The North Blue Admiral's Mourning and Condolences

At this moment, Gion and Gion's partner suddenly felt the world before them was so absurd, as if they had fallen into a dream.

Their lips parted slightly, yet they could not utter a single word.

This... no matter how one looked at it, it was just wrong!!

Even if one had killed a Celestial Dragon and managed to be careful enough not to get caught, it was impossible to be promoted because of it...

Although they were only speculating and had no substantive evidence to prove that Darren was the culprit who killed Saint Childers.

Darren, this guy, had truly played the game of power and politics to the pinnacle.

He had clearly and keenly captured the "political needs" of the World Government, easily solving this thorny problem that had even given Admiral Sengoku a headache.

Thinking back, with Darren's level of cunning and schemes, wouldn't it be as easy as turning over his hand to make the two of them disappear silently in the North Blue!?

The moment this thought surged, a hint of fear could not help but emerge in the eyes of the two as they looked at Darren.

"Then I shall thank Admiral Sengoku in advance for your promotion."

Darren saw through the constantly changing expressions of the two little thorns, Gion and Gion's partner, a faint smile appearing on his face as he raised his hand in a crisp military salute toward Sengoku.

"Mm, very good, very spirited."

Sengoku laughed with satisfaction.

"Then this old man will take his leave first..."

He glanced at the bewildered Gion's partner and Gion beside him, thought for a moment, and added a word of instruction:

"I leave these two little ones to your care, kid."

Darren smiled and readily agreed.

"No problem, Admiral Sengoku."

With that, Sengoku turned and boarded the warship.

Amidst the thunderous salutes and cheers of the North Blue naval soldiers, the flagship of Marine Headquarters Admiral Sengoku, the Sengoku, slowly raised its sails.

The biting sea breeze filled the sails until they were taut, making the dragon-like, dancing characters for "Justice" appear stern and vigorous.

"Set sail!!"

On the warship's lookout tower, a young marine shouted loudly.

The rudder lifted, the anchor turned, and the warship, massive as a fortress on the sea, sailed out of the harbor against the cool sea breeze.

Sengoku gave a final salute from afar toward the North Blue navy led by Darren at the harbor, looking high-spirited.

He then turned around, and upon seeing the figure lying on the deck sunbathing, his mouth couldn't help but twitch.

"Hm?"

Sengoku soon noticed a large pile of wooden crates of various sizes placed at the stern of the cabin.

"Borsalino, what is this?"

He called out.

Hearing the voice, Borsalino stood up slowly from his lounge chair, stretching as he walked over.

"This, huh..."

He rubbed the stubble on his chin and smiled:

"...This is a parting gift from Colonel Darren for you."

Sengoku was stunned, a bad premonition suddenly welling up in his heart, and his expression turned stern.

That brat Darren, he wouldn't be trying to bribe him, would he?

That would be difficult to handle.

He walked up quickly and opened all the wooden crates of various sizes.

The moment he saw the contents of the crates, Sengoku was slightly taken aback.

Cigars, rice crackers, tea leaves, donuts, spirits, fruits... a dazzling array of goods filled one side of the cabin.

Looking at the mountain of goods, Sengoku's originally stern eyes gradually softened.

The gifts were not expensive; they were all mid-range brands that ordinary families could afford.

The cigars were the brand Marshal Kong loved to smoke;

The rice crackers were the kind he himself liked to eat;

The jasmine tea was Tsuru's favorite;

Garp couldn't go a day without donuts;

The liquor was the Sherry that Zephyr was most addicted to;

The fruit was the most important supply besides fresh water and grain during long-distance voyages, capable of preventing scurvy...

Sengoku stood before the pile of small gifts, silent for a long while, before suddenly shaking his head with a smile.

"That brat Darren really put some thought into this."

He remarked with a touch of sentiment.

But the very next second, as if his face had changed on command, he jumped up and roared:

"--Borsalino, you bastard!! What do you think you're doing!?"

Borsalino, who had been reaching out toward a bunch of bananas, froze, his hand hovering in mid-air.

"I just wanted some fruit, Admiral Sengoku."

Sengoku looked at the "innocent" expression on Borsalino's face, his anger flaring up.

"These are gifts sent to me by Darren!"

Borsalino blinked, then helplessly raised his hands in surrender.

"Alright then..."

He turned away, muttering under his breath:

"Getting stingier by the day..."

The corner of Sengoku's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Red Line.

Holy Land Mary Geoise.

World Government, small villa.

"My lords, this is the secret investigation report submitted by North Blue Admiral Darren."

A CP0 agent dressed in pale silk robes knelt on one knee, respectfully presenting a document.

The Five Elders exchanged glances.

"He certainly moves fast, that kid Darren..."

"His talent is indeed quite impressive."

"Saint Damocles... your judgment is as accurate as ever."

"..."

Saint Damocles listened to the approval of his colleagues, a proud smirk curling his lips.

That Marine brat Darren had certainly not disappointed him.

In just one day, he had found a solution that satisfied everyone.

"But Saint Damocles... why has the family of Saint Childers suddenly gone quiet in the Holy Land?"

Saint Solomon, who was polishing a purple-black, eerie katana, suddenly asked.

The other Five Elders turned their gaze toward Saint Damocles upon hearing this.

Although the solution Darren proposed was quite ingenious and gave them the justification to withstand the pressure from the Holy Land Council of Elders, the family of Saint Childers was no pushover.

Among the Celestial Dragon families in the Holy Land, they were known for being "arrogant," "rude," "paranoid," "twisted," and "extremely greedy."

Saint Damocles smiled.

"Three hours ago, a merchant ship from the North Blue sailed into the inner sea of the Red Line and, after passing through layers of inspections, entered the Land of the Gods."

"Over 1 billion Beli in gold and silver treasures, along with countless rare specialties from the North Blue, were unloaded from that ship and delivered to the estate of Saint Childers' family."

"The manager of the merchant fleet delivered a letter to Saint Childers' father. The content of the letter roughly meant... North Blue Admiral Rogers Darren expressed his heavy condolences and deep grief over the losses suffered by Saint Childers' family, offering a humble token of sympathy to the great Celestial Dragons."

At this point, the smile on Saint Damocles' face turned mocking.

"It is said that ten minutes after receiving this 'consolation money,' the CP department received an escort request for a World Noble's excursion."

"Saint Child, the father of Saint Childers, is already on the route heading toward the Pleasure District in the New World."

The Four Elders: ...