The Navy's Biggest Problem

Momonga's words struck Gion and Gion's partner like invisible sledgehammers, pounding relentlessly against their hearts, leaving them shaken and their faces gradually turning pale.

They had never once imagined that the island before them, bustling with crowds and thriving trade, had actually been the city of sin and lawlessness that Momonga described.

What they struggled to comprehend even more was that the peace and prosperity they witnessed were only possible because Darren had single-handedly propped up two major Mafia families.

The heavy impact of this revelation constantly challenged everything they had been taught and believed back at Headquarters.

"B-but... isn't the income of Mafia families derived from exploiting the common people?"

Gion murmured, her face pale, her eyes filled with a sense of bewilderment.

"That is correct. That is indeed the case."

Momonga admitted it bluntly and frankly:

"But compared to the daily threat of gunfire, having one's family and friends killed in gang warfare, or watching one's children grow corrupt in such a wretched environment, only to join a gang or head out to sea as a pirate..."

"Compared to living in constant fear day and night, unable to conduct business, facing unemployment and bankruptcy... the common people would much rather pay a certain protection fee to the Mafia families in exchange for a relatively peaceful and stable living environment."

"That is the reality."

Gion took two steps back, her legs feeling weak, and shook her head:

"B-but... if we, the Navy, took action and wiped out all the Mafia families, wouldn't the common people be spared from paying protection fees altogether?"

"Wouldn't their standard of living be even better?"

"Why must two Mafia families be left behind..."

Momonga sighed again.

He had lost count of how many times he had sighed.

"That is the brilliance of Colonel Darren."

He said slowly:

"If all the Mafia families were wiped out, the end result would be the same as it was during Major General Sakazuki's time—within half a year, or even just a few months, countless new Mafia families, large and small, would spring up in this place again..."

"They would engage in even more intense turf wars, and in the end, it is only the common people who would suffer."

"Leaving two Mafia families behind and demarcating their territories... on one hand, it makes them wary of each other and keeps them from daring to deceive the Navy; on the other hand, it makes them easier to deter and manage."

"These two remaining Mafia families, for the sake of their own interests, will protect their respective territories against pirates and other underground forces looking to plunder, thereby indirectly achieving the effect of 'protecting the common people'."

"After all, once their influence is stabilized, the better and more prosperous the lives of the common people are, the higher the protection fees they can collect."

"And with the deterrence of Colonel Darren, they dare not go too far; after all, they are deeply aware that everything they possess was bestowed upon them by Colonel Darren."

Gion felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

Using the power of the Mafia and pirates to "protect" the common people...

She had never heard of such a thing.

"But... if we, the Navy, are clearly capable of doing more..."

"No," Momonga shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"The Navy, in truth, cannot do much."

"Because we, the Navy, are a military force on this sea that belongs solely to the World Government. Furthermore, due to geographical factors, we only possess law enforcement authority in various regions, not governing authority, and certainly not the right to station troops."

"In other words, no matter what happens—pirate raids, gang vendettas, or Mafia turf wars—we in the Navy are often only able to pursue justice after the fact, or provide temporary solutions."

"The Navy is not permitted to station troops in independent nations or islands, so there is simply no way to provide permanent protection for the local common people."

"This is the Navy's greatest dilemma."

"By fostering the Mafia, Colonel Darren is able to achieve a degree of 'governance' and 'protection' locally, thereby safeguarding the lives and safety of the common people."

"This is a path no one has ever walked before, and at least for now, it is indeed effective."

"And most importantly, through this method, Colonel Darren can easily grasp the situation in various regions and focus the majority of his energy on dealing with truly dangerous pirates."

"Major Gion, Major Gion's partner, do you understand now?"

Momonga looked directly at the two, his tone stern.

If the Navy possessed the right to station troops, then naturally, there would be no need for such complex methods; they could simply station troops locally to provide protection.

But the system does not allow it.

After all, if the Navy had the right to station troops everywhere, they would no longer be an independent military organization, but warlords.

And that is something neither the World Government nor the major kingdoms would ever allow to be seen.

"I know that both of you hold noble and firm beliefs regarding justice in your hearts, and on this point, both Colonel Darren and I express our utmost respect."

"Yes, you heard me correctly. I am very familiar with Colonel Darren; although he appears unrestrained on the surface, it is clear that he does not harbor much hostility toward you."

Seeing the skeptical expressions on Gion and her partner's faces, he added by way of explanation:

"Otherwise, it would have been impossible for you to discover these things at all."

"Please believe me, with Colonel Darren's capabilities and methods, if he truly wanted to hide something, you wouldn't be able to uncover a single thing."

Gion and Gion's partner fell silent at these words.

Momonga spoke slowly:

"The two of you, I know you have some reservations about the style of our North Blue Navy, but at the end of the day, this is the North Blue. The methods used by Headquarters simply do not work in these waters."

"In terms of results, this... is the best era the North Blue has ever seen."

His face was filled with a pride that showed he felt honored to be a part of it.

Seeing island after island, town after town, moving steadily toward peace and prosperity under the jurisdiction of the Navy—that in itself was the greatest source of pride and glory.

It was also the best reward for wearing this military uniform.

Even if the methods used in the process were not exactly glorious.

"The two of you, it is inconvenient for Colonel Darren to say these things to you, and he disdains to explain himself to you."

Momonga continued:

"To him, the gazes and evaluations of others are of no consequence; he has his own set of rules for how he operates."

"But what I want to say is that, in reality, Colonel Darren is not the kind of scoundrel you two imagine him to be."

Gion bit her red lip, whispering:

"But no matter what, taking money from civilians through the mafia is just wrong..."

Momonga smiled.

"Taking money is indeed not ideal, but the North Blue Navy is truly short on funds."

"And most importantly, Colonel Darren has one principle..."

He winked.

"If he takes the money, he gets the job done."

The perspective of this book is not as idealistic as the previous one; it is more realistic.

I ask for all your support and positive reviews. I am truly grateful.