Chapter 95

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Chapter 95: The Proposal I Can't Refuse

"So, Sengoku, how likely do you think the model of the North Blue fleet will be applied to our headquarters?"

In the base chief's office, Marshal Kong's deep voice came from the military phone bug. Sengoku frowned, thought for a few seconds, and said:

"Reporting to Marshal Kong, it's hard to say for the time being. Regarding the specific cost of the equipment and weapons of the North Blue fleet, I need to wait for Darren to wake up before I can really confirm it."

At Marineford, Kong in the Marine Marshal's Mansion crossed his arms and said in a deep voice:

"I have heard about Germa's high-tech weapons for a long time. With such powerful equipment, the combat effectiveness of the army can indeed achieve a significant leap in a short period of time. But, Sengoku, you should know the strongest point of the North Blue fleet is not the weapon."

"—it's Darren," Sengoku said slowly.

"That's right. The key to the Flying Fleet lies in that boy Darren's Devil Fruit ability. Without him, the North Blue Fleet will only be a strong army, no matter how many high-tech weapons it is equipped with, and no matter how strong the personnel are."

Kong sighed.

"But with Darren's Devil Fruit ability, the strategic significance that this fleet can play..."

He paused, with a solemn expression, and said:

"Incalculable."

Sengoku nodded approvingly. The horror of a flying fleet can be seen from the guy Golden Lion Shiki-Madara. Although the number of flying pirates led by him is huge, it is far more than ordinary pirate ships, and there are dozens of pirate ships under his command. 

But in fact, the strength of the Golden Lion's subordinates is not strong, lacking the backbone combat power to support the situation, like the captains of the Whitebeard Moby Dick's various teams, let alone being able to compare with Roger, who is taking the elite route. 

But for Naval Headquarters, if one has to choose the most difficult pirate in this sea, that must be Golden Lion Shiki without a doubt. His incomparably powerful combat power and his huge fleet are secondary. The most dreadful thing is his Lion Fruit ability. Raising the entire pirate fleet to high altitudes, endowing other forces with unmatched mobility, and easily attacking and escaping targets makes him nearly impossible to defend against.

"And you have to understand, Sengoku," Kong continued. "As Darren grows stronger, the more he develops his Devil Fruit, the more warships he can carry. It's a given for the talent he's shown."

Kong lit a cigar and took a deep puff, a smile gradually forming on the corner of his mouth.

"Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, the righteous force in this world will have a flying Admiral."

Sengoku was silent for a while upon hearing that.

"But Marshal Kong, regarding the control of the North Blue fleet and Darren's collection of taxes in North Blue... Are we just going to turn a blind eye? After my two days of observation, the personality cult for Darren within the North Blue fleet has reached its peak. 

Even to a certain extent, in North Blue, my Marine Admiral's orders are not as useful as Colonel Darren's words. The previous investigation results from Gion and Kake also came out. Relying on the taxes collected in North Blue, Darren equipped his subordinates with top-notch weapons, the most advanced warships, and even provided military pay and benefits that exceed the standard of the Ministry by double."

"If we don't stop this situation, I'm afraid that after a long time, the North Blue Marine will completely break away from the control of the headquarters and become the private army of that boy Darren."

Listening to Sengoku's words, Kong suddenly laughed. He said something that seemed out of place:

"Sengoku, it's time for you to grow up too."

Sengoku was a little dissatisfied:

"Marshal Kong!!"

Kong chuckled.

"That brat Darren, I've read his profile. He's smart, ambitious, capable, ruthless, and very good at winning people over. Do you think that without his tacit consent, Gion and Kake, two youths who grew up in the headquarters, could find out so much information?"

Sengoku was taken aback. As if he understood something, his eyes widened slightly.

"Marshal Kong... do you mean..."

Kong exhaled a stream of smoke like a dragon. His old eyes looked at the sea surface of Marineford in the distance. The waves were choppy and undulating, the blue sea had no end, and it was all-encompassing.

"This time against Byrnndi Valdo, Darren could have continued to hide his North Blue fleet. The time and place of the transaction were determined. Although it was a bit risky, with your strength and Polusalino, as long as Byrnndi Waldo's retreat was cut off, it wasn't difficult to keep him. But Darren didn't do that..."

There was something intriguing about Kong's voice.

"He sent the North Blue fleet anyway."

Sengoku was shocked and murmured in disbelief:

"He is declaring force!"

Kong nodded.

"Yes, he is asking our headquarters to make a choice. He has shown enough value: his combat power, his talent, his Devil Fruit potential, and the possibility of Marine building a large flying fleet in the future. And what he wants is North Blue. He wants absolute control and leadership of North Blue. He wants the headquarters to keep silent about all his actions in North Blue. He wants to be the rightful..."

Kong narrowed his eyes.

"...The King of the North Blue!!"

...

"Do you think the headquarters will agree?"

At the same time.

321 branch, military hospital.

In the quiet senior ward, the porch was filled with all kinds of flower bouquets and fruit baskets. The air was filled with a faint, mixed smell of blood and disinfectant. Flying Squirrel was sitting on the wooden bench next to the hospital bed, asking solemnly.

"They will agree. I took the initiative to expose my ability. This is an offer they cannot refuse."

Darren was leaning on the hospital bed, biting a lit cigar. His narrowed black eyes were looking at the direction of the harbor through the glass window, and a confident smile was on the corner of his mouth. Both his hands were in plaster, and his naked upper body was covered with blood-stained bandages. His face looked a little pale because of the massive blood loss.

"Let's see, I can't say these things to my face, but Sengoku and Kong are smart people and they'll understand. Byrnndi Waldo's death, the possibility of the Flying Fleet, and my future development, all these are enough to give us a stable situation in North Blue for at least 20 years."

"It won't be long before your commission will come down."

Darren's eyes fell on the calm and resolute face of Flying Squirrel, and he grinned and said:

"Congratulations in advance, the new Admiral of North Blue."