Later that evening.
Yadis Kingdom, Capital City Verna.
In an opulent side hall of the royal palace:
"Darren, you insolent brat! That's Germa we're talking about! A member nation of the World Government, and you nearly wiped it out!?"
An enraged roar boomed from a military transponder snail on the coffee table. The snail vividly mimicked the furious, red-faced expression of Sengoku, the Navy Headquarters Admiral.
"Do you even realize that Germa Kingdom isn't just an ordinary member? It's one of the nations qualified to participate in the World Summit!"
"Do you have any idea how much political pressure your actions are going to cause?"
"Protecting member nations is the Navy's duty and responsibility!"
Darren sat leisurely on a plush leather sofa, holding a glass of whiskey on the rocks in one hand and a lit cigar in the other.
He crossed his legs, puffing on his cigar, and listened nonchalantly to Sengoku's tirade.
Gion, Mouse, and Kaji, whose face was swollen like a pig's head, stood nearby, holding their breath, eyes lowered in silence.
"Damn it!! Darren, are you even listening to me!?"
After a solid two minutes of yelling, Sengoku paused, his anger flaring even more at Darren's lack of response.
"You don't want to be the North Blue Captain anymore, is that it!?"
Darren chuckled and replied casually:
"Then should I leave?"
"..."
On the other side of the line, in the Admiral's office:
Sengoku was momentarily speechless, his face turning crimson with frustration.
The North Blue was in a state of utter chaos. Sengoku hadn't forgotten the disasters caused by Borsalino and Sakazuki during their terms as North Blue Captains.
Only Darren, this cunning young officer, could manage the North Blue so effectively.
If he stepped down, the region would soon revert to being a playground for pirates and mafia families.
"Just joking…"
Darren's smile deepened as he sipped his whiskey, savoring the fiery sensation as it flowed down his throat. He said calmly:
"Admiral Sengoku, don't be so tense. I'll handle this matter properly."
Hearing Darren's relaxed tone, Sengoku nearly exploded again, his face twitching uncontrollably.
Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the urge to rush to the North Blue and personally beat Darren to a pulp.
"Darren, do you even know what you're getting into? Mishandling this will trigger a series of catastrophic consequences."
Sengoku's voice was low and heavy, filled with warning:
"Germa Kingdom has been a member of the World Government for three centuries.
"A Navy attack on a member nation… If this escalates, even I won't be able to protect you."
Blowing out a puff of smoke, Darren smiled:
"Of course, I understand, Admiral Sengoku."
"But this time, the circumstances were exceptional. Vinsmoke Judge led Germa 66 to attack the Yadis Kingdom, which is also a member nation of the World Government. Had I not intervened to stop the war, the Yadis Kingdom might now be consumed by bloodshed and chaos."
Sengoku's lips twitched.
Stop the war?
You nearly wiped out Germa's entire army!
Darren continued:
"As for the chaotic situation in the North Blue, I'm sure a man of your wisdom, Admiral Sengoku, is fully aware."
"Constant conflicts and skirmishes between nations… This incident serves as both a signal and a warning to all countries in the North Blue."
"As for Germa's casualties… Most of Germa 66's army consists of clone soldiers. These clones, being technological creations, are essentially weapons, not civilians."
"Given Vinsmoke Judge's ambition and arrogance, I've concluded that only overwhelming force will teach him a lasting lesson.
"Otherwise, with his character, he'll only grow more reckless and defiant, dragging not just the Yadis Kingdom but other nations into the quagmire of war.
"How many innocent lives would be lost to the flames of war? How many happy families are torn apart by Germa's ambitions?"
Hearing Darren's righteous rhetoric, Gion and Kaji rolled their eyes simultaneously.
You don't care about civilian casualties, you're just worried war would cut into your profits.
On the other end of the line, Sengoku fell silent.
He knew of Vinsmoke Judge's ambitions and had to admit Darren's reasoning held merit.
"...So, Darren, what's your plan?"
After a moment of deliberation, Sengoku's voice softened, his earlier anger dissipating.
Although deeply dissatisfied with Darren's actions, there was no undoing them now.
Darren's talent, strategy, and achievements were undeniable.
Moreover, Sengoku understood Darren well, this cunning, astute officer always found a way to resolve even the most delicate political crises.
"This doesn't require your concern, Admiral Sengoku…"
Darren flicked the ash from his cigar, his smile full of intrigue.
"I'll handle everything and present Vinsmoke Judge with an offer he can't refuse.
"He won't protest to the World Government, Germa will remain a member nation, the Navy will suffer no repercussions, and the North Blue will stay peaceful and stable…"
Darren leaned forward slightly, his smile turning cold.
"…Under our Navy's governance."
The room fell into a tense silence, Darren's powerful, domineering voice reverberating faintly.
Three seconds later—
"...Fine, Darren. Handle this, but ensure everything is resolved properly."
Sengoku's deep voice came through the transponder snail.
Darren smiled in satisfaction:
"Consider it done, Admiral Sengoku."
Bloop!
The transponder snail's call ended.
Darren turned to Mouse.
"How's the situation with Germa?"
Mouse reported gravely:
"We've mobilized 10 warships and over 5,000 troops from other branches in the North Blue. The entire Germa Kingdom is under our control, and their fleet has been 'escorted' out of Yadis waters."
"As for Vinsmoke Judge, per your orders, he's detained on one of our warships."
Darren nodded, confident in Mouse's competence.
"What's your plan for Vinsmoke Judge? After all, he's still a monarch."
At last, Gion broke her silence, unable to suppress her curiosity.
Darren glanced at her, then suddenly grinned:
"That's nothing for you to worry about, Major Gion."
"For now, we have more important matters."
"What's that?" Gion asked, puzzled.
Darren clapped his hands with a smile:
"Celebrating our victory."