Chapter 369: Chapter 12: "I’m a Damn Good Marine."
Hearing Darren’s words, Sengoku’s eye twitched. His knuckles whitened as he clenched a fist under the table.
Brat, could you just answer the damn question without dragging everyone else down with you?
A "meager wage," seriously?
Marine Headquarters has paid that rate for decades—no one’s ever complained before!
Even I, a Fleet Admiral, have to pinch berries just to get by...
But knowing this wasn’t the time to start arguing, Sengoku forcibly swallowed his frustration.
"Commodore Darren!" a World Government official barked, his face turning a violent shade of red. "Kindly take this hearing seriously and answer the question properly!"
"I am being serious," Darren replied coolly. "Everything I said is true."
"You think that answer will satisfy the council?" the official shot back, practically spitting the words.
He sneered. "Then how do you explain the unnatural deaths of several Celestial Dragons in the North Blue?!"
His voice rang with smug triumph, as though he’d finally found Darren’s fatal flaw. All eyes turned to the commodore.
Darren’s expression darkened. "I deeply regret the unfortunate losses among the World Nobility," he said solemnly. "But the cause of those deaths has already been investigated thoroughly. I believe there’s no need for me to elaborate, is there?"
The tension in the room spiked. Then, another official—this one wearing gold-rimmed glasses—stood abruptly, waving a file in the air. "We’ve uncovered substantial sums in your personal accounts, completely disproportionate to your rank and salary. Care to explain, Commodore?"
"If you can’t provide a satisfactory account," he added with icy relish, "we’ll have no choice but to consider corruption or bribery."
Darren didn’t flinch. He nodded as if reflecting. "Your concern is understandable."
The official smirked. "Then let’s hear your explanation."
Just as Darren opened his mouth to speak, a shrill Den Den Mushi rang.
The official reached for it with a scowl and silenced the call—only for it to ring again, immediately.
Irritated, he checked the caller ID—his face changed.
"Admiral Sengoku," he said tightly, "please allow a brief recess."
Sengoku blinked. Mid-hearing? Now?
Still, he was more than happy to stall for Darren’s sake. "Certainly."
The official strode briskly out of the chamber, clutching the buzzing Den Den Mushi.
But then—
Purupuru... Purupuru...
One after another, Den Den Mushi began chiming across the room.
Every Inspectorate official froze. They glanced at each other, then hurried outside to answer their calls.
"I told you I’m in a meeting!"
"What did I say about interruptions—"
"Unless this is life or death, you’re fired—"
But their bluster evaporated when they heard the voices on the other end.
"Sir... 100 million berries has just been deposited into your account at the Underground Bank."
They froze.
"Who the hell... Is he trying to bribe us?!"
"This is outrageous!"
"Does he think we can be bought—!"
Purupuru...
A second call came in.
"Sir, another 200 million has been deposited."
The officials went silent. Their eyes met. Then, quietly:
"Yes. Understood."
Back in the chamber, Sengoku turned slowly to Darren.
"Are you sure you’ve got this under control?"
Darren exhaled smoke and gave a small, lazy smile.
Before Sengoku could press him, the doors swung open. The World Government officials filed back in, faces bright, posture suddenly light.
Sengoku looked on, baffled, as one of them—yes, the same one who’d been grilling Darren moments ago—stepped forward beaming.
"There’s no need for any further questioning!" he declared warmly. "Commodore Darren has served with honor. We all agree: there’s no cause to pursue such petty allegations."
Other officials nodded in rapid succession.
"Yes, quite right."
"After his contributions in the North Blue, it’s only natural he’d have earned some savings."
"No need to waste his valuable time on trivial matters—let’s move forward."
Sengoku’s jaw tightened. Tsuru stared blankly. Zephyr just sighed.
Garp tilted his head. "Huh?"
Kuzan pumped a fist from the back row. "See? They were moved by his sense of justice!"
Borsalino glanced at Darren, who was now idly puffing on his cigar again. "So... how much did you spend to make justice that moving?"
Darren gave a one-shouldered shrug. "Just showing my superiors a little love."
The hearing, once steeped in fire and fury, now ended in harmony.
Unanimous approval.
"Well then..." Sengoku said wearily as he gathered the ballots. "One final question, Commodore Darren."
Rogers Darren, former Supreme Commander of the North Blue, top cadet of the Elite Officer Training Camp, and soon-to-be Headquarters Vice Admiral, took another long draw from his cigar.
Then he stood, smiling calmly as he spoke.
"I smoke. I drink. I lust for money and women. I crave power. I lie. I break every rule..."
He exhaled a slow stream of smoke, his voice calm, unapologetic.
"...but I’m a damn good Marine."
To be continued...