Borsalino: Ortolan, You've Really Put Me Through Hell!

New World · Marine Science Unit Base · Punk Hazard.

At this moment, in Borsalino's office, he was sitting with his legs crossed at his desk, holding nail clippers and trimming his nails.

He looked very relaxed, but his nail-trimming movements were extremely slow, sometimes pausing for a minute or two before trimming the next nail.

If you look at his expression, you'll see a hint of confusion and hesitation flashing in Borsalino's eyes from time to time.

He stayed in charge of the Science Unit, and as a lazy bum, Borsalino really didn't go out much or leave Punk Hazard.

But that doesn't mean he was completely unaware of the changes in the outside world. On the contrary, he had a lot of free time every day, so he often passed the time by reading newspapers, internal publications, intelligence, and other means.

Therefore, since the incident of Ortolan's battle against Whitebeard last year, Borsalino has keenly sensed some signs of trouble.

At the same time, he could also sense that the Marines as a whole was experiencing problems, and its relationship with Mary Geoise was rapidly deteriorating.

"Sigh... Ortolan, you've really put me through a lot..." Borsalino sighed helplessly, snapped out of his daze, quickly finished trimming his nails, and put away the nail clippers.

As a seasoned veteran of the Marines and Neutral Faction, Borsalino has always been kind to others. As long as it doesn't seriously violate the rules, he's happy to help people build good relationships.

For example, Ortolan did not actually bring Ortolan into his camp, but Borsalino has helped Ortolan solve many minor troubles and problems over the years. After all Borsalino, there is quite a bit of technology that he took from the Science Unit.

In the past, Ortolan was a loyal and brave Admiral of the World Government, so these things are naturally not a problem.

But now, even sitting on Punk Hazard, Borsalino can feel Ortolan's undisguised ambition and arrogance. What used to be 'small matters' could easily turn into 'big matters' that drag him down.

This greatly worried Borsalino didn't want to get involved in these matters.

Aside from these issues, what's even more difficult for Borsalino at this moment is how to choose sides.

The more Neutral Faction a person is, the more aloof they become. When nothing major happens, no one cares about you if you remain neutral; it's very easy to get by and you have a very leisurely life.

But once a major event occurs, the so-called Neutral Faction is a joke. No one will give you a neutral stance. On the contrary, before the two sides start fighting each other, they will first eliminate the so-called 'Neutral Faction'.

Because Borsalino was very clear at this moment that his so-called 'neutral slacker' status was probably coming to an end.

Just as Borsalino was worrying about these things, the Den Den Mushi on his desk suddenly rang.

Borsalino's expression stiffened upon seeing it, because the Den Den Mushi was actually a call from one of the Five Elders.

Although she was quite helpless, Borsalino didn't delay anything. She picked up the Den Den Mushi and whispered, "Saint Saturn, greetings."

"Borsalino..." Saint Saturn's voice came from the Den Den Mushi, and his tone was said to be very gentle and kind.

Just as Saint V. Nusjuro had a high opinion of Ortolan because he frequently contacted Ortolan and they had a good relationship at the time, the Five Elders also had certain personal relationships with some of the Marines's senior officers.

This was true of Ortolan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino.

In other words, Kuzan was too deeply influenced by Garp, so he had no connection with the Mary Geoise rebellion.

As the head of the Science Unit, Borsalino, and Saint Saturn, the Scientific Defense God, often leave Mary Geoise to conduct research in Punk Hazard and discuss matters with Dr. Vegapunk. As a result, Vaztan and Borsalino have a relatively close relationship.

"How is Punk Hazard doing?" After calling out the name of Borsalino, Saint Saturn did not get straight to the point, but instead started chatting.

The more he acted this way, the more depressed Borsalino felt, knowing that there was no escaping this situation.

But he responded normally, saying, "There's nothing unusual. The Science Unit is operating according to its usual development plan..."

"That's good. Things haven't been going well in the New World lately. I hope those storms outside haven't reached you..." Saint Saturn said softly.

Borsalino opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't even know how to respond.

Clearly, Saint Saturn had no intention of waiting for him. Continuing the previous topic, he paused for a moment and said, "According to our investigation, your Marines Admiral, Bane Ortolan, has significant problems..."

When Borsalino saw that Saint Saturn had finally brought up the name, he knew there was no way to avoid it, so he sighed and said, "What's the big deal?"

"His intention to split the Marines and overthrow the World Government... is a heinous crime... This kind of behavior must be stopped and nipped in the bud, otherwise it will bring great turmoil to the whole world. However, he has been too good at disguising himself in the Marines all these years. Even we have been deceived. We currently have no way of judging whether anyone in the Marines has been deceived by him or even conspired with him. Therefore, for the sake of safety, we have decided to temporarily..." Saint Saturn solemnly recounted the determination of the Five Elders.

Borsalino was increasingly alarmed as he listened. Good heavens, this attack was tantamount to wiping out all the top leaders of the Marines!

"This is the suggestion given to us by the Fleet Admiral, Steel Bone. Although it sounds a bit... absurd, considering the overall situation, even though we still trust Fleet Admiral Sengoku and others very much, we have no choice but to carry this out. After we resolve the matter of Ortolan, everything will come to light, the truth will be revealed, and then we will not wrong anyone..." Saint Saturn carefully chose his words as he told Borsalino.

Before Borsalino could speak, Saint Saturn continued, "But this will create a large number of vacancies in the Marines's high command, which is very detrimental to the Marines. You, Borsalino, over the years we have become quite close and have a considerable relationship. I trust you very much, and therefore, despite the objections of others, I have decided to have you return to the Marine Admiral of Ortolan..."

"Huh?" Borsalino paused for a moment, then said, "It's already decided that Ortolan..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the phrase "temporarily assuming the position of Admiral of Ortolan" was essentially a way of saying that his Admiral was about to be revoked.

Given this situation, it's likely that once Fleet Admiral Sengoku arrives in Mary Geoise, a decree 'personally' signed by the Fleet Admiral will soon be issued to Ortolan, stripping him of his Admiral.

By Borsalino as the temporary Admiral of Ortolan, it was essentially the Five Elders forcing him to become Ortolan's adversary. Just kidding, Ortolan was stripped of his Admiral, and Borsalino immediately took over. As the beneficiary, wasn't it only natural that he became Ortolan's adversary?

"Confirmed." Saint Saturn said in a very firm tone, "We have given him too many opportunities and concessions, but he has not shown any intention of changing his mind. Now that things have come to this, we can no longer have any illusions, Borsalino!"

After saying this, Saint Saturn remained silent for a moment.

Borsalino opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, his expression full of hesitation, but in the end, he still managed to reply with difficulty, "Yes, I understand, I will go to the second department immediately."

After receiving Borsalino's accurate reply, Saint Saturn a weight lifted from his heart. His tone became much lighter and more gentle as he said, "Very good, Borsalino, I am very pleased that you have made the right choice."

After hanging up the Den Den Den Mushi, Borsalino stroked the teacup on the table, her eyes glazed, and murmured with a complex mix of emotions, "The right choice... ah..."

But Borsalino also knew that no matter what he thought or what he wanted to do next, he had to return to the headquarters first. The Marines had undergone a sudden change, and whether it was because Saint Saturn's words were 'correct' or for the overall benefit of the Marines, he had to return.

His failure to return will only worsen the situation at the Marines Headquarters!