Bribing CP4 and framing the Marines were no small matters.
The Marines were the World Government's public face.
Framing the Marines was tantamount to making the World Government lose face.
Although Duke Richard was about to become the king of the Kingdom of Arthur, once this matter became public, the consequences would be extremely serious.
Thus, Duke Richard backed down and hoped to settle the matter privately.
He wanted to minimize the issue as much as possible.
Therefore, Duke Richard immediately invited Oren and Gana to dinner.
Oren and Gana also accepted the settlement.
However, Oren was unwilling to go to the Kingdom of Arthur.
Duke Richard had now been caught by the handle, and he had no substantive evidence with which to fight back, so he could only go to William Port.
William Port, the headquarters of Branch 189.
In Oren's office, Duke Richard met Oren for the first time.
As soon as they met, Oren pretended to be confused. "Why have you come looking for me, Your Grace?"
Duke Richard replied, "What happened at Fast Port was a misunderstanding. I came specifically to apologize to Colonel Oren."
Oren remained expressionless as he said, "I myself don't really mind, but this concerns the justice of the Marines and the reputation of the World Government. Moreover, as Lord Victor's subordinate and most devout follower, what happened to me will also affect Lord Victor's reputation, as well as that of the entire Blue Sea Society."
Oren was trying to pin a serious charge on Duke Richard. He had learned this from Victor.
He was righteous and indignant, mentioning the Marines, the World Government, Victor, and the Blue Sea Society at every turn.
He had elevated the matter to an extremely high level.
Actually, Duke Richard understood perfectly well.
Wasn't he simply demanding compensation?
Moreover, Duke Richard could tell that Oren intended to ask for an exorbitant amount.
If he failed to satisfy Oren, Oren would not let the matter rest.
Duke Richard could only accept his loss. He now understood that Oren was no ordinary Marine.
Oren had powerful backing.
The World Government had no intention of truly dealing with Oren, either.
Otherwise, it should have sent officials from Enies Lobby or an investigation team from Marine Headquarters.
With that thought, Duke Richard said, "I'm willing to publish an apology. At the same time, I'll donate three billion Berries to the Marine Veterans and Disabled Fund."
Three billion Berries was no small sum.
However, Oren showed no reaction.
Fine. He would keep adding money.
Duke Richard gritted his teeth and said, "Five billion."
At this point, Oren said, "In addition to the donation of five billion Berries, Fast Port must be treated the same as William Port."
This extortion naturally wasn't a one-time deal. It was an ongoing arrangement!
Oren added, "Only then can the long-term peace of Fast Port and the Kingdom of Arthur be guaranteed."
The implication was clear: if Duke Richard refused, many problems would arise.
Gana raised his hand and patted Duke Richard on the shoulder. "Lord Victor will become a Marine Admiral in the future, and perhaps even Fleet Admiral."
Upon hearing this, Duke Richard nodded. "I understand."
Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
Victor had just sent Kong a fax.
"Victor."
Kong was feeling rather helpless now.
Victor's rate of promotion was already extremely fast.
Oren's rate of promotion was just as astonishing.
It had been only a little over a year since Victor arrived at Branch 191, yet Oren had already been promoted repeatedly.
He had only just reached the rank of colonel, and Victor was recommending Oren once again.
Kong glanced at the newspaper on his desk. One of its reports concerned Oren.
It was an apology letter from the Kingdom of Arthur.
Although it was a public apology, Victor had indeed done quite a few shady things while in South Blue.
He had amassed wealth through all kinds of methods, including extortion.
At that moment, Sengoku walked in. Seeing the worry on Kong's face, he asked, "Is it related to Victor?"
"Mm. It's him." Kong did not deny it.
Sengoku glanced at the newspaper on the desk. "These are all minor matters. They aren't enough to affect stability."
In Sengoku's eyes, the most important thing was maintaining stability across the seas.
His implication was that they could agree to Victor's request.
After all, apart from extorting money, Victor's subordinates in South Blue had still performed their duties, upheld justice, and cracked down on pirates.
"Did you come to see me about something?" Kong asked.
"The candidates I just selected." Sengoku handed Kong a report.
Kong looked over the contents of Sengoku's report.
"Candidates for the Shichibukai."
After reading the report, Kong could not help frowning.
The Shichibukai had been proposed by the World Government.
The purpose was to use pirates to balance pirates.
That way, the Marines could focus their attention on dealing with people like Roger.
Even so, Kong found it difficult to accept.
Once they became Shichibukai, their wanted status would be revoked, and they would also gain the legal right to plunder.
Of course, they could only plunder nations that were not affiliated with the World Government.
"Those people do possess a certain deterrent force." Kong put down the report and said to Sengoku, "Go invite them."
The end of the year 1494 of the Grand Line Era.
One matter once again sparked widespread discussion within the Marines.
That was Oren's promotion once again.
Under Victor's recommendation, Oren had successfully become the commander of Truro Fortress.
In just a few short months,
he had risen from colonel to commodore!
Moreover, Oren had no noteworthy accomplishments to his name!
Most of the pirates he had captured were minor figures, with bounties of only a few million Berries. They were hardly worth mentioning.
As one of Victor's subordinates, Mata was green with envy.
Oren's rate of promotion was far faster than his.
In terms of personal strength, Mata believed he was no worse than Oren. Yet Oren had managed to rise so quickly.
It was not only Mata. The other officers of Branch 191 were envious and jealous as well.
After Oren's promotion, the Marines of Branch 189 would also receive promotions.
"I heard Oren founded the Blue Sea Society for Lord Victor and earned Lord Victor's praise."
"The Blue Sea Society? What is that?"
"It aims to purify the seas. Every member is Lord Victor's most devout follower."
"We're Lord Victor's followers too."
"It's different. I heard that the soldiers of Branch 189 have to shout 'Long live Lord Victor' every day. The barracks are also filled with statues and photographs of Lord Victor."
"Everything Lord Victor has said has been compiled into books."
"Oren is far too good at currying favor."
"Otherwise, how could he have been promoted so quickly?"
"Perhaps he'll even have a chance to become a rear admiral and be transferred to Headquarters in the future."
At this moment, the officers of Branch 191 were all discussing the matter.
Oren's rapid success had shown the officers a shortcut.
As Victor's former subordinates, they could naturally join the Blue Sea Society as well.
Moreover, purifying the seas was Victor's dream. It was absolute justice.
It was not limited to Branch 191.
Even within Branch G1, the Blue Sea Society had begun to spread.
The Blue Sea Society's goal was to purify the evil forces on the seas and make the ocean pure and blue.
Therefore, joining the Blue Sea Society was not merely about seeking promotion and wealth, but also about seeking justice!
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