That evening...
Yadis Kingdom, capital city of Verna.
Inside a lavish side chamber of the royal palace.
"Daren, you little bastard!! That was Germa! A member of the World Government—and you almost wiped it off the map!?"
A furious roar erupted from the military Den Den Mushi on the coffee table, its face vividly mimicking Admiral Sengoku of Marine Headquarters, veins bulging as he raged.
"Do you have any idea!? The Germa Kingdom isn't just some regular member state—they're one of the few nations with a seat at the Reverie!"
"Do you understand the political disaster you've nearly caused!?"
"Protecting member nations is the Marines' duty and responsibility!"
...
Daren sat casually on a plush leather sofa, one hand holding a glass of whiskey over ice, the other gripping a lit cigar.
He puffed leisurely, one leg crossed over the other, listening to Sengoku's rant without the slightest care.
Gion, Momonga, and Tokikake—whose face was still swollen like a pig's—stood nearby, holding their breath, eyes cast downward in respectful silence.
"...Damn it!! Daren, are you even listening to a word I'm saying!?"
Sengoku had been shouting nonstop for nearly two minutes, and seeing Daren still refusing to respond only made him angrier.
"Are you trying to quit your post as North Blue's Admiral!?"
Daren let out a small laugh.
"Then should I resign?"
Sengoku: "..."
Back in the Admiral's office on the other end of the call...
Sengoku instantly fell silent, his old face flushing red.
The North Blue was a mess, and he hadn't forgotten the disasters that came from letting Borsalino and Sakazuki handle the region in the past.
Only this sly brat Daren had managed to bring order to the chaos.
If he were to step down, without Daren's iron grip, the North Blue would probably fall right back into being a playground for pirates and mafia families.
"Just kidding..."
Daren's smile deepened. He raised his glass and took a slow sip of whiskey, feeling the rich, burning liquor roll down his throat. He said casually,
"No need to get so worked up, Admiral Sengoku. I'll handle everything."
Hearing the North Blue Admiral's breezy tone, Sengoku nearly lost it again. His eye twitched uncontrollably.
He took a deep breath, barely restraining the urge to storm into the North Blue and beat Daren senseless.
"Daren, what the hell are you thinking... A single misstep here could trigger a chain reaction."
Sengoku's voice dropped, his tone grim.
"The Germa Kingdom has been a member of the World Government since its founding—three hundred years."
"If word gets out that the Marines attacked an allied nation... even I won't be able to cover for you."
Daren exhaled a puff of smoke, smiling faintly.
"Of course I understand, Admiral."
"But there's a reason for what happened. Vinsmoke Judge led Germa 66 in an assault on the Yadis Kingdom—which is also a government member state. If I hadn't intervened, that kingdom would've already fallen into chaos and bloodshed."
Sengoku's mouth twitched.
You call that intervening? You nearly wiped out Germa's entire army!
Daren continued.
"As for the chaos in the North Blue, I'm sure someone as sharp as you already sees it clearly."
"Conflicts between nations keep flaring up. This incident sends a message—a warning—to the rest of them."
"As for the Germa casualties... their army is almost entirely made up of Clone Soldiers. Products of cloning technology, essentially weapons—not civilians."
"Given Vinsmoke Judge's ambition and arrogance, this was the only way to make him remember. If we don't crush him with overwhelming force, he'll only grow more reckless and unrestrained. And when that happens, it won't just be the Yadis Kingdom that's dragged into war."
"Who knows how many innocent lives will be lost... how many families torn apart because of Germa's ambition?"
Hearing Daren's righteous speech, Gion and Tokikake—standing silently to the side—both rolled their eyes.
You don't care about civilian casualties. You're just worried war would ruin your money-making.
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku fell silent.
He knew Vinsmoke Judge well enough. That ambitious commander of Germa—everything Daren said was true. The attack on Yadis was only the first step. Judge's real goal was to dominate all of North Blue.
"...So, Daren, what's your plan?"
Sengoku's tone had calmed, much of the anger gone.
He still disapproved of what Daren had done, but it was too late to change anything now. And with Daren's abilities, tactics, natural gifts, and military achievements... there was no denying he was one of the Marines' most vital future assets.
Sengoku also knew this sly, sharp-minded brat never acted without a backup plan. No matter how politically sensitive the issue, Daren always found a way to clean it up perfectly.
"You don't need to worry about that, Admiral."
Daren flicked the ash off his cigar and smiled with interest.
"I'll handle everything—and give Vinsmoke Judge an offer he can't refuse."
"He won't lodge a protest with the World Government. Germa will remain a member nation. The Marines won't take any political fallout. And peace and stability will continue in the North Blue..."
He leaned forward, grin sharpening.
"...under Marine control."
The chamber fell into silence, with only Daren's commanding, deliberate voice echoing faintly.
Three seconds later—
"...Then I'll leave it to you, Daren. No matter what, this needs to be handled properly."
Sengoku's low voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
Daren smiled with satisfaction.
"Consider it done, Admiral."
Bloop.
The Den Den Mushi went silent.
Daren turned to Momonga.
"How's the situation with Germa?"
Momonga replied in a low voice,
"We've redeployed ten warships and over five thousand troops from other North Blue branches. The Germa Kingdom is now fully under control. Their fleet has already left Yadis waters under our 'escort.'"
"As for Vinsmoke Judge, he's being held aboard one of our ships, just as you ordered."
Daren nodded.
After years of working together, he trusted Momonga's efficiency completely.
"What do you plan to do with Vinsmoke Judge? He is, after all, a king."
Gion, silent until now, finally spoke up.
Daren looked at her and suddenly grinned.
"No need to worry about that, Lieutenant Commander Gion."
"Right now, we've got something more important."
"What is it?" Gion blinked.
Daren clapped his hands and laughed.
"Celebrating our victory."
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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