Galan and IM

Galan put the phone back with a grim expression. Olvia frowned, "What are you not telling me, Galan? We're in this together! I don't want you to keep secrets from me like this, how am I supposed to help if I don't know what's going on!?" Galan frowned before explaining "The 5 Elders aren't a problem… It's the person behind them. He's suspicious of me."

Olvia was shocked, saying in horror "There's someone behind them!? Oh god, Galan what are we going to do?! What if they know something we aren't aware of! Maybe there's something you didn't account for! When did you discover this? Do they know anything?!"

Galan looked at her panicked and worried expression, however the only worry and panic she felt was for him, not herself… He sighed to himself, patting her hand, saying gently "It's okay. Calm down." Olvia stopped chattering and looked at him worriedly, grabbing his hand tightly.

Galan spoke slowly "For now, we're fine. The 5 Elders don't believe that I'm a snake… the one behind them… I don't know if they're a man or woman, but their intuition is extremely strong. This is to be expected of a ruler, their suspicion is baseless, only a gut feeling… However, I haven't been idle these decades, all the loyalty I've shown, everything I've done for them, they've noted down."

He frowned and continued "The person behind them's suspicion is most likely a gut feeling. This person is terrifying if that's the case, however, not something to worry about at the moment. The 5 Elders will do my work for me. I've been a good dog for a long time, it's a shame to put me down for no reason. Most likely they'll look for someone who will not actively look to strengthen the Marine force because they're scared."

Olvia asked in shock, "You mean… They don't want you to get stronger in case you decide to rebel? But how did they know?" Galan shook his head and frowned, "Like I said… This person is terrifying. Just a gut feeling can let them know the whole story… How many innocent people have been killed for these gut feelings?!"

Olvia stroked his hand and calmed him down, saying gently "Don't think about this right now. We have a bigger problem. The Elders are sending you to Water 7, there is no doubt going to be people monitoring us 24/7… Why did you suddenly mention Water 7? The expansion would happen so fast!"

Galan frowned, "But it will happen eventually. When you're expanding forces, it's best to have room for them! If I don't gather boats soon, by the time I have a need to, it will take too long therefore slowing down operations… Even if we walk into a trap, we need to go to Water 7… The problem is, I need money desperately. Only the World Government can help me get these ships. The Marine reserve isn't enough for this operation, let the World Government foot the bill, this is the only way."

He held his forehead and closed his eyes, sighing "Not to mention, recruiting Marines will cost a tremendous amount of salary pay. Even killing the dirty Marines is costly, their families must be paid for the deaths, this is in the Marine contract and benefits when you sign up. Even these bastards bite off a piece of flesh before leaving this world, it's really fucking annoying!"

Olvia moved closer and held his arm, calming him as he calmed her. Her fingers caressed his palm gently as she said in a soft voice "It's okay. If we face obstacles together, there's nothing that can stop us, right?" He looked at her for a few moments before turning away, replying with a snort "Yeah."

Olvia was filled with a warm sweetness as she blushed in excitement, continuing "Let's gather what we've learned so far, that way we can formulate plans around this. Good news is, the Elders are working for you without realizing. They haven't ordered the stop of the expansion plan, but they suggested it. We can either stop or continue until told otherwise."

Galan nodded and replied slowly "I'm not stopping until they order me to. We'll continue operations however I'll let them slow down a bit. I have to acknowledge their wishes even if slightly. However unless directly ordered to, we can't stop. We must cleanse the Blues and increase our manpower."

Olvia asked gently, "And if this makes them angry?" Galan frowned "It doesn't matter because I already reported it. They didn't explicitly stop me, they tacitly accepted the plan, but the person behind them doesn't like it. If anything it will only make them slightly displeased, but not suspicious. My reasons are justified. They can't make an excuse as to why I should stop, this was the basis for the operation in the first place. The only thing they are worried about is whether these troops will be used against them and as of right now, they have no concrete evidence to say whether this is true or not."

Olvia asked again, "And if they decide it's not worth the trouble, and eliminate you?" Galan snorted "Then I will go to war with them. But they won't break this balance on a hunch, there's too many moving parts. Too many parties will be affected. Unless they have concrete evidence they will only try to replace me with someone else… I think I know who."

Olvia frowned "Sengoku?" Galan shook his head and replied "No, he's too old. On the brink of retiring… They'll choose someone more radical and easily controlled. Someone who won't try to expand Marine forces. I highly doubt they will even try to kill me when they can promote me and keep a close eye on me in Mariejois. If anything, I would be delegated to assistant Commander-In-Chief in Mariejois with Kong."

Olvia said in understanding, "Sakazuki?" Galan nodded and sighed, "This bastard is perfect. He doesn't care about casualties. They'll manipulate him like a puppet and he won't even blink at destroying Marine operations because he doesn't care at all. In this regard, I think me and the person behind the scenes have the same opinion on him. I just don't know if they noticed my moves to get rid of him…"

He clenched his fists, "This bastard is like a cockroach! He just won't die! No matter how much I push him down, he keeps getting back up! If he wasn't scum, I would even make him a close subordinate…" Olvia nodded and frowned, "He's trouble, unfortunately he's not a good person… Surviving fight after fight with Warlords and Emperors left and right… One day, we'll bury him… I just don't know when."

Galan shook his head and said "I have to force him… But again, I need an opportunity. I need a big wave to cover up my movements. These rats in Marineford have been pissing me off for a long time. I just need one opportunity to cleanse the force, just one." he was frustrated, so many things were just on hiatus waiting for a single opportunity.

Olvia smiled warmly, tracing the creases in his palm, saying slowly "It'll come. I know it will." Galan looked at her and nodded with a flatly face, "Mhm." she smiled sweetly and stayed silent, comforting him.

On Mariejois

IM said with a frown "You didn't even order the termination of this Expansion operation! What are you all doing!?" The Elders didn't understand and expressed their doubts, "Lord IM… The Fleet Admiral has done everything we've ordered him to do… Isn't expanding the Marine force normal? Perhaps you're being too caut-"

An explosive Conqueror's Haki pressed down on all 5 of them as IM glared at them, making them tremble and sweat, "I gave you orders and you are questioning me? If you dogs hadn't shown your worth for so long, I would've killed you for your insolence! The World Government has been standing for 800 years, do you think it's a coincidence? You will not defy my orders again, is that understood?"

The 5 lowered their heads and said "Yes, Lord IM!" IM took back their Haki and snorted, explaining "Many threats have been purged due to intuition and hunches. While it may be unreasonable and a pity to put down a good dog like this, we still don't know if this dog is a snake or not. At the moment, your doubts are valid, however I know what I'm doing. I understand your sentiments and accept your loyalty, however, I have been operating like this for a very long time."

IM frowned, "Joyboy was also defeated on a hunch and gut intuition. I never mistrust my own intuition. Caution is necessary at all times." they waved their hand, allowing the Elders to stand as they continued, "You 5 are my generals. I apologize for my outburst previously, however I will not tolerate insubordination again, are we clear?"

The 5 Elders had a look of revenge in their eyes as they knelt again, "Thank you for your grace, Lord IM!" IM nodded and replied "You are all well intentioned. I appreciate that. Please continue providing your excellent work as you always have. Always remember, just because a dog is loyal, this does not mean it will not bite you…"

Back on Marineford

Olvia asked "Why don't we just press a little bit." Galan shook his head, saying "I can't. You never know when a dog will bite you. Even keeping operations as is, is dangerous. Slowing them down considerably will let them breathe a bit… After all, I haven't disobeyed them exactly, just haven't taken their words to heart entirely…"

He turned to her and said "Always remember, Olvia…"

IM and Galan said at the same time to different people, "A cornered beast is the most dangerous thing in this world."