Chapter 45: Gotta Pay More

North Blue, Batia Island.

A private estate.

"This way, please. Captain Daren is waiting for you in the parlor."

Momonga looked at the CP0 agent who had come to the door and gestured politely.

The estate was massive, spanning over 2,000 square meters, with rock gardens, landscaped courtyards, fountains, and even a training ground—fully equipped with all manner of facilities.

As he led the CP0 agent through the lush garden, cold sweat began to seep into the palms beneath his leather gloves.

CP0 had come personally, asking to meet Daren by name… Had the government sensed something?

Momonga forced himself to stay calm, instinctively quickening his pace until they reached the parlor doors.

"Captain Daren."

He raised his hand in salute.

Inside, Daren sat with his legs crossed, leisurely smoking a cigar. Smiling, he stood and walked over warmly.

"A guest of your stature—I apologize for not greeting you at the door."

The eerie mask hid the CP0 agent's expression, but a cold, emotionless voice came from beneath it.

"Captain Daren, I come on behalf of one of the highest authorities in the World Government… Lord Topman Warcury."

"Oh?" Daren raised an eyebrow, motioned for the agent to sit, then walked over to the bar and poured two glasses of whiskey, dropping a few ice cubes in each.

He'd heard of the man.

A newly appointed member of the Five Elders from a minor Celestial Dragon family, who had managed—through sheer strength and cunning—to secure the majority vote in the Holy Land's council. In one stroke, he rose to the top ranks of the World Government.

It was, no doubt, a story worth telling.

Still, that name... it carried a certain unease.

It was said to symbolize immense power—yet it was unstable, easily seized by others.

In other words, a lingering fear of catastrophe.

"I wonder what orders Lord Topman Warcury has for me?"

Daren handed a glass of whiskey to CP0, then sat down and casually took a sip.

CP0 didn't touch the drink. He simply set the glass down and glanced expressionlessly at Momonga.

Momonga gave another salute, turned, and left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

Only then did CP0 retrieve a top-secret military Den Den Mushi from his coat and place it on the polished table, dialing a signal.

"Blub blub..."

The Den Den Mushi let out a steady ring.

Daren narrowed his eyes at the sight.

To require a direct call with the Five Elders... just how classified was this?

If he weren't absolutely sure he hadn't left behind any evidence or traces, he'd be thinking the government was preparing to take him out.

The call connected.

Shff—

A projection beamed out from the Den Den Mushi.

Inside a refined yet imposing western-style room, five elderly figures stood or sat, their eyes filled with a strange gleam as they studied the Marine Captain.

Upon seeing this, Daren immediately set down his glass with respectful caution, stood up, and gave a slight bow.

"Rogers Daren, Captain of Marine Headquarters and Admiral of the North Blue, greets the Five Elders."

The Five Elders sneered in unison at his display.

"Enough with the theatrics."

"We all know exactly what kind of man you are."

"The infamous 'scum' of the Marines..."

...

Daren smiled faintly.

"You flatter me, my lords."

The Five Elders: ...

Daren chuckled.

"So, may I ask what business requires the Five Elders to contact a subordinate directly?"

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku is also on Batia Island. You could've reached out to him anytime..."

"No need," Topman Warcury interrupted with a wave of his hand. "This matter is not for Sengoku to know."

His gaze sharpened as he looked directly at Daren.

"Regarding the recent attack on the Celestial Dragons in the North Blue, we hold a different view."

Daren frowned, cautiously probing.

"What exactly do you mean, my lord?"

Topman Warcury let out a cold snort.

"We're ordering you to begin a covert investigation—look into the movement of Marine warships at the time of the incident, and all personnel with flight or flight-like abilities."

"You're the highest-ranking officer in the North Blue. This shouldn't be difficult for you."

Daren's eyes widened in shock.

"You suspect... what exactly?"

Topman Warcury replied indifferently.

"You know very well what we suspect. If you want to remain Admiral of the North Blue, then follow orders."

Daren's face darkened.

"You want me to investigate my fellow officers!?"

"I'm a Marine. You're asking me to investigate my own comrades!?"

"You want me to betray the trust of those who serve alongside me!?"

The Five Elders all furrowed their brows.

"So, are you saying you intend to defy the orders of the government?"

Daren took a deep breath and replied in a low, steady voice.

"No. What I'm saying is…"

He clenched his fists and spoke with force.

"The rank of Captain is too low."

The Five Elders stared in stunned disbelief, as though they'd just heard something utterly absurd.

This brat… was he seriously asking for a promotion? In front of them?

A mere Marine Captain, demanding authority from the Five Elders—the highest echelon of the World Government?

"Hahahaha!"

Topman Warcury suddenly burst out laughing, his eyes gleaming with approval as he looked at Daren.

"Very good. I knew I wasn't wrong about you."

To the World Government, the Marines are their face—the dogs of the Celestial Dragons.

And the more ambitious and greedy the dog, the easier it is to control.

What truly troubled the Five Elders were the stubborn ones loyal to their own ideals—immune to pressure and bribery.

"Do your job well, Daren."

"With your talent, staying a mere Captain really would be a waste."

Topman Warcury gave Daren a meaningful look before cutting off the Den Den Mushi call.

The image faded out.

The CP0agent silently packed away the Den Den Mushi and stood up.

"Not staying for a drink?"

Daren grinned.

"After all, we'll be working together under the same lords from now on."

The CP0 hesitated, took a sip from the glass, then vanished on the spot—his figure flickering away like a ghost.

Once CP0 was gone, Daren's smile slowly faded.

A faint arc of purplish-blue electricity sparked between his fingers. An invisible magnetic pulse rippled outward.

Hmm. No sign of CP0's life signature.

Satisfied, he tapped the table lightly.

Momonga stepped in briskly from outside.

"What happened?"

Lighting a cigar, Daren spoke calmly.

"The World Government's starting to suspect that the Marines might've been involved in the Celestial Dragon incident."

"One of the Five Elders contacted me directly. It's that new one—Topman Warcury."

Momonga's pupils shrank.

Topman Warcury, the newest of the Five Elders, known for his intellect.

At his recent inauguration, the master of ceremonies had read out the meaning behind the name given to him by his father:

"A symbol of the supreme blade of judgment, suspended above the world, commanding all to submit—representing the ultimate divine authority over power and privilege!"

"Could they really have uncovered something—"

Daren cut him off with a smile and a shake of his head.

"No need to panic. They're only suspicious for now."

"They've ordered me to begin a secret investigation targeting all Marines."

"This is bad… damn it!"

Momonga swore instinctively, then paused, realizing something was off.

"Wait!!"

He stared at the smiling Daren in disbelief.

"You mean… they told you to investigate!?"

Daren exhaled a stream of smoke like a dragon and grinned broadly.

"That's right. They asked me to investigate."

He heavily emphasized "me."

"A truly wise decision."

Daren winked.

"After all, a notorious, shameless, bootlicking, power-worshipping Marine 'scum' like me would never dare attack the Celestial Dragons, right?"

Momonga's face flushed crimson, his expression twisted into something hard to describe.

What was this supposed to be?

Did he just… eliminate the real culprit by default?

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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