First Confrontation

A few days later

Galan was reading reports with Olvia next to him. She gently handed him papers and going over lesser reports, generally managing affairs. She was an excellent assistant. She made everything easier…

Galan glanced at her and saw her serious face going over each report meticulously. She felt something and looked up, meeting his gaze before smiling cutely. He turned back and continued with his work as she giggled, going back to her own work with a sweet smile.

Suddenly, the snail rang and Galan picked it up "Hello." The 5 Elders said "Galan, you've been spreading Marine power to the Blues?" Galan blinked and frowned, here it comes, he smiled and nodded, "Yes, sir!"

The 5 Elders looked at each other before asking "Why?" Galan explained "Sir, this is a crucial factor in expanding the Marine force and eliminating threats. The more Marine bases we have, the more manpower we can recruit into the Marines, not to mention stopping more pirates from starting up. I was just going to call!"

They asked, "Hm? For?" Galan cleared his throat and asked respectfully "I was wondering if it would be possible to apply for a grant? Our Marine force is expanding every day, however we are running out of ships… I wanted to head to Water 7 and request more Marine ships to be built for this reason."

The 5 Elders discussed, not finding anything wrong with his words. He was really just doing his job, why was Lord IM so worried? They couldn't understand it, but that didn't stop them from doing the task they were given.

They were meant to come up with an excuse to stop this Marine operation… However, IM walked into the room again, waving their hand, cloaked in shadow, unable to determine if they were a man or a woman…

The 5 Elders kneeled on the spot before IM waved them up, pointing at the snail and giving them instructions secretly.

Galan heard, "More ships would dip into the financial reserves of the Marines… Not to mention, the excess of manpower recruited will apply stress to the Marines' budget in the short term."

Galan was frowning hard, but the snail continued smiling as Olvia looked confused, what was this all of a sudden?

Galan replied "I've had my financial advisors do the math, we would only produce a short term loss of 30% before accumulating back the losses within 2 years… Would you like me to submit my financial plans, sir?" The 5 Elders looked at IM, who thought for a moment before nodding.

They replied "Yes. We shall review it before passing judgment. However for the moment perhaps this expansion should be halted." they looked back at IM, who nodded again, their red eyes narrowing on the snail.

Galan also narrowed his eyes and asked "Halted, sir?" IM told them what to say, "Expanding the Marine force like this will give opportunities for undesirables to sneak in. Not to mention stretching the Marines far more than they can handle. We've heard that you were building Marine bases on islands that didn't have them and shrinking areas of influence?"

Galan scratched his chin, replying immediately "Yes, sir! I believe this is a good option. We can train Marines and weed out the weak at the same time, therefore making our Marine force stronger. There are many potential threats in the Blues, if we can nip these threats in the bud, there should be less pirates in the world."

His defense was airtight. The Elders truly couldn't argue this fact… But IM didn't like it… There was something Galan was hiding, they could feel it… They didn't know what it was but it was a sinking feeling pressing on their chest.

The 5 Elders argued, "Your thoughts are well intentioned, Galan. However this expansion presents a problem. Marineford isn't well guarded at the moment, there are too many Marines outside… We fear that pirates may take this opportunity to attack."

Galan furrowed his brows, Olvia wrote on a piece of paper and showed it to him, he glanced at it, saying "I see… I could send you my plan for expansion, Sir. Perhaps you could review it… Maybe I made a rash mistake."

Olvia's paper read 'Suspicious?' Galan gave her a thumbs up and she frowned, writing 'More Marines = Stronger Government???' she couldn't understand the problem, where did the Elders come up with this suspicion?

Galan hadn't told her about the feeling, so she didn't know.

IM tilted their head before nodding as the Elders said "That is a wise choice, Galan. Your plans are well intentioned, once we review and improve them, perhaps they could be implemented perfectly… You shall also be given aid by Cipher Pol in this endeavor."

Galan and Olvia looked at each other as Galan smiled excitedly "That would be perfect! Thank you so much, sir!" The Elders looked at IM, who waved their hand, making a '9' and then pointing at their eye, then at the snail.

The 5 Elders understood instantly, saying "After consideration, Galan, we approve of your ship building request. The Mayor of Water 7 is in charge of the ships made for the World Government, we will notify him of your arrival." IM held out their hand and made a throat cutting motion.

They shut their mouths as IM gestured again, making a ship gesture then an explosion before pointing at their eyes and back at the snail. The 5 Elders were confused, why would IM want Galan to help look for Pluton's blueprints? They were already going to have CP9 watch over him…

IM gestured again, making a collar with their hands, then pulling back violently. The 5 Elders nodded and Galan rolled his eyes thinking quickly "Understood, sir. I'm honored to have your support in this, the Marine force will only get stronger in my hands! I promise you this!"

IM frowned grimly, this is what they didn't want… The Marines would become a problem if they were too strong, that's why they needed to put a leash on this dog! IM made a chopping gesture and the 5 Elders were stunned, this wasn't good… right?

Galan did everything they told him to do without question. His actions to strengthen the Marines is only to strengthen the Government. Why was IM so cautious? They didn't think Galan was a snake. If he was such a person why didn't he stop the Buster call on O'Hara? Why would he send Kuzan after Nico Robin without them even asking?

Why would he actively withdraw his troops from Dressrosa?

It was unimaginable!

Either IM was too cautious or Galan was just too insidious… and they didn't know what the truth was. They were a bit overwhelmed for the first time in their lives, feeling like they were just in the way at the moment.

In reality it was Galan and IM competing, they were just the middlemen. Puppets to fight over. Their opinions didn't matter in the slightest but whoever got a hold on them had a slight advantage.

Their undying loyalty to IM was a hurdle Galan had to cross, but his unquestionable loyalty for decades made them hesitate. Do you really want to put such a good dog down, just like that?

IM frowned at them and they looked at IM, gesturing that they didn't understand. IM was frustrated, was there a need to understand?! Just follow orders! It seemed like they were going to need some rehabilitation training…

The 5 Elders said "As expected, Galan. Thank you for your excellence, we are very satisfied. That is all." they were so confused, they even forgot to order the termination of the expansion plan before hanging up, making IM tremble in rage.