Ortolan: How Could Someone as Upright and Incorruptible as Me Be Slandered as Corrupt?!
He had an appointment with Stussy, which was one of the reasons why Ortolan stopped in the Golden City.
So after Stussy prepared the tea, Ortolan didn't delay and quickly went to Stussy's place.
Having boarded Stussy's flagship, Ortolan quickly met Queen Stussy in the cabin.
Her Majesty the Queen remained as elegant as ever, sitting gracefully in front of the sofa. Upon seeing Ortolan, she greeted him with a smile and promptly poured Ortolan some tea.
"Admiral, it's been a long time! Please have a seat," Stussy greeted with a smile.
Ortolan closed the cabin door and, without any hesitation, sat down on the sofa opposite Stussy.
At this point, there were only three people left in the entire passenger cabin.
That's right, Ortolan came alone. Behind Stussy stood another guy who looked rather simple-minded, eating a skewer of grilled meat with his mouth dripping with oil.
The guy standing behind Stussy is, without a doubt, Edward Weevil, who was captured by the Marines during the Battle of Archino Island.
"Mom, I've finished the meat," Weevil said to Stussy with a silly grin after finishing his skewers.
Stussy smiled and shook his head, saying, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Admiral."
Then, she turned her head and said, "The restaurant has already prepared plenty for you, help yourself, Weevil."
"Okay, Mom!" Weevil said happily.
After saying that, the guy Cloud-Cutting Sword that was lying next to him and quickly left the cabin.
That's right, when giving away Buddha, you also give away West. When Ortolan gave Weevil to Stussy, he also gave Stussy the Newgate Cloud-Cutting Sword, which he had captured on the battlefield.
After Weevil left, Ortolan remarked with a sigh, "Looks like he really thought you were Bakin?"
"Weevil was created by Bakin as a soldier to ensure his own safety, and the key to controlling him lies in bloodline. Just now, Bakin and I..." Stussy stopped there.
Ortolan, naturally, tactfully refrained from asking any further questions.
After picking up the teacup on the table and taking a sip, Ortolan looked at Stussy and asked, "Has Bakin's situation been resolved? What is the cooperation Your Majesty mentioned afterward?"
"Speaking of which, before we talk about these things, I have something to tell you, Admiral. Ever since you left the Marines Headquarters and returned to the New World, Mary Geoise has been sending people to investigate your various acts of corruption and the New World Marines's background..." Stussy said softly.
Upon hearing this, Ortolan was stunned for a moment, then slammed his fist on the table angrily and said, "Investigating my background is one thing, but to accuse me of embezzlement is simply going too far. Since I Ortolan the Marines, I have always been honest, upright, and incorruptible. Who doesn't know that I am a well-known anti-corruption vanguard? Mary Geoise actually suspects me of embezzlement?! Isn't this an insult to my character?"
Even someone as knowledgeable as Stussy's face twitched slightly after hearing Ortolan's words.
"Admiral, you have over a dozen fishing rods worth hundreds of Beli each, according to my investigation. In addition, you have repeatedly acquired various antiques, artifacts, and works of art from the Underworld that were leaked from the Mary Geoise incident. Furthermore, Donquixote Doflamingo, Gecko Moria, and others have repeatedly gifted you valuable items. These matters..." Stussy stopped there and didn't continue.
Ortolan retorted confidently, "As Marine Admiral, I've worked diligently for years, rarely taking leave. Most of the time, I live in the Marines quarters, so my food and expenses are all deducted from my regular Marines allowance. My monthly salary, performance bonuses, and other allowances leave me with virtually nothing to spend. What's wrong with buying some high-value fishing rods to satisfy my personal interests? As for the things that leaked from Mary Geoise in the Underworld, they're all fakes. Not a single one is genuine. You can buy a whole shipload of cheap ones for 100,000 Belly. I'm vain; if I can't afford the real thing, can't I just get some fakes to pretend to be something I'm not? And Doflamingo and the others are my beloved family and friends, my brothers. It's only natural for us to exchange gifts during holidays. How can you call that embezzlement and bribery?! It's utterly absurd!"
Stussy opened his mouth, but was speechless for a moment. Good heavens, I've seen shameless people before, but this is the first time I've ever seen anyone this shameless!
"Putting everything else aside, just look at those items, antiques, and works of art in your office. You can tell the real from the fake with just one look..." Stussy retorted instinctively.
Upon hearing this, Ortolan said with a regretful expression, "This is a matter of fact. I should have let you argue your case and prove my innocence. You know how the New World; it's always so strange. Just now, when I came here, Hina reported to me that a small meteorite fell from the sky on the way from my command center to Golden City, smashing my office and burning it to the ground. Fortunately, there were no casualties..."
"Ah, this..." Stussy was dumbfounded.
She quickly realized, "Wait a minute, what am I arguing about? I'm not really investigating whether Ortolan embezzled anything!"
So Stussy immediately sat up straight and said with admiration, "Admiral, what you said is truly clear, logical, and without any doubt. You are truly upright and honest. Whether others believe it or not, I believe it."
Then, before Ortolan could speak, Stussy continued, "Besides these investigations, Old Star has also assigned me a very important task, which is related to you."
"What is it?" Ortolan raised an eyebrow, picked up his teacup again, and took a sip.
"Given your outstanding achievements since joining the Marines, including defeating Red Count, capturing the Pirate King, slaying Whitebeard Golden Lion, your merits are unparalleled in the Marines. The senior officers firmly believe that the rank of Marine Admiral alone is insufficient to fully reflect your contributions, loyalty, and honor. However, Sengoku, who has only recently assumed command and has a close relationship with you, is your former superior who has shown you such kindness and support." "So, this position of commander-in-chief cannot be given to you. Therefore, the Celestial Dragons have devised an even more gracious way to reward you..." Stussy said, a slight smile playing on his lips, and softly continued, "The Celestial Dragons have already confirmed with me that they invite you to join the ranks of the Celestial Dragons, to become a member of the esteemed Celestial Dragons class on Mary Geoise. As long as you nod on their side, the plan will be approved immediately."
Ortolan chuckled, put down his teacup, and remarked with a sigh, "That person really thinks highly of me..."
"On this vast sea today, who dares to look down on you?" Stussy flattered Ortolan at just the right moment.
Ortolan smiled, then his expression turned serious. "Just tell Mary Geoise for me that I, Ortolan, am very grateful for your high regard and preferential treatment. However, when I joined the Marines, I swore an oath to be loyal to justice and dedicate my life to the Marines. While the Celestial Dragons hold a noble position, it contradicts my oath. I, Ortolan, do not wish to be a faithless person and betray my vow, so I must politely decline this invitation. The New World is my true home..."
Stussy had already anticipated that Ortolan would not agree.
So she was just going through the motions, and there was no surprise at all. After Ortolan finished speaking in a high-sounding manner, Stussy nodded and agreed, "Understood. I will convey your answer to that person verbatim."
After saying this, Stussy's previously upright posture immediately relaxed, and he said with a smile, "Well then, now that we've covered the essentials, let's talk about our personal matters, Admiral ~"
"I've come here specifically to hear about this private matter," Ortolan laughed, looking at Stussy.
Stussy gave Ortolan a charming glare, then said, "Judging from the current situation, after you and Linlin resolved your conflict, your next step is to deal with Mary Geoise, right?"
"That's right." Ortolan nodded in agreement.
"At times like these, it's time for us to choose sides. I wonder if Admiral Yu would be willing to take me in?" Stussy asked Ortolan with a pitiful expression and a tone of being abandoned.
Ortolan wasn't buying it at all, a smirk playing on his lips. "That depends on what value Your Majesty can create for me..."
Spandain Ortoren genuinely trusted him, which is why he invited him. Although Stussy had helped him a lot, Ortoren still couldn't fully trust her. In this situation, it's time to talk about value.