"Friends…? They're actually friends?"
This answer genuinely surprised Sengoku, but at the same time, it filled him with a sense of joy.
He hadn't expected this at all—
That within the Marines, there would actually be someone who could be called a friend by Orin!
Meanwhile, Doll was completely unaware of the thoughts swirling inside Sengoku's mind and continued speaking enthusiastically, describing in vivid detail—
How powerful Orin was, how he looked when teaching them Haki, the time they had spent eating together these past few days, his incredible generosity, and his casual, almost indifferent attitude toward the balance of power on the seas whenever they chatted.
Especially that one line of his, the one she could never forget—
"My words are justice!"
That sentence had left her with much to think about.
When she finished recounting everything, Sengoku interlaced his fingers, resting his chin on them, and fixed her with a serious, penetrating gaze.
"Commodore Doll! I hereby issue you an order under my authority as a Marine Headquarters Admiral!!!"
Doll froze for a moment, startled by the sudden command.
But she quickly recovered. Her Marine cloak swayed as she straightened her posture and delivered a perfectly standard salute.
"Commodore Doll, awaiting orders!!!"
"You should already understand," Sengoku said gravely, "that in this turbulent era, the Marines face immense pressure—be it in terms of military power or financial resources!"
"And Black Gun Orin, the influence he wields, both personally and through his network, his attitude and his actions, will undoubtedly have a decisive impact on the Marines' future!!!"
"So…"
Sengoku stood up, walked over to the visibly stunned Doll, and placed a firm hand on the shoulder strap of her cloak, the one bearing the kanji for "Justice."
"Whether officially or personally, I hope you'll build a strong connection with Orin. Establish a bond. And if possible… let the ideals of justice influence him!!!"
"Can you do that?"
Doll didn't answer immediately. Instead, she frowned slightly, studying Sengoku's stern expression carefully, lost in thought.
"Admiral Sengoku… I have one question."
"Go ahead."
Doll clenched her teeth.
"Does this plan require me to act as an undercover agent against Orin… under the guise of friendship?"
Sengoku blinked, taken aback by how quickly she had seen through the implications.
But he shook his head after a brief pause, speaking earnestly.
"No… I'm not asking you to deceive a friend. This is about justice!!!"
"You've said yourself that Orin once told you, about justice. Then if Orin's justice can merge with the Marines'… wouldn't that, too, be an evolution of justice?"
His words were logical, convincing. Doll found herself nodding subconsciously, beginning to accept his reasoning.
And then Sengoku's next sentence completely shattered her defenses:
"Besides, Commodore Doll… are you really going to tell me you have no feelings for Orin?"
"I…"
Doll's voice trailed off.
After spending so many days together, Orin's generosity, his unmatched charisma, his almost peerless handsomeness, and that overwhelming strength she admired so deeply…
As a young female Marine, claiming she felt nothing would have been a lie.
It was precisely because of this that Sengoku's words slipped seamlessly into her heart.
You could even say… she had just been perfectly manipulated.
And from this moment onward, as Doll spent more time around Orin and her experiences grew, she gradually came to realize that neither the Marines nor the World Government could save the seas… nor could they truly enforce justice.
Only through Orin's vision of justice could this chaotic, violent world be brought under control.
From this very moment—
A new belief in justice began to sprout deep within Doll's heart.
Unlike Sengoku's "Reigning Justicel," Sakazuki's "Absolute Justice," Kuzan's "Burning Justice," or Borsalino's "Unclear Justice"…
Because of Orin's overwhelming personal strength, his world-shaking influence, and, yes, his undeniable charisma—
A new form of justice was born.
It was…
"Orin's Justice!!!"
...
"You've worked hard, Kuma."
At this moment, completely unaware that he had just been designated a strategic target by Sengoku, Orin was lounging comfortably on a deck chair aboard the Oro Jackson, chatting casually with Kuma.
At this point in time, Kuma hadn't yet endured the pain of losing his wife, nor had he become the "Tyrant" feared by the world. He was still the kind, gentle man he once was.
The main reason he agreed to become one of the Shichibukai… was because of Orin.
Thanks to the broken power of his Paw-Paw Fruit, the World Government approved Kuma's Shichibukai status after only minimal verification.
"This was nothing, Orin-san," Kuma replied softly.
Seated properly at the edge of the deck, Bible in hand, Kuma wore his usual gentle smile as he addressed Orin.
"If it weren't for your covert funding, our Revolutionary Army never would've grown this quickly."
Back when the Freedom Fighters had just reorganized into the Revolutionary Army, Dragon and the others had long dreamed of forming a powerful military force. But they were constantly hindered by a lack of funds.
That's when Orin—the richest man in the world—stepped in. After the destruction of Ohara, he became the Revolutionaries' biggest financial backer.
Just one call was all it took. Dragon agreed instantly, and thanks to Orin's influence, Kuma—who had recently made a name for himself—was smoothly accepted as one of the Shichibukai.
Not long after, Mihawk walked out of the kitchen, carrying a lavishly prepared meal.
"Don't be shy, Kuma. Come, have a taste! Mihawk's cooking skills are among the best in the world~"
Orin held no ill will toward Kuma. In fact, he rather liked him. Kuma was polite, respectful, and, more importantly, had joined the Shichibukai because of Orin himself. Naturally, Orin's tone toward him was friendly.
"Ah? R-Really? I… I'd be honored!!!"
Despite his massive size, Kuma's voice was soft and gentle—the kind that made it impossible to dislike him.
Crocodile, meanwhile, crossed her legs lazily and stabbed a piece of ham with her fork.
She glanced at Kuma, carefully sitting on the edge of the table, but didn't react much.
Instead, her eyes shifted past him, her expression darkening.
"Kuma's fine, but seriously… why?"
"Why the hell is Doflamingo tailing our ship all the way here?!"
Before reaching Marineford, after they had linked up with Kuma midway, Crocodile had tested his strength.
His unique race's monstrous physique combined with the downright broken Paw-Paw Fruit had earned Crocodile's acknowledgment.
But even so, she still couldn't stand Doflamingo.
"Oh, that?~"
Orin speared a piece of steak with his fork, chewing leisurely as he replied casually:
"I promised him we'd head to Dressrosa for a little… fun."
"Hah?! You're actually planning to go?!"
Crocodile's face twisted slightly in displeasure, though she didn't openly oppose Orin's decision.
However, what Orin said next caught her completely off guard.
"If you don't want to come, that's fine. You've been talking about starting your own thing for a while now, haven't you, Crocodile? In that case… maybe it's time we put our journey on pause."