One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine Chapter 369: Volume 3 – - 12: I’m a Good Marine

As Daren spoke, Sengoku's eye twitched uncontrollably, and his fist clenched instinctively.

Hey, hey, hey, you little brat—just answer the question properly! Do you have to drag others down with you?

What do you an, "pittance "...?

That's been the standard pay at Marine Headquarters for years. No one ever complained!

Running the Headquarters is no walk in the park. Even I, an Admiral, have it tough, you know?

Still, Sengoku knew this wasn't the ti to argue with Daren, so he forced himself to let it go.

"Commodore Daren! Please take this seriously and answer the question properly!"

One of the World Governnt officials had gone red in the face, gritting his teeth in frustration.

Daren responded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"I am being serious. I'm just stating the facts."

"You honestly think that answer is going to satisfy everyone here?"

The official's voice was full of indignation.

"Then how do you explain the series of abnormal deaths involving several Celestial Dragons in the North Blue?!"

He looked like he'd finally found a fatal flaw, locking his eyes on Daren with burning intensity.

Daren's expression turned somber. His voice dropped to a heavy tone.

"I personally feel deep regret and sorrow for the unfortunate passing of the World Nobles."

"But the cause of those deaths has already been thoroughly investigated. There's no need for to restate the obvious, is there?"

Just then, another official wearing gold-rimd glasses suddenly stood up. He waved a docunt in his hand and sneered.

"We've also discovered that you possess wealth vastly disproportionate to your rank and position. How do you explain that?"

"If you can't provide a reasonable explanation, we'll have no choice but to suspect you of accepting bribes!"

Daren nodded thoughtfully, as if agreeing.

"I completely understand your concerns."

The man grinned smugly.

"Then explain it."

Before Daren could reply, a sharp ringing echoed from the Den Den Mushi in his pocket.

The official scowled and imdiately cut the call off.

But a second later, it rang again.

Frowning, he pulled out his own Den Den Mushi. When he saw the signal, his eyes narrowed.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I request a one-minute recess."

He turned toward Sengoku.

Sengoku blinked, clearly puzzled.

A request for a recess—at a mont this critical?

Strange...

But figuring it might buy Daren a bit of ti, Sengoku gave a small smile and nodded.

"Of course. Go ahead."

The official nodded and quickly exited the chamber.

But then—

"Brrruu... Brrruu..."

"Brrruu... Brrruu..."

More Den Den Mushi began to ring one after another throughout the conference room.

The officials from the Inspectorate paused, stunned, as they realized all their personal Den Den Mushi were ringing simultaneously. They exchanged glances, then quietly slipped out of the room one by one.

...

Outside the chamber, the World Governnt officials answered their calls, impatience written all over their faces.

"I said I'm in a eting!"

"Didn't I tell you not to disturb ?!"

"Damn it! Unless it's sothing really important, you're done!"

...

They all shouted into their Den Den Mushi, scolding their secretaries.

But what ca through next instantly drained the fury from their voices.

"Sir, one hundred million Belly has just been deposited into your personal account at the underground bank."

The officials froze, then erupted in outrage.

"Damn it, is this supposed to be a bribe!?"

"This is an insult!"

"Who does he think we are!?"

"We're representatives of the World Governnt! Professionals sent to oversee the Marines!"

...

Then the Den Den Mushi chid again.

"Sir, another two hundred million Belly has been deposited into your personal account."

The officials froze once more.

They exchanged glances, then responded to their Den Den Mushi in unison:

"Yes, understood."

...

Inside the conference room.

After confirming the World Governnt officials had all stepped out, Sengoku turned to Daren with a worried expression.

"Daren, you gonna be okay?"

Daren simply smiled and leisurely lit a cigar.

He didn't say a word.

Sengoku opened his mouth to ask more—but before he could, the officials re-entered the room.

Once seated...

Sengoku, clearly uneasy, resud the proceedings.

"Then... Commodore Daren, please answer the previous question."

But just as the words left his mouth, sothing utterly unexpected happened.

The sa official who had attacked Daren earlier now wore a beaming smile. His face was flushed as he spoke warmly,

"There's no need. Commodore Daren is a rising star in the Marine ranks. He shouldn't have to answer such deaning questions."

The others imdiately followed suit, doing a complete 180 as they chid in with cheerful faces.

"Yes, yes! Commodore Daren has served in the North Blue for years. It's only natural he'd have so personal savings."

"I say we wrap up this eting. I personally support Commodore Daren's promotion to Vice Admiral!"

"No point dragging this out—it would only take away from Commodore Daren's valuable training ti."

"Absolutely!"

"I agree!"

"Agreed!"

...

Before Sengoku or anyone else could react, under the stunned eyes of the Marines, these once-impossible-to-please officials were now nodding eagerly and casting their votes in favor.

The room was suddenly filled with harmony, laughter, and good vibes.

Sengoku: "..."

Tsuru: "..."

Zephyr: "..."

Garp: "???"

Kuzan clenched his fists in excitent.

"They must've been moved by Daren's sense of justice! That has to be it! He's so cool!!"

Borsalino turned with a smirk and looked at the cigar-smoking Daren.

"So... how much did you spend?"

Daren shrugged casually.

"I was just... showing care for my superiors."

And with that, what had started as a tense, hostile hearing concluded in a strangely joyful atmosphere.

Unanimous approval!

...

"Alright then... Let's wrap things up with the traditional closing question, Commodore Daren."

Sengoku, numb to it all by now, gathered the ballots and looked over at the man on the witness stand.

At the inquiry table, the forr Supre Commander of the North Blue, top graduate of the Officer Training Camp, and soon-to-be Vice Admiral, Rogers Daren, bit down on his cigar and smiled calmly.

"I smoke. I drink. I'm greedy, lustful, power-hungry, a liar... I've done all sorts of shady things..."

As Sengoku and the others' expressions darkened...

Daren grinned.

"But I still consider myself a good Marine."