Arrival

North Blue, Batia Island.

The warship slowly sailed into the port.

As the anchor dropped, the members of the North Blue Branch 321, led by Darren, walked slowly down the gangplank.

The moment his feet touched the soil of Batia Island, a look of surprise appeared on Darren's face.

"This doesn't seem quite like the Batia Island I remember..."

Batia Island was one of the major transportation hubs for several well-known routes in the North Blue. While its trade volume was far from matching the bustling commercial islands of the Grand Line, it was still considered top-tier within the North Blue.

Many merchant ships and trade caravans would pass through Batia Island for supplies, which in turn supported the island's economic development.

However, where wealth flows, dirty dealings are bound to hide; this is a common truth of the world.

Precisely because of Batia Island's prosperity, bustle, and convenient transportation, this place naturally became a hub for skimming profits and harboring filth.

Mafia, underground forces, illegal trades, and even pirate raids had become the norm here.

To balance the forces on Batia Island, Darren had previously spent a great deal of effort and energy.

Even so, the Batia Island in Darren's memory remained a place that was both prosperous and chaotic.

But the scene before his eyes was somewhat beyond his expectations.

The island's port, which used to be crowded and covered in oil stains, had taken on a brand-new look, decorated with clusters of vibrant flowers.

The streets were exceptionally clean, with not a trace of trash to be found, and the street stalls and shops that used to be scattered everywhere were now neatly and orderly arranged.

The old buildings had been given a fresh coat of paint, with white walls and blue roofs that looked quite grand.

In front of the gate leading into the town, a brand-new archway had been temporarily constructed, standing 10 meters high, with the words "Welcome Saint Childers" hung upon it in colorful lettering.

"Because a Celestial Dragon drifted to Batia Island after a shipwreck, the mayor of this island immediately issued a decree to tidy up the city's appearance and spent a large amount of tax money to renovate some of the dilapidated buildings..."

Momonga walked to Darren's side at this moment, lowering his voice to explain:

"As for the color of these houses... it is said that the municipal government did it to imitate the decorative style of the Holy Land Mary Geoise, so that the World Nobles could feel at home here."

Gion and her partner Gion's partner, standing to the side, were stunned by what they heard.

Darren, however, couldn't help but chuckle.

It seems that no matter which world you are in, "vanity projects" exist.

But this was normal.

In this sea, the Celestial Dragons call themselves "gods" and possess supreme power.

For a small place like the North Blue, the local officials rarely have the opportunity to see the true faces of the World Nobles in person.

Now that a Celestial Dragon has "accidentally" arrived in his jurisdiction, the mayor naturally has to put on a good show. Even if he just manages to leave a good impression, a casual word from the World Noble might be enough to propel him to the pinnacle of his life.

"Interesting."

Darren nodded with a smile, turned to look at Gion and the others, and instructed:

"You all go ahead and station the troops. Establish a security perimeter around the area where Saint Childers is active, be vigilant in screening for suspicious individuals, and ensure that no emergencies occur."

Although he had no interest in protecting Celestial Dragons, who were like pigs—in fact, he would kill one or two if he could—since this was an order from Headquarters, Darren would naturally do his best.

After all, as things stood, this mission would likely determine his political future within the Navy.

If anything were to happen to the Celestial Dragon under his protection, he doubted even Sengoku could save him.

Darren did not want to leave the Navy.

There was no future in being a pirate, and he didn't want to be chased around the sea by the Navy.

Darren didn't consider himself a good person, but he still had a bottom line; he could never bring himself to become a pirate and raid civilians.

Not to mention that for a transmigrator like him without a golden finger, the Navy, with its relatively complete training system, was undoubtedly the best choice.

Most importantly, he had invested too much energy and heart into the North Blue to just give it up now.

"And you?"

Gion furrowed her brows as she looked at Darren.

She had naturally heard of the vile personalities of those Celestial Dragons, and deep down, she was quite unwilling to protect them.

"I need to go find our mayor first to hand over the mission. After all, the municipal government's militia is currently responsible for the security of the Celestial Dragons."

Darren smiled at Gion and the prying Gion's partner, saying:

"Since we're here, we have to greet the local government regardless."

"You don't need to worry; the specific security work will be carried out mainly by Major Momonga, you just need to assist from the sidelines."

"After all, you two are new to the North Blue and aren't quite familiar with the business here yet."

Having said that, Darren shifted his gaze toward Momonga.

"I leave them to you."

Momonga nodded.

Seeing that Darren had already issued his orders directly, Gion found it difficult to insist further. She remained silent where she stood, watching as Darren boarded a carriage and headed off in the direction of the city government building.

"Well then, this way, Major Gion, Major Gion's partner."

Momonga greeted them with a smile before turning around to lead his subordinates toward their designated destination.

He understood that Darren was going to meet the mayor to discuss certain matters, and bringing Gion and Gion's partner along would likely be inconvenient.

Gion and Gion's partner exchanged a glance, wanting to say something but ultimately holding their tongues, and quickly followed after him.

Batia Island.

City Government.

Guided by a secretary in a sexy professional suit, Darren walked into the mayor's office.

The office was decorated in a high-end, opulent style.

Animal-hide rugs were spread across the polished marble floor, and oil paintings that clearly looked expensive hung upon the walls.

"A distinguished guest has arrived; please forgive my failure to welcome you sooner, Colonel Darren."

Without a long wait, a voice filled with sycophantic laughter rang out.

A middle-aged man in a suit came trotting in, his face drenched in sweat. His obese frame stretched his high-end suit to the point of bursting, making him look exactly like a round ball.

"Mayor Hunter, you are busy with official duties; it is I who am intruding."

Darren smiled, took the cigar that Mayor Hunter respectfully offered, and sat down on the soft leather sofa without standing on ceremony.

"Not at all, not at all. Colonel Darren, you understand... with Saint Childers gracing Batia Island with his presence, things here have been turned completely upside down."

Hunter pulled a silk handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the sweat from his face, his expression plastered with a smile.

Darren nodded and lit his cigar.

"I understand. After all, this is a grand event rarely seen in decades."

"I was quite surprised to see the brand-new look of Batia Island on my way here. I imagine Saint Childers will be quite satisfied with your arrangements, Mr. Mayor."

Upon hearing this, Hunter was overjoyed.

"That is good, that is very good."

Having prepared it in advance, he produced a document and handed it to Darren with both hands.

"Colonel Darren, please take a look. This is the situation on Batia Island over the last six months..."

Watching as Darren took the document and began to flip through it casually, Hunter explained cautiously:

"Under your deterrence, the two major Mafia families on Batia Island have maintained relative restraint over the last six months and have paid the stipulated taxes on time."

Darren glanced at the final figure in the document and smiled with satisfaction.

"Mm, they are behaving themselves well enough."

Hunter bowed and scraped.

"Of course. In the North Blue, who would dare not give you face?"

He spoke with trepidation, bowing even lower.

Others might not know, but as the mayor, how could Hunter not be aware of the methods used by the man before him?

Batia Island was originally filled with Mafia organizations, constantly clashing and fighting over territory, where bloodshed was a daily occurrence.

It wasn't until a year ago, when Darren—the newly appointed base commander of Branch 321—arrived on Batia Island, that he used the most aggressive and ruthless methods to pull the Mafia influence out by the roots.

To this day, Hunter still clearly remembered the hellish scene.

The streets were rivers of blood, and corpses were piled high like mountains.

The man before him had stood there, covered in blood, while the leaders of the only two remaining Mafia families knelt trembling before him.

From that day on, there were no more gang vendettas or territorial disputes on Batia Island.

The two remaining Mafia families divided the territory between themselves, minding their own business, and regularly handed over half of their income as "taxes."

Because the gang warfare had been eliminated, the civilians were able to recover, the social environment stabilized, and the economy of Batia Island flourished.

"Mm, I will say it again, you pass this on to them for me..."

Darren slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke.

"As long as they don't go too far, I will turn a blind eye."

"As long as they keep to themselves... there will always be money to be made."

"But I do not wish to see any incidents of civilians bleeding to death within my jurisdiction."

He smiled.

"After all, I am a righteous Marine... wouldn't you agree, Mayor Hunter?"

Hunter nodded in a panic, offering a fawning smile:

"That goes without saying. In the North Blue, who doesn't know that Colonel Darren is the very symbol of justice?"