NOVEL NEXT Chapter 328: Resistance to Change
Daren had been unusually busy over the past few days.
During the day, he focused on—well, let's say "guiding"—Tokikake and his group through intense special training. At night, he carved out time to give Gion additional drills in various battlefield environments like the shoreline and the forest.
He also regularly consulted Zephyr-san to discuss his own training direction and analyze the broader situation across the seas. Each day was packed from start to finish.
Before he knew it, three days had passed.
It was late at night.
Waves surged against the shore, and the cold sea breeze swept through the air.
"How's the situation in the North Blue?"
Standing at the island's edge, Daren puffed on a cigar. From the Den Den Mushi in his hand came Momonga's excited voice.
"Don't worry, everything is unfolding just as we expected."
"The majority of people in the North Blue strongly support independence."
"After all, we've been building our presence here for years. The locals are already used to relying on the North Blue Marines for their protection... and the citizens of the Member Nations are even more ecstatic. They won't have to pay the Heavenly Tribute anymore, which means they can keep most of their income for themselves."
"Improving family living conditions, boosting nutrition, raising children, healthcare spending... it'll even give a big push to birth rates."
"According to the military's hired statisticians, independence and cutting off Heavenly Tribute payments to the World Government will greatly stimulate economic activity in the North Blue. The average standard of living could increase by at least 50%, major industries will experience rapid growth, and the crime rate has already dropped to an all-time low."
"If this momentum keeps up, it won't be long before the North Blue's economy takes off completely—surpassing the other seas and becoming the most prosperous among the Four Seas!"
Momonga's voice over the military Den Den Mushi was laced with barely contained excitement and anticipation.
Despite now holding a high-ranking post and commanding the North Blue Fleet, Momonga was still in his twenties. He was in the prime of youth, full of drive and passion untouched by the grind of time.
Commanding a military force was a mark of ambition, but to him, shielding the people had always been the truest form of justice.
Now, watching the region under his protection grow peaceful and prosperous before his very eyes, even the usually composed and level-headed Momonga couldn't hide the pride in his voice.
Daren exhaled slowly, smoke curling from his lips.
"Lower taxes mean more money in the hands of the people. Naturally, that boosts consumption and stimulates the economy. With industries growing and more jobs being created, crime rates will drop. It won't be long before pirates are wiped out from the North Blue."
"But we shouldn't celebrate just yet."
"I'm not worried about the people. Ordinary folks are always the most honest. What I'm more concerned about are the bureaucrats and royals of the Member Nations."
"Momonga..."
His eyes narrowed, and his tone darkened.
"Any reform faces resistance. That's an unchangeable truth."
Hearing the shift in Daren's tone, Momonga instinctively straightened, brows furrowed.
"You mean there could be problems from within the Member Nations?"
"It's just a suspicion, but it's not off the table."
Daren let out a cold chuckle.
"The corruption bred by the Heavenly Tribute system doesn't stop with the Celestial Dragons."
"It's a rot that runs through the entire Member Nation hierarchy from top to bottom. The World Government might set the tribute at 3 billion Belly, but by the time it gets passed down to the people, the actual cost might be 4 billion, maybe even 5 billion."
"So, guess where that extra money goes?"
Momonga fell silent, his pupils contracting.
"I get it."
Something had clicked. He took a deep breath, his voice now cold and cutting like a blade in the chill of the North Blue wind.
"We'll clean it up... but we won't go overboard. Politics is the art of compromise."
Daren gave a simple instruction and moved on.
With the North Blue Fleet now fully developed, Momonga had grown from a green Marine officer into a fully capable commander.
Daren had deliberately cultivated his leadership and management abilities, entrusting him with the fleet's growth and operations.
It was thanks to Momonga's support that Daren could freely pursue the things he needed to do...
"...Has Vinsmoke Judge been keeping himself in check lately?"
Momonga replied,
"No issues so far. I've already passed along the design schematics for Zephyr-san's mechanical arm. It shouldn't be long before a working prototype is completed."
"But I've noticed he's getting more unhinged. He's even started conducting human experiments to strip his own children of their emotions, turning them into emotionless killing machines."
Daren shook his head with a cold smile.
"He's always been obsessed with restoring Germa's former glory and ruling over the North Blue."
"But now that the North Blue Fleet has made its official debut before the world, the pressure's finally gotten to him. He can't sit still any longer."
Momonga nodded.
"I'll keep a close watch on him."
He paused, then asked,
"Any progress on the Five Elders' 'Immortal Bodies'?"
Daren shook his head and frowned.
"Nothing yet. I asked Zephyr-san, but he said he's never seen or even heard of an ability like that."
"More importantly, Zephyr-san never actually witnessed the Five Elders using that kind of extreme regeneration himself... Seems like the government never really trusted him, even back when he was an Admiral."
"As for Roger... I have a feeling he knows something, but if he won't speak up, there's no way I can force it out of him."
"Regardless, I still have to make a trip to Wano."
Momonga's mouth twitched.
"If this keeps up, you're going to drive Kaidou insane."
Daren laughed, cracked a quick joke, and ended the Den Den Mushi call.
With Zephyr-san about to establish the Neo Marines and the North Blue Fleet steadily expanding, everything was in place. He could now move freely and focus on what needed to be done.
He took one last drag from his cigar, then snuffed it out.
Only then did he slowly turn around and notice the tall figure standing behind him—he hadn't even realized when she'd appeared.
"You're leaving tomorrow?"
Gion didn't look at him. She turned her face away, eyes fixed on the rolling tides, and asked in a cool voice.
Daren smiled.
"Yeah, time doesn't wait."
Gion bit her lower lip.
"Then... I need one last training session."
Under the moonlight, she finally looked at him.
Her refined and striking face shimmered with fierce determination beneath the silvery glow.
As her words fell, her form began to shift.
Her high ponytail unraveled, the jet-black hair gradually fading into soft pink.
A vivid crimson light flared in her eyes, and fine pink fur began to sprout along her pale skin. A snow-white tail slowly emerged from the base of her spine.
The graceful moon rabbit, holding a golden Meito in hand, radiated both delicate charm and fierce cold. Under the night sky, her beauty was otherworldly—stunning, dangerous, and ethereal.
Daren, looking at the breathtaking Gion before him, suddenly felt his throat go dry.
"Uh... I don't think one session is going to cut it."
Gion: ???
She froze for a moment, then immediately understood, her face flushing red.
"I meant actual training!"
"Yeah, yeah, training... I know, I know."
"...You bastard!"
Clang!
Boom!
A light pink slash of energy burst into the sky.