Even after leaving the headquarters building, Fujitora remained dazed, unable to fully process the sudden mission Orion had assigned him.
It wasn't that the task was overly difficult—with the assistance of branch bases across the four seas and the Grand Line, investigating all member nations before the Reverie wasn't an impossible challenge.
What left him stunned was that Orion had bypassed the World Government entirely to intervene in the affairs of member nations.
Historically, the Marines' primary duty had been maintaining maritime order and peace among member nations, never meddling in their internal affairs.
Because of this, even when royal families and nobles openly killed innocent civilians, the Marines turned a blind eye.
Before blinding himself, Fujitora had witnessed so much human depravity, the privileged class's disregard for life and the chaos of the world that he grew despondent.
He had once considered joining the Marines to change this reality through his own strength.
But realizing the Marines were shackled by the World Government and unable to uphold true justice, he ultimately gave up—even going so far as to blind himself, believing ignorance was bliss.
Now, however, he regretted that decision.
Because the Marines had finally produced a leader who truly acted on justice!
"Issho-san!"
A familiar voice called out from a distance, followed by the quick footsteps of a female recruit in a newbie uniform—Joanna, who had enlisted alongside Fujitora.
"Oh, it's you, Joanna."
Recognizing her voice, Fujitora tilted his head slightly before facing her with heartfelt admiration.
"Now I understand why you admire Fleet Admiral Orion so much. He... is a true Marine."
"Hehe, I'm Supergirl, and the Someone I admire must be absolutely amazing."
Joanna proudly lifted her little head, then changed the subject enviously.
"Did Issho-san get to meet the Fleet Admiral?"
Fujitora nodded. "The Fleet Admiral has already appointed me as a Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral."
After a brief pause, Fujitora continued, "Joanna, would you like to become my subordinate and join me in visiting the World Government-affiliated nations? To see how the people there are faring on behalf of Fleet Admiral Orion?"
"Issho-san, are you asking me to be your eyes?"
Joanna exclaimed excitedly, "As long as Issho-san doesn't mind my weak strength, Joanna would be more than willing!"
*****
Early the next morning.
Orion didn't go to his office.
In truth, as long as Gion was around, he could easily be a hands-off leader.
The reason he had been handling everything personally lately was that Gion couldn't achieve certain things exactly as he hoped.
It wasn't that Gion lacked the ability—it was a matter of perspective.
From another angle, whether it was Gion or others at Headquarters, their perspectives were constrained by some stubborn ideologies of this world, preventing them from taking the steps he desired.
.....
At the Fleet Admiral's residence, Sakazuki's mother's dementia had been worsening.
When Orion returned home, the elderly woman mistook him for Sakazuki and asked where her eldest grandson Orion had gone.
To this, Orion casually made up an excuse and played the role of her son, personally preparing a table of her favorite dishes for her.
As they ate, the old woman suddenly had another dementia episode.
Not only did she forget who Orion was, but she also mistook him for a burglar, grabbing a stick and chasing him out.
At the same time.
Ryokugyu and Hina happened to arrive at the front gate.
When they saw Orion being chased out by an old woman, wielding a stick and running around the yard in disarray, both were caught off guard, their eyes wide as they stared dumbfounded at their Fleet Admiral being chased in circles by the old woman.
Especially Ryokugyu—how could the Fleet Admiral, revered by all at Marine Headquarters and feared by criminals worldwide, be chased and beaten by an old woman?
After a brief moment of shock, Ryokugyu quickly averted his gaze, adhering to the principle of 'see no evil, hear no evil'.
"Mother, stop hitting me, please stop!"
"I'm your son Sakazuki!"
Orion dodged the old woman's relentless attacks while carefully ensuring she wouldn't fall.
In the process, he had already been struck several times.
The old woman continued chasing him, shouting about catching a thief.
Hearing Orion call the old woman 'Mother' and refer to himself as Sakazuki, Hina froze for a moment.
Then, the usually aloof woman nearly burst out laughing.
Clearly, the old woman must have had another episode—first mistaking Orion for Sakazuki, then forgetting who Sakazuki was and labeling their Fleet Admiral as a thief.
Ryokugyu ultimately couldn't resist looking up at the disheveled figure in the yard, his expression was serious
"I never expected Fleet Admiral Orion, known as the most iron-willed leader in Marine history, to have such a side."
Before Hina could react, Orion suddenly dashed past them.
"What are you standing around for? Run!"
Before the words could fade, Orion had already vanished from sight, leaving Hina and Ryokugyu standing there momentarily stunned.
However, they quickly snapped out of it.
Just then, the old woman charged out of the courtyard wielding a stick.
Spotting Ryokugyu and Hina still present, she didn't hesitate for a second—branding them as Orion's 'accomplices,' she swung her cane without warning.
Ryokugyu, caught completely off guard, took the first blow squarely on the head.
Hina reacted the fastest.
The moment Ryokugyu was struck, she abandoned her usual aloof demeanor and bolted without a second thought.
"Hey, hey—wait for me!"
Ryokugyu, never expecting Hina to ditch him so unceremoniously, only managed to react after taking two more whacks.
As soon as the two fled, several female officers emerged from the shadows, barely suppressing their laughter as they approached the old woman.
Some rushed to attend to her, while others could no longer hold back, bursting into laughter at the sight of the trio's frantic escape.
It was no exaggeration to say that this old woman was the true supreme authority within the Marine Headquarters.
Not just Ryokugyu—even Garp, Zephyr, and Sengoku, despite being close in age or even older than her, had to stand at attention under the threat of her cane.
By the time Ryokugyu caught up with Orion and Hina, the two had already boarded a warship.
"Fleet Admiral, where exactly are we headed?"
Ryokugyu, quickly stepping onto the deck, glanced at the warships coming and going in the harbor and tentatively asked.
"Do I really not need to undergo officer training?"
"What you need isn't officer training!"
Orion smiled faintly before continuing, "What you require is a transformation in your ideology and awareness! Next, I will ensure your mindset—including your very perception—undergoes a complete upheaval!"
"My ideology and perception?" Ryokugyu blinked in confusion.
Orion nodded. "Your records state that you staunchly support the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, even believing that citizens of non-affiliated nations don't deserve human rights. It also mentions your admiration for Akainu, praising his unwavering commitment to justice. Additionally, as a user of the Forest-Forest Fruit, you advocate for harmony between humans and nature."
Pausing briefly, Orion locked eyes with Ryokugyu.
"Your ideology and awareness are fundamentally contradictory!"
"Next, I will assign you a task!"
"Right now, a hotel on Sabaody Archipelago has gathered numerous Celestial Dragons from the Holy Land!"
"Your mission is to ensure these Celestial Dragons—whom you so fervently support—provide the Marines with funding sufficient for the next decade!"
"Huh?" Ryokugyu's eyes widened in shock, his voice stammering.
"Th-this… Fleet Admiral, could you clarifyit?"
"No. I demand only one outcome: by the time I leave Sabaody and return to Headquarters, the money must be secured—no matter what methods you use!"
"If you truly don't know how to proceed, someone will demonstrate for you when the time comes!"
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