Victor's Followers

South Blue, Port Leinster, Marine Branch 191 Base.

As usual, Colonel Mata patrolled the port.

Merchants and travelers entering the port all had to pay taxes.

Collecting taxes was normal, since every country's seaports charged taxes.

However, Port Leinster also required donations.

These charitable, non-reimbursable donations went to the Disabled Veteran Marines Foundation.

Although they were called donations, they were mandatory and charged per person.

Men and women, young and old—anyone entering the port had to donate.

Not a single feather was left unplucked.

This was the fine tradition Victor had left Branch 191.

As Victor's successor, Mata naturally had to maintain it.

At that moment, a news bird landed in front of a traveler.

The traveler had just paid his donation and casually bought a newspaper.

The headline was news of Victor's promotion to Rear Admiral.

The youngest rear admiral in maritime history!

However, before the traveler could finish reading the newspaper, Mata snatched it away.

He stared at the eye-catching headline and the photograph beneath it.

Colonel Mata's body trembled.

He was far too excited.

Lord Victor had been promoted!

Mata believed that Victor would not forget him.

That meant he could continue rising through the ranks!

The Branch G5 base, the temporary command post of the Special Operations Unit directly under Marine Headquarters.

Victor wrote a letter recommending Lieutenant Colonel Oren to Sengoku, asking that Oren become the commander of Branch 189.

After Branch 189 had been completely wiped out, its personnel had yet to be replenished and its organization restored.

However, Victor had seen the news about William Port's reconstruction today.

He believed it would only be a matter of time before Branch 189 was restored.

Thus, Victor recommended his former subordinate.

Lieutenant Colonel Oren had also been a member of Branch 191.

After Lieutenant Colonel Mata was promoted to colonel, Oren had also risen to lieutenant colonel.

Apart from Lieutenant Colonel Oren, all the officers of Branch 191 had received promotions as well.

"Wright." At that moment, Victor called out.

Wright stood up inside the office.

Victor said to Wright, "Send this letter to Marine Headquarters."

"Yes!" Wright nodded and immediately accepted the letter.

Wright had naturally seen the contents of the letter.

His admiration for Victor grew even stronger.

Although Victor was already a rear admiral of Marine Headquarters, he still took exceptional care of his former subordinates.

Connor was also in the office, studying the pirates' navigation logs while drawing nautical charts.

It was his interest and hobby.

Moreover, Victor had told them that to become a qualified commander, they had to be familiar with astronomy and geography.

Buru buru.

Buru buru.

At that moment, the Den Den Mushi on Victor's desk began to ring.

Victor picked up the receiver.

The Den Den Mushi imitated Sengoku's voice and said, "Victor, your Special Operations Unit will be responsible for escorting Count Red."

"Yes." Victor nodded seriously.

Marineford, Marine Headquarters.

Sengoku had just set down the receiver.

At that moment, Sengoku's adjutant, Commodore Hill, walked in.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is the fax just sent by Rear Admiral Victor."

Commodore Hill held the fax and placed it in front of Sengoku.

Sengoku glanced at the letter of recommendation.

It contained a long list of names.

Just like before.

All the recommended personnel were Victor's former subordinates.

Sengoku was already used to it.

Afterward, Sengoku wrote "Approved" on the recommendation letter and stamped it with his seal.

Sengoku would satisfy all of Victor's requests.

They were hardly outrageous demands.

Victor wanted to promote his subordinates and make money. Sengoku did not care about any of that.

As long as Victor obeyed the orders of Marine Headquarters, it was fine.

The flaws did not outweigh the merits.

At the harbor, Borsalino watched as the Special Operations Unit assembled.

Victor walked up behind Borsalino. "I didn't expect us to be operating together."

Borsalino, Sakazuki, and the others simultaneously stood at attention and saluted.

Victor now held the rank of rear admiral, making him the highest-ranking officer in charge of this escort mission.

"Let's depart."

Victor spoke to everyone.

"Yes!" Borsalino and the others replied in unison.

The Marines in the military harbor boarded three warships.

This escort mission had Branch G5 dispatch 2,000 Marines to assist them.

Once they reached Branch G1, the Marines from Branch G5 would return by the same route.

"Be careful on the way."

Vice Admiral Nunn said to Victor.

Victor straightened and saluted Vice Admiral Nunn.

Vice Admiral Nunn returned the salute.

Afterward, the Marines in the harbor withdrew the gangplanks.

The three warships slowly sailed away from Branch G5.

William Port, Branch 189.

Colonel Oren led a group of officers into the devastated Branch 189 base.

"Go invite all the nobles and wealthy merchants."

Oren spoke to Lieutenant Colonel Becky beside him.

Lieutenant Colonel Becky smiled. "I'll go at once."

Oren said smugly, "Tell them that anyone who doesn't show up can forget about doing business in William Port from now on."

"Heh heh."

The surrounding officers all laughed.

They intended to inherit Lord Victor's ideals and methods.

A Marine's duty was to make money.

Of course, while making money was important, protecting the peace of the region was important too.

Under Lord Victor's governance, Port Leinster had enjoyed favorable weather and peaceful conditions, and even thefts were rare.

In the past, under Colonel Malone's rule, William Port had been a complete mess.

Therefore, Lord Victor's justice was the correct kind of justice.

Evening.

Inside the Branch 189 base.

Hundreds of Marines forcibly recruited a group of civilians to clean up the base.

By then, a large number of tents had been set up on a clean patch of ground.

Tables and chairs had been placed inside the tents.

The invited nobles and wealthy merchants had all taken their seats.

"Has everyone arrived?"

Colonel Oren asked.

Lieutenant Colonel Becky replied, "I just counted them. Everyone is here."

"Mm." Colonel Oren nodded in satisfaction, then did so under the gaze of the crowd.

Colonel Oren turned toward the sky and shouted, "Long live Lord Victor!"

"Long live Lord Victor!"

"Long live Lord Victor!"

"Long live Lord Victor!"

At that moment, the Marines around them shouted in unison.

The Marines Oren had brought were all veterans from Branch 191.

There were only 1,000 of them, but their momentum was terrifying.

The nobles and wealthy merchants present were frightened by the scene.

"Everyone, after Lord Victor came to Port Leinster last year, the security there improved. Every pirate who dared to harass Port Leinster was hanged in the harbor."

"This year, if Lord Victor had not saved William Port, it would have been completely destroyed by the Heide Pirates!"

"Lord Victor is a god, protecting the safety of everyone here!"

Oren was so emotional that he genuinely frightened everyone present.

Becky and the others, however, were already used to it.

Not only did they feel no embarrassment, they were even learning from Oren.

After all, Oren's promotion had been even faster than Mata's.

Oren was extremely skilled at flattery.

He was like one of Victor's followers, serving the divine with the most devout heart!

That was why Victor liked Oren so much and promoted him beyond the usual limits.