Protecting the Celestial Dragons

The next day, a news report was issued by the Germa Kingdom, a member state of the World Government.

"Germa 66, in conjunction with the North Blue Naval fleet, successfully completed a public military exercise yesterday in the waters near the Yadis Kingdom of the North Blue. During this exercise, both sides demonstrated formidable military combat capabilities..."

"...The King of the Germa Kingdom and Commander of Germa 66, Vinsmoke Judge, expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of North Blue Naval Admiral Colonel Darren, and pledged to sign a long-term friendly cooperation agreement to jointly maintain the peace, prosperity, and stability of the North Blue."

In the office of the Branch 321 base commander, Gion and Gion's partner stared at the freshly printed newspaper in their hands, dumbfounded.

"How is this possible!?"

They could hardly believe their eyes, especially since the report was accompanied by a photo of Darren and Vinsmoke Judge standing under the seagull flag, shaking hands.

They had been fighting to the death just the day before, with Darren nearly wiping out Germa 66 entirely—and now, not even a full day later, they were in "friendly cooperation"?

Looking at the familiar, kind, and enthusiastic smiles on the faces of Darren and Vinsmoke Judge in the photo, anyone who didn't know better would think they were long-lost brothers!

This... this was like a dream!

"Why wouldn't it be possible? Mr. Vinsmoke Judge is a reasonable man. After my patient explanation and advice, he quickly recognized the stance of our North Blue Navy, as well as the Navy's determination to uphold justice and peace..."

Darren looked at the shocked Gion and her partner with a smile, slowly lighting a cigar.

"And he also realized the error of his ways in starting a war and decided to correct them. Isn't that perfectly reasonable?"

Gion's partner nodded in sudden realization.

"Yes, that is indeed very reasonable..."

"...Like hell it is!!"

He gritted his teeth.

Given Vinsmoke Judge's brutal, overbearing, and arrogant personality and ambition, how could he possibly be reformed by a few words from Darren!?

You are a Devil Fruit user who controls metal!

You aren't a user of the Cheer-Cheer Fruit!!

"Darren, what exactly did you do? Did you threaten him?"

Gion asked, gritting her teeth in disbelief.

"You caught me..."

Darren raised his hands, wearing an expression that said, "You found me out."

He chuckled.

"Actually, I didn't do anything. Just as I told Admiral Sengoku, I simply offered him a proposal he couldn't refuse."

"I just didn't expect Vinsmoke Judge to be so reasonable."

Gion and Gion's partner: ...

Watching Darren's smiling, tight-lipped expression, they knew it was unlikely they would get anything more out of him.

Although they didn't know what method this guy had used to make Vinsmoke Judge submit, the final result was, all things considered, perfect.

They had prevented the war.

Hundreds of thousands of citizens in the Yadis Kingdom had not been caught in the crossfire.

The Germa Kingdom had dropped its pursuit of accountability against the North Blue Navy.

Gion had received several banners of honor sent by the Yadis royal family.

Gion's partner's residence was now stocked with several crates of fine wine and good tobacco.

Everything seemed to be moving in a beautiful and happy direction... like hell it was!!

Gion looked at Darren's leisurely, confident smile—the look of a man who had everything under control—and felt a sense of indignation and frustration that made her want to pull her hair out.

Coercion and bribery, deception and profiteering, violence and bloodshed, deceiving superiors and concealing the truth from subordinates...

These were all extremely vile things, terms that had nothing to do with the "justice" she believed in, yet in the hands of this bastard Darren, they had become the best tools for successfully governing the North Blue.

It was completely at odds with everything she had been taught.

It simply subverted her entire worldview.

"Buru Buru... Buru Buru..."

At that moment, the ringing of a military Den Den Mushi suddenly echoed through the room.

Darren picked up the Den Den Mushi and answered the call.

"This is Darren."

Admiral Sengoku's hearty laughter erupted from the receiver:

"Hahahaha, Darren, you rascal! You truly are the subordinate I value most; you handled this matter quite beautifully."

Gion and Gion's partner rolled their eyes in unison, their faces darkening.

They remembered all too clearly how Admiral Sengoku had been flying into a rage over the Den Den Mushi just yesterday.

"All glory belongs to Justice, and this is all thanks to the guidance of Admiral Sengoku."

Darren said humbly.

Sengoku laughed with satisfaction:

"I truly didn't misjudge you. It seems that sending those two little ones, Gion and Gion's partner, to the North Blue was a very correct decision."

"Those two are truly a headache. That brat Gion's partner is lazy and idle every day, always trying to steal my cigars, and Gion? She's too much like her sister, her thinking is far too naive..."

Listening to Sengoku's grumbling, Darren glanced at Gion and Gion's partner, whose faces were gradually turning black, and a strange expression appeared on his face.

"...In short, those two are still very immature. When you have time, take them around and let them see more of the world."

Sengoku had not yet realized the gravity of the situation, becoming more animated as he spoke.

"Ahem..."

Noticing that Gion's gaze was growing increasingly icy and that she was beginning to emit a chilling killing intent, Gion's partner couldn't help but cough twice.

Sengoku:...

The military Den Den Mushi fell into silence.

"Admiral Sengoku, I heard that you are... very dissatisfied with me?"

Gion said to the Den Den Mushi with an expressionless face.

Sengoku:...

"Hello? Hello? Why can't I hear you clearly... Huh, the signal seems to be quite poor... I can't hear... Darren, you brat, did you hear what I said just now!?"

"Take good care of Gion and Gion's partner for me! They are the future of the Navy, the hope of Justice!!"

"Hello? Hello? The signal... how... not... connecting..."

"--Bru."

The Den Den Mushi fell asleep.

Communication... interrupted.

Gion:...

Gion's partner:...

Darren:...

The three of them looked at each other in dismay.

Momonga, who had been standing to the side without saying a word, covered his forehead in agony.

This acting... was just too clumsy.

But not even a minute later, The military Den Den Mushi rang again.

Darren answered it once more.

"Admiral Sengoku."

"Hmm, Darren, I almost forgot to mention, there is a very important mission." Sengoku acted as if nothing had happened just now, his tone serious.

"Admiral Sengoku, please speak." Darren said.

Sengoku said in a deep voice:

"Byrnndi World attacked a World Government official ship a few days ago. The World Noble, Saint Childers, was shipwrecked as a result and drifted to Batia Island in the North Blue."

"Headquarters has already received orders from the government, and I am currently on my way to the North Blue."

Darren's brows furrowed upon hearing this.

He recalled the news he had seen in the paper two days ago—"The 'World Destroyer' Byrnndi World sinks a World Government official ship; the World Noble Celestial Dragons are furious, placing a high bounty of 200 million Berries! The World Pirates may become the government's greatest threat!"

"Admiral Sengoku, what do I need to do? Hunt down the 'World Destroyer' Byrnndi World?"

Darren exhaled a plume of smoke like a dragon, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Sengoku shook his head and said:

"No, although your strength is decent, there is still a considerable distance between you and that guy Byrnndi World."

"Subjugating Byrnndi World is my mission."

"Your mission is to depart immediately for Batia Island and protect Saint Childers."

"The CP department has already dispatched personnel to the North Blue to provide an escort, but before they arrive at Batia Island, the government requires the nearest Navy forces to protect Saint Childers' personal safety."

Asking for everything, I am deeply grateful.