Inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
Sengoku was currently handling documents on his desk. Just as he signed off on one name, a knock came at the door.
"Come in," Sengoku answered.
Immediately, Diarmuid pushed the door open and entered.
Seeing Diarmuid's figure, Sengoku's eyes lit up, and he chuckled, teasing, "Isn't this the legendary 'Strongest Marine Admiral in History'?"
"Hahaha, must you put it that way?" Diarmuid said with a jovial laugh.
Without any pretense of courtesy, Diarmuid casually walked over to the sofa, plopped down, pulled a cigar from his pocket, bit down on it, lit it, and contentedly exhaled a plume of smoke.
Sengoku didn't immediately inquire about the situation; instead, he asked, "How is your body? What about your injuries?"
"I have basically no external injuries. Just some internal shock to the organs. Nothing major, I'll be fine after a few days of rest," Diarmuid waved his hand dismissively.
"To continuously defeat Newgate and the others, even with some clever tricks involved, the fact that you sustained so few injuries already proves your strength. You must have entered a new realm. Calling you the 'Strongest Admiral' doesn't seem inappropriate at all," Sengoku nodded.
"Are you flattering me because you don't want to give me a bonus?" Diarmuid asked, sounding suspicious.
Sengoku was almost exasperated into laughter by Diarmuid and grumbled, "The bonus has already been sent to Hina. Go ask her for it yourself. You're not short on cash, are you?"
"Even a mosquito's leg is still meat," Diarmuid raised an eyebrow and smiled.
Sengoku didn't bother arguing about the money anymore. He set down the document in his hand and said, "I've heard the rough details and read the reports from Kuzan and Gion. Overall, what you did this time was excellent. Truly remarkable. It perfectly aligns with the current developmental goals of the Marines."
"Alright, alright, I know all this already..." Diarmuid waved his hand dismissively, cutting off Sengoku without any sincerity.
This earned him a furious glare from the Fleet Admiral.
Diarmuid didn't care. Instead, he asked, "I just want to know, is that bastard Borsalino okay? What's Mariejois's attitude? I didn't feel comfortable asking the Gorosei directly when I saw them... In fact, it wasn't convenient to ask."
Sengoku paused for a moment, then replied, "There shouldn't be any issues from Mariejois. After we submitted the report, they chose to silently acquiesce. As for whether they actually realized something went wrong with the Dyna Stone... I think they did, but our cleanup was excellent, and no scandal was exposed. So, they decided to let sleeping dogs lie and didn't pursue it."
"Thank goodness they didn't pursue it. If a formal investigation had been launched, we'd be in a difficult spot," Diarmuid breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hehehe, that's true," Sengoku nodded and laughed.
"What about Borsalino?" Diarmuid asked again. Before the Fleet Admiral could reply, Diarmuid continued, "That guy almost caused a disaster with the Dyna Stone. That's a serious dereliction of duty, Fleet Admiral! I suggest stripping him of his Admiral rank and promoting Gion to the new Marine Admiral!"
No sooner had Diarmuid finished speaking than the door to Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office was pushed open again. Borsalino walked in, holding a document and wearing a slightly resentful expression. "Diarmuid, the next time you talk trash about someone, could you at least close the door?"
"Hahahahaha! I just saw you around the corner of the corridor. I said it specifically for you to hear," Diarmuid roared with laughter, then added, "Now, where are my thanks?"
Borsalino shook his head helplessly, then his expression turned serious. "In all seriousness, thank you for this time. The consequences would have been unimaginable otherwise."
"Have you figured out the situation?" Diarmuid asked.
"More or less. Actually, it wasn't as complicated as we imagined. It wasn't caused by anything special; it was purely internal decay," Borsalino replied.
He tossed the document he was holding to Sengoku and said, "This is the investigation report."
Sengoku opened the document and began to read. Although Diarmuid was curious, he didn't snatch it. Instead, he poured a cup of tea and started chatting with Borsalino.
After a long while, Sengoku put the document down, his tone filled with melancholy. "From this perspective, our Marines must also break away from Mariejois..."
"What's the situation?" Diarmuid was surprised. How did this involve Mariejois?
He stood up, took the document from the desk, and after reading a few lines, Diarmuid understood a little.
"Corruption is a contagious illness, an epidemic..." Diarmuid whispered.
'I've been a Marine for twenty-six years and participated in countless wars, big and small. Three times, the doctors told me I wouldn't live, but I survived. Later, I joined the Special Science Group and became a Marine Vice Admiral, responsible for guarding the Dyna Stone in the New World. This is the most dangerous place. If the Dyna Stone explodes, I'm dead for sure. If pirates come, I might not be able to stop them. I have contributed so much to the peace and justice of this world, yet what did I get in return? The servants of those high-ranking officials in Mariejois live a more comfortable life than I do! I'm old, and I have no greater aspirations. I just want to earn more money so that after I retire, I can live a luxurious life. At the very least, I want to live better than those damned maggots, right? Is that wrong?'
This was the criminal's confession.
Is that wrong?
Is it wrong?
Of course, it is. As a Marine Vice Admiral, the salary and benefits are excellent. It's a high-paying profession that would easily support an affluent retirement.
But everything is relative. This Marine Vice Admiral suddenly discovered that his life was not as good as that of the servants of Mariejois officials.
This comparison filled him with immense grief and resentment. He had fought through life and death for the better part of his life, yet what he earned was less than what others got for selling their conscience. This blow warped his thinking.
And eventually, he became this man.
It's wrong, but it's also tragic.
Just as Diarmuid said, corruption is contagious.
Marine Headquarters has launched multiple 'Anti-Corruption Storm' operations, but this situation remains persistent. Why?
On one hand, there are certainly issues within the Marine structure itself, that's undeniable.
On the other hand, the overall environment of the Marines belongs to the Mariejois system. However, the rot and corruption within Mariejois are extremely severe. The Gorosei find it difficult to effectively curb this phenomenon, and this phenomenon gradually spreads throughout the entire system. The Marines are not immune.
That's why Sengoku spoke with such feeling, talking about the need to break away.
"Well, anyway, that's all your business. I won't interfere. Since the Dyna Stone issue doesn't involve me, I'm taking off. Please approve some leave for me. After such a massive battle, I deserve some rest," Diarmuid said with a chuckle, tossing the document back onto Sengoku's desk.
Sengoku looked surprised. "Another vacation?"
"What do you mean 'another'? Don't just baselessly slander my character!" Diarmuid reacted strongly.
Sengoku didn't argue but instead asked, "Have all your arrangements been made?"
"As planned. There are no major changes internally for us for the time being. As for externally, Smoker will expand the Amway Group, and the Gold-Gold Fruit plan will also be initiated. But the Marines don't need to intervene in those matters. He will send people to lobby Mariejois. Too much Marine involvement would be detrimental. We just need to offer a little support for the proposal for a neutral zone," Diarmuid said.
"Anything else?" Fleet Admiral Sengoku asked.
"Anything else? Is there anything else?" Diarmuid stroked the stubble on his chin.
"The issues in the Calm Belt, and matters concerning Dragon..." Sengoku prompted.
"The Calm Belt? The Calm Belt is doing great! Isn't Hancock's cooperation with Momonga excellent? I hear they even discovered another gold mine not long ago. As for Dragon... haven't you always been responsible for his matters, Fleet Admiral?" Diarmuid asked, looking bewildered.
Sengoku opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then shook his head. "Forget it. I'll handle Dragon's affairs myself. If you want to take a vacation, take one. After causing such a huge stir, you definitely deserve a rest."
"Then what about me..." Borsalino suddenly interjected.
"If you don't want to die, you'll go do your job obediently!" Sengoku's expression changed, and he barked fiercely.
Borsalino: ???
What kind of attitude is that? Is Diarmuid your biological son, and I was adopted from a garbage dump?
Diarmuid burst into laughter and clapped Borsalino on the shoulder. Then, as Borsalino looked on dumbfounded, Diarmuid waved at Sengoku and strutted out of the office.
Humming a little tune, Diarmuid, in high spirits, quickly returned to his own office.
He saw Hina watering some slightly withered plants, while Vergo stood rigidly beside the bookshelf.
Upon seeing Vergo, Diarmuid's expression became complicated once more.
Although he knew from the start that Vergo was a double agent, truthfully, Diarmuid really admired Vergo's ability.
Thus, every time he saw Vergo, he felt a pang of regret.
Such a promising Marine recruit, ruined by that bastard Doflamingo.
"Why are you standing? Someone unfamiliar might think I'm bullying you. Sit," Diarmuid walked behind his desk and sat down.
Only then did Vergo nod, offer a slight smile, and take a seat on the sofa.
"You came to me willingly, which means that bastard Doflamingo has something to say, right? What is it? Did he find the Dark-Dark Fruit for me?" Diarmuid flicked the ash off his cigar and asked.
Vergo shook his head upon hearing that. "No. Young Master Doflamingo has been diligently overseeing the search for the Dark-Dark Fruit, but there is no news yet. This time, he asked me to contact you, Admiral, to relay an idea."
"What idea?" Diarmuid exhaled a puff of smoke, asking curiously.
"He said he wants to become a Warlord of the Sea," Vergo replied.
Diarmuid: ???
Did I transmigrate again?
Isn't Doflamingo already one of the Warlords of the Sea?
What the hell is this guy talking about?
"Wait, what? Didn't he already become a Warlord of the Sea because of the Heavenly Tribute incident? Why does he still want to become one? What are you talking about?" Diarmuid asked in confusion.
Vergo cracked a smile, a seemingly meaningful look in his eyes, and whispered, "Young Master Doflamingo said he wants to become the true Warlord of the Sea..."
"What is with this 'true' and 'fake' nonsense? Is he sick? Why is he trying to be so cryptic with me?" Diarmuid cursed. Before Vergo could speak, Diarmuid spoke again, "Go back and tell him to straighten his tongue. Once he knows how to speak clearly, he can contact me directly. Nonsensical all day long."
Vergo: ???
That's not right. Didn't the Young Master say that once I relayed this message to the Admiral, he would surely be surprised and seriously inquire about the details, perhaps even contacting him personally?
Why is his reaction completely different?
Did the Young Master make a mistake?
"Ah, well..." Vergo hesitated, then said, "Should I contact the Young Master again?"
"Yes, go tell him to sort out his thoughts. Once he knows how to speak plainly, he can contact me. It's utterly confusing every day," Diarmuid waved his hand, extremely annoyed.
"Yes, sir," Vergo said, standing up awkwardly.