The Reason for Sending Troops

At this moment, Gion also walked into the office.

Seeing Darren and Gion's partner sitting there like good buddies, puffing away on their cigars, she knitted her willow-leaf brows, though in the end, she said nothing.

"Base Chief Darren."

Gion offered Darren a military salute.

Darren smiled, waving his hand dismissively.

"No need for such formalities, Major Gion."

He swept a seemingly casual glance over Gion and Gion's partner.

It was evident that after the "sparring" and discipline of yesterday, the way they looked at him had become much more respectful.

In this vast ocean, strength was, after all, the only thing that spoke with authority.

"So, I wonder what the schedule is for you two today?"

Darren exhaled a dragon-like plume of smoke and asked with a smile.

Gion and Gion's partner exchanged a look, and the former spoke with a stern expression:

"Colonel Darren, through our observations, we have discovered that there are certain issues regarding the income and expenditure of the branch under your command."

"Oh?" A flash of intrigued interest crossed Darren's deep eyes. "What do you mean, Major Gion?"

Gion, having prepared for this, produced an intelligence file and placed it on the desk, her expression gradually turning icy.

"Colonel Darren, according to the materials provided by Headquarters and my own observations... setting aside the situation of other Marine branches in the North Blue for a moment, the income level of the Marines in Branch 321 alone far exceeds the military expenditure standards stipulated by Headquarters."

Darren flicked the ash from his cigar and laughed:

"Isn't this a good thing? As Marines shouldering justice, we are always at risk of dying gloriously in the line of duty while suppressing pirates."

"Setting aside so-called 'justice,' the Marine profession is inherently one of extremely high risk."

"Without sufficient military pay and subsidies, earning that pittance every month, who would be willing to risk their lives for justice?"

Gion bit her lip:

"Colonel Darren, you know that is not what I meant!"

"My point is that branch military funding comes from Headquarters' allocations, meaning the budget for each branch is fixed. Yet, under your command, the pay standards for Marines across the four seas have far exceeded the limits set by Headquarters..."

"...In some cases, it is five times or more than that of Marines of the same rank at Headquarters!"

"Therefore, Colonel Darren, I would like to ask: where does this additional funding come from?"

As soon as these words were spoken, before Darren could even respond, Gion's partner's expression shifted.

Looking at the high-end cigar on the table, he suddenly realized something, turned his head, and stared fixedly at Darren.

Facing the questioning gazes of Gion and Gion's partner, Darren simply shrugged nonchalantly and said:

"Don't you already know the answer to that question, Colonel Gion?"

Gion gritted her teeth, enunciating every word: "You accepted bribes!"

"Bribes?"

Darren acted as if he had heard a hilarious joke, shrugging with a laugh, "No, no, no. How could you call it bribery when it comes to the Marines?"

"This is called a reasonable service fee."

Gion looked at the composed Darren in front of her in disbelief, unable to help but snap angrily:

"So the rumors are true! You really do have inextricable ties with the mafia in the North Blue, and you even took their money!"

"Do you have any idea that is the blood and sweat of commoners? It is precisely because of the rampant greed and exploitation of the mafia that countless families have been torn apart!"

"Torn apart?"

Darren couldn't help but laugh.

"I believe you have both read my performance report. Under my jurisdiction, the crime rate across the entire North Blue has dropped significantly, and the living standards of the commoners have improved quite a bit."

"Major Gion, you are right. The mafia's money does indeed come from the commoners, so in that sense, I have indeed taken money from the commoners."

"But when I take money from the commoners, I get things done."

"Do you know? In a place like the North Blue, what the commoners fear isn't the Marines taking money; it's the Marines not taking it."

Upon hearing this, Gion was so angry that her entire body trembled.

Commoners fear the Marines not taking money? What kind of twisted logic is this!!

"Protecting the commoners is the inherent duty of the Marines!! Once money is involved, the nature of the act changes!! Darren, you bastard, what about your belief in justice?"

Darren smiled.

"You have your beliefs, and I have my way of doing things."

"I only speak based on results, and the result is that I have managed the North Blue very well—better than at any other time in history."

"The situation in the North Blue is far more complex than you imagine, and many things are not at all like what you have seen in Marineford."

"Of course..."

He spread his hands.

"If you don't accept my explanation, you are more than welcome to file an impeachment with Headquarters. As long as they issue the order, I am willing to accept any punishment they deem fit."

Gion opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but at that moment, Momonga walked in with a hurried expression.

"Colonel Darren..."

Momonga's face was incredibly grave. Seeming to sense the tension in the office, he hesitated to speak.

Darren glanced at him and waved his hand, saying directly:

"Speak, what happened?"

Momonga nodded and said in a deep voice:

"Germa 66's 'Four-Nation Slaughter' operation has begun. The Army of Evil has assembled a force of over 10,000 troops and is about to launch an attack on the Yadis Kingdom!"

"Based on the assessment of both sides' military strength and combat power, once the Germa Kingdom launches the war, the Yadis Kingdom is estimated to be conquered within an hour."

"Governor Tyrrell of the Yadis Kingdom has already sent a request for aid to our North Blue Navy, hoping that we will dispatch troops to mediate."

As his words fell, the expressions of Gion and Gion's partner changed abruptly.

Germa 66, a powerful force known as the "Army of Evil" and the "War House," was a unique nation without territory, yet it was a member state recognized by the World Government.

At the pinnacle of the Germa Kingdom's power pyramid sat the Vinsmoke Family.

As officers from Headquarters, the two of them naturally had some understanding of this powerful military nation in the North Blue.

The King of the Germa Kingdom was the current head of the Vinsmoke Family, Vinsmoke Judge, nicknamed "Garuda."

He was a scientist who possessed advanced military scientific technology.

The Germa 66 he led was one of the most formidable armies in the world, with a notorious reputation throughout the North Blue.

If Vinsmoke Judge truly intended to dominate the North Blue as he had boasted, it was estimated that the entire region would be dragged into the flames of war!

Thinking of this, both of them felt a tremor in their hearts, and their eyes grew somewhat flustered.

Having grown up in the Marineford headquarters, they were still too young and had never witnessed war firsthand, so they were momentarily thrown into a panic.

Subconsciously, they turned their gaze toward Darren.

"So... did that 'Garuda' not receive the letter we sent?"

Darren narrowed his eyes, a half-smile playing on his lips.

Seeing this expression, Momonga, familiar with him after years of working together, realized instantly that Vinsmoke Judge was about to have a bad day.

"It has been confirmed that it was delivered into his hands."

He said in a deep voice.

"Very well..."

Darren laughed, crushed his cigar, and his eyes gradually turned cold.

"Then let's set off."

Momonga nodded and took out a military Den Den Mushi to call his subordinates at all levels, moving quickly.

Darren casually draped a large Justice cloak over his shoulders.

"Wait!"

Gion's voice came from behind, her tone laced with unease.

Darren turned to look at her.

Gion hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said:

"Shouldn't we report to Headquarters first? We in the Navy do not have the authority to interfere in disputes between nations... Rashly intervening in the internal affairs of other countries could trigger political disputes if we aren't careful."

What a naive girl...

The thought flashed through Darren's mind.

"With Germa 66's military strength, if we wait for a reply from Headquarters, the heads of the four kings of the North Blue will likely already be hanging on Vinsmoke Judge's walls by then."

He sneered:

"Besides, I will not allow Germa 66 to wage large-scale war within my jurisdiction and cause the deaths of innocent civilians."

Gion was stunned, her eyes brightening.

It seems this guy actually has some sense of responsibility after all...

But Darren's next sentence nearly made her cough up blood in anger.

"--Otherwise, if all the civilians are dead, who am I supposed to collect money from?"

Gion's chest heaved rapidly as she glared at the tall man before her, shouting angrily:

"Darren, you bastard!! Is protecting civilians just a way for you to collect money!?"

In the distance, the sound of bugle calls began to rise gradually from the naval port.

The navy of Branch 321 was assembling.

Darren smiled.

"Of course not."

Gion was taken aback, a strange sense of relief washing over her heart.

Darren chuckled:

"Besides that reason, well, Lady Margery is in the Yadis Kingdom, isn't she... We only just slept together the night before last; if I didn't make a move, it wouldn't be very justifiable, would it..."

Gion: ...

Gion's partner: ...

They were dumbfounded.

So you're mobilizing the troops just to save your mistress!?