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Chapter 48: Admiral North Blue's Condolences and Condolences
At that moment, Gion and Kake felt as if the world before them was absurd, like a dream. Their lips parted slightly, but they were at a loss for words. This situation, no matter how you looked at it, just wasn't right. Obviously, killing a Celestial Dragon would not typically result in a promotion, even if one were careful enough not to get caught.
Although they were only guessing, with no solid evidence to prove Darren was the murderer of Shields Saint, they knew Darren was a man who played the game of power and politics to the extreme. He had shrewdly pinpointed the "political needs" of the World Government and effortlessly solved this thorny problem that had been a headache even for Admiral Sengoku.
It occurred to them that with Darren's power and scheming, making them disappear quietly in North Blue would be an easy task. This thought made them regard Darren with a newfound sense of fear.
"Then I would like to thank Admiral Sengoku in advance for his support," Darren said, understanding the change in Gion and Kake's expressions. He smiled faintly and gave Sengoku a straight military salute.
"Good, very energetic," Sengoku said, smiling with satisfaction.
"I'll be leaving first," he added. He looked at the overwhelmed Kake and Gion, paused to think, and then gave them some advice, "Take good care of these two little guys for me."
"No problem, Admiral Sengoku," Darren replied with a smile.
Sengoku then boarded the warship. As the soldiers of the North Blue Marine saluted and bid farewell, the flagship "Sengoku" of Headquarters Admiral Sengoku slowly raised its sails. The hunting sea breeze filled the sails, making the word "justice" emblazoned on them appear both chilling and bold.
"Set sail!" called a young sailor from the watchtower of the warship. The rudder and anchor were raised, and the massive warship moved out of the port against the refreshing sea breeze.
Sengoku gave a spirited salute to the North Blue Marine led by Darren at the port before turning away. Then he spotted a figure lying on the deck sunbathing and couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.
"Hmm?" he murmured, noticing a large pile of wooden boxes at the cabin's rear.
"Borsolino, what is this?" he called out.
Borsolino, hearing the call, slowly rose from the sunbed, stretching lazily as he walked over. "This," he said, running his hand over his stubble, "is a parting gift from Colonel Darren."
Sengoku's heart sank a little, dreading the contents of the boxes. Giving money would be a tricky matter to handle. He quickly opened the pile of boxes, and his stern expression softened as he recognized the contents: cigars, senbei, tea, donuts, spirits, fruits—an assortment of goods piled to one side of the cabin. They were not expensive—just mid-level brands affordable to ordinary families.
Fleet Admiral Kong's favorite brand is cigars,
senbei is the kind I prefer to eat,
Jasmine tea is Tsuru's go-to,
Garp has to have his daily donuts,
Sherry is Zephyr's drink of choice,
And fruit is the essential addition to fresh water and food on long voyages to prevent sepsis.
Sengoku stood before the collection of small gifts in silence for a long while before breaking into a smile and shaking his head.
"That's a nice touch, Darren, you little rascal."
He felt a swell of emotion.
But in the next moment, his expression changed, he jumped to his feet, and bellowed,
"Borsolino, you scoundrel! What do you think you're doing!?"
Borsolino, who had been reaching out for a bunch of bananas, stopped in his tracks, his hand still in the air.
"I just wanted some fruit, Admiral Sengoku."
Borsolino's face bore an "innocent" look, which only served to infuriate Sengoku more.
"These are gifts from Darren to me!"
Borsolino, taken aback, then resignedly raised his hands in surrender.
"Alright..."
He walked away, muttering under his breath,
"He's getting stingier by the day..."
Sengoku's mouth twitched in annoyance.
---
At the Red Line, in the Holy Land Mariejois, within the World Government's building Xiaoyanglou, a CP0 agent in a pale silk robe knelt on one knee and offered a report to the Five Elders.
"My lords, this is the result of a secret investigation submitted by Admiral Darren of the North Blue."
The Elders exchanged meaningful looks.
"Darren is quick, as expected of the young man..."
"Indeed, his talents stand out."
"Damocles, your foresight is as sharp as ever."
Listening to his colleagues' praise, Saint Damocles smiled with satisfaction.
That Marine, Darren, had truly lived up to expectations, providing a satisfactory solution in just a day.
"But, Damocles, why have the Shields family suddenly quieted down in the Holy Land?" asked Saint Solomon, casually polishing his Zihei Yaoyi samurai sword.
The other Elders turned their attention to Saint Damocles.
Although Darren had come up with a clever solution that alleviated the pressure from the Holy Land Council, the Shields family was known for their notoriously difficult character within the Celestial Dragons.
Saint Damocles replied with a grin,
"Three hours ago, a merchant ship from the North Blue sailed into the inland sea of the Red Line and, after many inspections, entered the sacred land.
The ship brought with it more than 1 billion Baileys worth of gold and silver, and a plethora of rare specialties from the North Blue, all of which were delivered to the Shields family mansion.
The caravan's manager handed a letter to the patriarch of the Shields family, which essentially said: 'Admiral Rogers Darren of the North Blue extends his deepest sympathies and profound sorrow for your loss, offering a modest token of condolence to the revered Celestial Dragons.'"
Damocles' smile turned wry.
"It seems that ten minutes after receiving this 'condolence money,' the CP department got a request for an escort to the New World Pleasure Street from the nobles."
Saint Hilde, the father of Shields Saint, is currently en route to the most notorious district in the New World, famous for its illegality and considered the largest red light zone, Kabuki Street.
The Four Elders were silent.