Spandine: Of Course I'm Loyal to Justice, Admiral!

After Spandine gave his answer, Ortolan was at a loss for words.

"Ahem... you... you..." Ortolan stammered awkwardly before saying, "Do a good job. It's time for you to serve the World Government, Spandine."

"Admiral, please stop teasing me. Now that my life is in danger, what am I supposed to do?" Spandine asked helplessly.

"Why don't you give it a try? Ask the Momonga and the laughing ones if they're interested in switching jobs and getting a good one in Mary Geoise or something," Ortolan laughed.

After teasing Spandine a few times, Ortolan stopped bothering him.

"Anyway, just follow the normal procedures, then submit the list to Mary Geoise and see if they dare to believe it... What else can you do in this situation?" Ortolan replied, then added, "Alright, let's not talk about that now. What happened to the Revolutionary Army's defeat in the East Blue?"

"I really didn't know anything about the Revolutionary Army's incident. By the time I received the news, our CP's chief had already led people to the East Blue and blocked all information. When I heard about it again, the Revolutionary Army had already suffered heavy losses in the East Blue. Just now, that guy Dragon was giving me trouble, but I managed to brush him off. Speaking of which, I'm also very worried, Admiral. Captain Ginny has been captured. Will she betray me?" Spandine some concern.

"It shouldn't be a problem. Ginny the kind of person who won't say anything, so don't worry. Besides... once I've finished dealing with things in the New World, I'll start handling matters in Mary Geoise, and I'll take care of this matter then..." Ortolan reassured Spandine.

Upon Spandine breathed a sigh of relief and said reassuringly, "Admiral, then I have no more worries..."

On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Ortolan fell silent.

Spandine waited a while, and finding no sound from Ortolan, he asked somewhat curiously, "Admiral? Admiral, are you still waiting? Is the signal bad?"

After a moment, Ortolan sighed softly and said, "No, it's me who doesn't know how to bring it up with you."

"Huh?" Spandine a moment, then said, "Admiral, we've been friends for so many years. Just tell me what's on your mind. I, Spandine you!"

Ortolan smiled, then his tone became serious as he said, "You yourself said we've been friends for so many years, you know me, and I know you. So I'll make things clear to you now, so you won't be caught off guard and unsure how to handle things later..."

After a brief pause, Ortolan continued, "As I said before, after I finish dealing with things in the New World, I will deal with the Mary Geoise issue, and not in the kind of... gentle way you're thinking of."

Spandine hearing this. He wasn't stupid; he understood the meaning behind those words.

After nervously swallowing, Spandine said in a deep voice, "Admiral, you... you wouldn't be... you're going to attack Mary Geoise, would you?"

Ortolan said in a deep voice, "Over the years, you should know at least a good portion of what I've done for the New World. You should understand that ever since I took over G-5, I've been dedicated to breaking Mary Geoise's control and shackles on our Marines..."

"Yes..." Spandine replying.

He had always known about this situation, but he had never wanted to face it. Now that Ortolan had spoken so frankly, he was genuinely at a loss for how to respond.

"So from the very beginning, once the problem between me and Mary Geoise was exposed, there was no room for negotiation. Over the years, I have accumulated enough power and established corresponding systems and mechanisms. Before the battle with the Whitebeard Pirates, I also confirmed that our New World Marines, and even the Marine Headquarters... has the foundation to operate independently, no longer relying on Mary Geoise and the World Government. I have loosened the reins. Spandine... therefore, Mary Geoise will not sit idly by and will not let me go. And you know, someone like me will not let Mary Geoise go either," Ortolan said softly.

"You mean that once you've swept away the New World with this war, you'll definitely go to war with Mary Geoise?" Spandam, clinging to a last shred of hope.

"Of course." Ortolan gave an affirmative answer, and after a slight pause, continued, "Don't be fooled by the fact that war seems imminent in the New World this time. In reality, I have already reached some consensus with the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates. Before I went to Marine Headquarters, I went to Cake Island and met Charlotte Linlin and Kaido ..." Ortolan said in a deep voice.

"Consensus?" Spandam taken aback.

"This battle will be decided by a duel between the three of us. I cannot waste my precious forces on something like this. Kaido's daughter will marry my son Ace. As for my relationship with the Big Mom Pirates, you know that. The winner of this battle will control everything in the New World. On the surface, everyone thinks this is a large-scale war, but in reality, for the three of us in charge, it is just a matter of deciding who will be the boss in the future. Once the winner is decided, our New World Marines will completely merge with the Big Mom Pirates and the Beasts Pirates into one system. At that time, the New World will be unified... I will also gain two stronger forces to confront the World Government!" Ortolan did not intend to hide anything from Spandam and told him all this.

This time, Spandam remained completely silent.

Ortolan, however, showed no intention of urging him; he could still be quite patient with this old friend.

A few minutes later, Spandam seemed to finally sort out his thoughts and understand the situation.

He spoke with some difficulty, "Admiral, you've been telling me all this, does that mean... you want me to completely choose a side?"

"Of course..." Ortolan said softly, "You are my good friend, Spandam. I've known you since I joined the Marines not long ago, and we've worked together very well over the years. I admire you greatly, so in these final moments, I don't want to use you for anything. I want to make things clear to you, to give you a choice, rather than forcing you into a corner with no other option but to come to me... From now on, whether you choose the World Government or our New World Marines, I will support your decision. However, if you choose Mary Geoise, from now on, we will be enemies..."

Spandam understood what Ortolan meant by these words: he did not intend to use his knowledge of Spandam's various misdeeds over the years to force him to submit, but was willing to give him the right to choose for himself. Even if he chose the World Government, Ortolan would not report him afterwards.

Of course, under these circumstances, Spandam could not possibly report Ortolan's many deeds in the New World.

This is a form of preferential treatment, without a doubt.

Ortolan had too many options, leaving Spandam with no choice.

At that time, Spandam also knew that when Ortolan spoke to him about these things, he wanted an answer. This answer could be to join him or to firmly stand by his own CP, but it could never be neutrality!

"I've spent most of my life working for the World Government, Admiral. My son just became a commander in CP-5, and our Chief of Staff just told me that if we do a good job of sowing discord, I could very well become the CP Director in the future..." Spandam said with a hint of helplessness and complaint.

Ortolan laughed and said, "He does have some eye for talent; he knows you're a real gem."

Ortolan didn't make any promises about what kind of treatment Spandam would receive if he came to their side; he just made a joke about it.

After a moment, Spandam took a deep breath and said, "Admiral, you know that I am loyal to justice, and you, in my eyes, are the embodiment of justice!"

Hearing this, Ortolan smiled and said, "It's been a pleasure working with you, Spandam. For now, you can continue to stand guard at CP until the very end. Once I've settled my affairs in this New World, I'll come looking for you."

"Loyalty!" Spandam responded, mimicking what he had witnessed at the Admiral's Tea Party.

Then, Ortolan hung up the Den Den Mushi.