Seeing that Dragon wasn't pressing the issue, Diarmuid nodded, the seriousness on his face instantly receding. He said with a cheerful smile:
"That's good. The turmoil in the New World is very important to us Marines, so it's best you don't interfere."
After a slight pause, Diarmuid added, "If you do interfere, I'll hit you too."
"That's being a little too unfeeling, isn't it?" Dragon first griped, then asked, "In other words, you're the one in charge of this operation?"
"It's not up to me to be in charge. You probably don't know yet, but after I go to the Red Line with you this time to clear out the things we hid before, I'm heading back to Marineford. I'll be seeing the Fleet Admiral off as he becomes the Commander-in-Chief, and at the same time, Admiral Sengoku will be inaugurated as the new Fleet Admiral of the Marines. A new official takes three fires upon assuming office, and this New World situation must be completed flawlessly under the new Fleet Admiral's leadership. So, what exactly am I in charge of? I'm merely heading to the front lines," Diarmuid said, waving his hand.
"The Fleet Admiral is getting a promotion?" Dragon asked in surprise.
He genuinely hadn't heard this news. After all, as the leader of the Revolutionary Army, there was no way he could access such top-tier Marine intelligence.
However, Diarmuid had no intention of keeping it a secret from Dragon now, because there was no need. Dragon definitely wouldn't dare make any move regarding this matter, and the whole world would know soon enough, so telling him in advance was harmless.
"What do you mean 'is getting a promotion'? You talk as if he's pregnant! He's about to get a promotion and a handsome fortune!" Diarmuid corrected.
This event would soon mark the end of Steel Bone Kong's era in the Marines. The new Marine era, belonging to Fleet Admiral Sengoku, was about to begin.
Dragon naturally understood the implication. Ignoring Diarmuid's barb, he said with a hint of emotion, "The winds of change are coming for your Marines, huh..."
Diarmuid ignored him and stopped discussing the matter. Instead, he said with a knowing look, "We in the Marines received intelligence that your Revolutionary Army is causing trouble in Alabasta..."
Dragon quickly composed himself, replying with a chuckle, "Oh really? I haven't paid attention to that."
"Ah, you're so fake. I don't believe you don't know that Crocodile is pinning his own crimes on you," Diarmuid suddenly stated.
Dragon paused, then said softly, "What's this? Are you Marines planning to move against Crocodile?"
"Where would we find the time to deal with a small-time crook like him? I told you we have big actions planned for the New World," Diarmuid said, waving a hand.
"He's a Warlord of the Sea, after all. Is it appropriate for you to call him a 'small-time crook'?" Dragon said with a hearty laugh.
"He's nothing but a joke," Diarmuid said dismissively. After a slight pause, Diarmuid added, "I'm giving you a heads-up so you don't accuse me of being unrighteous later..."
"Go on," Dragon nodded, asking.
"It's best if you don't get too involved in the Alabasta situation. The waters are deep there," Diarmuid warned.
"Hahahaha, the way you say that! I haven't been involved at all! You just said it yourself, Crocodile is pinning his black pots on me," Dragon roared with laughter.
Diarmuid looked at Dragon's expression and ultimately said no more.
He had warned him, so if Dragon truly decided to cause trouble in Alabasta, Diarmuid taking action against him wouldn't be considered unrighteous.
"Hey, you two! The weather is so nice, can you stop discussing these tedious matters? Wouldn't it be better to quietly sunbathe together?" Queen Stussy, lying on a deck chair, complained to Diarmuid and Dragon.
The three of them were the original alliance, though it was clear that Stussy and Diarmuid were closely aligned. Dragon could do nothing about this.
Still, over the years, he and Stussy had frequently helped each other. Stussy would sell some intelligence to Dragon, and Dragon, in turn, would conveniently help Stussy eliminate her competitors.
It must be said that Stussy played a very important role in why the CP organization failed to take down the Revolutionary Army for so many years.
…
Three days later, within the military-controlled port area of Mariejois in the New World. This port was exclusively used for Marine Headquarters warships and was fully under the administration of Marine Headquarters.
Diarmuid's warship was currently docked here.
The former G-7 Base Commander, now a high-ranking Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral – Doberman the 'Fighting Dog' – stood on the port, dressed in the 'Justice' Marine uniform and draped in the 'Justice' greatcoat. He led a team of Marines, waiting for Diarmuid.
Before long, Diarmuid descended from the ship, followed by Queen Stussy and Dragon, who was completely hidden beneath a trench coat.
"Admiral!" Doberman looked at Diarmuid, somewhat excitedly, and saluted.
"Yo, long time no see, Doberman. Did Gion transfer you back to Headquarters?" Diarmuid said with a smile, patting Doberman's shoulder.
"Yes, Admiral. According to Gion's arrangement, I am now your Aide," Doberman quickly replied.
Years ago, when Diarmuid was a Vice Admiral, Doberman was his aide until Diarmuid left G-7. Now, after all these years, Doberman had become Diarmuid's aide again, but this time, it was an Admiral's Aide!
"Hahaha, excellent." Diarmuid smiled and nodded, then asked, "What about the people?"
Doberman whispered, "They're all our people. I specifically brought them back from G-7."
"Good." Diarmuid nodded again. He had no doubt about Doberman's loyalty. G-7 was his direct line of command, so there was even less to worry about. If he couldn't even trust the people from G-7, he might as well not continue as an Admiral.
Doberman then turned his gaze towards the mysterious hooded man beside Diarmuid, his eyes filled with curiosity. He knew this person was likely the legendary 'World's Worst Criminal,' but he never expected him to have the audacity to follow an Admiral all the way to Mariejois...
"Where are your people, Dragon?" Diarmuid asked.
His side had gathered everyone, but where were Dragon's people?
"Inside," Dragon said, pointing towards the tall, majestic Red Line.
"Hehehe..." Diarmuid laughed but said no more. He then looked at Doberman, "Take our men, and secretly help Stussy-san and this guy retrieve their people and cargo."
Doberman had no intention of questioning Diarmuid and quickly stated solemnly, "Yes, Admiral, you can safely leave it to me!"
Diarmuid nodded, then looked at Stussy, "Make sure you watch closely. We get six parts, and they get four. Don't let this bastard Dragon embezzle anything."
"I wouldn't stoop to offending you for such a paltry amount of money, would I?" Dragon complained.
Stussy also laughed and said, "I know."
"Mm." Diarmuid acknowledged, then looked at Dragon, "The business here is left to you to handle."
"I have to go back to Marineford."
After a slight pause, Diarmuid added, "Don't forget what you promised me. Absolutely do not cause any trouble in the New World!"
"You're a nag," Dragon said calmly, waving his hand.
Diarmuid didn't linger. After giving all the instructions, he quickly passed through Mariejois on the Red Line, boarded another warship, and departed Mariejois for Marineford.
By the time he arrived at Marineford, the sky had already darkened.
As soon as he stepped off the gangplank, he saw two figures standing on the dimly lit port.
One was Diarmuid's little secretary, Hina. Diarmuid hadn't brought Hina with him to the New World this time, and it had been a long time since they had been separated like this.
She didn't feel it normally, but once Diarmuid left, the girl immediately felt lonely.
She missed Diarmuid terribly.
The other figure was tall, wearing a mysterious trench coat similar to Dragon's, completely obscuring his face.
He stood beside Hina and seemed faintly excited when he saw Diarmuid.
Even without seeing his face, Diarmuid recognized who it was.
Isn't that the big blue guy, Jinbe?
Walking over a few steps, Diarmuid ignored his little admirer Hina and instead looked at Jinbe, "Why are you here?"
"Admiral!" Jinbe first called out excitedly, then said, "I have something important I wanted to report to you."
After a slight pause, Jinbe added with a smile, "I contacted Hina from Fish-Man Island and asked for your whereabouts. Hina said you would return to Headquarters tonight, so I quickly rushed here. I'm not a Marine anymore, so I couldn't get inside, only wait for you at this port. Fortunately, Hina vouched for me..."
Diarmuid nodded, then gave Hina a stern look.
Hina smiled sheepishly, then grabbed Diarmuid's shoulder and shook it, whining, "''It's only this once in so many years! Boss Jinbe said he had something important to report to you, and I also wanted to come here to see you early..."
Clearly, Hina had slightly overstepped by revealing his travel plans.
However, seeing the little girl quickly admitting her mistake and even acting spoiled, plus the fact that she hadn't made a mistake in all these years, and Jinbe was indeed a trustworthy person.
Therefore, Diarmuid only glared at Hina without holding it against her.
Seeing that Jinbe had important matters to discuss, Diarmuid asked right there on the port, "What is it? Is Tiger causing trouble again?"
"No, that's not it. Tiger-aniki has been locked up by King Neptune. He said he'd release him once he calms down and becomes more rational. And I promise I absolutely won't let Tiger-aniki cause any more trouble in the future," Jinbe stated firmly.
Diarmuid had no intention of making things difficult for Jinbe. He nodded and asked again, "Then what is it?"
"It's about Fish-Man Island. After I left the Marines, left Fish-Man Island, and entered the New World, our public relationship with Fish-Man Island was essentially broken again, causing some disharmony to resurface on the island. However, these were suppressed by Queen Otohime. But recently, after the news of Tiger-aniki's death reached Fish-Man Island, the radical elements within Fish-Man Island..." Jinbe quickly began recounting the current situation of Fish-Man Island to Diarmuid.
Diarmuid listened attentively.
If it weren't for Jinbe and Fish-Man Island, Diarmuid would have dealt with Tiger long ago, and Kong would likely already be in the Commander-in-Chief position.
Now that Fish-Man Island was having trouble again, how could Diarmuid not be concerned?
"So, the Fish-Men are organizing a rebellion? Trying to sway public opinion?" Diarmuid asked with some surprise.
"We found out it's a group of Fish-Man District hoodlums led by Hody Jones who are causing trouble..." Jinbe explained.
Diarmuid nodded, not surprised. It wasn't a particularly serious matter, as Hody Jones was a minor figure and not worth too much attention.
But this guy was ruthless. If he actually managed to assassinate Queen Otohime, that would certainly not align with the interests of the Marines or Diarmuid.
So, after a moment's thought, Diarmuid spoke, "Jinbe, don't hesitate. Queen Otohime is very important. Hody Jones and his kind are just small-time punks to you, right? Go back, fully protect Queen Otohime, and then root out and take care of that Hody Jones and his followers."
"This..." Jinbe hesitated. After all, they were his own people.
"Compromising with them will only embolden their arrogance. Listen to me, you need to go back and settle this quickly. There are big things happening here at Marineford too: the Fleet Admiral is being promoted to Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sengoku is being promoted to Fleet Admiral, and that Kizaru guy is about to become an Admiral, and you, you're about to become a Warlord of the Sea! Tsk, tsk, we're incredibly busy. I need to go handle all this first. Wait for my news at Fish-Man Island. We'll work quickly to get you appointed as a Warlord of the Sea." Diarmuid patted Jinbe's shoulder, giving his instructions.
Seeing the situation, Jinbe couldn't say much more. He grit his teeth, stomped his foot, and said, "Yes, Admiral, I'll go back and take care of them right now!"
"Hahahaha, that's more like it! Show that pirate spirit! If you don't have that kind of spirit, how can you become a Warlord of the Sea?" Diarmuid laughed heartily.