"Oh, it's alright. Just keep thinking about it!"
Borsalino wasn't disappointed. Instead, he smiled reassuringly. "Since you saw the flaws in the Seven Warlords of the Sea strategy, maybe in a while, I'll hear you present a perfect solution at a Marine Headquarters meeting!"
"You're giving me too much credit, Vice Admiral Borsalino," Cross said with a wry, helpless smile, shaking his head.
Then, both men fell silent, and the atmosphere in the office became a bit heavy.
Borsalino was deep in thought, his eyes flickering as if contemplating something. Although Borsalino had the reputation of being a slacker and a famous "salary thief" in the Marines, that didn't mean he was idle and did nothing all day. Otherwise, Marine Headquarters wouldn't have put him in charge of a large branch.
As a Vice Admiral at Marine Headquarters, commander of Branch G-2, and one of the Admiral candidates, he was a key figure in the upper echelons of the Marines. His decisions were crucial, and he occasionally had to put forward proposals and suggestions.
The neutral faction maintained its position to avoid internal conflicts, but that didn't mean they had no goals or ideals, and Borsalino was no exception. After all, only when the Marines became stronger and the world became more stable could he comfortably be a slacker and a relaxed "salary thief."
At that moment, Cross finished petting the cat and quickly drank the last of his tea. He was about to get up and leave. "I'm done with the tea and my break. I'll head back to my office now."
"Oh, no trouble at all. You go on back. We'll meet up at the hospital later!"
"Sounds good. I'll be on my way!"
Borsalino looked at Cross, his expression returning to its usual lecherous smirk as he watched Cross leave his office.
....
Mariejois, the Room of Authority.
"Diez Barrels has accepted the offer of 5 billion Berries and wants an equal amount of gold in return for the trade!" Sengoku stood in the middle of the hall, looking at the three Gorosei sitting on the sofa and the two standing next to them.
After hearing Sengoku's words, the Gorosei all smiled. The blond-haired Gorosei standing next to the sofa said with satisfaction, "Good. 5 billion Berries is nothing compared to the value of the Ope Ope no Mi."
"Indeed, this is well done. But don't get complacent, because the safest way is to get your hands on the Ope Ope no Mi," the Gorosei with the curved mustache reminded him.
"What's the date of the transaction?" The Gorosei with the straight mustache looked at Sengoku with a poker face and asked in a low voice.
"In a month, at Rubeck Island in the North Blue!" Sengoku replied.
"Then this matter is in the hands of you Marines. It will be classified as top secret. We will prepare the 5 billion Berries in cash. Your task is to ensure the Ope Ope no Mi transaction is a success, and the people involved must be the most trustworthy officers!" The curly-haired Gorosei nodded, his voice serious as he gave the order.
"If I remember correctly, that pirate, 'Diez Barrels,' was originally a Marine. But if the transaction goes smoothly, we won't care about such a small detail," the Gorosei in the white kimono adjusted his glasses, intentionally admonishing him.
Upon hearing this, Sengoku's expression darkened, and he said in a cold tone, "You five gentlemen don't have to worry about that. I will send my most trusted subordinates. After the transaction is successfully completed, I will find a way to get rid of that traitor!"
"We only want the Ope Ope no Mi. As for the rest, you can decide for yourselves."
"In that case, I will go back and make arrangements. I'll be taking my leave now!"
With that, Sengoku turned around and strode out of the seat of the World Government's highest power. After Sengoku left, the Gorosei exchanged glances and fell silent for a few seconds.
Suddenly, the curly-haired Gorosei spoke. "What do you think of Kong's suggestion?"
The kimono-clad Gorosei looked at him and said, "You're talking about making Sengoku the Fleet Admiral, right?"
The curly-haired Gorosei nodded, admitting, "Yes. Kong is already prepared to submit his resignation to us. He's just waiting to hand in the official report!"
The blond-haired Gorosei said in a deep voice, "In the current Marine ranks, Sengoku is the only one who holds the title of Admiral. As 'the Strategist,' he is indeed a great candidate. Besides, we have no other choice."
"But I think it's still too soon!" The Gorosei with the curved mustache frowned, hesitating. "Once Sengoku becomes Fleet Admiral, the new Admirals will have to be filled in. Although Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan are strong enough, I think they still lack experience. At the very least, their reputation is far less than Sengoku, Garp, and the former Zephyr."
The Gorosei with the straight mustache said in a flat tone, "In that case, let Kong stay in his position for a few more years to give the younger generation more time to grow."
"I second that!"
"I second that!"
"..."
....
On the other side, Sengoku left Mariejois and rushed back to Marineford. Compared to the oppressive and decadent atmosphere of Mariejois, he preferred Marineford, even with an endless amount of work and a certain someone who kept stealing his senbei.
In the evening, Sengoku had just returned to his office when he saw Momonga following him in. Subconsciously, Sengoku said with a headache, "Damn it, what is it this time?"
"Admiral Sengoku, there's a complaint file from Vice Admiral Borsalino of Branch G-2!" Momonga said in a serious tone.
"A complaint? Against who?" Sengoku was a little surprised. It was the first time he had ever heard of the old fox Borsalino complaining about anyone.
"Captain Deltar Kuhl of Branch 139!" Momonga said with a cold face, placing the file on the desk. "The complaint file states that Cross led a group of new recruits from Branch G-2 on a voyage. They defeated a group of pirates and rescued dozens of innocent civilians who were being held in the hold of the ship..."
"Slave trading!" Sengoku's face turned cold as he subconsciously blurted out.
"That's right. According to the confession of the pirate captain, 'Kangaroo' Manol Mas, they were indeed engaged in slave trading," Momonga nodded and continued. "And Captain Deltar Kuhl of Branch 139 was colluding with them. He not only provided them with intelligence and various forms of convenience, but he also concealed a portion of the firearms and cannons as 'battle damage' and sold them to the pirates!"
"This time, when Deltar Kuhl accepted the bribe from 'Kangaroo' Manol Mas, the captured civilians saw everything and identified him from photos of all the Marine Captains on the G-2 route!"
"What are we waiting for?" Sengoku's expression was grim and his eyes were cold as he scanned the complaint file. He slammed it down on the desk and said loudly, "Immediately activate the inspection protocol and send a special inspector to Branch 139 to investigate that man thoroughly with my authority! Damn it, to pull a stunt like this at a time like this...
"Cross was the one who discovered this. Tell him to go to Branch 139 as well! Tell him that once Deltar Kuhl is found guilty, he is to personally escort him back to Marineford. If he lets the man escape, I will hold him personally responsible!"
——————————
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/JuanPiece [remove the parenthesis ( )]
There are 100+ advance chapters available for you to read!