faith in Enies Lobby. In her memories, the courts were simply going through the motions. Once someone was taken to Enies Lobby, it was equivalent to being labeled a criminal.

However, as she observed with her peripheral vision, she noticed that Randolph didn't put up a fierce resistance. There might be a turning point in the situation. She decided to observe for a while and adapt accordingly. Even though Enies Lobby was a dark place, they couldn't disregard right and wrong and simply arrest all the witnesses, could they?