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Chapter 11: Reasons for Sending Troops
At this time, Gion walked into the office. She saw Darren and Kake sitting there, talking like good friends, which made her frown. However, she remained silent.
"Basic Commander Darren," Gion greeted with a military salute.
Darren smiled and waved his hands. "Major Gion, welcome," he said.
He glanced at Gion and Kake, giving the impression that he was doing so casually. It was clear that after the previous day's discussion and the beating that ensued, they looked at him with more respect. In this sea, strength was the common language.
"What plans do you two have for today?" Darren asked, exhaling a puff of smoke smoothly, like a dragon, and smiling.
Gion and Kake exchanged glances before Gion replied with a serious expression. "Rear Admiral Darren, we've observed some issues with the financial management of your branch."
"Oh?" Darren's eyes showed a spark of interest. "What exactly do you mean, Major Gion?"
Gion had prepared an intelligence document and placed it on the desk, his expression turning stern. "According to the information from this department and my observations, we don't concern ourselves with other Marine branches in the North Blue, but specifically Branch 321. Their income levels are far beyond the military expenditure regulations set by our department."
Darren flicked ash from his cigarette and chuckled. "Isn't that a positive thing? As Marines who uphold justice, we could die honorably at any moment in our fight against pirates."
"Setting aside this 'justice', being a Marine is quite perilous," Darren continued. "Without sufficient pay and subsidies, who would fight for justice on such a modest salary?"
Gion clenched her teeth. "You're missing the point, Rear Admiral Darren! The branches' military spending comes from headquarters, meaning their expenditures should be within set limits. Under your command, salary standards in the branches have far exceeded those limits—sometimes even more than five times that of a department of the same level!"
"So I must ask, where is all this extra funding coming from?"
Before Darren could respond, Kake, who was beside him, showed a sign of realization as he noticed the expensive cigars on the table and turned his gaze to Darren.
Faced with their probing eyes, Darren simply shrugged. "You seem to have answered your own question, Major Gion."
"You accepted a bribe!" Gion accused, each word heavy with contempt.
"A bribe?" Darren seemed amused by the suggestion. "The dealings of the Marines can hardly be called a bribe. Rather, it's a reasonable fee."
Gion stared incredulously at the composed Darren. "So the rumors are true! You're deeply connected to the North Blue mafia, even receiving money from them! Do you realize this is the money of ordinary people? Because of the mafia's oppression, countless families are suffering!"
"Family ruin?" Darren chuckled. "You must have read my report. Under my jurisdiction, crime in the North Blue has dropped, and the civilians' quality of life has improved."
"Yes, mafia money comes from civilians, so in a way, I have taken money from the people. But with that money, I've been able to do more good. In a place like North Blue, civilians fear the Marines who don't take money, not the ones who do."
Gion trembled with anger at Darren's justification. "Protecting civilians is the Marines' duty! When you take money, it changes everything! What happened to your sense of justice?"
Darren retained his smile. "You have your beliefs, and I have my methods. I focus on results, and the fact is I've improved the state of North Blue beyond any point in its history. It's more complex than what you've seen in Marineford."
He spread his hands open. "If you don't like my approach, you can report it to the HQ. I'm willing to accept any punishment they decide."
Gion opened his mouth, wanting to say something else, but at that moment, Flying Squirrel entered with a hurried look on his face.
"Rear Admiral Darren..."
The expression on Flying Squirrel's face was extremely solemn. It seemed he sensed the tension in the office and was hesitant to speak.
Darren glanced at him, waved his hand, and spoke directly.
"Tell me, what's the situation?"
Flying Squirrel nodded and reported in a serious tone.
"Germa 66's operation 'Kill the Four Kingdoms' has started. The evil army has assembled over 10,000 troops and is ready to attack the Kingdom of Yadis!"
"If we consider the strength and combat capability of both sides, the Kingdom of Yadis might fall within an hour once Germa launches the attack."
"The Governor of the Kingdom of Yadis has sent a request for assistance to our North Blue Marine, hoping that we will send troops to help."
Upon hearing this, the expressions on Kake and Gion's faces changed abruptly.
Germa 66, known as the "Evil Army" and "House of War," is a formidable force. It is an exceptional non-territorial nation and a member of the franchising countries recognized by the World Government.
The Vinsmoke family sits at the top of the power pyramid in the Germa Kingdom.
Being officers at headquarters, both of them naturally had some knowledge of North Blue's significant military power.
The king of the Kingdom of Germa is the head of the Vinsmoke family, Vinsmoke Judge.
He is a scientist with profound knowledge of military science and technology.
The Germa 66 troops he leads are among the most potent forces in the world, with a formidable reputation in North Blue.
If Vinsmoke Judge truly seeks to dominate North Blue as he claims, it is likely that the entire region will be plunged into war.
As they pondered this, a tremor ran through them, and their eyes filled with panic.
They were raised in Naval Headquarters Marineford but were quite young and had never experienced war, so the idea filled them with fear.
Subconsciously, they turned their gazes towards Darren.
"So... didn't that 'strange bird' receive the letter we sent?"
Darren replied with half-closed eyes and a smirk.
Flying Squirrel, knowing Darren for many years, recognized his expression and realized that Vinsmoke Judge was about to face trouble.
"It's definitely been delivered to him," he said quietly.
"Very good," Darren replied with a chuckle as he stamped out his cigar. His gaze turned icy.
"Let's go."
Flying Squirrel nodded, took out a military Transponder Snail, and quickly made calls to his subordinates.
Darren casually draped on his large justice cloak.
"Wait!"
Gion called from behind with an uncertain tone.
Darren turned to look at her.
Gion hesitated, then, with determination, she said:
"Shouldn't we report to the headquarters first? The Marine doesn't have the authority to meddle in disputes between countries... If we intervene hastily, it could lead to a political conflict."
An innocent thought crossed Darren's mind.
"With Germa 66's power, if we wait for headquarters' response, the heads of the four North Blue kings might already be hanging on Vinsmoke Judge's wall."
He scoffed:
"Besides, I won't let Germa 66 start a massive war in my territory, causing civilian casualties."
Hearing this, Gion's eyes lit up.
She thought to herself that perhaps he did have a sense of responsibility. But then Darren added something that nearly drove her to frustration.
"—Otherwise, who would I collect taxes from if all the civilians were gone?"
Gion's chest heaved with rapid breaths as she glared at the tall man before her, yelling in fury:
"Darren, you jerk!! Are you only protecting civilians so you can collect taxes!?"
Meanwhile, the sound of military bugles started coming from the distant port.
The Marines from the 321st Branch were assembling.
Darren smirked, "Of course not."
Gion was caught off guard and felt a sense of relief.
"But there's another reason; Mrs. Margaret is in the Kingdom of Yadis... We were together just two nights ago. I can't stand by if she's in danger..."
Gion fell silent, stunned.
Everyone was shocked.
To think he would deploy troops just to save his lover!