章 256: 255 Marines Attitude
Marine Headquarters had to hold a meeting to discuss such an unusual request. Vice Admiral Dirk slowly regained his composure.
He rummaged for a cigar in his pocket, lit it, and took a puff. After a moment, he remarked: "High-level battleships are a precious asset in the Marines. You ask for five right away. Aren't you pirates?"
"Pirates should stick to their pirate image. Do they even enjoy sailing a pirate ship? What would it look like commanding a warship?"
Marco said with a serious face: "We're asking for five advanced warships, no other conditions. Externally, you can claim that Marine defeated the Blackbeard Pirates"
"We won't broadcast this to the world. However, it can bring significant benefits to Marines"
Dirk Vice Admiral understood Marco's proposition, but the request for five advanced warships put him in a difficult position. He recognized the need to consult with Marine Headquarters for such a significant decision.
"Do you know how much military expenditure is needed to build an advanced warship, and, as far as the bounty of these people is concerned, they are not enough to support such a large military expenditure."
Dirk Vice Admiral retorted.
"Yes, from this point of view, there is indeed no value of it. However, your Marine has reduced one Four Emperors without sending a single soldier. Isn't this a good thing for you?"
"Furthermore, in the future, we plan to defeat the remaining Four Emperors' Pirate. The era of the Great Pirates will likely be entirely brought to an end by the old man. This should be a significant benefit for Marines. Isn't it worthwhile for you to invest in advance?"
Marco's words are full of hints, suggesting a potential alliance with Marine. However, Dirk Vice Admiral refrains from giving a hasty response, acknowledging that he lacks the authority to make such decisions at this level.
"If it's alright with you, I'll arrange for you to stay here for now. I need to report this first to my superiors,"
Vice Admiral Dirk stated.
"Sure thing." Marco nodded.
Vice Admiral Dirk then requested Marco to organize a resting space for Whitebeard pirates near the marines branch and proceeded to call with the marines headquarters.
"Headquarters? This is Marine Vice Admiral Dirk. The Whitebeard Pirates have approached our location. I request contact with Fleet Admiral Akainu."
"Stand by."
"Fleet Admiral Akainu, urgent message from Vice Admiral Dirk"
Akainu sat in his office, furrowing his brow as he examined the list and documents before him.
The world conscription has been ongoing for some time now, and while several Marine officers have been recruited, the selection of Admirals still falls short of his expectations.
"What's the matter?"
Akainu answered the den-den mushi, his tone displeased.
"Fleet Admiral Akainu? It's Vice Admiral Dirk. The Whitebeard Pirates have come to my Marine branch and initiated some deal with us."
"What? Explain yourself."
Akainu rose from his chair, urgency in his voice.
Vice Admiral Dirk provided a detailed account of the situation, and upon hearing it, Akainu was furious.
"What? They want five high-end warships? Tell him, they can forget about that and come up with some other conditions."
Akainu was furious over the den-den mushi, but Dirk Vice Admiral sensed a hint of indifference. It seemed Akainu wasn't taking the problem he raised too seriously.
The news swiftly reached not only Akainu but also other key figures like Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, and the other veteran admirals.
The news of the Blackbeard Pirates' destruction quickly reverberated through the upper echelons of the World Government, causing a stir among senior officials and even the Five Elders.
Five Elders believes that Akainu's behavior is too extreme, but that this matter can be discussed. At the same time, Sengoku and others also believe that Whitebeard deal should not be easily rejected.
During Sengoku's follow-up, Dirk was told not to respond for now.
Meanwhile, the Marine headquarters quickly gathered for a meeting to share the outcome of dismantling the Blackbeard Pirate Group.
After all, the Marine headquarters have big influence, and once the outcome is known, they can proactively investigate.
Soon, the verification results were in. The Blackbeard Pirates had indeed clashed with the Whitebeard Pirates on Step Island and were killed.
When the Marine Headquarters shared this news, every Marine was surprised. The Whitebeard Pirates had, in fact, effortlessly defeated the Blackbeard Pirates without any trouble.
These individuals couldn't help but marvel at Whitebeard's strength on one hand, but at the same time, it was regrettable that the Marine wasn't able to take him down completely at the Summit war.
During the meeting, Akainu, the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, remained silent for an extended period without making any comments.
With Akainu staying quiet, the meeting fell into a temporary silence. Sengoku had to take charge and oversee the overall situation.
"Everyone, you're aware of the situation. The Whitebeard Pirates are awaiting a response from Vice Admiral Dirk. What are your thoughts?"
After Sengoku's words, some admirals began discussing, and Akainu couldn't help but mutter to himself.
"We don't need a Marine meeting for this. Agreeing to their terms would make marines lose their reputation and stain our Justice. It would also symbolize the Marines' compromise with the pirates."
In reality, Akainu strongly disagrees with the idea of the Marines accepting the terms presented by the Whitebeard Pirates. It might be acceptable for some exchanges, but these involve five high-level warships.
First of all, this battleship is a symbol of the Marines' strength. If pirates use it, it will undoubtedly create an impact, making people believe that the Marines are powerless against pirates.
Otherwise, how did it come to this compromise? If word gets out, other pirate groups might see the Marines as an easy target, leading to a gradual decline in the prestige of the Marine headquarter.
Akainu values the reputation of the Marines deeply. He not only upholds absolute justice in his heart but also strives to adorn the Marine government brand with brilliance and absolute power.
Even if the Marines make mistakes, they need to be corrected without being fully exposed to the public.
Regarding Akainu's principles, those in the Marines who share a similar stance naturally align with his ideas. However, there are also many who disagree.
"Sakazuki, you've become the Marine Fleet Admiral. As the commander of the Marine Headquarters, I hope you can manage your emotions and make correct judgments."
Garp sneered at Akainu with a touch of sarcasm.
This irritated Akainu a bit, but considering the person was an old man and a hero of the Marines, he brushed it off. He just stood firm, stating: "Regardless of your opinion, compromising would diminish the majesty of the Marines!"
Witnessing Akainu's stance, Sengoku shook his head in resignation. He turned to Vice Admiral Tsuru and inquired: "What do you think, Tsuru-chan?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru thought for a moment before saying: "I believe we can accept this condition. Whitebeard is making an effort to cooperate with the Marines in a friendly manner. It would be beneficial to maintain this friendly relationship for a short period."
.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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