Ortoren was sitting on the rocky shore of G-5 Base, a fishing rod in his hand and an empty bucket by his side. Not a single fish had been caught, yet he remained patient, unbothered.
Hearing Spandine's words through the Den Den Mushi, Ortoren smiled.
"Yeah, I've got a bit of a connection with Doflamingo. Why? Need to work something out with him? I can bridge the gap, act as a middleman."
"Not exactly. I just got urgent intel—something big happened in the North Blue. Donquixote Doflamingo, for reasons unknown, hijacked six ships carrying next year's Heavenly Tribute in one sweep. Do you know anything about this?" Spandine asked quickly.
"He moved so fast!?" Ortoren exclaimed in surprise.
Hearing that, Spandine felt a weight lift from his chest. Relief mixed with a trace of excitement. Clearly, Vice Admiral Benn not only knew about the incident but—if he dared speculate—might have even had a hand in it.
After a short pause, Ortoren smiled and said openly, "We're good friends, so I can share more with you. But keep this to yourself, understand?"
"Of course, of course! Vice Admiral Benn, you know me. I'm known for loyalty—I'd never betray a friend!" Spandine quickly assured him.
"Not long ago, I went to Whole Cake Island for the Big Mom Pirates' tea party. Doflamingo happened to be there too, and we crossed paths," Ortoren explained.
"Yes, I heard about that. And about that business you mentioned last time—I've already started pushing it forward. I'm confident we'll see good results soon," Spandine added smoothly, slipping in his own contribution.
Ortoren chuckled and thanked him. "Much appreciated, Commander Spandine."
"My pleasure. We're friends—helping each other out is only natural," Spandine replied cheerfully.
"Ahem..." Ortoren cleared his throat before continuing. "Back on Whole Cake Island, Doffy was clearly in a bad mood. He complained about spending a fortune, only for Mary Geoise to completely dismiss him. They wouldn't even consider making him a Shichibukai. He's definitely holding a grudge..."
"And then?" Spandine asked, lowering his voice.
"Well, with his mood sour, he drank too much. Started ranting about taking revenge on the World Government, saying he'd give Mary Geoise a taste of his defiance. He planned to hijack the Heavenly Tribute to force their hand—to see whether they valued the Tribute's prestige more, or the position of a Shichibukai," Ortoren said.
Spandine immediately pieced it together. "So you're saying Doflamingo's raid on the Heavenly Tribute was just to secure a Shichibukai seat? He's not actually planning to break with Mary Geoise?"
"Exactly," Ortoren confirmed.
Spandine hesitated for a moment before asking, "Then do you think... is there any room for me to maneuver in this situation?"
"You're looking to turn this into a chance to earn merit?" Ortoren asked with a knowing smile.
"Well... you know me, Vice Admiral. Like you, I'm completely loyal to the World Government and Mary Geoise. If trouble's brewing, I naturally want to step in and ease their burden right away. That's what my position demands, after all," Spandine said, clearing his throat and putting on a show of solemn loyalty.
Ortoren laughed, agreeing. "That's right. We serve the World Government. When problems arise, it's our duty to lighten the load for those above us."
After a pause, he added, "That said, I don't know all the details here. But Doflamingo usually shows me respect. Can you get in touch with him?"
"I can. Truth is, Doflamingo has some business dealings with CP," Spandine replied with a smile.
Both were shrewd operators, always expanding their networks. That Spandine had a way to contact Doflamingo didn't surprise Ortoren—it was only natural.
"Then reach out to him. Tell him I sent you. After that, you two can figure out the details. If there's profit in it, the credit will go to you," Ortoren said generously.
"With your backing, I feel at ease. I'll take the Mary Geoise assignment immediately and get in touch with Doflamingo. We'll see how to resolve this matter quickly and smoothly, while making sure everyone's interests are protected," Spandine said with barely concealed delight.
What had seemed like a dangerous, potentially fatal assignment suddenly became simple once the right connection was made and someone stepped in to mediate. Now there was plenty of room to maneuver.
Vice Admiral Benn truly was a friend worth keeping. When real trouble struck, he always delivered.
Spandine had originally felt some regret over parting with such a powerful Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit. Now, he only thought he hadn't given enough. He decided he'd throw in two more gold bars later.
Not to curry favor—just friendship, you know? An exchange of trust and goodwill.
After wrapping up the call with Ortoren, Spandine immediately contacted one of his subordinates at Mary Geoise headquarters.
"How's it looking? Are those bastards all hiding like cowards?"
"Yes, just like you. Whenever the Commander-in-Chief brings it up, they all say they're busy, no time to spare..." the underling answered, dim-witted as ever.
Spandine's face darkened. Just like me? He had just called them cowards, and this fool lumped him in with them? Useless brat. He'd have to find a way to quietly get rid of him later.
Suppressing his irritation, Spandine straightened his tone and declared righteously, "A bunch of unreliable trash, just as I thought. Whenever Mary Geoise needs their strength, they shrink back, thinking only of saving themselves. In the end, it always falls to loyal men like me to step forward. Fine, I understand. Go tell the Commander-in-Chief this: though I, Spandine, am not stationed in Mary Geoise, my heart is always with him. He faces a crisis others dare not touch, but I will. Leave this matter to me. I guarantee the Heavenly Tribute will reach Mary Geoise swiftly and safely!"
Then, worried his subordinate might bungle the message, he changed his mind. "Forget it. Don't go. I'll contact the Commander-in-Chief myself."
With that, Spandine hung up the Den Den Mushi, already bracing himself to step forward for the World Government.
...
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In front of the detention cell doors, a pink-haired beauty named Hina stood watching with amusement as Smoker stumbled out in a sorry state.
"Oh my, isn't this our top graduate? How did you end up like this after only a few days?" Hina teased, smirking at him.
The first thing out of Smoker's mouth was, "Got a smoke? Lend me one..."
"Knew you'd say that." Hina rolled her eyes, pulling an unopened box of cigars from her pocket and tossing it his way.
True to form, Smoker lit three at once, clenched them between his teeth, and puffed out heavy smoke, as if life had finally returned to him.
Only then did he ask, "Wasn't my detention supposed to last a month? Why release me before a week's up? Did Zephyr-sensei step in for me?"
"How much pull do you think you have, that Zephyr-sensei would step in for you?" Hina shot back before explaining, "It was Benn-senpai from G-5. He saw the notice of your detention in the monthly bulletin, then called HR directly with a Den Den Mushi. Ordered them to lift your confinement and had your file transferred out of headquarters."
Smoker froze, stunned. "I don't even know Benn-senpai... Guess I owe him one now."
"No shortage of chances to repay it. Your assignment's with G-5 now anyway. Benn-senpai wants you to report there immediately. I think he sees something in you. Perform well, and I bet it won't be long before you're reinstated as Captain," Hina advised.
She paused, then added with a mix of envy and longing, "G-5, huh? That's the New World's front line. They say the battles there are the fiercest. And Benn-senpai—he's a major figure in the Marines. Strong, fearless, and handsome. Back when he was stationed at headquarters a couple of years ago, I heard countless female officers secretly admired him."
Her eyes lit up as she went on excitedly, "Oh, and do you know Senior Sister Gion? Rumor has it she was especially fond of Benn-senpai. She even chased him all the way to the New World and is now stationed at G-5 too!"
Watching Hina gush with such excitement, Smoker exhaled a cloud of smoke and teased, "Sounds like you've got a crush on Benn-senpai too, huh?"
"What are you saying?" Hina shot him a glare, but then her face flushed slightly as she muttered, "I've never even met Benn-senpai, so it's not a crush... It's admiration, you know? Admiration!"
With a sigh, she added bitterly, "Too bad I'm stuck doing clerical work at headquarters. Zephyr-sensei refuses to let me onto the front lines. All I can do is envy you..."
"When you're truly of age, Zephyr-sensei will let you out there. If you really want to see Benn-senpai, just request a transfer to G-5. I'll put in a good word for you with him," Smoker said with a smile, waving her off.