Minister Turtle grew more agitated, his face flushing red.
"If you hadn't arrived when you did, we wouldn't have known what to do…"
"Those damned Roger Pirates! Those villains even threatened us with force!" He waved his turtle-like hand in outraged emphasis.
"But Fish-Man Island is a Member State of the World Government! We've always been loyal to the Government and the Marines. How could we possibly submit to their threats? We were simply outmatched and forced to feign compliance."
"That's why your arrival is such a blessing!"
At his shameless revision, Neptune and the other ministers looked away, lips twitching despite themselves.
"So that's the real story…" Darren chuckled, amused by the performance. He blew a smoke ring. "Seems I misunderstood you."
Not bad. The old turtle's got talent.
"It's not your fault, Vice Admiral Darren," Minister Turtle hurried on. "You're devoted to duty. Everyone knows you as 'King of the North Blue' Darren—the Marine Vice Admiral sworn to eradicate evil and uphold justice!"
Catching the slight easing in Darren's tone, the minister twirled his walrus mustache, bent low, and beamed.
His greatest fear was that this formidable Marine would press the charge that Ryugu Palace had harbored the Roger Pirates. Let it turn political, and catastrophe would follow. Humans and the World Government already distrusted the Fish-Man Race; relations were oil and water. If Darren insisted, Fish-Man Island would be doomed.
Delivered with earnest conviction, the flattery nearly convinced even Darren—if he didn't know his own capricious nature.
"So you know my character?" he asked with a wry smile.
"Absolutely!" Minister Turtle exclaimed. "Across the Grand Line, our King Neptune is revered as the 'Guardian Knight' of Fish-Man Island, but every one of our five million citizens knows the Marines are our true bulwark!"
Neptune: …
Pretending not to notice Neptune's darkening expression, the minister pressed on, cheerful and relentless. "Vice Admiral Darren, you—the greatest friend of the Fish-Man Race—are the true hero!"
"Vice Admiral, you saved Fish-Man Island from the vile Roger Pirates. We can't thank you enough. Ryugu Palace has prepared a small gift—we hope it won't offend."
He clapped.
A squad of soldiers stumbled in, straining under massive wooden chests, and dropped them with heavy thuds. Gold and silver spilled in a glittering tide, outshining the soft glow of the Yoru pearls.
Ministers and guards stared, wide-eyed and speechless.
The turtle's got a good head on his shoulders, Darren thought, satisfied.
With his current status, a billion berries in gold and silver was trivial.
But the money wasn't the point.
Attitude was.
And he liked theirs.
Very sensible. Spirited, even.
"Vice Admiral Darren, if there's anything else you require, don't hesitate to ask," Minister Turtle said with a smile, frantically winking at Neptune.
Neptune forced a laugh. "Exactly. Fish-Man Island may not rival the wealthiest nations, but we do have unique treasures. The vault of Ryugu Palace is open to you."
Darren smiled and waved a hand. "I appreciate the sentiment. Since Fish-Man Island upholds the law and opposes pirates, I won't trouble you. Peace between Fish-Men and humans is hard-won. As a Marine, I'm committed to fostering harmony."
"As long as Fish-Man Island avoids collusion with pirates, I can defend my actions to headquarters. Otherwise it gets… complicated. After all, I'm not a violent man by nature. You understand?"
He sighed theatrically, face set in weary resignation, as though bound by duty and powerless to do otherwise.
Neptune: …
The ministers: …
Minister Turtle's lips twitched. He'd thought he'd mastered shamelessness—only to meet a Marine who surpassed him. He was genuinely impressed.
"Of course, of course. We all have our burdens. We understand completely."
He nodded and spun toward the soldiers, barking, "What are you waiting for? Pack the gifts and contact the trade caravan! Vice Admiral Darren didn't bring a battleship; send everything to Marineford—no, to the North Blue!"
He turned back with a deep bow and a servile smile. "Everything is arranged, Vice Admiral. Please don't refuse—just a small token from the people of Fish-Man Island." He waved the men on.
Smooth operator, Darren mused, and didn't refuse. He'd learned long ago in the North Blue that declining could keep kings awake at night.
Seeing no objection, the ministers exhaled in relief.
Their worry wasn't the money—it was that he might refuse. Acceptance, even token, meant the matter could be quietly set aside. That's power.
"Ahem… Vice Admiral Darren, since this was all a misunderstanding, perhaps you could sheathe your blade?" Neptune ventured, his vast tail swaying with caution. His gaze flickered toward Fish-Man Island's distant gate.
Beyond the shattered threshold, the black demon blade still stood speared into the earth, point lost in the clouds, its aura of slaughter washing over the ruins like a wall of dried blood.
"Ah, right! I forgot entirely. My apologies," Darren said, slapping his forehead in feigned surprise.
The crowd: …
To be continued...