"I understand. Then let's move against those three Barrels Pirates crews first. Once the Crocodile Pirates let down their guard, we'll launch a surprise attack and wipe them out in one stroke."
Colonel Kadi's eyes widened. Were you even listening? That was Doflamingo, the Great Pirate who had the entire North Blue trembling in fear, whom even Marine Headquarters vice admirals had failed to capture! What were you, some insignificant Headquarters colonel, doing acting cute?
"I've said my piece. Who agrees? Who objects?" Longinus asked, his hands pressed against the table as he swept his gaze around the room.
"I object!" The speaker was a slightly pudgy middle-aged man of average build, wearing long dangling earrings.
"Lieutenant Commander Phil, don't worry. I'm a very democratic person. Just say what's on your mind," Longinus said with a "kind" smile.
Lieutenant Commander Phil did not hold back. "Captain Longinus, you naturally have nothing to worry about. Once the time comes, you'll return to Marine Headquarters. No matter how powerful the Donquixote Family is, they can't do anything to you. But what about us? We simply don't have the strength to fend off a Great Pirate like that. If the Donquixote Family comes after us, won't we just be waiting to die?"
"Lieutenant Commander Phil, if you refuse to capture pirates because you're afraid of retaliation, then what use are you? What use is the Marines? I hope you remember this: pirates have always feared the Marines, not the other way around. A Marine like you, afraid of pirates, is simply a disgrace to the Marines!"
After Longinus's sharp rebuke, Lieutenant Commander Phil's face turned red and his neck bulged, but he was too furious to say a word.
"However, you do have a point. I truly cannot gamble with the soldiers' lives."