"Assigned to the Ohara operation, huh? I didn't expect such a lucrative mission to fall into my lap."
When Brian received the telegram from Marine Headquarters, he was utterly stunned. In his original plan, it would take him at least half a year—and no small amount of scheming—to rise to the position of Governor of the West Blue. Yet now, it was as if he had stumbled upon a windfall while reaching for something else.
"Lord Brian, I don't understand what you mean by a 'lucrative mission,'" said Snow, Brian's trusted aide, looking completely puzzled. But it wasn't really his fault—he had no idea what the Ohara Incident truly entailed, nor the benefits that came with participating in it.
Brian chuckled. "Heh, Snow, you're still too green."
"Yes, sir. Please enlighten me."
Brian dropped into the leather sofa, crossed one leg over the other, and lit a cigar. With a faint smile, he asked,
"Do you know what Ohara is?"
"Of course," Snow replied immediately. "It's the pride of the West Blue, home to the world's greatest scholars—people who've made incredible contributions to humanity."
"'Contributions,' huh? Yes, they've contributed plenty," Brian said with a sneer. "But if you want to survive in the bureaucracy, remember these two rules."
"Please, Lord Brian. I'll remember every word." Snow even pulled out a notepad and pen, listening intently.
Brian exhaled a long stream of smoke before speaking slowly.
"First rule: The more you know, the faster you die. Second rule: Don't ask about what you shouldn't know. Got that memorized?"
Snow blinked. "Then… have the scholars of Ohara broken some kind of taboo?"
Brian's cold glare made Snow flinch.
"Didn't I just tell you? Don't ask what you shouldn't know. Already forgetting the first rule?"
"Please punish me, Lord Brian!" Snow immediately dropped to his knees.
"Forget it. Just make sure you never repeat this to anyone—not even your brother. Understand?"
"I'll take this secret to my grave."
"Good. Now, get out—and send for Miss Shirley. I need to… cool down a little."
"Yes, sir! I'll fetch Miss Shirley right away."
"Go." Brian waved him off impatiently.
Once Snow had left, Brian reclined lazily on the sofa, half-closing his eyes as he pondered how to make the most out of the Ohara incident.
The true nature of the Ohara operation was suppression—to annihilate, with absolute military force, anyone daring to challenge the authority of the World Government.
Brian understood this perfectly.
At the same time, the Ohara Incident was also a test—a test of the Navy's loyalty to the World Government, one that would directly determine how power would be distributed within the Marines in the future.
And not everyone qualified to take part in such a test. Anyone whose loyalty was questionable, or who hesitated to carry out orders, would never be chosen.
Take Zephyr, for example. The so-called "Admiral Who Doesn't Kill" was too soft-hearted—far too merciful to truly represent the World Government's will.
And Kizaru—his problem was that he was too smooth, too neutral, too unwilling to pick a side.
Men without conviction were disliked by both the hawks and the doves of Marine Headquarters.
Thus, even though Kizaru possessed power on par with an admiral, he wasn't recommended by anyone, and it took him several years—and considerable battlefield achievements—to finally earn the title.
Of course, merely having a position wasn't enough to pass the test. To truly succeed, one had to demonstrate absolute loyalty.
Like Akainu, who didn't even spare the refugees fleeing Ohara. To outsiders, Akainu seemed monstrously cold-blooded—but to the Five Elders, that was the epitome of loyalty: the ability to execute orders without hesitation.
Likewise, Sengoku proved his devotion during that same mission. He enforced the Buster Call without restraint, never stopping Akainu, nor criticizing him afterward.
And the rewards for that loyalty were immense.
Sengoku went on to become Fleet Admiral, Akainu became an admiral before anyone else—and later, with the Elders' backing, he would succeed Sengoku as Fleet Admiral.
Meanwhile, Aokiji—Kuzan—eventually left the Marines altogether.
"The head of Saul has to be mine," Brian muttered to himself.
"That'll give me the credit for eliminating a traitor. And as for the destruction of the island—ha! Using ship cannons on a bunch of refugees is child's play. If we're going to make a statement, it has to be truly terrifying…
"As for Olvia… well, she's a beauty, that's for sure. A shame to see her die, but there's no way I can save her—not without compromising myself."
He took a deep drag of his cigar, rubbed his temples, and sighed.
"Forget it. There are plenty of beautiful women in the world. No need to lose sleep over one."
A week later, three warships departed from Gonavar Port and reached the waters surrounding Ohara.
Brian raised his telescope, gazing at the island in the distance. He could clearly see the enormous Tree of Knowledge standing tall in the center.
Putting the telescope down, he turned to Star, the younger brother of Snow.
"You and your men will stay hidden here. No one sets foot on that island without my order. Understood?"
"Understood!" Star responded sharply.
"Good. When this mission's over, I'll see to it that you're promoted—how does Branch Commander sound?"
That position carried the rank of Colonel, and since such appointments were made by the Governor's Office of the West Blue, Brian's words implied one thing—he would soon become Governor himself.
"Congratulations on your coming promotion, Lord Brian!" Star was sharper than his brother. He immediately caught the hidden meaning behind Brian's words and dropped to one knee in salute.
"You're much smarter than your brother," Brian said with satisfaction.
"As long as you two remain loyal to me, I'll see to it you make it to Headquarters one day—maybe even as a Vice Admiral."
"Thank you, Lord Brian! I'll serve you faithfully!" Star exclaimed, bowing so low his forehead hit the deck.
But when he looked up again, Brian was already gone.
High above, Brian stepped through the air using Moonwalk, soaring swiftly toward Ohara.
His objective was clear—
Find Jaguar D. Saul… and claim his head first!
If you Enjoyed Reading
Visit my patreon for more chapters
Advance 70+ Chapters Available
patreon.com/c/silentRonin
Thanks for your support!
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.