Chapter 283: Vice Admiral Darren
After a month of covert investigation, Akainu had finally gathered enough evidence to expose Darren's corruption. He knew that Darren, the North Blue Governor, was nothing but a leech feeding off the Navy's resources. Not only did he embezzle military funds, but he also had deep ties with local kingdoms, making the entire fleet his personal tool.
Akainu's goal was to collect evidence and then leverage his connection with his teacher, Admiral Zephyr, to report everything to Fleet Admiral Kong. But the sudden appearance of the Rockefeller Pirates caught him off guard.
Right now, notifying the Navy Headquarters of Charlotte's presence took precedence over exposing Darren's corruption.
Darren, realizing the gravity of the situation, hastily grabbed a Den Den Mushi and dialed the Fleet Admiral's line.
"Moshi Moshi! This is North Blue Governor Darren!"
Kong's stern voice responded, but his tone carried a hint of irritation.
"This is Kong. What's going on, Darren?"
"Fleet Admiral! Terrible news! The Rockefeller Pirates have appeared in North Blue! Rockefeller Charlotte himself is here and has killed a Marine Headquarters officer!"
The gravity of the situation made Kong's eyes widen.
"Rockefeller Pirates?! Charlotte?!"
"Yes, sir! We're requesting immediate support!" Darren's voice was trembling, barely keeping his composure.
Kong's mind raced as he processed the shocking news.
"Hold your ground! Reinforcements will be sent!"
The call abruptly ended, and Kong slammed his fist on the table.
The warning sirens at Marineford blared loudly, alerting all personnel.
---
Marineford - Fleet Admiral's Office
High-ranking Marines rushed into the office, alarmed by the sudden sirens.
"What's going on? Who's attacking?"
"I haven't heard anything about an invasion."
Kong stood at his desk, grim-faced, as Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and others arrived.
"Fleet Admiral, what happened?" Sengoku asked.
"News just came in from North Blue. The Rockefeller Pirates have appeared. Charlotte himself is there."
The room fell silent, and then erupted with disbelief and tension.
"How did they manage to enter North Blue without being detected?!" Tsuru asked, eyes narrowed.
"That's the problem. We suspect Charlotte found a way to cross the Calm Belt undetected by Sea Kings."
Sengoku clenched his fists.
"If that's true, it's an unprecedented threat. We need to dispatch someone immediately."
"But who? Most of our top forces are in the New World dealing with the Roger Pirates and the Flying Pirates."
---
North Blue Governor's Office
After finishing the call, Darren slumped back into his chair, visibly relieved.
Akainu glared at him, fists clenched.
"Darren, we need to take action. We can't just sit here."
Darren scoffed, still shaking from fear.
"Do what? It's Rockefeller Charlotte! That's a monster among monsters! Not even admirals can deal with him easily!"
Akainu's fury boiled over.
"You coward! Are you content to just wait for backup while the people suffer?"
Darren gave Akainu a dismissive glance, clearly unconcerned with his accusations.
"Listen, kid. This is not some small-time pirate. He's one of the Four Legends of the New World. What can you do against that? You'd just be throwing your life away."
Akainu gritted his teeth, rage bubbling beneath his stoic facade.
---
The World Government - Pangaea Castle, Mary Geoise
Inside the grand meeting hall, the Five Elders convened with grim expressions, reading the latest news from Morgans' newspaper.
"Damn it! How did Charlotte cross the Calm Belt? The Navy didn't report any activity!" roared the elder with the hat, Saturn Saint.
The blond elder, Shepard Ten Piet Saint, rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"He must have some kind of technology to bypass the Sea Kings. There's no other explanation."
The bald elder with a birthmark, Topman Valkyrie Saint, dismissed the idea.
"That's impossible. The Calm Belt is crawling with Sea Kings. No technology could bypass their senses. He's not a Devil Fruit user either."
"Then what? Did he fly across?" Shepard argued.
The elder with the katana, Izou V. Nasjuro Saint, remained calm and analytical.
"Sending CP0 agents won't work. Charlotte's network is too tight. Every time we've sent someone, they either disappear or are immediately discovered. We need something else."
The last elder, Markus Mars Saint, scowled.
"That monster has eluded our grasp for too long. We need to find his technology. Send a scientific research team alongside CP0 to investigate how he's doing it."
Saturn Saint finally spoke, his voice low and dangerous.
"It's time we send a direct message. If Charlotte's presence in North Blue becomes public knowledge, it could destabilize the balance. Mobilize the Marines. Get in touch with Kong."
---
Meanwhile, on the High Seas
Charlotte stood at the ship's helm, observing the horizon. His mind was focused on expanding his influence in North Blue. Beside him, his sons and daughters trained and sparred with each other, under the watchful eyes of their mothers.
"Captain," Barrett called out, walking over. "We've intercepted a communication. They're calling for reinforcements from Marineford."
Charlotte smirked, his golden hair flowing in the wind.
"Let them come. The louder they scream, the more they spread my name."
Barrett nodded, his massive frame exuding confidence.
"Should we prepare for battle?"
Charlotte waved him off.
"No need. Let them gather. I'll show them what it means to challenge the Rockefeller Pirates."
Barrett grinned.
"As you wish, Captain."
The news of the Rockefeller Pirates' presence continued to spread like wildfire, shaking the world to its core. The Navy was now faced with a dilemma: how to handle the sudden appearance of one of the world's most fearsome pirates.
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