Kong and Sengoku wanted to transfer Brian back to Headquarters, keeping him right under their noses—so they could keep him on a leash. And to completely crush his dream of becoming Governor of the West Sea, the Headquarters had already appointed a new governor.
When the name of the new governor reached the West Sea, Brian got a headache.
Because the new governor was named Orton, aged sixty-seven. He had once served as a Vice Admiral at Headquarters, and later followed Zephyr to the Naval Academy to serve as a training instructor for new recruits. Though not particularly powerful, he was well-liked at Headquarters and was known at the Academy as the kindly old gentleman type who was always ready to lend a hand. Even the famously gruff Akainu had a good relationship with him.
"Sengoku, you shameless bastard… you actually sent Grandpa Orton to the West Sea."
Brian and Orton had a close relationship—especially after Brian's parents were martyred in this life. It was Orton who took him in, and under the care of the Orton couple, Brian had been able to grow strong and start training in the Six Powers early.
In short, Orton was a benefactor who had shaped Brian's life. Sengoku's move was a deliberate play—to throw Brian into a moral dilemma.
Even across the vast distance separating him from Headquarters, Brian could almost see Sengoku and Kong laughing smugly together.
Because in Sengoku's mind, there was no way Brian would dare to lay a hand on Orton.
After finishing his report, Snow asked cautiously, "Lord Brian, this Vice Admiral Orton… you know him well?"
"If it weren't for Grandpa Orton, I wouldn't have had a head start in life."
"A head start in life, huh? Then he must be a very important person to you."
"You could say that," Brian nodded solemnly.
"Then should I notify Gerard to cancel the operation?" Snow asked, reaching for the Den Den Mushi.
"No need to cancel." Brian waved his hand.
Snow blinked in disbelief. "But… Vice Admiral Orton and you—"
"I'll meet with him in advance," Brian interrupted calmly. "Try to convince him to retire peacefully at home."
"And if he refuses?"
"I'll feel guilty for a while," Brian said evenly, "but I'll make sure his family is well compensated."
Though he hadn't said it outright, Snow understood perfectly what Brian meant.
Seeing Snow frozen in thought, Brian patted him on the shoulder. "Get ready. We've got money to collect."
"Yes, Lord Brian." Snow nodded woodenly.
…
Nordman needed two days to recruit men and purchase weapons, and under Brian's funding and surveillance, Gerard had also been granted a massive sum of money to recruit and arm his people.
But whether it was hiring mercenaries or buying arms—none of it came cheap.
Brian had long been embezzling, extorting, and running arms deals, but he also lived lavishly and indulged himself. He used money to corrupt and win over his subordinates, making them his most loyal followers—which meant his expenses were astronomical.
Not to mention, bribing Headquarters officers and World Government officials drained even more funds. Adding the costs of this current operation, Brian's personal treasury was beginning to run dry.
Still, Brian understood a simple truth: the wool comes from the sheep.
As the Navy officer most skilled at making "extra income," Brian naturally intended to have someone else foot the bill.
So the next morning, he sent Sta with a detachment of soldiers to Gonavar Port, to invite every official, noble, and merchant in the city to the town hall.
The "invited" guests arrived in confusion, not knowing what kind of trick Brian was about to pull.
Brian entered the hall with Snow following behind. He smiled warmly at everyone and began, "First of all, I want to thank you all. The prosperity of Gonavar Port would not exist without your contributions."
"Colonel Brian flatters us."
"No, no, not at all."
"I'm just doing my duty, that's all."
The nobles, merchants, and officials exchanged polite replies, though inwardly even more puzzled—none could read Brian's intent.
"Well said! The gentleman there has it right—it's your duty!"
Brian pointed directly at the speaker.
The middle-aged official froze. As the mayor of Gonavar Port—Reiner, father of Sherry—he suddenly felt a sense of dread.
He hadn't meant anything by the comment, but being singled out by Brian made his stomach twist.
"Recently, I've received intelligence that large pirate groups have been appearing frequently near Gonavar Port…"
The moment Brian began speaking, every noble, merchant, and official in the room instantly understood what he was after.
Money.
"Although protecting Gonavar Port is the Navy's duty," Brian continued, "we're still human. In battles with pirates, casualties are inevitable. Yet Headquarters' finances are stretched thin—the compensation for our fallen soldiers is far too little. I believe none of you would want to see your brave sons-in-arms crippled and abandoned, or their widowed families left uncared for, would you?"
"Colonel Brian," said one merchant representative angrily, "but we've already submitted a substantial 'People's Support Fund' to you!"
Half a year ago, Brian had used almost the same speech to extort a massive "protection fee" from them—dressed up as a benevolent-sounding People's Support and Relief Fund to "improve the sailors' welfare."
"Did you eat breakfast?" Brian asked mildly.
The merchant blinked, confused. "What?"
"Then you'll need lunch too, won't you?"
The merchant's pupils dilated as rage surged through him, his chest heaving from anger.
He'd seen shameless men before—but never this shameless. It was beyond despicable.
The hall erupted in murmurs and whispers among the merchants and officials.
Reiner, knowing his daughter was Brian's mistress, didn't dare speak out.
"Well then, I won't waste everyone's time. Starting this month," Brian said, still smiling, "merchants will contribute three million Beli per month, nobles two million, officials one million, and city residents will pay a household donation of fifty thousand each month."
It was robbery—clear rates, open extortion, daylight thievery!
Seeing the growing outrage, Reiner, as mayor, had no choice but to speak up. He braced himself, intending to negotiate some reduction—even a little.
But just as he rose, Brian smiled at him and said, "Mayor, as Gonavar Port's highest civil officer, why don't you set the example—donate five million Beli first?"
Reiner nearly fainted on the spot.
You sleep with my daughter, and now you want my money too?!
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