The following day, news broke from the World Government affiliate, the Germa Kingdom:
"Yesterday, Germa 66, alongside the North Blue Marine fleet, conducted a public joint military exercise in the waters near the Kingdom of Yadis. During the exercise, both sides demonstrated overwhelming combat prowess..."
"...The King of the Germa Kingdom and Commander of Germa 66, Vinsmoke Judge, expressed his appreciation for the cooperation with North Blue Marine Captain Darren and promised to sign a long-term friendly cooperation agreement to jointly maintain security, peace, and prosperity in the North Blue."
Inside the office of the 321st Branch Base Commander, Gion and Tokikake stared wide-eyed at the latest newspaper.
"How is this even possible!?"
Especially with the accompanying photo of Darren and Vinsmoke Judge standing under the seagull flag, shaking hands with bright, friendly smiles. If you didn't know better, you'd think they were long-lost brothers.
Just yesterday, they were trying to kill each other. They nearly wiped out all of Germa 66, and now they're shaking hands in less than twenty-four hours?
Gazing at that photo, the warmth and familiarity between them was unsettling.
"Why not? Vinsmoke Judge is clearly a reasonable man. After my patient explanation and guidance, he quickly came to understand the position of the North Blue Marines and our commitment to justice and peace."
Darren spoke calmly, lighting a cigar as he glanced at the stunned expressions on Gion and Tokikake.
"He realized that launching a war was a mistake and decided to correct it. Isn't that perfectly reasonable?"
Tokikake nodded slowly, feigning understanding.
"Mm, that... sounds reasonable."
"Like hell it is!!"
She gnashed his teeth.
With Judge's violent, arrogant, and stubborn personality, there was no way he'd be 'convinced' by a few pretty words.
Darren might have eaten the Magnet-Magnet Fruit, but this wasn't the Inspire-Inspire Fruit!
"Darren, what did you do? Did you threaten him?"
Gion glared suspiciously.
"Ah, you caught me."
Darren raised his hands playfully, as if admitting defeat.
With a smile, he said:
"Honestly, I didn't do anything. Like I told Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I simply made him an offer he couldn't refuse."
"I just didn't expect Vinsmoke Judge to be such a sensible man."
Gion and Tokikake: "..."
They knew better than to pry further. With that smug look on Darren's face, there was no way he'd tell them the truth.
Even though they had no idea what method he used to force Judge into submission, the result was surprisingly satisfactory.
They had stopped a war.
Hundreds of thousands of citizens in the Kingdom of Yadis were spared.
The Germa Kingdom dropped all charges against the North Blue Marines.
Gion received ceremonial flags of honor from the royal family of Yadis.
Tokikake's mansion was now stocked with crates of fine liquor and premium cigars.
Everything seemed to be heading toward a beautiful and prosperous future... or not.
Gion looked at Darren's calm, self-assured grin and felt a surge of helpless frustration.
Coercion, deceit, corruption, violence, manipulation...
All things she had been taught were vile and incompatible with justice—yet, in Darren's hands, they had become the key to governing the North Blue.
It clashed with everything she believed in.
It overturned her entire worldview.
Buru buru... Buru buru...
Suddenly, the military Den Den Mushi rang.
Darren picked it up.
"This is Darren."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's hearty laughter boomed through:
"Hahaha! Darren, you little rascal! You really are the subordinate I can count on. You handled this matter brilliantly."
Gion and Tokikake rolled their eyes. They clearly remembered Sengoku shouting furiously just yesterday.
"All glory to justice. This was only possible thanks to your guidance, Fleet Admiral," Darren replied humbly.
"I knew I wasn't wrong about you. And I must say, sending Gion and Tokikake to the North Blue was the right call."
"Those two are such a headache. Tokikake lazes around and keeps trying to sneak my cigars, and Gion... well, she's just like her sister—far too idealistic."
As Sengoku ranted on, Darren glanced at the increasingly dark faces of Gion and Tokikake.
"...In short, they're still young and inexperienced. Let them follow you around more to gain perspective."
Unaware of the looming danger, Sengoku's voice grew more animated.
Ahem...
Sensing the murderous aura emanating from Gion, Tokikake gave an awkward cough.
Sengoku: "..."
The line went quiet.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I heard you're quite displeased with me?" Gion said coldly to the Den Den Mushi.
Sengoku: "..."
"Hello? Hello? Why is the signal so bad? Darren, did you hear what I said just now?! You take good care of Gion and Tokikake, they're the future of the Marines and the hope of justice!"
"Hello? The signal's... breaking up... can't hear you..."
Buru.
The Den Den Mushi went to sleep.
Call terminated.
Gion: "..."
Tokikake: "..."
Darren: "..."
They looked at one another.
Nearby, Momonga covered his face in agony.
That acting... was way too terrible.
But less than a minute later,
The Den Den Mushi rang again.
Darren picked up.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"Yes, Darren. I nearly forgot—there's a critical mission."
Sengoku spoke as if nothing had happened.
"Please go ahead."
"Byrnndi World attacked a World Government vessel a few days ago. A Celestial Dragon, Saint Shirdes, was onboard and went missing after the incident. His escape pod drifted to Batiya Island in the North Blue."
"The Government has issued a directive. I'm en route to the North Blue myself."
Darren's brows furrowed.
He remembered the headlines from a few days ago:
"Great Pirate 'World Destroyer' Byrnndi World sinks a Government ship. Celestial Dragons outraged. Bounty raised to 200 million Berries. The World Pirates now pose the greatest threat to the Government!"
"Fleet Admiral, what are my orders? Should I pursue Byrnndi World?"
Smoke curled from Darren's cigar as his eyes narrowed.
Sengoku shook his head.
"No. You're strong, but not strong enough to take him head-on. That task falls to me."
"Your mission is to head to Batiya Island immediately and protect Saint Shirdes."
"CP has dispatched agents to escort him back, but until they arrive, the Government needs local Marine forces to safeguard the Celestial Dragon's life."
---
To be continued...