Chapter 287: A Pair of Masterminds
New World Entrance, G-1 Branch.
Marine Rear Admiral Mabo walked out of his personal office and headed down the corridor, preparing to return to Marine Headquarters via the lift port at Mary Geoise.
Mabo knew well that if he stayed on the front lines, it would be difficult to get the latest news from Marine HQ in real-time. Therefore, he had applied for leave, giving him a legitimate reason to return.
After responding to greetings from various officers and colleagues, Mabo soon arrived at the training grounds.
"Rear Admiral Mabo!!" His appearance made the Marine soldiers gathered there burst with enthusiasm, all of them snapping to a salute.
In their eyes, Mabo was the user of a powerful Logia-type Devil Fruit, with strength already sufficient to be a Vice Admiral. Moreover, his character and style were excellent. Many soldiers and even high-ranking officers thought highly of him.
Therefore, everyone at the G-1 Branch believed Rear Admiral Mabo would soon be promoted to Vice Admiral, and even become an Admiral candidate. In a dozen or so years, he might even become a new Marine Admiral. Because of this, many soldiers were willing to serve under him, and he was extremely popular.
Mabo returned their salutes with equal seriousness. Then, as the soldiers watched, he walked out of the G-1 Branch gates.
Just as Mabo was walking to the warship, a deep voice called from behind him. "Rear Admiral Mabo, I hear you're also taking leave to return to HQ?"
"That's right." Mabo turned to face the speaker.
Before him was an imposing, tough-looking man, nearly 2.5 meters tall, with short black hair and lightning-bolt sideburns. He wore a checkered coat over his suit, a "Justice" cape on his back, and dark sunglasses.
"Vice Admiral Vergo." Mabo recognized him.
Mabo was no stranger to the man. Because the situation in the New World was changing so rapidly, and due to the Archangel Pirates and Flying Pirates deliberately targeting Marine outposts, the G-1 Branch was the only proper base left in the New World. Therefore, this last branch was staffed by numerous Vice Admirals, Rear Admirals, and one Admiral. Vergo was one of those Vice Admirals.
In Mabo's view, Vergo left a much deeper impression than the other Vice Admirals. Aside from being somewhat forgetful, he always presented a kind and approachable face to the soldiers. Even with his Vice Admiral colleagues, he was always suave. In short, Mabo felt Vergo was much easier to get along with than the other... eccentric... Vice Admirals at HQ.
He had also looked out for him, using his rich experience to point out Mabo's shortcomings during training. Vergo seemed to think highly of him, always trying to find ways to make him stronger. He would even use his own mission contacts to expand Mabo's network at HQ, seeming more concerned with Mabo's promotion than Mabo himself was.
Of course, it would be even better if Vergo didn't mix in his personal agenda, trying to guide Mabo into feeling hostile towards the Archangel Pirates.
Mabo looked at the senior Vice Admiral, somewhat puzzled. "Is there something I can help you with, Vice Admiral Vergo?"
Under Mabo's gaze, Vergo walked up to him, pushing up his sunglasses. "It's nothing. I also requested leave. How about we take the same warship to the lift port at Mary Geoise?" Vergo turned to Mabo, his eyes unreadable behind his sunglasses.
"..."
Why is Vergo so focused on me? Holding this doubt, Mabo agreed. "Alright. We'll be saving HQ some expenses."
On the steps of the military port, Vergo's poker-face cracked into an ugly smile, joking, "Rear Admiral Mabo, you're so diligent! I was shocked when I heard you requested leave. This is your first vacation since you enlisted, isn't it? And you'd even share a ship just to save HQ money."
??? Weren't you the one who invited me? Mabo thought, but he didn't dwell on it, simply putting on a serious expression. "I'm a user of the Woods-Woods Fruit, so I rarely feel tired. I'm just returning to HQ to take care of some personal business."
"Personal business?" Vergo seemed interested. "Can you be specific? My network at HQ is vast. Perhaps I can help."
"..."
Vergo's actions once again made Mabo feel he was being too helpful. He waved his hand, quickly refusing. "No, thank you, Vice Admiral Vergo. You've already helped me enough. These small matters don't require your trouble."
"I'm going back to buy a property at Marine Headquarters for a family member. I have a sister I watched grow up who is very interested in HQ and Mary Geoise. I plan to buy her a house so she can visit."
Perhaps realizing he was being too forward, Vergo didn't insist. "Buying property and registering a relative for entry? That's a small matter for an officer of general rank. For a rising star like you, it's even simpler. If you just ask, you could probably even have your family live in the Holy Land."
It was common for high-ranking officers to want their families to live at the safe Marine Headquarters. Ever since an Admiral's family was involved in an incident decades ago, this process became exceptionally simple. And for Mabo, a Logia-type Woods-Woods Fruit user and a future Admiral candidate, the World Government wouldn't refuse even if he wanted to settle his family in the Holy Land. In fact, they would probably prefer it.
Mabo's eyes flashed. "Even settling in Mary Geoise is no problem?"
"Correct." Vergo affirmed.
"If that's the case, it's worth a try," Mabo mused.
On the lift, Mabo suddenly asked, as if struck by a thought, "Vice Admiral Vergo, I've always felt you pay special attention to me. Is that just my imagination?"
In fact, Mabo was already certain. He was sure Vergo wanted something important from him. He felt he needed to understand Vergo's motives soon, before he accepted so much help that he could no longer refuse.
Mabo's words made Vergo pause, his expression visibly complicating. He clapped Mabo on the shoulder. "Don't overthink it. With your ability and strength, you're guaranteed to be an Admiral candidate, and you might even become a full Admiral. I'm just trying to keep you from making wrong turns, to help you grow faster."
He looked up at the endless Red Line. "Once... I also dreamed of becoming an Admiral. But as time passed, I realized my own limits. I can't get any stronger. So... I want to personally help cultivate an Admiral, to make up for my own failure."
"..."
Mabo's expression also grew heavy. "Is... that so?" He never expected this from Vergo.
Vergo, seeing Mabo's somber face, had a strange glint in his eyes. He originally thought this "straight-arrow" Mabo had seen through his plan and was about to refuse him. But he never expected that his little speech would make Mabo trust him even more.
Vergo suppressed the urge to guide Mabo's malice toward the Archangel Pirates again. He knew pushing too hard would backfire. He couldn't get his revenge personally, so he had to patiently guide Mabo—this young, potential-filled asset—to target the Archangel Pirates. Vergo didn't expect Mabo to kill Archangel Louis. He'd be satisfied if he just killed those giants who destroyed the Donquixote Family. If he could kill the Archangel's second-in-command, the Snow Monster, even better...
After a while, Vergo and Mabo passed through the channel to Paradise and re-entered the first half of the Grand Line.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
After arriving at Marineford, Vergo no longer had a reason to accompany Mabo and left. Mabo took a deep breath, looking at the grand, imposing fortress, and headed for the city district.
However, just as he entered the plaza, a soldier from the communications department found him in the crowd.
"Rear Admiral Mabo! By order of the Fleet Admiral, all high-ranking officers are to report to the main conference room for a meeting."
"Aren't Vice Admirals the ones considered 'high-ranking'?" Mabo frowned.
"Without a doubt, Rear Admiral Mabo, you are also a high-ranking officer of HQ!" the soldier said, as if it were obvious.
"..."
A few minutes later, Mabo entered the conference room. Under the gaze of several Vice Admirals, he took a seat at the end of the long table. Soon after, Admirals Fujitora and Akainu, and Vice Admiral Tsuru entered. They all glanced at Mabo before looking down, lost in thought.
Mabo looked around at the assembled officers, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. What's going on? Aside from those stationed in the New World, almost every Vice Admiral is here.
As Mabo was thinking, Fleet Admiral Sengoku entered with his aide. Sengoku sat at the head of the table. His aide quickly distributed files to all the high-ranking officers.
The Vice Admirals quickly scanned the files.
"Remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates are gathering... Everyone except Whitebeard and a few commanders has reappeared."
Mabo's eyes sharpened. Who is their target? The Marines who captured their 2nd Division Commander, Teach? Or the Archangel Pirates who destroyed them?
At the head of the table, Sengoku watched their expressions. He tapped the table, drawing everyone's attention.
"Gentlemen, as you've seen... the Whitebeard Pirates have resurfaced. Not long ago, Kizaru and Akainu captured their 2nd Division Commander, Blackbeard Teach, who is now imprisoned in Impel Down."
Are we going to publicly execute Blackbeard Teach? the officers wondered.
However, Sengoku's next words were unexpected. "Therefore, the Whitebeard Pirates' targets, besides the Archangel Pirates, are us, the Marines. If they succeed in rescuing their thousands of men from the Archangel Pirates, their next step will be to rescue Teach from us."
"Therefore... the Marines will give them no such opportunity. We have decided to let the Whitebeard Pirates die on that land called Terra. Given their hatred, even if Whitebeard is destroyed, he will inflict significant losses on the Archangel Pirates."
"..."
The Vice Admirals were stunned. This was different from the public execution they expected. One Vice Admiral asked, "Fleet Admiral, do you mean we should throw Blackbeard Teach onto the Archangel Pirates' territory and let them fight it out?"
Sengoku's answer was negative. "No. A pirate who enters Impel Down has no reason to be let out. The Marines and the World Government have... other ways... to force a fight between them."
Sengoku explained they had been preparing for this day. The Celestial Dragons have been forbidden from leaving the Holy Land. The Whitebeard Pirates will have no chance to imitate the Big Mom Pirates. Furthermore, Sengoku did not intend to dispatch any Marine forces, to avoid losses.
"..."
Mabo's expression remained neutral, but his mind was racing.
Sengoku skipped to the next topic. "Gentlemen, a certain World Government technology has made a breakthrough. The World Government is requesting blood samples from all officers Vice Admiral and above—their Lineage Factor. Especially from Devil Fruit users. In addition to the Marines, the Warlords of the Sea and the great pirates in Impel Down will also be required to provide blood!"
Lineage Factor from powerful users... Mabo's mind was reeling.
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