Two people are going to carry out a mission?

Wood had calculated that at his current rank, if he worked diligently at Impel Down, it would take at least twenty years to be promoted to the rank of Major at Marine Headquarters.

And that was assuming the best-case scenario. If something went wrong at Impel Down during that time, or if their work led to mistakes, the timeline could be even longer.

Opportunities to return to Marine Headquarters were few, and chances for rapid promotion were even rarer.

"Whether I get promoted or not isn't really important. The key is that I'm loyal.

We've known each other for two years. While our relationship isn't exactly close, as former classmates, if student Gion needs help, I, Wood, will naturally lend my full support!"

Wood's words were so impassioned that if Gion hadn't already known what kind of person Wood was, she might have almost believed him.

Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office

"Gion, are you sure this mission only requires the two of you?

There should still be quite a few available Captains at Marine Headquarters. As long as I officially appoint you as a squad leader, even if their ranks are equivalent, they will all follow your command."

Looking at the man and woman standing before him, the old man with the goat braid confirmed with Gion once more, questioning if this pairing was too hasty for the mission.

Previously, after Gion accepted the mission, she delayed for two full days. Sengoku had assumed she was taking the mission extremely seriously and was being very cautious in her personnel selection.

However, after two days, Gion had actually selected a "Private," who wasn't even considered a non-commissioned officer, from tens of thousands of outstanding Marine officers.

"Yes, Fleet Admiral. This is a decision I made after careful consideration.

The mission doesn't require many personnel to begin with. Having more people would only attract the attention of those with ulterior motives and easily alert our targets.

Don't let Wood's unreliable demeanor fool you. As his former classmate, I can vouch for his strength. There will be absolutely no problem.

And to protect the reputation of the Marines, I request that Fleet Admiral Sengoku allow us to conceal our identities."

"For the Celestial Dragons, they don't care who is escorting them, right? They only care if the slaves are successfully sent to Mary Geoise.

Concealing our Marine identities has two benefits for us. Firstly, it makes our actions easier. Secondly, escorting slaves for the Celestial Dragons is not exactly an act of justice. Acting with a Marine identity..."

Before Gion could finish speaking, Sengoku nodded in understanding, his gaze towards Gion filled with admiration.

If he had sent someone else to interact with the Celestial Dragons, Sengoku would have worried about whether the dispatched Marines would clash with them.

But Gion had already considered the negative impact this matter could have on the Marines.

With such meticulous thought and a tactful approach to handling affairs, Sengoku couldn't believe Gion would act rashly. After a moment of hesitation, he finally granted Gion's requests for the two of them to act and to conceal their identities.

After leaving the Fleet Admiral's office, Wood looked at Gion beside him with disdain.

"Accidentally stumbled upon a dirty deal, huh? You're preparing to act as a human trafficker for the Celestial Dragons, yet you're afraid of soiling Justice's Haori, so you plan to conceal your identity and act with impunity?

I never realized before that student Gion, with her delicate features, was also so adept at politics and schemes."

Gion had previously mentioned the mission involved escorting, but she hadn't said they were escorting Celestial Dragon slaves.

If Wood had known it was this kind of mission, he would have refused to assist Gion, even if it meant being a benchwarmer at Impel Down for his entire life.

Throughout the entire "One Piece" series, the existence that Wood found most disgusting and nauseating was the so-called World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons.

While some pirates were evil and committed all sorts of atrocities, their wickedness didn't even amount to one ten-thousandth of these so-called World Nobles.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call the Celestial Dragons the "root of evil" in this world.

Wood didn't consider himself a particularly kind person, but he had basic principles.

He couldn't go so far as to risk his life to eliminate the Celestial Dragons and rid the people of them, but it was absolutely impossible for him to assist them in their evil deeds!

"Do you think I like those pig-like beings? If it weren't us, Fleet Admiral Sengoku would have sent someone else to carry out this mission.

The Marines ultimately belong to the World Government. Even Fleet Admiral Sengoku cannot refuse this mandatory mission.

And compared to others accepting this mission, why shouldn't it be us? Perhaps we can handle it better?"

Hearing Wood's sarcastic remarks, Gion didn't get angry. Instead, she said with a subtle expression, "Perhaps we can handle it better?"

If it was an important mission, then more combat power would naturally be better. Why did Gion forgo the combat strength of numerous Captains and insist on going with just the two of them?

Was the request to Fleet Admiral Sengoku to conceal their Marine identities solely due to concerns about the Marines' reputation?

Wood wasn't foolish. Upon hearing Gion's veiled words, he finally wore an expression of relief.

He didn't know Gion's specific calculations, but as a mere Private, he couldn't defy the orders of the Fleet Admiral and Marine Captains. Since he was already on the pirate ship, he could only see it through to the end.

After Gion and Wood left the room, Sengoku took out another document and resumed his work. However, he soon wore a look of melancholy.

"I hope that girl Gion doesn't go too far..."

Fleet Admiral Sengoku was known as "The Wise General." He wasn't foolish and saw things more clearly than anyone.

Even after Gion made those strange requests, he could already vaguely guess what she intended to do.

Undoubtedly, Gion possessed a Marine's heart of "Justice," and she was very much like Tsuru. Before taking certain actions, she knew to think things through and make arrangements.

What Sengoku worried about now was whether Gion would go too far, forcing him, the old man, to clean up their mess.

Afterward, Sengoku looked at another document on his desk. It was a detailed personal file of Wood.

"She didn't choose to go solo but opted for a Private. It seems that girl Gion trusts this kid named Wood quite a bit."