"In two weeks, the Sabaody Archipelago will be close to Marine Headquarters. Even the most audacious criminal wouldn't dare to make a move on a Celestial Dragon there. This mission is absolutely foolproof!"
Lucci looked at Griffin earnestly. If his hands weren't bound up like a rice dumpling, he might have grabbed Griffin's hands for a heart-to-heart talk.
"As a man, you have to get back up from where you fell. I believe your strength is more than enough; you just lack a bit of luck to prove yourself."
Lucci glanced cautiously behind him, and after confirming no one was there, he continued, "I've contacted my instructor from my training camp days. She holds a certain degree of influence, even before the Five Elders."
"You are a genius who surpasses me. I've explained this to her."
"As long as you can complete this mission, you might even have a chance to join the CP Department!"
...
Lucci pointed at the tall stack of documents in front of Griffin and snorted coldly, "This is how they treat your talent, by encroaching on your training time with worthless information!"
"Griffin, you deserve a grander stage. The mere Marines..."
...
The mere Marines, he says... Should I say you've lost touch with reality, or praise you for staying in character as always...
Griffin reflected on his own actions. Had he gone too far with the mental interference on Lucci? How did it come to...
You really think of me as some kind of dear friend?
Over the past month, half of Lucci's injuries were caused by Tenma. The other half appeared after he had vanished for a period and then reappeared.
Looks like he went to find that instructor...
It can't be what I'm thinking, right?
His thoughts raced.
Griffin wasn't considering whether to accept the mission; this wasn't a multiple-choice question.
For a Marine to refuse to escort a Celestial Dragon was tantamount to treason.
What he was thinking about was how to maximize his gains from this opportunity.
Of course, he couldn't kill the Celestial Dragon descending to the Sabaody Archipelago. Griffin had made up his mind this time; no matter how outrageous that guy acted, he would endure it.
He couldn't have one die every time he was on escort duty, could he?
If that happened, no matter how many reasonable alibis he had, the Five Elders wouldn't hesitate. They would surely eliminate a jinx like him.
...
Lucci was right about one thing: no one, no matter how bold, would choose to attack a Celestial Dragon on the Sabaody Archipelago. It was too close to Marine Headquarters; an Admiral could arrive in an instant.
Aside from Luffy ten years from now, there were indeed no records of a Celestial Dragon meeting their demise on Sabaody.
No records... Records can be manufactured.
The simplest plan Griffin could think of was to have Kari attack the Celestial Dragon on the Sabaody Archipelago, coordinating with him to stage a successful defense.
As the saying goes, there is no greater merit than saving one's master.
The Celestial Dragons were the masters of the Marines. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was reality.
If Griffin earned this merit, he would gain more resources within the Marines...
No...
Griffin's thoughts diverged, and he came up with another way to play this.
...
The Hero of the Marines, Garp, held only the rank of Vice Admiral, but his status within the Marines was arguably greater than even the Fleet Admiral's.
His strength was, of course, the most important reason.
But what elevated his prestige to the point that even the World Government couldn't touch him was his relentless pursuit of the Pirate King, which culminated in the Pirate King's capture.
Regardless of the truth, that was what most people knew.
Sengoku was able to become Fleet Admiral because he had defeated Shiki and pursued Whitebeard for over a decade.
The prestige of the Marines was built upon the strength of the Pirates they faced.
It was like a certain elementary school detective who, after repeatedly thwarting an international thief, earned the title of "Kaito Kid's Nemesis."
...
A benchmark...
Could I also set up a benchmark character for myself?
Wasn't Kari the most suitable candidate?
A villain who relentlessly hunted Celestial Dragons. By repeatedly repelling such a foe...
With this merit, as long as my strength keeps up, no one in the Marines can stop my promotion!
Vice Admiral in three years, Admiral in ten—it wouldn't be a dream!
A young Marine yearns to achieve great things... If there are no achievements to be had, then create them yourself!
This plan had another benefit.
If the World Government ever forced Griffin to carry out some inhumane mission, he could just let Kari out to hunt a Celestial Dragon, giving himself a legitimate reason to get away...
...
Griffin took a deep breath.
As expected of me. Could an ordinary person think of such a perfect plan? Impossible!
"Thank you, Lucci. I will cherish the opportunity you've fought for me."
Griffin clenched his fist and said with determination, "To protect the safety of the World Nobles at all costs is the highest directive for a Marine!"
"Ah... I'm placing all my hopes on you."
A smile tugged at Lucci's bandaged face. "If you fail this mission, I will die with you."
"I'm betting my life on it!"
...
...
Griffin decided he would absolutely never use the Sharingan to influence Lucci again.
These kinds of inexplicable words were genuinely disgusting.
...
After seeing Lucci off, Griffin mulled over the intelligence reports.
He thought of a loophole in his plan.
If Kari showed up right when he was escorting that Celestial Dragon, it would be far too suspicious. Vice Admiral Tsuru and the others might even investigate him deeply, trying to find a connection between him and Kari.
In his past life, Griffin had read a few mystery novels, and one particular technique had left a deep impression on him.
The ABC Murders.
The killer would murder several unrelated people, creating a serial killer case to conceal their true target.
To reduce the perceived connection between me and Kari, to stop people from thinking along those lines...
Then, all I need is for him to take out another Celestial Dragon before I carry out my escort mission!
I'll still be under surveillance at Marine Headquarters, so that dead Celestial Dragon will have nothing to do with me. This move will also enhance Kari's perceived threat level, making the merit I gain from successfully saving my charge even greater...
Perfect...
Griffin's gaze shifted to the large pile of documents before him.
Lucci had been wrong about one thing. This wasn't worthless information. For someone planning to do bad things, nothing was more important than intelligence.
Let's see, which lucky person will get a chance to start over...
A suitable target to take down within two weeks...
Saint Mjosgard will be going to the New World to participate in a gambling convention... Oh, that's the guy who gets knocked out in Gran Tesoro later on.
The recent auction heist that caused a stir in the underworld must have been Gild Tesoro snatching the Gold-Gold Fruit from Doflamingo...
This guy is talented and harbors a deep hatred for the Celestial Dragons. I could try to make contact with him if I get the chance.
Speaking of which, that Doflamingo fellow is really unlucky. Not a single one of the rare fruits he put up for auction was kept safe.
The Gold-Gold Fruit, the Op-Op Fruit, the Flame-Flame Fruit...
He's truly a disgrace to the title of Underworld Emperor.
...
Griffin thought for a moment and gave up on this option.
The weather in the New World was too unpredictable. He might be halfway through his business when a massive tsunami or something suddenly hit.
The famous Shiki met his downfall just like that, didn't he?
After looking through several candidates, Griffin's eyes lingered on one page of intel for a long time.
...
Saint Jalmack, who will be visiting the East Blue Goa Kingdom in the near future.
I choose you