Lucci slowly lowered his finger.
"Sorry..."
The oppressive pressure crushing him suddenly dissipated, and Griffin's face once again revealed a gentle smile, as if he hadn't spoken those words moments earlier.
"We're all companions gathered here in service of the great Celestial Dragons. Don't be so impulsive, Lucci."
Lucci nodded obediently: "I understand, I was too rash..."
He turned and bowed slightly to Doll: "My apologies!!"
The leopard now behaved like a tamed house cat.
...
Doll looked at Griffin in confusion.
This isn't right... Wasn't I the one who started the provocation?
I was the one who took a fighting stance first...
Since he's apologized, should I...
"Alright, let me first treat you to the Headquarters' cuisine. I'm quite familiar with the cooks - there's specially supplied Sea King meat today!"
...
Griffin's distinction between close and distant relationships was too obvious.
Even the branch lieutenants were looking at Lucci with a hint of sympathy.
Yet also with pride.
So what if you're some big shot from Headquarters? In Lord Griffin's eyes, you're still not as important as us!
——
——
Evening.
Marine Headquarters, Crime Investigation Bureau.
Tenma stood by the window, watching the Marine warship depart from the harbor, his eyes deep and contemplative.
The sound of the door opening came as a tall figure entered.
"They've set off?"
Just the voice alone conveyed the suppressed, volcanic power within.
He wore a dark red suit with a rose pinned to his chest that contrasted sharply with his fierce countenance.
A Marine cap sat on his head, with the iconic Admiral coat draped over his shoulders.
The unconscious aura of authority made Tenma's nerves tense.
The Marine's highest combat power, Headquarters Admiral, codename Akainu...
Sakazuki!!
...
Tenma turned around: "Yes, Mr. Sakazuki."
Sakazuki naturally took the main seat and spoke slowly: "Tenma, after your interactions with him during this period, what's your assessment of that young man?"
...
Tenma remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"He's very intelligent. All the information I've given him has been analyzed and processed reasonably, demonstrating abilities far beyond those of an ordinary Branch Base Commander."
"His combat prowess goes without saying. Unlike pirates, we Marines typically don't have teenagers reaching high-level Marine ranks due to our extended training periods."
"I can sense he's just one opportunity away from mastering Observation Haki."
"His Ancient Zoan talent ensures that with some training, he'll definitely master Armament Haki."
"He's a genius who could reach at least Vice Admiral level!"
...
A Marine Vice Admiral already stands as a powerhouse above tens of thousands, capable of serving as a base commander and holding their own even in the talent-rich New World.
"Whether in strategy, strength, or character... I can't identify any flaws in him."
After further contemplation, Tenma added.
"He's too perfect. In my view, he's practically the perfect Marine rising star!"
...
...
Cigar smoke coiled like a dragon, obscuring Sakazuki's face.
"Is that so? It seems he's quite skilled at playing roles."
After speaking, he shook his head again: "No, if someone were truly skilled at acting, they would at least give themselves one or two personality flaws."
"No one would choose to play the role of a person perfect in every aspect."
Sakazuki's lips twitched slightly as he said calmly, "I've investigated his experiences in the West Sea. Perhaps because of what happened in his childhood, he deliberately maintains his perfection when entering new environments..."
...
On these seas, when talking about establishments like taverns, one would think of Pirates or underground organizations.
Griffin is from the Kano Country and once worked at a tavern in the royal capital.
In the Kano Country , aside from royal family businesses, all other profitable establishments belong to the official violent organization known as the "Happo Navy."
The legendary Pirate 'Chin Jiao', whose head was once punched concave by Garp, is the 12th leader of this violent group.
And whenever the Happo Navy leaves the Kano Country , they are recognized as a Pirate Crew.
...
So strictly speaking, Griffin's background can be connected to Pirates and isn't clean.
Of course, the Marines don't have such strict vetting. There are many within the Marines who have connections to Pirates, with some even having direct Pirate backgrounds themselves, so they wouldn't take any action against Griffin for this.
The reason Sakazuki is interested in this branch Colonel is because of Smoker.
Smoker, due to his self-willed nature and rebellious personality, is known as the mad dog of the Marines and isn't well-liked.
This has resulted in him having exceptional difficulty getting promotions, despite having attended Zephyr's training program and being a rare Logia-type ability user.
Sakazuki greatly appreciates Smoker's character.
If he were the Marine Fleet Admiral, he would definitely assign this highly justice-driven talent to serve as a Base Commander in the New World.
Only if the Marines were filled with people like this could they ensure more people wouldn't suffer harassment from those detestable Pirates!
...
Relationships between people can be this complicated.
Sakazuki doesn't like Kuzan, but he highly values Smoker, who is good friends with Kuzan.
"He's a man who would achieve success wherever he goes. Smoker guided him onto the right path."
Sakazuki stood up and said in a deep voice, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku intends to use Shalria as bait to lure out that hunter of Celestial Dragons."
"This operation presents too high a challenge for him. Tenma, you go personally and protect them from the shadows."
"I won't be leaving headquarters these next few days. If any incident occurs, I'll arrive immediately."
...
"It's been a long time since I've seen Mr. Sakazuki care so much about someone." Tenma smiled slightly.
Sakazuki snorted lightly: "I just want to put an end to that nuisance sooner."
"Just some brat causing the Marines to mobilize large forces for pursuit - who knows how many Pirates are running wild during this time."
——
——
——
On the warship heading to Sabaody Archipelago, Lucci looked at the newspaper just delivered by the News Coo, furious to the extreme.
"What exactly is Sengoku trying to do!! Who gave him the nerve!!!"
Daring to directly address the Fleet Admiral by name... could this guy really be some important figure?
And such a person willingly follows Colonel Griffin's orders, making a name for himself at headquarters in just one month!
Griffin noticed the content in the newspaper and raised an eyebrow.
——
"Shalria will be... arriving at Sabaody Archipelago..."
The report not only precisely stated the time and location but also mentioned the recent incident involving the death of a Celestial Dragon. Reading through it, the underlying message was clear:
Kari, you love showing off, don't you? You enjoy live broadcasts, right?
You like waiting at the crime scene for the Admiral, correct?
This time, we, the Marines, have built a stage for you. If you have the guts, come and give it a try.
Of course, I suspect you probably don't dare.
After all, you always choose crime scenes far from Marine Headquarters. You're just a coward without any courage, with zero capability in direct combat—despicable and shameless...
...
Anyone with eyes could see that this report was the Marines' declaration of war against Kari.
No wonder Lucci was so furious. Sengoku's actions were undoubtedly entrapment, and worse, using a noble Celestial Dragon as bait!
"Bastard! This is a grave insult to Shalria! He's trampling on the dignity of the Celestial Dragons! He... he..."
Lucci looked at Griffin.
"Sorry... brother, I didn't expect Sengoku to be so shameless, unnecessarily increasing the difficulty of your mission."
...
...
No, this was an unexpectedly perfect assist.
My luck has been quite good lately...
Griffin rubbed his chin and, hearing Lucci's words, patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"Haven't we long been prepared to face that criminal?"
He gazed at the distant coastline of Sabaody Archipelago appearing on the horizon and smiled. "Don't worry..."
"No one will get hurt."
"Because I am here."
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