Since he already had an appointment with Stussy, that was one of the reasons Ortoren had stopped by Golden City in the first place.
So once Stussy had tea prepared, Ortoren didn't waste any time and headed straight over.
Boarding Stussy's flagship, he was quickly brought into the cabin, where he met Queen Stussy.
Her Majesty was as poised and captivating as ever, sitting neatly in front of the sofa. When she saw Ortoren, she greeted him with a smile and personally poured him a cup of tea.
"Admiral, it's been a while. Please, have a seat," Stussy said warmly.
Ortoren closed the cabin door behind him and, without a hint of ceremony, sat down on the sofa across from her.
At that moment, there were only three people in the reception cabin.
That's right, Ortoren had come alone, but behind Stussy stood a guy who looked utterly simple-minded, gnawing on a skewer of grilled meat until grease dripped down his chin.
There was no mistaking him. It was Edward Weevil, the man the Marines had captured during the battle on Achino Island.
"Mama, I'm out of meat," Weevil said, looking foolishly earnest after he finished the skewer.
Stussy shook her head with a smile. "Sorry to let you see that, Admiral."
Then she turned her head and said, "There's plenty more prepared in the dining hall. Go eat on your own, Weevil."
Weevil brightened instantly. "Got it, Mama!"
With that, he grabbed the Murakumogiri placed nearby and hurried out of the cabin.
Yes, Ortoren had seen it through to the end. When he handed Weevil over to Stussy, he'd also thrown in Newgate's Murakumogiri, seized on the battlefield.
After Weevil left, Ortoren sighed.
"So he really thinks you're Bakkin?"
"Weevil was made by Bakkin, a weapon to keep herself safe. The key to controlling him lies in bloodline, and it just so happens that Bakkin and I…" Stussy stopped there.
Ortoren, being sensible, didn't press further.
He lifted his tea, took a small sip, then looked back at her.
"Bakkin's matter has been settled. So, Queen Stussy, what 'cooperation' did you mean after that?"
"Before we get into that, there's something I should tell you," Stussy said softly. "From the moment you left Marine Headquarters and returned to the New World, Mary Geoise has already started sending people to dig up evidence of your corruption, along with the inner details of the New World Navy."
Ortoren froze for a beat, then slammed his hand on the table, indignant.
"Investigating our internal affairs is one thing, but accusing me of embezzlement is too much! Ever since I joined the Marines, I, Ortoren, have always been clean and upright. Who doesn't know I'm famous for cracking down on corruption? Mary Geoise suspects I'm taking bribes? Isn't that an insult to my character?"
Even someone as worldly as Stussy couldn't help the slightest twitch on her refined face.
"Admiral, just the fishing rods you own that are worth over a hundred million Beli each, I've found more than a dozen," Stussy said evenly. "And beyond that, you've repeatedly bought antiques, cultural relics, and artworks that leaked into the underworld after the Mary Geoise incident. Donquixote Doflamingo and Gecko Moria have also gifted you expensive items on multiple occasions. All of this…"
She didn't even need to finish.
Ortoren lifted his chin, utterly confident.
"I'm a Marine Admiral. I work myself to the bone. Over the years, I've barely taken any leave, and most of the time I live in Marine facilities. My food, lodging, and daily expenses are all covered by official Marine benefits, so my monthly salary, annual performance bonuses, and the like have nowhere to go. What's wrong with buying a few high-end fishing rods to enjoy my hobby?"
He leaned back, speaking as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"As for those 'Mary Geoise' items in the underworld, they're all fakes. Not a single real one. They're dirt cheap, fifty thousand Beli and you can wholesale a whole ship's worth. I'm vain, sure, but I can't afford the real things. Can't I buy some knockoffs to decorate with?"
Then he waved a hand dismissively.
"And Doflamingo and the others, they're my dearest friends and brothers. We exchange gifts on holidays, what's so strange about that? How is any of this bribery or corruption? Ridiculous!"
Stussy opened her mouth, and for once, she was genuinely at a loss for words.
She'd seen shameless before, but this was impressive.
"Putting everything else aside," she said, instinctively pushing back, "the antiques and artwork in your office… it takes one look to tell whether they're real."
Ortoren sighed, looking almost regretful.
"That would've been great. You should've come and checked. It would've proved my innocence."
Then he spread his hands, as if helpless.
"But you know how the New World's weather is. It's always bizarre. Just now, Hina reported to me that on the way from my command center to Golden City, a small meteor fell from the sky, landed right on my office, and burned it down to bare ground. Luckily, nobody was hurt…"
"…Huh?" Stussy went completely blank.
Stussy snapped out of it almost immediately. Wait, what am I even arguing for? It's not like I'm actually here to investigate whether Ortoren is corrupt or not!
So she straightened up at once, putting on an expression of sincere admiration.
"Admiral, what you said was perfectly clear, logically airtight, and without a single weak point. Truly upright and incorruptible. Whether anyone else believes it or not, I do."
Then, before Ortoren could say anything, Stussy continued.
"Besides these investigations, the Five Elders also assigned me an extremely important task. It concerns you."
"Oh?" Ortoren raised an eyebrow, lifting his teacup again for a sip. "What is it?"
"Since joining the Marines, you've defeated the Red Count, captured the Pirate King alive, killed Shiki, and most recently killed Whitebeard. Your merits are extraordinary, unmatched within the Marines," Stussy said smoothly. "The Five Elders believe that the position and status of a Marine Admiral is nowhere near enough to reflect your contributions, loyalty, and glory."
She paused just enough to let it land, then continued.
"However, Fleet Admiral Sengoku hasn't held the post for long, and he's close to you. He's also your former superior, someone who helped guide and promote you, so they can't simply place you in the Fleet Admiral's seat either. And so, the Five Elders thought of a better way to reward you…"
The corners of Stussy's lips curved slightly.
"The Five Elders invite you to join the ranks of the World Nobles, to become a member of the Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise. They made it very clear to me: as long as you agree, they'll approve it immediately."
Ortoren laughed, setting down his teacup.
"They really do think highly of me."
"And who on the seas today would dare look down on you?" Stussy replied, flattering him just the right amount.
Ortoren smiled, then his expression turned solemn.
"Then help me send Mary Geoise a reply. Tell the Five Elders this: I, Ortoren, am deeply grateful for their esteem and favor. But when I joined the Marines back then, I swore an oath in my heart, to be loyal to justice for life and devote myself to the Marines for life."
He spoke calmly, without the slightest wavering.
"The title of Celestial Dragon may be noble, but it runs contrary to my vow. I refuse to become a man without faith who betrays his own promise. So I can only decline this invitation. The New World is where I belong."
Stussy had already expected it. There was no chance Ortoren would accept.
So she simply nodded, unsurprised.
"Understood. I will relay your answer to the Five Elders word for word."
Once she'd said that, Stussy's posture, which had been proper and composed, relaxed into something languid. She smiled sweetly.
"Alright then. Official business is done. Now we can talk about our private matters, Admiral~"
"That's what I came for," Ortoren said with a laugh, looking at her.
Stussy shot him a coy glare and continued, "From what I can see, once you and Linlin settle your differences, the next step is dealing with Mary Geoise. Am I right?"
"That's right." Ortoren nodded.
"At times like this, it's time for people like us to pick a side," Stussy said, wearing a pitiful expression and speaking in a tone like she'd been cast aside. "So, Admiral… would you be willing to take me in?"
Ortoren didn't buy it. He bared his teeth in a grin.
"That depends on what value Queen Stussy can bring me…"
Ortoren genuinely trusted Spandine, so he brought him in. Stussy had helped plenty too, but he still couldn't fully trust her. At a moment like this, it came down to value.
...
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