That night, Diarmuid didn't initially go for a stroll through Mariejois with Queen Stussy. While the reconstructed Mariejois was more grand and magnificent than ever, no amount of scenery could compare to the stimulation provided by the Queen herself.
Though they hadn't been apart for that long, this meeting felt like a true "reunion after a long separation." The moment Diarmuid arrived at her residence, a fierce "battle" ensued, one that ultimately concluded in a display of unity and affection.
After a quick shower, Diarmuid emerged from the bathroom drying his hair with a towel, wearing only shorts. He saw the Queen standing by the window, holding an exquisite pipe, looking utterly captivating as she blew clouds of smoke into the night air.
Stussy possessed a certain "worldly" charm. Though she hadn't truly fallen into decadence herself, her years as the Queen of the Pleasure District had naturally endowed her with a radiant, courtesan-like allure. Bathed in the post-coital glow and framed by the drifting smoke, her beauty was even more pronounced.
For a moment, Diarmuid was mesmerized. However, business came first, and he quickly suppressed those wandering thoughts. He set down the towel, picked up a cup of tea from the table, and gulped it down to quench his thirst.
Hearing him, the Queen exhaled a final wisp of ethereal smoke and turned around. She looked at Diarmuid with a playful smile. "Is Mariejois fun?"
"Very," Diarmuid replied casually, before adding, "It's fun because you're here."
"Smooth talker," Stussy rolled her eyes, though she was clearly in high spirits.
"I've noticed that since becoming the Director-General of CP, you seem to have lost the proper 'awe' you once had for me," Diarmuid remarked with a mock-unhappy rub of his chin.
"But of course! I am now a big shot on the same level as Fleet Admiral Sengoku, fufufu~" Stussy teased.
"I think you're just looking for a beating," Diarmuid retorted. He didn't push the joke further; they both knew the stakes.
Stussy understood perfectly that the world was likely entering an era where the Marines would reign supreme. Once that happened, even if there were no official changes to his title, Diarmuid's authority as an Admiral would surge. She also saw clearly that, barring any accidents, Diarmuid was destined for the seat of Fleet Admiral.
She harbored no ill intentions toward him. While she had initially been drawn to his power and what he could do for her, years of history had forged genuine feelings. Even though power and status were paramount to her, Diarmuid had become equally important. If he weren't, why would she bother bickering with Gion?
After some light banter, Diarmuid's tone shifted. "The Marines are going to make our move against Mariejois during the Reverie. You already know the pretext we're using, right?"
"I do. I was quite shocked when I heard it. To think that someone actually stands above the Gorosei, the supposed highest authority... the legendary Imu. My, my," Stussy mused.
"Indeed," Diarmuid nodded.
The Queen then asked, "So, let's have a proper face-to-face talk. How exactly am I to coordinate with the Marines? Do you need me to perform assassinations?"
Diarmuid gave her a flat look. "Of course not." He paused, then continued, "During the operation, the CP organization doesn't actually need to do much. Your main task is to use the chaos. Take advantage of the upheaval to thoroughly purge the interior of CP. Replace everyone with your own people."
At the mention of this, the Queen's eyes lit up. Although she was the Director-General, the unique nature of the CP organization meant she was still somewhat constrained by the Gorosei. She hadn't dared to turn CP into her personal fiefdom yet. There were still a few factions within that opposed her—a minority, but a persistent one.
"That won't be a problem. I've wanted to deal with those bastards for a long time!" Stussy said excitedly.
"Good. Use the chaos to seize total control of CP. Afterward, we intend to eliminate the Celestial Dragons, the Gorosei, and that Imu. Once they are gone, the CP organization will have no one to pledge loyalty to except you. At that point, we can officially and legitimately bring the entire CP apparatus under our control," Diarmuid instructed.
"Understood," she replied with a nod.
Diarmuid took another sip of tea to clear his throat. "Secondly, you need to assist us in the aftermath. Once we launch this 'incident' against Mariejois, there will be a power vacuum. Publicly, the Marines cannot be seen participating in a blatant power grab. After solving the Imu problem, the Marines will pivot to the New World to launch a massive suppression campaign, crushing the pirate forces to their absolute lowest point."
The Marines had to fly the banner of 'Justice' to strike down the 'evil' Imu. After cleaning up the Gorosei and the Celestial Dragons, they couldn't stay in Mariejois and meddle in governance, or it would cease to be an act of justice and become a military coup. That would violate the Marines' moral code.
Of course, if there were no other option, they would have to discard their "face" and do the dirty work themselves. But they did have a second, better option: leaving the cleanup to the Queen.
Compared to a "righteous" organization like the Marines, the CP organization had far fewer scruples and was much better suited for such tasks. Once the Marines cleared out the top brass, Stussy would be the "True King" of the CP.
"So, after the Marines withdraw from Mariejois, I take over here?" Stussy asked with a smile.
"Exactly. We will support you from the shadows. For a short time, you will be the 'Queen of Mariejois.' You must move quickly while the nations of the world are still in shock. Purge the remaining loyalists of the Gorosei, especially the corrupt ones. CP will briefly take over all administrative power in Mariejois. Then, in Mariejois's name, you will reconvene a summit, or simply keep the hundred kings under house arrest, until the Marines finish with the pirates and we can establish a New Order!" Diarmuid said righteously.
One might think he was discussing something noble. But then again, there were no "good birds" in Mariejois to begin with. The World Government was corrupt to the core, and the Celestial Dragons were a bunch of bastards who deserved whatever was coming to them. Thinking of it that way made the plan feel quite agreeable.
"The Queen of Mariejois?" Stussy's eyes sparkled as if she were seeing the future. She knew she couldn't hold that title forever, but to stand at the very pinnacle of the Holy Land, even briefly, was a thrill that would last a lifetime. This would be the zenith of her power.
She understood Diarmuid's intent: the Marines would handle the "pure" goal of removing the conspirators (Imu and the Gorosei), while CP would do the messy work of restructuring.
Once CP had cleared the "parasites" from the World Government, the Marines would throw their overwhelming weight behind a restarted World Summit. That would be the time to divide the "cake."
"Don't worry, go ahead and do what needs to be done. The Marines will fully support Commander-in-Chief Kong, and he will be your ironclad backer here in Mariejois. Your safety is guaranteed," Diarmuid said.
"And once we control Mariejois... what of Uranus?" Stussy asked.
Diarmuid had no intention of keeping the Celestial Dragons' legacy alive, nor did he care much for the Ancient Weapons.
"Destroy it on the spot," Diarmuid said after a brief silence.
"Destroy it...?" Stussy was surprised.
Diarmuid shook his head. "Actually, Uranus is somewhat interesting. We can hand it over to Dr. Vegapunk. As for any weapons we haven't discovered yet, we'll see. I think destruction is the more appropriate path for such things."
They hadn't even started the coup, and they were already discussing how to dismantle the ultimate weapon.
After ironworking the details of the transition, Diarmuid walked to the window and looked out at the brilliantly lit Mariejois. He rubbed his chin. "It's not that late yet. How about that stroll?"
Hearing this, the Queen happily took his arm. "Let's go. I know this place like the back of my hand. I'll show you around..."
With personal and professional business settled, Admiral Diarmuid and Queen Stussy walked arm-in-arm through the bustling, prosperous Holy Land of Mariejois.