"Long live Lord Victor!"
"Long live Lord Victor!"
"Long live Lord Victor!"
At that moment, all the Marines in Branch 189 were shouting praises for Lord Victor.
Gana suddenly realized something.
He had almost kicked an iron plate.
"It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding."
Gana hurriedly forced a smile and said to Oren, "Colonel Oren, although I came here to investigate, I believe none of this has anything to do with Branch 189."
Oren had already laid his cards on the table, openly declaring himself to be Victor's subordinate.
If Gana still investigated Oren, he would be going against Victor.
Although Gana was CP4's highest-ranking officer, CP4 was simply too insignificant in front of a Marine Vice Admiral—especially one who might become a future Admiral or Fleet Admiral.
Gana didn't dare offend Victor.
Gana was greedy and afraid of death, but he understood even better how to read the winds and adjust his sails.
Now, Gana understood why the Gorosei had sent him to handle the matter concerning the Kingdom of Arthur.
The Gorosei had certainly known all along that Oren had Victor behind him.
"So how should I cooperate with you in your investigation, Chief Gana?"
Oren asked with a smile.
After gaining Victor's support, Oren knew that no one in the South Blue could do anything to him.
In the past, Victor had only been a colonel, yet the Marine Headquarters had already been unable to deal with him.
Now that Victor had become a vice admiral, what did Oren have to fear?
"Hahaha." Gana laughed awkwardly. "Colonel Oren, aren't we already conducting the investigation?"
A smile remained on Oren's face.
The Marines around them were all smiling as well.
With Victor protecting them, what did they have to fear?
At that moment, Oren took out a cigarette and offered one to Gana. "Chief Gana, would you care to have a meal with us?"
"Of course, of course."
Gana had no reason to refuse.
He had nearly kicked an iron plate just now, and now that Oren had extended an olive branch, he could use this opportunity to ease their relationship.
Oren and Gana went to the best restaurant in William Port.
After the food and wine had been served, Oren said to Gana, "Chief Gana, I wonder if you've ever heard of the Blue Sea Plan."
"The Blue Sea Plan?" Gana shook his head when he heard this.
He hadn't heard of it.
Oren said seriously, "This is Lord Victor's dream. Lord Victor wants to cleanse the evil forces on the sea and make the ocean pure and blue."
"So that's what it means." Gana suddenly understood.
Oren continued, "We are all members of the Blue Sea Society. We voluntarily follow Lord Victor and strive toward his dream."
Gana's eyes lit up when he heard this.
The Blue Sea Society? That was equivalent to Victor's followers!
Oren's words were telling Gana that they were all Victor's trusted aides.
Oren said, "If Chief Gana shares the same aspirations as us, you can join us."
"I can join too?" Gana was stunned, then became delighted.
Oren laughed heartily. "As long as you're willing to follow Lord Victor, you're welcome among us."
The Blue Sea Society was a faction Oren had created of his own accord.
As Victor's subordinate, how could he highlight his loyalty?
That required Oren's imagination.
First, he had to obtain more money for Victor.
Second, he had to expand Victor's power.
Only then would Victor recognize Oren's abilities and grant him greater authority.
"I'm willing. Of course I'm willing." Gana thought the Blue Sea Society had been founded by Victor. He believed that by joining it, he could become one of Victor's trusted aides.
After exchanging toasts, the meal came to an end.
The total bill came to more than three million Berries.
Gana insisted on paying it.
Gana wrote a report and included the fact that Count Reinhardt had given him two hundred million Berries.
Afterward, Gana returned to the Kingdom of Arthur with the investigation report.
This time, Gana went directly to see Duke Richard.
Gana handed the investigation report to Duke Richard.
After reading the report, Duke Richard's face turned livid.
Duke Richard had never expected Gana to turn around and bite him.
"Mr. Gana, what do you mean by this?" Duke Richard asked coldly.
As the future king of a World Government-affiliated nation, Duke Richard had to maintain an imposing presence.
Gana replied, "I found no evidence of any crimes within Branch 189. On the contrary, as soon as I arrived at Fast Port, Count Reinhardt attempted to bribe me. These are all facts, and I merely recorded them truthfully in my investigation report."
Before Duke Richard could refute him, Gana continued, "Although CP4 and the Marines belong to different systems, everything we do is for justice and stability. You bribed me and asked me to frame Marines who uphold justice. I cannot do such a thing."
Duke Richard's eyes widened when he heard this.
According to the information Duke Richard had gathered, Gana was greedy and afraid of death.
As long as there was money to be made, Gana didn't care who the other party was. Even highly respected individuals would be charged with crimes by Gana and sent to Enies Lobby for trial.
But the Gana before him seemed like an entirely different person.
Every other word out of his mouth was about justice.
"Very well. I'll submit this report to my superiors."
After saying this, Gana turned around and was about to leave.
"Wait." Duke Richard hurriedly called out to Gana.
Submitting it to his superiors didn't mean anything other than submitting it to the Gorosei.
"Chief Gana, we're willing to offer this much more." Duke Richard held up one hand.
Another five hundred million Berries.
Including the two hundred million Berries they had already given him, the Kingdom of Arthur was willing to pay seven hundred million Berries to get rid of Oren.
In Duke Richard's eyes, Gana was temporarily raising his price.
However, as long as a problem could be solved with money, Duke Richard was willing to pay.
Once Oren was dealt with and Branch 189 received a "normal" commander, everything could return to normal.
Otherwise, as long as Oren remained, the Kingdom of Arthur would never know peace.
"I'll record this matter as well," Gana said to Duke Richard.
Duke Richard's expression changed dramatically!
He realized that the matter was more serious than he had imagined!
Oren sent a fax to Victor.
Its contents concerned Gana.
The World Government had sent Gana to investigate Branch 189. Not only had Oren resolved the problem, he had also recruited Gana and made him a member of the Blue Sea Society.
Oren specifically mentioned the Blue Sea Society in the fax.
According to Oren, the Blue Sea Society was Victor's most devout group of followers, and every member was willing to give their life for Victor's dream.
At that moment.
Inside the commander's office of Branch G1.
Victor looked at the letter Oren had sent and couldn't help smiling.
The Blue Sea Society?
That was certainly a creative idea.
Victor thought for a moment, then decided to promote the Blue Sea Society and turn it into a true "organization."
Afterward, Victor wrote a letter of recommendation. He intended to recommend Oren for the position of admiral of the Sixth Division Fleet.