Gion was taken aback by Orion response, her beautiful eyes widening in surprise before she shook her head with a bitter smile.
Indeed, the Orion she knew hadn't changed despite launching a coup and seizing control of the Marines.
From the moment Orion entered the headquarters until the coup began, he had always given off the vibe of a humorous and witty young man. Even when facing the judge's interrogation in the courtroom, Orion would say things like 'I enjoy using Berries to light my cigarettes,' which couldn't help but make people laugh.
"Is everyone here?"
Orion didn't dwell on the topic further. He looked around the room at the attendees and spoke in a calm, unhurried tone. "Before the meeting begins, there's something I need to inform you all about."
"Barring any surprises, the Revolutionary Army and one of the Seven Warlords, Donquixote Doflamingo, should already be aware of the coup and have taken corresponding actions!"
"Of course, the reason they were able to receive this news immediately after the coup ended isn't because their spies within the Marine Headquarters are particularly skilled, but because I intentionally let them know."
Pausing slightly, Orion glanced at Borsalino and continued.
"The Revolutionary Army might have learned about it even earlier than Doflamingo, as the spy they planted in the Marines holds a relatively high rank."
"As for the spy Doflamingo arranged, since they're not at the headquarters, I had another vice admiral from a branch base leak the information to them! Or rather, I drove them to make a choice!"
Hearing Orion bring up the topic of spies before the meeting even started, Sengoku, who was listening nearby, looked up at Orion in surprise.
As a former Fleet Admiral of the Marines, he was well aware that there were many spies planted by various factions within the Marines. Although he had quietly rooted out some of them through his own methods, he was certain there were still spies in the headquarters whose identities he didn't know.
And now, Orion revelation clearly indicated that he had long since uncovered the details of these spies.
Compared to Sengoku silence, many vice admirals among the attendees began to voice their concerns.
"Doflamingo actually planted a mole within our headquarters?"
"Who exactly is this mole? Not in the headquarters? Could it be the base commander of one of our branch bases?"
"Fleet Admiral, why not just root out these moles?"
Orion raised his hand to signal for quiet, a warm smile on his face as he spoke.
"Moles don't necessarily need to be rooted out. In many cases, leaving them in place is more useful than eliminating them."
"Now, their clever utility is beginning to show."
"Just now, we received news from the Sabaody Archipelago that the Revolutionary Army, aware of the coup within the Navy, has mobilized all five of its armies. I'm certain that if Mari Geoise makes a big move because of the coup I initiated, they will undoubtedly seize the opportunity to expand their territory and influence."
"And after Doflamingo obtains this intelligence through his mole, he will immediately inform Kaido, one of the Four Emperors ruling the New World"
"Yes you heard that right—Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, also has another identity, code name Joker. Not only is he a broker in the underworld, but he also has close ties with Kaido, one of the Four Emperors!"
"Once Kaido learns through Doflamingo that our relationship with the World Government has broken down, what will he do—the man who has always wished for the world destruction?"
"Although the news will eventually spread worldwide through the newspapers, there will be a time lag. By then, the World Government will undoubtedly seize this window of opportunity, aiming to suppress us swiftly and decisively to end the war as quickly as possible!"
"I dared to initiate this coup, so naturally I'm not afraid of going to war with the World Government. The key issue is, once we engage in battle with the World Government, what will the other factions do? The Revolutionary Army is unlikely to attack us at this time. Dedicated to overthrowing the World Government, they won't launch a sneak attack on us. In fact, they might even send envoys to coordinate with us, as this is the perfect opportunity for them to turn the Marine against the World Government."
"For the Revolutionary Army, the World Government is their ultimate target. But for other factions, especially the lawless pirates on the seas, the Marine is their greatest threat!"
"So, I deliberately stirred up the situation ahead of time, making the World Government believe that everyone would have reservations, thus encouraging them to sit down and negotiate with us calmly."
After speaking at length, Orion suddenly turned his head to look at Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr, who were listening nearby, and said with a smile.
"You must be eager to meet the shadow ruler of the World Government, Im, whom I mentioned."
"Of course, I believe many of you here are also very curious about this person!"
"As long as the World Government is willing to negotiate, you'll soon get to meet this person!"
"Because, after I sent those members of the God Knights flying back to Mari Geoise, Im existence is no longer a secret to us! As long as Im doesn't want to risk giving the Revolutionary Army and the D Clan the upper hand by going to war with us, you'll soon get to meet them."
"Buru Buru~"
As soon as Orion finished speaking, the Den Den Mushi quietly placed in front of him suddenly rang.
Then, a familiar voice came through the Den Den Mushi. "This is Gunko."
As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes in the room turned towards him, especially those of Sengoku and Garp, who, out of sheer focus, unconsciously pulled out a box of senbei and began munching on them.
"Miss Gunko, it seems you weren't injured by the impact of the Conqueror's Haki" Orion said, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"That puts my mind at ease. After all, we haven't reached the point of completely severing ties. Who knows, we might end up fighting side by side in the future."
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Gunko, standing in the grand hall of Mari Geoise royal palace, nervously glanced up at the imposing figure in front of the throne. Not daring to say more, she got straight to the point.
"Im-sama wishes to see you."
"Fine" Orion replied without hesitation.
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
Orion nodded. "I hope to see Spandine and his son when I arrive at Marigeoise tomorrow."
With that, Orion ended the call and looked up at the group of people who were now all staring at him. He shrugged slightly and said.
"Looks like the Revolutionary Army and Kaido are going to be wasting their efforts!"
...
Mari Geoise, World Government Headquarters Building.
Office of the CP9 Director.
Spandine sat at his desk, his face ashen, staring blankly at the Den Den Mushi on his desk. Just moments ago, he had received devastating news. The warships he had dispatched from Enies Lobby to Marine Headquarters had all been sunk, with no survivors.
The deaths themselves were one thing, but the fact that Marine Headquarters had sunk ships flying the 'Enies Lobby' flag without hesitation was a clear indication that either Spandam or him would have to pay with their lives in this conflict.
Judging by the World Goverment reaction, the calculating Spandine had already guessed that the World Goverment wouldn't go to war with the Marines under Orion control—at least not now. No war meant compromise and concessions.
And compromise and concessions would require a price to be paid, such as offering up the Director of CP9—himself—to appease Orion wrath for trying to kill him.
"Father! Father!"
Suddenly, Spandam panicked voice came from outside the office door. Before Spandine could react, his son burst in and rushed to the desk, urgently saying.
"The God Knights are heading this way!"
Hearing this, Spandine slumped back in his chair, a look of despair and fear flashing in his eyes.
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