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Chapter 730: Justice Without Scruples
"Shirek should be on his way."
In the Marine Headquarters, in the Fleet Admiral's Conference Room, Regent Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat in the main seat.
Navy Chief of Staff Tsuru was also present.
The former Navy Chief of Staff had already retired, yielding his position to Tsuru some time ago.
Unlike Marine Admirals and the Fleet Admiral, the promotion of a Navy Chief of Staff doesn't require a grand ceremony or a public declaration to the Great Sea.
The current Marine Headquarters prefers to handle the generational change among the Marine High Command simultaneously.
Because the Young Monsters still need time to grow, the vacant Admiral positions prevent Sengoku from being promoted.
However, Sengoku didn't mind.
He currently held the authority of the Fleet Admiral position, even without the title.
He didn't mind waiting; that position wasn't going anywhere anyway.
Currently, Kong could still help him share some of the stress.
Once he truly became Fleet Admiral, he would have to bear many things alone.
Only in this position did he truly understand the extent of the stress.
Things had been relatively good recently.
They didn't have to contend with the New World, focusing their main energy on the Four Seas, and they also had a large military budget and support from the Member Nation.
As for the current Fleet Admiral "Steel Bone" Kong, he had been fine a couple of years ago, but his body condition had been continuously declining in the last two years.
Despite possessing the vitality and recovery power granted by a powerful Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit.
However, Kong's injury back then was simply too severe.
A severed arm, a severed leg, his abdomen pierced through, not to mention injuries all over his body.
The loss of vitality and severe damage to his vital energy couldn't be recovered through simple recuperation; his foundation was completely damaged.
Even consuming various precious herbs that could replenish vital energy could only partially compensate and provide some relief.
Perhaps only the Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng that appeared at the Sigri Island auction over ten years ago could replenish most of the vital energy Kong had lost.
However, such treasures are too rare, and their value today is close to ten billion Beli.
Even if one existed, it would be impossible to bring it out.
Furthermore, Kong, having lost an arm and a leg, coupled with his old age exceeding eighty, could no longer recover to his peak.
Transferring Shirek from the North Blue to the New World was Sengoku's idea.
It wasn't actually that complicated; leaving Shirek in the North Blue was somewhat wasting his ability.
Furthermore, the North Blue is now on the right track; even if Shirek leaves, it won't have a significant impact.
Of course, Shirek didn't refuse.
If Shirek had wanted to stay in the North Blue and refused the transfer to the Grand Line, it would have been possible, but he didn't do so.
Sengoku and the others were aware of Shirek's ability; he could also exhibit his talent within Marine Headquarters.
Continuing to stay in the North Blue was truly a waste.
They only made their move after the situation in the North Blue had completely stabilized.
Otherwise, they could have transferred Shirek much earlier.
Doing so might have caused dissatisfaction from Sakazuki and the North Blue Navy.
This timing, in fact, was just right.
Without a doubt, Shirek was a versatile talent.
In managing the North Blue, he had exhibited excellent management skills and a grasp of the big picture.
They naturally saw some of his unconventional means.
Yet, it had to be said, they were able to maintain the stability of the North Blue to the greatest extent.
"I originally wanted him to work in the Intelligence Department, or perhaps undergo training at a Branch, guarding G-1 Fortress, or Red Port, or Sabaody Archipelago."
"I didn't expect him to choose the Crime Investigation Department; that truly surprised me."
Sengoku took a sip of tea.
Shirek's data was laid out before him, and he spoke with some emotion.
In his eyes, the Crime Investigation Department was a mess, even considered a retirement department.
Over the years, it hadn't even had much influence within Marine internal affairs, just an inconspicuous small department.
The head of the department was merely a Rear Admiral.
One should know that at its peak, the Crime Investigation Department was an existence that even dared to arrest Marine Vice Admirals.
Of course, this was also because the current Crime Investigation Department's ability was indeed somewhat lacking.
To say it was lacking wasn't entirely accurate; it still possessed a certain degree of ability.
The Crime Investigation Department often handled anti-corruption cases among the lower ranks.
But what about the upper echelon?
Even with suspects, it was difficult to find evidence.
More often than not, they were destined to stagnate, avoiding trouble with those generals, turning a blind eye.
On the Great Sea, the number of corrupt Marines was actually quite large.
They had betrayed the Marines for various reasons, or fled after being exposed, and were then given a bounty by Marine Headquarters.
The Crime Investigation Department also played a role in promoting some of these cases.
However, this hadn't changed the relatively rotten situation within Marine internal affairs, where they colluded with Various Factions, harming Marine interests.
The most direct example was the selling of Marine armaments.
Ultimately, it was still due to the Crime Investigation Department's insufficient ability, lacking enough force and enough deterrence.
"However, this is also a department very suitable for him to exhibit his talents, isn't it?"
Tsuru, standing nearby, chuckled softly.
She was very optimistic about Shirek's ability.
"Perhaps he can revitalize this department, and it might even have a beneficial chemical effect on the Marines as a whole."
She hadn't thought of this department before, but now that she thought about it carefully, it was indeed very suitable for Shirek.
"What should we do? What kind of support should we give him? Should we arrange some personnel?"
Sengoku pondered.
"No need."
"You have to believe in his ability, Sengoku."
"Let Shirek handle the recruitment himself. Perhaps you haven't noticed, but in terms of prestige and personnel within Marine internal affairs, Shirek is actually not bad."
"His special Devil Fruit ability, besides its positive and negative effects in war, also makes it easier for him to gain the recognition of those around him."
"What we need to do is simply support him from behind the scenes. Once Shirek begins his operation, it's destined not to be a small affair."
"He is someone who likes to plan before acting. Like a Viper, he will lie dormant for a period, and when others let down their guard, he will make a big move in one fell swoop."
Through Shirek's series of actions in the North Blue, Tsuru had roughly judged what kind of person Shirek was.
During Shirek's management of the North Blue, quite a few people died, whether it was through purges within Marine internal affairs or against Factions hindering the Marines' development.
It could be said that Shirek was completely without scruples, but he hadn't exposed it.
Sengoku even knew that Shirek secretly controlled a Pirate Crew in the North Blue, which could be considered a Great Pirate in the North Blue.
As a white glove to eliminate Factions that the Marines found inconvenient to deal with directly, but which hindered the North Blue Navy.
Although he knew, Sengoku tacitly approved of this matter.
As long as it wasn't exposed, it wouldn't have any impact on the Marines.
Furthermore, Shirek handled it very cleanly; that Pirate Crew didn't even know that the person controlling them from behind the scenes was Shirek.
Frankly, both Sengoku and Tsuru greatly admired Shirek's ability.
Such a Marine was truly rare among the Marines.
"As long as he wants to, he can easily recruit a group of personnel and complete the reconstruction of the Crime Investigation Department's structure."
"What we can do is give him full support."
(end of chapter)
"Shirek should be on his way."
In the Marine Headquarters, in the Fleet Admiral's Conference Room, Regent Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat in the main seat.
Navy Chief of Staff Tsuru was also present.
The former Navy Chief of Staff had already retired, yielding his position to Tsuru some time ago.
Unlike Marine Admirals and the Fleet Admiral, the promotion of a Navy Chief of Staff doesn't require a grand ceremony or a public declaration to the Great Sea.
The current Marine Headquarters prefers to handle the generational change among the Marine High Command simultaneously.
Because the Young Monsters still need time to grow, the vacant Admiral positions prevent Sengoku from being promoted.
However, Sengoku didn't mind.
He currently held the authority of the Fleet Admiral position, even without the title.
He didn't mind waiting; that position wasn't going anywhere anyway.
Currently, Kong could still help him share some of the stress.
Once he truly became Fleet Admiral, he would have to bear many things alone.
Only in this position did he truly understand the extent of the stress.
Things had been relatively good recently.
They didn't have to contend with the New World, focusing their main energy on the Four Seas, and they also had a large military budget and support from the Member Nation.
As for the current Fleet Admiral "Steel Bone" Kong, he had been fine a couple of years ago, but his body condition had been continuously declining in the last two years.
Despite possessing the vitality and recovery power granted by a powerful Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit.
However, Kong's injury back then was simply too severe.
A severed arm, a severed leg, his abdomen pierced through, not to mention injuries all over his body.
The loss of vitality and severe damage to his vital energy couldn't be recovered through simple recuperation; his foundation was completely damaged.
Even consuming various precious herbs that could replenish vital energy could only partially compensate and provide some relief.
Perhaps only the Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng that appeared at the Sigri Island auction over ten years ago could replenish most of the vital energy Kong had lost.
However, such treasures are too rare, and their value today is close to ten billion Beli.
Even if one existed, it would be impossible to bring it out.
Furthermore, Kong, having lost an arm and a leg, coupled with his old age exceeding eighty, could no longer recover to his peak.
Transferring Shirek from the North Blue to the New World was Sengoku's idea.
It wasn't actually that complicated; leaving Shirek in the North Blue was somewhat wasting his ability.
Furthermore, the North Blue is now on the right track; even if Shirek leaves, it won't have a significant impact.
Of course, Shirek didn't refuse.
If Shirek had wanted to stay in the North Blue and refused the transfer to the Grand Line, it would have been possible, but he didn't do so.
Sengoku and the others were aware of Shirek's ability; he could also exhibit his talent within Marine Headquarters.
Continuing to stay in the North Blue was truly a waste.
They only made their move after the situation in the North Blue had completely stabilized.
Otherwise, they could have transferred Shirek much earlier.
Doing so might have caused dissatisfaction from Sakazuki and the North Blue Navy.
This timing, in fact, was just right.
Without a doubt, Shirek was a versatile talent.
In managing the North Blue, he had exhibited excellent management skills and a grasp of the big picture.
They naturally saw some of his unconventional means.
Yet, it had to be said, they were able to maintain the stability of the North Blue to the greatest extent.
"I originally wanted him to work in the Intelligence Department, or perhaps undergo training at a Branch, guarding G-1 Fortress, or Red Port, or Sabaody Archipelago."
"I didn't expect him to choose the Crime Investigation Department; that truly surprised me."
Sengoku took a sip of tea.
Shirek's data was laid out before him, and he spoke with some emotion.
In his eyes, the Crime Investigation Department was a mess, even considered a retirement department.
Over the years, it hadn't even had much influence within Marine internal affairs, just an inconspicuous small department.
The head of the department was merely a Rear Admiral.
One should know that at its peak, the Crime Investigation Department was an existence that even dared to arrest Marine Vice Admirals.
Of course, this was also because the current Crime Investigation Department's ability was indeed somewhat lacking.
To say it was lacking wasn't entirely accurate; it still possessed a certain degree of ability.
The Crime Investigation Department often handled anti-corruption cases among the lower ranks.
But what about the upper echelon?
Even with suspects, it was difficult to find evidence.
More often than not, they were destined to stagnate, avoiding trouble with those generals, turning a blind eye.
On the Great Sea, the number of corrupt Marines was actually quite large.
They had betrayed the Marines for various reasons, or fled after being exposed, and were then given a bounty by Marine Headquarters.
The Crime Investigation Department also played a role in promoting some of these cases.
However, this hadn't changed the relatively rotten situation within Marine internal affairs, where they colluded with Various Factions, harming Marine interests.
The most direct example was the selling of Marine armaments.
Ultimately, it was still due to the Crime Investigation Department's insufficient ability, lacking enough force and enough deterrence.
"However, this is also a department very suitable for him to exhibit his talents, isn't it?"
Tsuru, standing nearby, chuckled softly.
She was very optimistic about Shirek's ability.
"Perhaps he can revitalize this department, and it might even have a beneficial chemical effect on the Marines as a whole."
She hadn't thought of this department before, but now that she thought about it carefully, it was indeed very suitable for Shirek.
"What should we do? What kind of support should we give him? Should we arrange some personnel?"
Sengoku pondered.
"No need."
"You have to believe in his ability, Sengoku."
"Let Shirek handle the recruitment himself. Perhaps you haven't noticed, but in terms of prestige and personnel within Marine internal affairs, Shirek is actually not bad."
"His special Devil Fruit ability, besides its positive and negative effects in war, also makes it easier for him to gain the recognition of those around him."
"What we need to do is simply support him from behind the scenes. Once Shirek begins his operation, it's destined not to be a small affair."
"He is someone who likes to plan before acting. Like a Viper, he will lie dormant for a period, and when others let down their guard, he will make a big move in one fell swoop."
Through Shirek's series of actions in the North Blue, Tsuru had roughly judged what kind of person Shirek was.
During Shirek's management of the North Blue, quite a few people died, whether it was through purges within Marine internal affairs or against Factions hindering the Marines' development.
It could be said that Shirek was completely without scruples, but he hadn't exposed it.
Sengoku even knew that Shirek secretly controlled a Pirate Crew in the North Blue, which could be considered a Great Pirate in the North Blue.
As a white glove to eliminate Factions that the Marines found inconvenient to deal with directly, but which hindered the North Blue Navy.
Although he knew, Sengoku tacitly approved of this matter.
As long as it wasn't exposed, it wouldn't have any impact on the Marines.
Furthermore, Shirek handled it very cleanly; that Pirate Crew didn't even know that the person controlling them from behind the scenes was Shirek.
Frankly, both Sengoku and Tsuru greatly admired Shirek's ability.
Such a Marine was truly rare among the Marines.
"As long as he wants to, he can easily recruit a group of personnel and complete the reconstruction of the Crime Investigation Department's structure."
"What we can do is give him full support."
(end of chapter)
