Watching the palace guard throw down his helmet and enter the elevator, Shamrock and the others standing nearby looked extremely displeased. They never expected Orion influence to have penetrated the Holy Land to such an extent that a palace guard he had just met would defect on the spot.
In the past, they would have executed him without hesitation, as the palace guard actions were even worse than betrayal.
However, Shamrock and the others dared not voice their anger, for Orion was currently at the peak of his power. At this moment, not only could they not execute the palace guard, but even the slightest murmur could provoke Orion wrath, potentially turning this negotiation into a new war.
It wasn't that they were exaggerating—Orion was truly capable of such actions.
According to the intelligence they had gathered, when Orion was still a captain in the Navy Headquarters, he had once fought fiercely for a newly recruited cannon fodder soldier under his command. In the end, he alone bore the consequences and was confined by Fleet Admiral Sengoku for a week.
Orion was someone who would respond to every request, repay every favor, never hoard blessings for himself, shoulder all responsibilities alone, and protect his own without reason.
Just like Shamrock and the others, the figures standing behind Orion—Gion, the three Admirals, Sengoku, Garp, and even Zephyr—all turned their attention to the sudden actions of the palace guard.
The individuals present had all been Orion superiors or higher-ups at some point. They had some understanding of Orion actions over the years at the Headquarters, yet they still hadn't expected his influence to be so immense that even a palace guard who had only heard of his deeds would make such a shocking move.
It must be noted that the status of the palace guards in the Holy Land far surpassed that of any palace guard in the member nations of the World Government.
After all, this was the Holy Land, the center of the world!
For many, becoming a palace guard was an unattainable honor. Not only for ordinary people, but even among the Navy soldiers stationed in the Holy Land, many dreamed of being selected as palace guards.
For someone who had already become a palace guard to abandon such hard-earned honor was akin to asking for their life.
Yet, the palace guard had not only defected on the spot but also expressed a desire to serve under Orion in the future.
This was enough to show that the image Orion had built over the years had deeply rooted itself in people's hearts, influencing not only the Navy but also many at the summit of the vast Red Line, who undoubtedly saw him as a figure of admiration.
"What's wrong with everyone?"
Noticing the sudden silence around him, Orion, after seeing off the palace guard scanned the crowd with an unexpected look. Then, he turned his gaze to Shamrock and said with a warm smile.
"Stinks, what's with that expression? You're not upset because I let that soldier leave, are you? There's no need for that. He just wanted to avenge his parents and sister. He hasn't done anything wrong! Even if he had, it's not your place to worry about it. He's my soldier now!"
Hearing this, Shamrock facial muscles twitched violently as he struggled to suppress the anger in his heart.
He corrected. "I am not Stinks. My name is Figarland Shamrock."
"Apologies, my memory isn't the best" Orion nodded, then abruptly changed the topic, asking.
"How long will it take for you to bring Spandam here?"
Shamrock brows instantly furrowed. "Are you really going to wipe them out? Spandine has already paid for his actions—"
Before Shamrock could finish, Orion eyes instantly turned sharp, his previously warm demeanor replaced by a stern expression.
He said in a low voice. "Shamrock, after chatting with you for a bit, you didn't start thinking you're in charge, did you? I'll give you ten minutes. Bring his head to me within that time or face the consequences!"
After speaking, Orion didn't waste any more words on Shamrock and decisively turned to leave. Seeing this, Gunko quickly winked at Shamrock and then, along with several other members of the God Knights, hurried to catch up with Orion.
At that moment, a group of palace guards suddenly came running. Each guard was clad in heavy silver armor, and their sheer numbers, combined with the sound of their running, created a sense of overwhelming force, as if a massive army was charging forward.
However, these palace guards didn't approach Orion. The leader of the guards immediately spread out to both sides as they neared Orion group, standing in orderly rows along the sides of the automated walkway.
In no time, hundreds of palace guards had all dispersed and stood on either side of the walkway. Shortly after, a group of people appeared on the walkway.
At the forefront was none other than Kong, the Supreme Commander of the World Government.
Following Kong were dozens of soldiers stationed at the Holy Land, as well as Tsuru, a Marine Headquarters strategist who had come to the Holy Land for a temporary meeting but was unable to return promptly due to Orion coup.
As soon as she arrived opposite Orion, Tsuru, who had transformed from a once youthful and beautiful marine officer who fought alongside Garp and Sengoku into a petite elderly woman due to the passage of time, stepped forward and looked up at Orion.
Her calm voice carried a hint of complex emotion. "Orion, you..."
Before Vice Admiral Tsuru could finish her sentence, a pink figure suddenly leaped out from behind the burly Kong. The figure who jumped out from behind Kong was a young girl with strawberry-blonde hair.
The girl wore a pink hat and a pink dress, exuding a soft, delicate charm from head to toe, with an undercurrent of allure.
This was Kujaku, Vice Admiral Tsuru granddaughter, who had just turned twenty.
She was a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user, the Whip-Whip Fruit, which allowed her to command anything she whipped, including buildings. But none of that was important.
What mattered was that before becoming a Devil Fruit user, Kujaku had been an adorable blonde-haired little girl. However, as she grew older and gained the power of the Whip-Whip Fruit, she gradually became Orion nightmare.
During his time at the Elite training camp, Orion would often visit Tsuru home for meals, which led to him becoming familiar with Kujaku.
After Orion left the training camp, Kujaku would frequently show up at his office, brandishing her steel whip and causing all sorts of trouble. Her behavior became increasingly bold, leading to misunderstandings among his colleagues.
Compounded by Vice Admiral Tsuru favoritism toward Orion, rumors began to spread throughout the Marine Headquarters.
At first, it was said that Orion was Tsuru chosen grandson-in-law, but the rumors grew wilder over time. Stories emerged that they had secretly married when Kujaku was just eighteen, and that a newborn baby in the residential compound was actually Orion and Kujaku child.
Helpless, Orion decisively used a small maneuver to send her off to a classified special forces unit, out of sight and out of mind.
For Orion, marriage was absolutely out of the question.
Women would only become a burden on his path to greatness.
How could he settle down when his grand ambitions were yet to be fulfilled?
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