Meanwhile, at the Residence of the Marine Fleet Admiral.
Sengoku looked sternly at the uninvited Chief Judge.
Unlike in the courtroom, the Chief Judge who had three heads, had now split into three individuals Bass, And, and Kerville who called himself "Her Highness."
As the Fleet Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, Sengoku of course knew that the Chief Judge wasn't actually a three-headed man.
He had always known that it was three people pretending to be one, so he wasn't surprised when the Chief Judge appeared as three separate individuals.
"Marshall Sengoku, I believe you have already guessed the purpose of our visit!" As soon as he sat down on the sofa, Bass seated on the left got straight to the point.
"Indeed, we are here regarding the matter of Vice Admiral Orion. This investigation and trial against Vice Admiral Orion were not forcibly initiated by Enies Lobby, nor do we have the direct authority to intervene. After all, we are both directly subordinate to the World Government and hold the same status!"
As he spoke, Bass took out a document from his pocket and handed it to Sengoku.
"This is the latest order issued by the World Goverment."
Hmm?
Sengoku pupils slightly contracted as he fixed his gaze on the document placed before him.
He knew that Enies Lobby involvement in the investigation and trial of a Marine Vice Admiral was authorized by the Five Elders.
What he didn't understand was why the Five Elders was determined to bring Orion to his death.
Although Sengoku didn't interacted much with Vice Admiral Orion, he knew that Orion promotion to Vice Admiral wasn't solely due to his close relationships with officers at various levels within the Marine Headquarters.
A significant part of it was due to Orion formidable strength and his dazzling performance.
In the year he became a Captain, Orion single-handedly captured over a dozen notorious pirate crews. Although most of these pirates were executed on the spot by Orion in an extreme manner, it was precisely because of his ruthless methods that the areas he patrolled—whether towns or villages—had seen almost no pirate activity in recent years.
As Orion himself put it. "In chaotic times, severe laws are necessary. Imprisonment and reformation are largely ineffective against pirates. When it's time to kill, one must not hesitate, or else it's the common people at the bottom who will suffer."
Most importantly, Admiral Sakazuki methods were far more extreme than Orion.
If Sengoku could tolerate and tacitly approve Sakazuki actions, he could certainly turn a blind eye to Orion methods of dealing with criminals.
As for Orion alleged corruption and bribery, Sengoku saw it as a mistake typical of someone his age.
As the Marshall, all he could do was issue appropriate warnings at the right time. What mattered most was that the ill-gotten gains Orion had acquired weren't used for personal enjoyment but were instead spent on causes the World Government had neglected, helping those who truly needed assistance.
As the Marshall of the Marine Headquarters, and someone known as the "Resourceful General," how could Sengoku not be aware of the persistent corruption within the Marines? But deep down, he understood that while some forms of corruption needed to be eradicated, corruption like Orion was, in a way a positive direction for the Marines as a whole.
Seeing that Sengoku was merely staring at the document without picking it up, Bass didn't waste words. He took out another investigative report from his pocket and said with a serious expression.
"Marshall Sengoku, this investigative report isn't from the Internal Investigation Unit. It's from CP0."
"According to this report, Orion began amassing wealth through various channels as early as five years ago distributing all his illegal gains to his colleagues. In just one year, the amount he illegally obtained exceeded one billion Berries."
"In the following year, not only did he not restrain himself, but after being promoted to Captain, he intensified his efforts, illegally acquiring over eight billion Berries through various means."
"It was also in this year that he was promoted to the rank of Commodore and was commended by the assembly for capturing and executing over a dozen pirate crews, becoming a hero and idol among the younger generation of officers and marine's soldiers. According to CP0 investigations, it was from this year onwards that the situation began to spiral out of control, as he started using illegally obtained Berries to form alliances, turning countless officers and soldiers who were in dire straits into his loyal followers!"
"From this year onwards, a saying began to circulate not only within the Marine Headquarters but also across many branch bases in the four seas: 'Commodore Orion of the Headquarters, always ready to answer the call'.'"
At this point, Bass looked up at Sengoku whose expression had turned extremely serious.
"Do I need to continue, Fleet Admiral Sengoku? Some things, I believe are clearer to you than to us. For the World Goverment, the Marines are the largest and most efficient department under the World Government, but they are also a double-edged sword. The only way to ensure this double-edged sword doesn't become a threat to the World Government is to have officers at all levels of the Marine Headquarters fulfill their duties and keep each other in check."
"However, everything Orion has done is almost beyond the control of the World Goverment. If he is not suppressed in time, he will undoubtedly become a major threat to the World Goverment in the future! You saw it yourself in the trial hall today—at least half of the officers present ignored your authority as Fleet Admiral and even disregarded our judgment to defend Orion."
"This means that in the eyes of these officers, there is only Vice Admiral Orion! I have no doubt that if Orion had raised his arm and called for action, not only would the officers in the hall have rebelled on the spot, but those outside would have stormed in as well!"
"Even if Orion has no intention of rebelling, he already possesses the capability and strength to do so."
Watching Bass ramble on, Sengoku suddenly sighed.
Bass meaning was simple: Orion must die, or the World Goverment would not rest easy. And Bass visit was not to discuss the matter but to tell Sengoku not to interfere.
After a brief silence, Sengoku picked up the documents on his desk, glanced through them, and shook his head helplessly.
"Why does the World Goverment choose this moment? Don't they realize the situation in the Grand Line is extremely critical? If there is internal turmoil within the Marines, the external situation will become even more uncontrollable!"
"Is Fleet Admiral Sengoku worried about the situation in the New World?" Bass smiled dismissively.
"Right now, there are only two major events in the New World. One is the sudden rise of Shanks, the captain of the Red-Haired Pirates, who has joined Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido as the new Emperors of the Sea. The other is the Elbaf incident! Don't worry, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Holy Land welcomes the balance of power among the Four Emperors in the New World. As for the Elbaf incident, it was orchestrated behind the scenes by the World Goverment God's Knights."
Huh?
Sengoku's pupils constricted again as he looked at Bass in disbelief.
At that moment, the Den Den Mushi beside him suddenly rang. Immediately after, a frantic voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, something terrible has happened! Over ten thousand soldiers and hundreds of officers have gathered at Marineford Square, and the prison holding Vice Admiral Orion has been taken over by dozens of headquarters officers!"