At that moment, Gion entered the office.
Seeing Darren and Kaji sitting together, puffing on cigars like old buddies, she frowned slightly but said nothing.
"Captain Darren," Gion saluted him.
Darren smiled, waving her off.
"No need for formalities, Major Gion."
He glanced casually at both Gion and Kaji, noticing that after yesterday's "sparring session," their attitudes toward him had grown more respectful.
In this vast ocean, strength ultimately commanded respect.
"So, what brings the two of you here today?" Darren exhaled a stream of smoke and asked with a smile.
Gion and Kaji exchanged glances. Finally, Gion spoke with a serious expression.
"Captain Darren, after reviewing your branch's operations, we've identified some irregularities in the financial reports."
"Oh?" A glimmer of intrigue flashed in Darren's deep eyes. "What do you mean, Major Gion?"
Gion, prepared, took out a folder and placed it on the desk, her expression turning colder.
"Captain Darren, based on headquarters' records and my own observations… leaving aside the other branches in the North Blue, just your 321st Branch alone shows a significant discrepancy in financial practices."
Darren tapped the ash from his cigar and smiled.
"And why would that be a problem? As soldiers of justice, we could lose our lives at any moment while battling pirates."
"Putting aside the notion of 'justice,' the Navy is an inherently high-risk profession. Without adequate salaries and bonuses, who would risk their lives for justice?"
Gion gritted her teeth.
"Captain Darren, you know that's not what I'm saying!"
"What I mean is that the Navy's funding comes from headquarters. In other words, the military budgets for each branch are fixed. However, under your command, the salaries for soldiers in the North Blue have far exceeded the headquarters' allocations…"
"…reaching levels five times or even more than their counterparts of the same rank at headquarters!"
"So, Captain Darren, I must ask, where is the extra funding coming from?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Kaji's expression shifted.
Staring at the luxury cigars on the desk, he suddenly realized something and turned to glare at Darren.
Facing their accusatory gazes, Darren merely shrugged nonchalantly.
"Isn't the answer obvious, Major Gion?"
Gion gritted her teeth and stated firmly, "You've been accepting bribes!"
"Bribes?"
Darren chuckled as if he had just heard a joke. "No, no, no. In the Navy, we don't call it bribery."
"We call it reasonable compensation."
Gion stared at Darren in disbelief, her voice rising in anger.
"So the rumors are true! You really do have close ties to the mafia in the North Blue and have even taken their money!"
"Do you realize those funds come from the blood and sweat of innocent people? It's the mafia's rampant exploitation that destroys families and ruins lives!"
"Destroys families and ruins lives?"
Darren couldn't help but laugh.
"You've probably read my report, haven't you? Under my command, the crime rate in the North Blue has significantly decreased, and the standard of living for ordinary people has improved."
"Major Gion, you're absolutely right, the mafia's money does come from the people. So yes, in a way, I have taken money from them."
"But when I take money from the people, I get things done."
"Do you know what the people here in the North Blue fear the most? It's not that the Navy takes money, it's that the Navy doesn't take money."
Hearing this, Gion trembled with rage.
The people fear the Navy not taking money? What kind of twisted logic was this?!
"Protecting civilians is the Navy's duty! Taking money changes the nature of that duty! Darren, you scoundrel, where's your belief in justice?!"
Darren smiled calmly.
"You have your beliefs; I have my way of doing things."
"I focus on results, and the result is this: I've managed the North Blue better than it's ever been managed before."
"The situation in the North Blue is far more complex than you imagine, and it's nothing like what you've seen at Marineford."
"Of course…" He spread his hands.
"If you don't accept my approach, you're welcome to file a report with headquarters. Whatever decision they make, I'll comply."
Gion opened her mouth to argue further, but before she could, Mouse rushed into the room, his face grave.
"Captain Darren…"
Mouse hesitated, sensing the tension in the room.
Darren glanced at him and waved dismissively.
"Speak. What's happened?"
Mouse nodded and said in a low voice:
"Germa 66 has launched its 'Decapitate Four Nations' campaign. Their army has amassed over 10,000 soldiers and is preparing to attack the Kingdom of Yadis!"
"Based on the disparity in forces, if Germa initiates the assault, the Kingdom of Yadis is expected to fall within an hour."
"Governor Tyrell of Yadis has already sent a plea to the North Blue Navy, requesting our intervention to mediate the conflict."
As Mouse finished, both Gion and Kaji's faces turned pale.
Germa 66, known as the "Evil Army" and "Warmongers," was a formidable power. Though it had no fixed territory, it was recognized by the World Government as an allied nation.
At the helm of Germa 66 was the Vinsmoke family.
Their king, Vinsmoke Judge—nicknamed "The Strange Bird"—was not only a monarch but also a scientist, wielding advanced military technology. His army, Germa 66, was one of the most powerful in the world and infamous throughout the North Blue.
If Judge carried out his threats of conquest, the entire North Blue could be engulfed in war.
With that thought, both Gion and Kaji felt a wave of dread and instinctively turned to Darren for guidance.
"So… that Strange Bird didn't get our message?" Darren narrowed his eyes, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
Mouse, recognizing the look on Darren's face, immediately sensed trouble brewing for Judge.
"The message was delivered directly into his hands," he confirmed.
"Good." Darren extinguished his cigar, his gaze growing sharp and cold.
"Let's head out, then."
Mouse nodded and began contacting subordinates through a transponder snail, setting the operation into motion.
Darren casually threw on his oversized "Justice" coat, but Gion's voice called out behind him.
"Wait!"
Darren turned to look at her.
Gion hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth.
"Shouldn't we report to headquarters first? The Navy doesn't have the authority to interfere in disputes between nations. Acting rashly could lead to political complications."
What a naïve little girl… Darren thought, a trace of amusement flashing through his mind.
"With Germa 66's forces, by the time headquarters replies, the heads of the Four Kings of the North Blue will likely already be mounted on Judge's walls."
He sneered.
"Besides, I won't allow Germa 66 to start a full-scale war in my jurisdiction, causing unnecessary civilian casualties."
Gion was momentarily stunned, a flicker of admiration lighting her eyes.
It seemed this man did have a sense of responsibility after all…
But Darren's next words nearly made her spit blood.
"—After all, if the civilians all die, who will I collect money from?"
Gion's chest heaved as she glared at the tall man before her, her anger boiling over.
"Darren, you bastard! Are you protecting civilians just to collect money?!"
From the distant military port, the sound of trumpets gradually echoed.
The Navy forces of Branch 321 were assembling.
Darren smiled casually.
"Of course not."
Gion froze for a moment, feeling an inexplicable sense of relief.
Then Darren added with a smirk,
"Besides that… Lady Margaret is in the Kingdom of Yadis, isn't she? We just spent the night together two days ago. It wouldn't look good if I didn't intervene now, would it?"
Gion: …
Kaji: …
The two were utterly speechless.
So, the real reason for deploying troops was to rescue your mistress?!