Chapter 4: Crisis
Duke glanced at Galen and Gangplank, who stood respectfully nearby, awaiting his commands.
A faint smile curved his lips as a glint of determination sparked in his eyes.
"Do you dare offer me the entire ocean?" he questioned.
"Then proceed," he commanded.
"Conquer every kingdom you cross, and seize every pirate vessel you encounter," he ordered.
"Then bring me all the riches of this world!"
Gangplank was destined to be the Pirate King!
For the pirate realm, Gangplank was undoubtedly the perfect figure.
Duke desired immense wealth!
There was no value in plundering from impoverished civilians.
However, Duke felt no guilt in confronting corrupt monarchs, aristocrats, and pirates who pillaged the pirate domain.
As Planck set sail, and concerning Galen,
Duke harbored other intentions!
Galen was not suited for piracy.
Even if Duke commanded it, Galen would pillage recklessly at sea,
Yet in the pirate world, acquiring wealth through plunder was only beneficial initially!
Duke had alternative strategies for continuous wealth generation!
Several days later in the West Blue, the new pirate Gangplank gained notoriety.
A recruit named Galen also successfully enlisted in Marine Branch 86,
Beginning to make a name for himself.
Duke needed Galen to join the Marines swiftly and rise to a senior rank.
In essence, Duke's future plans heavily rely on the backing of the Marine's high-ranking officials.
At Marine Branch 86, the base commander Marine Rear Admiral Ulton
received news of the Green family's downfall.
He also learned of House Valoran's ascent.
Duke's full name is Valoran Duke.
"Has Greene Hansen been eliminated?" Ulton asked sorrowfully.
"It's truly tragic!"
Ulton, a stout man with a large belly, held a cigar in his mouth.
He slumped in a plush recliner, tears in his eyes and a mournful expression.
"I was waiting for him to surrender the devil's son's father to me," he lamented.
"How could he meet such a fate?"
As Ulton spoke, he briefly covered his face, wiping away tears.
Then his demeanor shifted, and he erupted in anger.
"Why didn't he hand over the devil's father before dying?" he raged.
"Worthless, despicable..."
Ulton never saw Greene Hansen as a friend or equal!
To Green Hansen, the influential head of the branch base, Ulton was just a subordinate!
"Enough, Adjutant Balk," Ulton commanded.
"Inform the one who took out Greene Hansen that the tribute must increase by 30% this year,"
"Also, despite what Green Hansen said about the devil's son's father,"
"I don't care about his thoughts,"
"Locate the devil's son's father for me!"
As Ulton Rear Admiral spoke, a glint of determination flashed in his eyes.
"Otherwise, they can all go to hell!" Ulton Rear Admiral exclaimed.
The West Blue mafias meant nothing to Ulton Rear Admiral.
Even the so-called five major mafia families in the West Blue!
They were insignificant before the might of the Marine!
Here, it's just the West Blue.
Mafias and pirates are distinct!
Before facing the inevitable loss of their territory,
They opt to become pirates and flee for their lives at sea!
In the presence of the Marine, they had no choice but to submit.
Adjutant Balk saluted Ulton Rear Admiral and affirmed his understanding.
He intended to make Duke grasp the harsh reality!
In the West Blue, particularly in these waters,
Ulton Rear Admiral represented reality.
The Marine was the world government's formidable force, capable of subduing the entire ocean.
Most nations under the World Government had to yield to Marine's commanders!
Especially in the weaker kingdoms within the four seas.
A Marine base commander could even sway a kingdom's decisions.
Adjutant Balk took decisive steps;
Meanwhile, in the New World, on Dressrosa Island,
Doflamingo's expression turned somber.
In the West Blue, of all places!
Someone had audaciously raided a merchant ship bearing the Donquixote Family's flag, stealing a substantial amount of treasure that belonged to him!
This was a direct challenge to the Donquixote Family and its leader, Doflamingo!
"Disgraceful, disgraceful, disgraceful," he muttered in irritation.
"Why do fools persist in challenging forces they don't comprehend?" Doflamingo pondered aloud.
With a slight flick of his fingers, Doflamingo manipulated a group of pirates into turning on each other!
In the pirate realm, due to limited communication and travel,
Many are unaware of the sheer might of the top powers in piracy.
Each year, numerous ambitious individuals dream of confronting the Seven Warlords or Four Emperors!
Their fate, however, is utter ruin and hopelessness.
"Diamante, it appears I must task you with eliminating these fools in the West Blue," Doflamingo remarked softly to Diamante, clad in a red cloak and a fur-trimmed chieftain's hat beside him.
Doflamingo always treated his subordinates and family with kindness.
That is, until they betrayed him.
"No, there are many capable members in the family for such tasks," Diamante, displaying humility, declined.
"Very well, I'll assign this to someone else," Doflamingo decided.
Knowing Diamante's character well, he insisted again.
"Since you insist,"
"I'll concede,"
"Only I can deal with these fools and demonstrate the power of the Donquixote Family!"
Seeing Doflamingo retracting the mission from her, Diamante promptly accepted the task.
Currently, Diamante is the sole top official in the Donquixote Family who can be recalled.
Traveling from New World's Dressrosa to the West Blue would take only a month.
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