North Blue, Batiya Island.
The Marine warship slowly docked at the port.
As the anchor dropped, Darren led the North Blue 321st Branch Marines down the gangplank and onto the land.
The moment his foot touched the ground, Darren raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"This... doesn't quite look like the Batiya Island I remember."
Batiya Island was one of the key transit hubs on several major trade routes in the North Blue. While its commercial throughput couldn't compare to the bustling islands of the Grand Line, it was certainly among the most prosperous in the region.
Countless merchant ships and trading caravans passed through the island to resupply, fueling a robust local economy.
And, where wealth gathered, so too did vice.
The island's prosperity and accessibility made it a breeding ground for corruption and criminal dealings. Mafia families, underground syndicates, illegal trades, and even piracy had long become part of the local landscape.
Darren had invested considerable effort over the past year to balance the chaotic powers here.
Yet even in his memory, Batiya Island had always been a place of bustling activity and unrelenting disorder.
What he saw now was... unexpected.
The once oil-slicked, congested docks were now immaculate, decorated with vibrant floral arrangements.
The streets were spotless, devoid of litter. The once-chaotic sidewalk stalls were now neatly aligned in perfect order.
Old buildings had been freshly painted white with blue roofs, giving the town a tidy, dignified appearance.
And in front of the town gate, a brand-new ten-meter-tall arch had been erected. Brightly colored characters hung from the top:
"Welcome, Saint Shaldes of the Celestial Dragons."
"After the Celestial Dragon's shipwreck, the mayor immediately issued a city-wide beautification order," explained Momonga, stepping up beside Darren and lowering his voice.
"He spent a large amount of tax funds to repaint the old buildings. And this color scheme? Supposedly it's inspired by the architecture of Mary Geoise, so the Celestial Dragon would feel 'right at home.'"
Gion and Tokikake both stood stunned.
Darren, however, chuckled.
Apparently, image projects existed in every world.
Still, it made sense.
To the world, the Celestial Dragons were self-proclaimed gods—supreme in authority.
In a backwater place like the North Blue, seeing a Celestial Dragon in person was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
And now, with one of these divine beings washed ashore in their territory, the mayor would of course go all out. A single compliment from a Celestial Dragon could very well change a man's life.
"How interesting," Darren said with a smile. He turned to the others and gave his orders:
"Get the troops into position. Establish a security perimeter around Saint Shaldes' area of activity. Screen for suspicious individuals. We can't afford any accidents."
He had no interest in protecting those pig-like Celestial Dragons. In fact, he'd be happy to eliminate a few.
But an order was an order. And in this case, success or failure could determine his entire political future in the Marines.
If something happened to a Celestial Dragon on his watch, not even Sengoku could protect him.
Darren had no intention of leaving the Marines.
He wasn't cut out to be a pirate. He had no desire to spend his life on the run.
He didn't consider himself a good man, but he did have a line. Attacking civilians? That wasn't something he could ever do.
And for someone like him, who had no cheat ability to rely on, the Marines—with their structured training and clear advancement paths—were the best option.
Most importantly, he'd already poured too much time and effort into the North Blue to give it up now.
"What about you?" Gion asked, frowning slightly.
She was no fan of the Celestial Dragons, either.
"I need to meet with the mayor and hand off some duties. As of now, the Celestial Dragon is still under the protection of the city's militia."
Darren gave her and Tokikake a casual wave.
"Besides, we have to make nice with the local government. We'll need their cooperation."
"Lieutenant Commander Momonga will lead the coordination. You two just support him as needed."
"You're still unfamiliar with North Blue operations, after all."
Then Darren turned to Momonga.
"They're in your hands."
Momonga nodded.
Seeing that the orders had already been given, Gion could only fall silent and watch Darren board a carriage headed toward City Hall.
"This way, Lieutenant Commander Gion, Lieutenant Commander Tokikake," Momonga said with a polite smile. He turned and led the Marines toward their assigned positions.
He knew Darren was going to handle something... delicate.
Bringing Gion and Tokikake along wouldn't be appropriate.
The two exchanged glances but said nothing, eventually following.
---
Batiya Island.
City Hall.
Guided by a secretary in a form-fitting skirt, Darren entered the mayor's office.
The decor was lavish: fur carpets over marble floors, oil paintings on the walls.
"Ah! What an honor to receive you, Captain Darren. Please forgive me for not greeting you sooner!"
Moments later, a sweating, rotund man in a fine suit came jogging in—Mayor Hunter.
"Mayor Hunter, the fault's mine for disturbing your work," Darren said with a smile as he accepted a cigar the mayor offered.
Then he casually sat down on the plush leather couch.
"Not at all!" Hunter said with a forced laugh. "Ever since Saint Shaldes arrived, we've been in total chaos."
He wiped sweat from his forehead with a silk handkerchief.
Darren nodded and lit the cigar.
"Understandable. It's a once-in-a-generation occasion."
"I must say, the transformation of Batiya Island was quite a surprise. I'm sure Saint Shaldes will be pleased."
Delighted, Hunter quickly handed over a folder.
"Captain Darren, here's an updated report on Batiya's affairs."
As Darren flipped through the pages, Hunter explained nervously:
"Thanks to your... deterrence, the two main mafia families on the island have been unusually well-behaved these past six months. They've even paid their taxes on time."
Darren glanced at the final page and smiled.
"Hmm. Looks like they're learning."
Hunter nodded rapidly.
"Of course! No one in the North Blue would dare disrespect you."
Hunter knew all too well what this man was capable of.
A year ago, Batiya had been a blood-soaked turf war. Crime families constantly battled for control.
Then Darren arrived.
With brutal efficiency, he uprooted nearly every criminal organization.
Hunter would never forget the rivers of blood, the piles of corpses.
And Darren, drenched in gore, standing over it all.
The last two remaining mafia bosses had knelt before him, trembling.
From that day on, Batiya had known peace.
The two remaining families divided the territory, paid their "taxes" without fail, and avoided all conflicts.
With gang violence gone, civilians thrived. The economy boomed.
"Same as always," Darren said, exhaling smoke.
"Tell them this: stay within the lines, and I'll look the other way."
"Play nice... and the money will keep flowing."
His smile faded.
"But if I see civilians getting hurt on my turf..."
He grinned, cold and sharp.
"Well, I'm a Marine of justice, after all. Wouldn't you agree, Mayor Hunter?"
Hunter bowed even deeper, laughing nervously.
"Of course! Everyone in the North Blue knows Captain Darren is the very embodiment of justice!"
---
To be continued...