In the end, to keep the scandal from spreading and prevent Marine Headquarters from completely losing reputation, even an admiral like Kuzan could only offer a lazy stretch before heading out the door.
Once he was gone, only Dante's group of four remained in the private booth.
Viola stared at the door that had just swung shut, the same conflicted expression returning to her eyes. She shifted her gaze to Dante, the feeling swirling within her.
She never could have imagined things turning out like this. Her mission was simple seduction, yet here she was, soaking her feet right alongside her target. And this man, this so-called corrupt Marine captain... was the boss of the East Blue Overlord?
Thinking back to the day before, when the Overlord had walked in, Viola could still feel the shock that had left her speechless.
'What the hell is going on? The captain of the Marine 16th Branch is in league with the East Blue Overlord? This man has been playing Marine HQ for a fool... No, that's not right. The admirals know about him. Even the Overlord calls him Boss.'
That said it all.
'Maybe Marine HQ planned this,' she thought, her mind drifting to the current state of piracy in the East Blue. After those two massive operations launched by the Overlord, the pirates in these waters hadn't vanished, but their numbers had dwindled at a terrifying rate.
In that moment, something clicked for Viola.
'Could it be that the Marine HQ have been pulling the strings all along?'
An Admiral, the East Blue Overlord, and a Marine Captain. As she connected the dots, a horrifying suspicion began to form in her mind.
Just then, a sharp rap on the door pulled Viola from her thoughts.
*knock, knock, knock*
"Come in," Dante called out. The door opened, and a burly figure stepped inside.
Viola's eyes widened.
'Of course,' she realized. 'The Warlord who suddenly took refuge in the East Blue... he's in on it, too. Having the Overlord attack a Warlord, only for the Marines to pursue the Overlord? That plan... was doomed from the beginning.'
A bitter smile touched Viola's lips as she looked again at the man they called a corrupt marine.
'The waters of the East Blue... they run deeper than anyone knows.'
Seeing his visitor, Dante sat up straight. "Oh, it's you, Kuma."
Kuma didn't answer right away. His eyes swept over the scene in the room with a flicker of surprise before he turned back to Dante and asked hesitantly, "Boss, did I... come at a bad time?"
"A bad time? What are you talking about?" Dante said, waving off the concern. "Weren't you with Bonney? What brings you here? And how is she doing?"
"She's fully recovered." A gentle smile appeared on Kuma's face at the mention of her name. "But it would be best for her to stay for another two days, just to be thorough with the examinations." He paused, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "I heard the Donquixote Family's officers arrived. I came to see if you needed my help."
Dante couldn't help but sigh with amusement.
'So diligent. If there's a model worker award next year, it has to go to him.'
He chuckled. "We had a little accident, but it got us some free labor, so you're not needed for now."
"An accident?" Kuma repeated, glancing at the unfamiliar woman beside Dante. He immediately understood.
'A new pirate, a woman. This must have something to do with her.'
Of course, Kuma said nothing about his boss's particular tastes. Dante was Bonney's savior, and Kuma would offer his own life without a second thought if asked.
"So, just stay with Bonney for the next couple of days. There's no rush," Dante said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I might need you to head out in a few days, though. We'll have a proper banquet to celebrate for Bonney once things settle down. It's just been a little hectic." He smiled helplessly. "When you're back, we'll do it right."
"It's all right. I'm sure Bonney won't mind," Kuma said, a faint smile on his lips. "Thank you, Boss. In that case, I won't disturb you. Please let me know if you need anything."
With a nod from Dante, Kuma turned and left, leaving the four of them alone once more.
Dante stretched comfortably and leaned back, looking to be in an excellent mood. "Mock should be just about done by now. Next..." He turned his head toward Viola. "It's your turn to help out."
As he spoke, he seemed to finally notice her searching gaze. "What's wrong?" he asked, a puzzled look on his face. "Something on your mind?"
"Well..." Viola collected herself, her eyes steady on him. "Can I ask you something? How did you end up with the title 'Corrupt Marine Captain'?"
He was the boss of the East Blue Overlord and a Warlord of the Sea, and he had a close relationship with a Marine Admiral.
Where was the corruption in any of this? Was it just because he flirted with female pirates?
--**--**
"You strut around the East Blue so brazenly. Aren't you afraid the Marines will arrest you?"
"Dellinger!"
"Wahahaha, who cares!" The masked man's scolding didn't faze Mock in the slightest. He folded his arms over his chest and sneered at the horned man before him. "He's just some corrupt captain who likes to fool around with pirate women. The great East Blue Overlord has nothing to fear from a man like that."
'Sorry, Boss!' he apologized silently, then fixed the Donquixote officers with an arrogant glare. "I already know your plan. I didn't expect your boss to covet such cheap trinkets. It seems the pirates of the New World aren't so impressive after all."
The insult to their Doffy instantly chilled the air. Every officer from the Donquixote Family glared at Mock, and Baby 5's arm morphed into a pistol, its barrel aimed squarely at his chest.
But before they could attack, Mock threw his head back and laughed, completely unfazed.
"Relax. None of this has anything to do with me. Just like you asked, I found the Oda's Cosmetics Products Base. Since I took your money, I'm not just going to stand by and watch."
The group fell silent again and slowly lowered their weapons.
This East Blue Overlord was arrogant and obnoxious, but he seemed trustworthy enough.
Fine. Once they got what they wanted, they'd send this guy to his grave.
"Sorry to trouble you, East Blue Overlord," Gladius said, stepping forward coolly. "Where is it?"
"I paid a hefty price for this intel. You think you're getting it for free?"
"...How much do you want?"
"At least ten million Berries!"
"Baby 5, have them make the transfer."
"Now that's more like it." Once the money was sent Mock get call from his broker via Den Den Mushi, Mock nodded in satisfaction and let out his signature laugh. "Wahaha, looks like New World pirates are pretty loaded after all!"
"Now then," Gladius said, drawing a long breath. "Can you tell us?"
"Relax, I'll take you there myself! Get on board!" Mock waved grandly toward his ship. "Leave that busted thing of yours here before you embarrass yourselves. How about my ship, huh? Had it custom-built for a fortune!"
It was a new model from the shipyard, and he had gotten the very first one. He didn't have a choice, his last ship had been sliced open by that rowing lunatic and couldn't sail anymore. But now he had his own vessel again, and it was even cooler than the last.
"Look at those tough frame, that elegant golden sheen, pretty awesome, right? Not only that, it's equipped with a new hybrid drive wheel. Runs on cola or abilities, so you don't have to worry about windless zones. Goes from zero to a hundred meters in, "
"Enough," Gladius cut in, his face dark. "We're on the ship. We're not interested in buying it. Can we depart now?"
"Are all New World pirates this impatient?" Mock grumbled, annoyed at being interrupted, but he waved his hand anyway. "Set sail!"
The officers held their tongues as the ship began to move. For now, they still needed this man.
"Mock," Gladius said, watching their heading. He considered for a moment, then asked casually, "May I ask where you obtained your information? I don't mean to doubt you. I'm just worried you might have been led to the wrong place."
"Relax, there's no way I'd get it wrong," Mock said, picking his nose. "I paid a huge price for it."
"How much?"
"Bought it from Baroque Works. One hundred thousand Berries."
"..."
The officers stood in stunned silence, all thinking 'This bastard! He going to die very painful dead!'
===============
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