When Griffin and Shigure returned to Marine Headquarters, there were still two days left until the execution day.
…
Just as they disembarked at the port, Doll came looking for him.
"Griffin, Vice Admiral Tsuru sent me to find you. There's something she needs your approval for."
For over two years now, Doll had been following Vice Admiral Tsuru, their relationship similar to that between Aokiji and Garp.
Vice Admiral Tsuru clearly saw Doll as her successor.
After returning from Hachinosu Island, Doll had a serious talk with Griffin.
She felt that her role by Griffin's side was less impactful than by Vice Admiral Tsuru's.
Griffin didn't lack a combatant like her, whose presence was neither essential nor dispensable.
But by staying with Vice Admiral Tsuru, she could better understand the inner workings of the Marines, gain access to various intelligence, and build connections.
That way…
Perhaps at some point in the future, she could contribute more to Griffin's grand ambitions.
During the secret meeting between Griffin, Smoker, and herself back then, it was almost explicitly stated that Griffin would eventually defect from the Marines.
But with enough support, it wouldn't be a rebellion—it would be a split.
…
Griffin respected her decision.
After all, sometimes his way of thinking was hard for ordinary people to follow. Like with the incident involving Hancock—he hadn't expected Doll to be the one who rallied support for him.
That eloquence… perhaps Doll truly had a talent for rallying people to her cause.
…
…
"Is it urgent? I already made plans to have dinner with Momonga."
"Ah! Vice Admiral Tsuru must have important business. You and I can drink anytime!"
Momonga patted Griffin's waist and grinned. "Another day, I'll take you to a great place. They have loads of entertainment there!"
After just one night together, Momonga had already grown familiar with Griffin.
Usually, as long as Griffin took the initiative to show friendliness, it was easy for him to make friends.
Momonga wasn't the type to envy others for their looks, or rather…
He believed he and Griffin were on the same level of handsomeness—he was just a bit more mature.
"You go ahead. I'm off to have a date with Shigure!"
"I'm ready for my 64th proposal!"
…
"It's been a while since I've seen Sister Tsuru. I'll go with you." Shigure completely ignored Momonga and headed toward Vice Admiral Tsuru's office on her own.
"Shigure!!!"
Left alone, Momonga looked like a defeated dog.
…
…
"Vice Admiral Momonga… isn't quite what I expected."
A candidate for Admiral still held the rank of Vice Admiral, but as a Vice Admiral with a codename, his behavior left Doll somewhat disillusioned.
Indeed, serious men like Tenma or noble and aloof women like Shigure better fit her stereotypical impression of Admiral candidates.
"He's actually a good person, highly regarded among the citizens."
Griffin gave an objective assessment before casually asking, "What does Vice Admiral Tsuru need from me? If it's like last time, helping her granddaughter get an autograph, I'm not going."
Doll shook her head, pursed her lips hesitantly, and leaned closer to whisper:
"It's about…"
She smiled sheepishly. "I actually hope you'll agree. After all, what happened last time… how should I put it? But if you're unhappy…"
…
A faint smile touched Griffin's lips. "No need to hesitate. It depends on whether they can afford the price."
"Surely we can't let a minor issue get in the way of making money."
——
——
Vice Admiral Tsuru's office.
Her official title was 'Chief of Staff of Marine Headquarters Operations,' essentially making her the head administrator of the headquarters.
Her office was on the same level as those of the three Admirals, with a plaque reading "Pure Justice" hanging behind her desk.
Sitting across from her were two individuals who should not have been at Marine Headquarters.
The former Empress of Amazon Lily from three generations ago, Elder Nyon, and the former Empress from two generations ago, Shakky.
Standing behind them were the two sisters, Sandersonia and Marie.
...
Shakky held a cigarette between her lips and said softly, "Do we really have to wait for him to return? Can't you and Sengoku decide this matter yourselves?"
"You're spoiling that kid too much, Tsuru."
Vice Admiral Tsuru rested her chin on her wrists and smiled faintly. "He already has quite a few grievances against Sengoku. If we proceed without his approval, he might hold a grudge against me as well."
"Have some sympathy for an old woman with a granddaughter. I can't bear the thought of my granddaughter's idol disliking me."
"Besides, he is now…"
Vice Admiral Tsuru trailed off mid-sentence and glanced toward the door.
"Rear Admiral Griffin, you're back."
...
Nodding in acknowledgment, Griffin turned his gaze to Shakky and Elder Nyon.
"Give me your highest offer."
"Remember, you only have one chance to bid."
...
Shakky was taken aback, her carefully planned negotiation strategy thrown into disarray.
She forced a smile and said, "Your Excellency Griffin, perhaps we could discuss this properly. After all, this is a matter of great importance…"
Griffin leaned back on the sofa, finding it uncomfortable, and casually placed the two swords behind him to the side.
"I don't like haggling. If your offer is enough, I'll agree. If it's not, she stays locked up. What's there to discuss?"
...
Shakky bit down lightly on her cigarette holder, her mind racing.
After that incident, she had returned to Nine Serpent Island, intending to stabilize the island's inhabitants as Rayleigh had suggested.
But she and Rayleigh had underestimated the reverence the warriors of Nine Serpent Island held for Hancock.
After the World Government announced Hancock's arrest, they had all prepared for battle, ready to attack the nearest Navy Branch.
Their plan was to force the Marines to release Hancock through a hostage exchange.
...
Shakky couldn't suppress the fervor of the Nine Serpent Island inhabitants, nor could she allow them to attack a Navy Branch.
She knew full well that the Marines would never agree to a hostage exchange.
If they agreed even once, other Pirates would immediately follow suit, plunging the seas into utter chaos!
The inevitable outcome would be…
The Marines would rather sacrifice the Marines at the Branch than allow Nine Serpent Island to survive!
No one would be spared—it would be a fight to the death!
...
Unable to wait for Rayleigh and needing to present a viable plan to Nine Serpent Island before they took action, Shakky had no choice but to devise a 'win-win solution.'
Buying Hancock's freedom.
Hancock might not be able to accept such a thing, but it was the only solution Shakky could think of.
...
There were precedents for such matters. The underground black market had channels operated by World Government personnel, selling criminals captured by the Marines to various factions.
Typically, the price was three to five times the Bounty, a form of recycling.
However, Impel Down usually held Pirate Crew captains, and once a captain was captured, no one would bother to buy their freedom.
Shakky spent a considerable sum to contact the relevant personnel, and after the matter was escalated through the ranks…
...
'Boa Hancock was arrested by Rear Admiral Griffin. We have no authority to decide. Please contact the Marine department.'
The high-ranking officials of the World Government, who have always been arrogant and look down on the Marines as mere low-level enforcers, gave Shakky this response.
With no other choice, Shakky had to personally visit Marine Headquarters to negotiate.
...
Even after coming here, Vice Admiral Tsuru still said they had to wait for Griffin.
What kind of spell has that brat cast on you all? Why does everyone have to wait for him!
Shakky didn't realize that she was once quite similar to Griffin.
Back in the day, even powerful figures like Rocks and Roger had to show her respect—they wouldn't fight in her bar.
...
...
...
After thinking for a long time, Shakky caught a glimpse of the twin swords Griffin had placed nearby out of the corner of her eye, and her pupils suddenly contracted.
"That…"
...
"Shiki's. Don't say something cliché like 'That's Sakura Ten and Kogarashi'—I'm tired of hearing it."
Griffin interrupted Shakky impatiently.
Shakky took a deep breath and exchanged a glance with Elder Nyon, as if confirming something.
After a few seconds of silence, Shakky spoke seriously.
"We promise that after Hancock is released, she will absolutely not seek revenge against the Marines in any form."
"At the same time…"
"Lord Griffin, for at least ten years, please do not attack her unless she makes a move against you first."
"For this… the highest price we can offer is…"
"Twelve billion Belly!!"
...
...
——
——
Impel Down, Fourth Level.
Griffin tilted his head and smiled faintly at Shiryu.
"If you're itching to cut someone down, how about trying it with me?"
...
Shiryu's grip on his sword tightened. His instincts screamed at him—he absolutely must not agree!
He would die,
without a doubt!!
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "LegendaryTL" on Patreon!"
Thanks!