Regarding Finn's intention to weaken the CP agency's standing before the World Government and the Five Elders, Stussy had no intention of interfering. The CP agency wasn't her personal property. She wasn't even the boss yet. Why should she worry about their institutional interests?
First, secure her own position. If she could really reach the heights she envisioned in the future, with Finn's support on one side and Dragon's Revolutionary Army on the other, she could manipulate standing and influence however she wanted.
What's more, by that point, perhaps impression points wouldn't even matter anymore.
These weren't concerns for the present. Stussy felt her pulse quicken with anticipation.
The most urgent task was seizing control of the peripheral organization the CP agency was establishing. Pleasure Street.
Once she controlled Pleasure Street, she'd wield tremendous power. High position internally, leadership externally. At minimum, she'd know how to advance and retreat with proper timing. No matter how situations shifted, she could respond calmly.
After informing Stussy about Dragon, Finn saw no reason to belabor the point.
He smiled into the Den Den Mushi. "I originally wanted to chat casually before getting to my actual business, but I didn't expect these casual topics would be more important than what I planned to discuss."
"Hehehe, Lord Finn, what business did you have? Something about G-7? Do you need my help?" Amusement colored Stussy's voice.
"Not quite. To be honest, G-7 affairs are classified as top secret within the Marines." Finn's tone remained light.
Stussy paused. Top secret? For a Marine base? That seemed unusual. But she didn't press. If Finn didn't volunteer information, it meant the matter didn't concern her or her interests. No need to pry.
Just as Finn never inquired about CP secrets that didn't affect him. They'd established that understanding early.
"Oh? Then what do you need from me, Lord Finn?" Stussy asked pleasantly.
"Two things. First is official business. See if you have any intelligence on Douglas Bullet. If you do, pass it to the Marines. We're ready to deal with that lunatic."
Minor matters. Stussy responded immediately. "No problem. If we acquire any intelligence, I'll forward it to you, Lord Finn."
"Thank you, Lady Stussy." Finn's smile carried through the connection.
After a brief pause, he continued. "The second thing is personal. My sword, Sōzai, was destroyed by Charlotte Linlin not long ago. Now I'm without a blade." He chuckled. "You people have quite the underground connections. If anyone's trying to move a famous sword, let me know. I'm fairly wealthy these days. Hahaha."
The subtext was clear. He was a Vice Admiral and Admiral candidate, one of the Marines' top combat forces. His weapon broke in the line of duty. Applying for internal budget to replace it was completely reasonable. Standard equipment replacement procedure. His replacement just happened to be expensive.
What's more, as G-7's base commander, he could arrange such things himself. The budget flexibility was substantial.
Perfectly legitimate and within regulations.
"Haha, of course, Lord Finn. I, Stussy, will definitely help you find a quality blade." Satisfaction warmed her response.
"Much appreciated."
They exchanged a few more pleasantries and strategic reminders, then ended the call.
Finn's warship glided into port just as he tucked the Den Den Mushi back into his coat. Gion and Doberman waited at the dock with a squad of Marine soldiers standing at attention behind them.
Finn descended the gangplank, then paused. His expression went distant for a moment.
"Vice Admiral?" Doberman studied Finn's unfocused gaze with concern. "What's wrong? What are you thinking about?"
"I was thinking," Finn said slowly, "that life is like rowing against the current. If you don't move forward, you drift backward. Recently, because of the achievements with Roger and Shiki, I became arrogant. Started thinking everything in the world was under my control." He reached out and gripped Doberman's shoulder firmly. "Looking at it now, I was ignorant. Inflated."
Doberman blinked, confused by the sudden philosophical turn. What had Lord Finn been contemplating?
"Do you think I'm qualified to be an Admiral?" Finn asked abruptly.
Doberman's reaction was immediate. He snapped to attention, saluting sharply. "In my assessment, absolutely. If capturing the Pirate King and arresting the Golden Lion doesn't earn you Admiral rank, then how can the Marines ever command respect from the people?"
Gion watched Finn with surprise. Why had he suddenly gone introspective today?
Finn nodded at Doberman's response, then turned to Gion. "And you? What do you think?"
Gion shook her head slightly. "It's not appropriate immediately. But once G-7 shows results and your strength improves further, then as Doberman said, if you don't take the Admiral position, the Marines will struggle to maintain credibility."
"Yes. Once G-7 shows results." Finn nodded again, more decisively this time.
Gion's assessment was more balanced. Doberman was obviously his devoted follower, would support him regardless.
This was acceptable. G-7 needed time to produce tangible achievements. During that period, he'd made up his mind. He would push himself to the absolute peak of combat capability.
Once G-7 succeeded and he reached the required strength threshold, this Admiral position was no longer something he'd wait patiently for.
He would fight for it.
Even if it meant confronting the World Government directly. Even if it meant clashing with the Five Elders themselves.
Without dwelling further on the topic, Finn walked toward the base. Gion and Doberman fell into step behind him.
"How have things progressed while I was away? Status on all fronts?" Finn asked.
Doberman responded immediately. "Everything's proceeding smoothly. We've executed approximately three hundred prisoners, but replaced them all from Impel Down. Prisoner count remains at four thousand. The fortification project is nearly complete. Next phase is beginning construction on the military town."
He paused briefly. "Unlike the base expansion, the military town construction plan encompasses the remaining two-thirds of the island. With no existing infrastructure, we're starting from bare ground. With only four thousand prisoners, I'm concerned the labor force is insufficient."
Finn nodded but didn't answer. Instead, he looked toward Gion.
She picked up smoothly. "Regarding recruitment, it's been handled. Currently, the entire G-7 organization, including logistics and miscellaneous personnel, totals forty-eight thousand people."
Finn's grin turned fierce. "Excellent. Staffing is sufficient. I've already secured warships, artillery, everything else we need. For now, Doberman will oversee military town construction. Gion will handle training the new recruits. As for Impel Down, we'll immediately requisition eleven thousand additional prisoners. That gives us fifteen thousand laborers for the military town. Once the new recruits achieve sufficient combat readiness and we've bloodied them in actual battles, we'll requisition more prisoners. By the time the military town is complete, I want thirty thousand available laborers ready to develop the Calm Belt."
"Yes!" Gion and Doberman responded together.
Finn nodded, then focused on Doberman. "Following the same processes we used before, when do you estimate the military town will be finished?"
Finn had no personal experience in construction management, but Doberman had supervised the base expansion and fortification. That made him something of an expert.
Doberman considered the question carefully. "A military town needs to be large and well-planned. We don't need to build everything for future civilian migrants. Only complete the foundational infrastructure. So despite the large area, it's not an impossibly massive project. If we secure adequate labor and work continuously day and night according to the process you described, approximately one year."
"Good. Then we work day and night." Finn's response carried no hesitation.
He didn't consider the Impel Down prisoners human beings at all. All he cared about now was achieving results. Competing with the World Government for the Admiral position.
These prisoners could work until they dropped. If they couldn't be killed by labor, they'd be worked to the edge of death.
Wasn't this exactly like the old saying? One general's success built on ten thousand bones?
Doberman was already a harsh, ruthless man. Now he considered himself Finn's direct subordinate, and Finn treated him as such. He'd already committed himself completely to Finn's cause.
Using Impel Down prisoners without mercy didn't trouble him in the slightest.
If Vice Admiral Finn was promoted to Admiral soon, wouldn't Doberman rise with him? He didn't aspire to Admiral candidate, knowing he lacked that potential. Taking such a position would only create problems for Finn. But Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters? That position sparked genuine ambition.
So when Finn's ruthless order came down, Doberman snapped back immediately. "Yes! I will ensure the mission is accomplished!"
After settling matters with Doberman, Finn turned to Gion. "We have over five hundred billion Berries in our discretionary funds. You're aware of this."
"Of course. Do you want to spend it?" Gion asked with a knowing smile.
"No. I just want you to understand that G-7 isn't short of money now, and I'll find ways to generate more in the future. The tide of the Great Pirate Era has swept this direction. Not long ago, Kuzan failed to capture Crocodile. Based on Crocodile's position at that time, he's not far from our territory. Even if he's faster than most newcomers, it's not by much. The pirates flooding in will soon..." Finn raised his hand and pointed toward the distant sea. "Fill those waters completely. As Marines, we must protect our jurisdictional waters. When that time comes, we fight hard. Turn these recruits into veterans in the shortest possible time. Then we select the elite and focus training on them."
Gion understood perfectly. The Great Pirate Era's wave was about to crash into G-7. Despite sufficient troop numbers, most were green recruits. Standard doctrine suggested playing it safe.
But Finn was ruthless. With the funds he'd accumulated, he was clearly telling Gion to forge a powerful army through iron and blood.
Take new recruits into battle. There was plenty of money to recruit replacements for the losses.
Although Gion wasn't as harsh as Finn, she understood that no one could escape the tide of their era. This was the fate of everyone living through these times. Iron and blood would be the melody of the age.
She nodded. "Yes. I understand."
After a brief pause, her expression brightened. "Speaking of promising recruits, I actually found an excellent one during this recruitment drive. He volunteered enthusiastically."
"Oh? Really? Who?" Interest sparked in Finn's voice.
"Come to think of it, he's from North Blue just like you. His name is Vergo." Gion smiled.
Finn's steps didn't falter, but something cold flickered behind his eyes.