Clang! Clang!
Donald and his subordinates had been temporarily locked up in the branch's prison.
Sunlight filtered through the iron-barred windows, illuminating their pale and despondent faces.
They could never have imagined something like this happening.
Monkey D. Dragon had been at the branch for three days. Two of those days were spent capturing pirates, and one day was spent rounding up them.
Everything had happened so fast, without any warning they had no time to react.
"Carl, take a squad and monitor them closely. You must ensure their safety."
Standing at the prison door, Monkey D. Dragon instructed Carl, "They are serious criminals. They must be sent to Marine Headquarters for trial before any execution. If they die here, it will be a huge problem."
"Yes, Major," Carl said firmly, nodding heavily. "I guarantee their safety. Not a single person in this branch will die!"
"Good."
Monkey D. Dragon patted Carl on the shoulder and turned to leave.
He still had a lot to do.
With Donald's downfall, the entire department including more than 1,300 logistical personnel was thrown into panic.
Many had been involved in Donald's dealings and needed to be purged and punished, while the rest required ideological training to be properly utilized.
When the 141st Branch Command becomes corrupt and degenerate, it is difficult for lower-ranking officers to maintain a proper work atmosphere.
It was time to assemble an education team to improve the environment and change the mindset of the personnel.
But before that…
He needed to report his results to Fleet Admiral Sengoku at Marine Headquarters, to prevent any misunderstandings at branch command.
Monkey D. Dragon sat comfortably in Donald's old leather chair.
He pulled out his Den Den Mushi and called Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral stationed at Marineford.
Pru-pu-pu-pu.
Sengoku had just finished processing a pile of documents and was resting in his office.
From time to time, he thought about the call from the previous night.
The Marine's "Pillar of Light"
That was exactly him! Monkey D. Dragon understood him perfectly.
Sengoku's lips curved into a mysterious smile, feeling invigorated.
Then he heard the Den Den Mushi ring. Casually picking it up without even looking up, he asked softly, "Who is it? What is the matter?"
"This is the 141st Branch, Major, Deputy Commander Monkey D. Dragon reporting important information!"
Monkey D. Dragon's voice was serious and dignified, formal to the extreme.
"Oh, Dragon!"
Sengoku's expression softened, his tone gentle as a spring breeze. "Still about the conflict with the Branch Commander? I've already sent Admiral Kizaru over. If you have complaints, you can have him help resolve them."
"Reporting to Fleet Admiral Sengoku! The former Branch Commander, Donald, has been captured by me and is awaiting transport to Marineford for trial.
He abused the law for personal gain, colluded with criminal forces including the Vinsmoke Family, and accepted huge bribes. The evidence is conclusive. I request Headquarters to intervene!"
Monkey D. Dragon's face was solemn, his words precise and commanding.
"Wh-what!?"
Sengoku was stunned, sitting upright immediately. "You're saying he colluded with the Vinsmoke Family and has already been arrested?"
Just yesterday, Donald had reported Dragon to him, painting Dragon as a vicious criminal while pretending to protect the branch.
Today, Donald was trapped behind bars. The shift was astonishingly fast.
"That's correct. I received a report this morning, and by noon, several major crimes had been essentially confirmed. He is now detained along with several of his subordinates in the branch's sub-prison."
Monkey D. Dragon nodded, radiating confident justice.
"Understood. Ensure his safety. I've already dispatched Admiral Kizaru. Have him handle the case files," Sengoku said, rubbing his brow and speaking gravely.
Yesterday complaining, today arrested such rapid developments were difficult to gauge.
He truly worried that Dragon might act impulsively and do something excessive to Donald.
"Rest assured, Admiral. Throughout the process, I exercised flexible law enforcement without harming his life. The primary evidence is prepared, including illegal funds worth one billion Berries and detailed transaction records between Donald and criminal groups such as the Vinsmoke Family. Everything can be verified."
Dragon detected the trace of distrust in Sengoku's tone and said indignantly, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I didn't believe this intelligence at first either, but the facts are facts."
"If you think I am acting out of personal revenge, punish me! I will not resist. If that is not enough, dismiss me, and I'll go home to fish. My little brother Dragon is very comforting!"
His tone made it sound as if he had suffered a great injustice, as if he were the one in prison.
He was the son of Captain Garp's elder brother. Shortly after he was born, his parents were killed by pirates seeking revenge on Garp. Although Garp later hunted those pirates down, the dead could not be revived. Garp, feeling immense guilt, forced thirty-year-old Dragon to acknowledge that this baby was his brother and instructed him to take good care of Monkey D. Dragon.
Though unusual, considering Garp said it, it seemed reasonable.
"Stop, stop, stop! Dragon, don't say things like that in anger!" Sengoku quickly comforted him softly. "Personally, I believe in you, but this matter is serious. Headquarters must verify everything, right?"
"Don't talk to me about going home to fish. My Marineford still needs you to hold the line!"
Going home to fish? Being comforted by Dragon?
Sengoku worried this boy might one day try to infiltrate the Revolutionary Army.
He trusted that Monkey D. Dragon would not become a pirate, for this child was full of justice.
But if influenced by Monkey D. Dragon, he might be provoked to overthrow the corrupt World Government and Marines it was entirely possible.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I am listening to you." Dragon adopted a respectful tone, then asked curiously, "Admiral, in a branch as large as the 141st, if the Branch Commander colludes with criminal forces, can there still be any sense of justice in his heart?"
"How many people like him are in the Marines? Can Marine soldiers truly protect civilians?"
He sighed deeply, struggling with inner pain. "I once thought that joining the Marines would allow me to kill all pirates and achieve world peace, but it seems that is not so."
"Perhaps I should take a leave of absence to seriously consider what it means to be a Marine."
It sounded as if the core of his soul had lost direction. This young man had suffered a tremendous blow, and his admiration for the Marines had been completely shattered.
Hiss!
Sengoku was almost breathless.
He seemed to see a truly upright young man, joining the Marines with idealistic aspirations, only to be wounded by corruption and fall into self-doubt.
What a fine child!
A genius with such promise must never become a second "Dragon." Dragon's strength even surpassed "Dragon." At eighteen, he had mastered advanced combat techniques, equivalent to an elite Vice Admiral.
He was destined to become a Marine Admiral or even a Yonko-level powerhouse.
This genius was already in the hands of the Marines. If he fled due to Marine corruption, Sengoku would regret it bitterly!
Sengoku's mind raced. "Dragon, once Admiral Kizaru brings Donald back to Headquarters, I will immediately appoint you as Commander of the 141st Branch! You will be responsible for purifying the atmosphere and restoring Marine justice!"
"Dragon, yes, there are some scoundrels in the Marines. I apologize for that. But most Marines are upright, idealistic, and ambitious. With them, you will experience true justice."
"In a few days, I will send several outstanding officers to your branch. I will rekindle your confidence!"
Sengoku pleaded, laying out every possible condition.
Indeed, giving a young man like Dragon independent control of a branch was not ideal.
It was not due to a lack of ability his skills had been fully proven within three days, and his work was impeccable.
It was simply that young people's faith is easily shaken. More upright peers were needed to influence Dragon and safeguard his resolve.
"Alright." Dragon seemed to recover slightly and replied confidently, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I trust you."
Sengoku held his breath, deeply moved by such heavy trust. He said softly, "Dragon, do your best. The Marines will not disappoint you."
After comforting Dragon for a while, he reluctantly hung up the Den Den Mushi.
This child… was truly extraordinary!