One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine Chapter 487: Volume 4 – - 6: The Perfect Lie

Chapter 6: The Perfect Lie

Momonga couldn't accept the potential consequences.

Even though entering the Officer Training Camp would bring imnse benefits to his personal future and military career—as Gion's rise had clearly demonstrated—he couldn't ignore the bigger picture.

He was certain that if he joined the camp and completed the training, he'd be promoted from Captain to Commodore without question. With the Goro Goro no Mi in his arsenal, he might even reach higher.

But compared to personal advancent, Momonga believed the North Blue Fleet was vastly more important.

He and Daren had poured their hearts, minds, and resources into building that flying fleet. It was sothing they simply could not afford to lose.

If he ever considered joining the training camp, it would only be after thoroughly discussing it with Daren and properly arranging everything concerning the North Blue Fleet.

He actually refused?

Hearing Momonga's response, the generals present were visibly surprised.

None of them had expected Momonga to turn down such a golden opportunity.

If it had been any other Marine stationed in one of the Four Seas, they'd probably be speechless with excitent if offered sothing like this by Admiral Sengoku.

Seeing Momonga's calm, composed deanor, their expressions shifted slightly. They looked at him with a newfound sense of respect.

Even Sengoku was caught off guard for a mont, though he quickly smiled and nodded.

"Careful consideration is always a good thing. As I said, my offer stands. The doors of the Officer Training Camp remain open to you anyti, Captain Momonga."

"Thank you for your recognition and trust, Admiral Sengoku."

Momonga responded with a steady tone.

"Then let's move on to the main matter."

Sengoku's expression turned serious.

"I've reviewed the intelligence report you submitted on Daren's battle with Shiki."

"But a report is just a report. I want a clearer understanding of how that battle actually unfolded."

"You're likely aware that Daren is still in a coma, his injuries critical. If we can get more specific details about his fight with Shiki, it might offer so clues to the doctors at the military hospital and help them in treating him."

Momonga nodded.

"Yes, Admiral Sengoku."

"What kind of details are you looking for? I'll do my best to answer whatever you need."

Sengoku opened a file on the table, speaking slowly.

"From what I understand, Vice Admiral Daren's strength has already reached the level of an Admiral. That much is accurate, correct?"

"It is."

"Good. Now, here's the issue."

"While Vice Admiral Daren may have reached top-tier strength, there's still a significant gap between him and soone like Shiki. What I an is—it's simply not possible that Daren defeated Shiki alone."

"What's your take on this, Captain Momonga?"

Momonga paused for a mont in thought, then nodded.

"Yes, Vice Admiral Daren was indeed no match for Shiki."

Sengoku's eyes sharpened slightly as he pressed further.

"So soone else intervened at the ti?"

Momonga fell silent for a few seconds.

"Yes."

Sengoku narrowed his gaze. "Who?"

"," Momonga replied.

Sengoku froze.

So did everyone else.

You?

Their mouths opened, but for a mont, no one knew what to say.

"Captain Momonga, I have great respect for your talents," Sengoku said with a frown, "but with your current strength... you shouldn't be capable of joining a battle at that level, right?"

Momonga slowly exhaled and replied in a deep voice,

"Because of this."

Under the stunned eyes of everyone present, he slowly raised his hand. Blue electric arcs began to spark from his fingertips, bubbling and surging until his entire arm seed to lt into blazing plasma.

The temperature in the air visibly rose.

"What is that...?"

"Logia!"

"Lightning... could it be—"

"There's no mistake! The Goro Goro no Mi!"

"The strongest Logia-type Devil Fruit!"

The room echoed with gasps as the Marine officers stared wide-eyed at Momonga's arm, their expressions filled with shock.

The Goro Goro no Mi.

The strongest Logia, thought to have vanished from the seas years ago—was now in Momonga's hands?

Their shock quickly gave way to envy.

This was the most coveted of all Devil Fruits. Its overwhelming destructive power and incredible speed made it arguably the most desired ability in existence.

Even Sengoku's pupils contracted.

After a long pause, he drew in a deep breath, eyes narrowing with a complicated expression.

"So that's it. You beca the wielder of the Goro Goro no Mi. No wonder you were able to get involved in the battle between Daren and Shiki... But even that wouldn't be enough, would it?"

"As expected of you, Admiral Sengoku. Sharp as ever."

Momonga nodded.

"I could offer so support, but the power gap was too great. Even with the Goro Goro no Mi, there wasn't much I could do."

"So..." Sengoku raised an eyebrow.

At that, Momonga reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wooden box, no bigger than his palm.

"What's this?" Sengoku and the others turned their eyes toward it.

"Shiki's body was recovered. If the forensic team at headquarters examines it, they'll likely discover that aside from the fatal wound through the heart, his body is also riddled with damage from cannon fire and bullets."

Momonga's tone was calm and steady.

The most perfect lie is one that's laced with the truth.

It was a phrase Daren used often—and one Momonga rembered well.

He had clearly co prepared for this "debriefing."

Opening the small wooden box slowly, he revealed a single, black tal bullet.

"A Seastone bullet!?"

Sengoku's eyes widened as he recognized it instantly.

"Yes," Momonga confird. "Vice Admiral Daren, despite his severe injuries, forcibly engaged Shiki and endured five full minutes of concentrated fire from ten North Blue warships."

He paused, then added deliberately,

"For five minutes."

The weight of his words fell like a thunderclap.

Five minutes of continuous bombardnt?

The officers could barely believe what they were hearing.

Sengoku's face showed undisguised shock.

"Mixed within that bombardnt were nurous Seastone rounds. Once embedded in Shiki's flesh, they severely weakened his abilities."

Momonga's voice lowered, firm and steady.

"It was only under those conditions that Vice Admiral Daren was able to strike Shiki down."

The generals around the room finally understood.

"So that's what happened..."

"No wonder..."

"That explains everything..."

"Right. No matter how strong Shiki is, he's still a Devil Fruit user. Against Seastone, his power would be crippled..."

But was that really the whole truth?

Sengoku restrained his inner doubts, though his brows remained tightly knit.

It sounded plausible—but sothing still felt off.

Like a puzzle missing its most vital piece.

Just as he opened his mouth to ask more—

BOOM!

The doors to the conference room burst open.

Tokikake ca charging in like a madman, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.

"D-Daren is awake!!"

At those words, everyone—including Sengoku—leapt to their feet, eyes blazing with hope.

But Tokikake's next sentence sent them plumting.

"But he's dying!!"

"What!?"

Sengoku's expression changed in an instant.

Without another word, he rushed out of the room, urgency written all over his face. He had no ti left for questions.

If sothing really happened to Daren, it would be a loss the Marines could not afford.

The others hurriedly followed, panic breaking out across the ranks.

Only Momonga remained in place.

His brows furrowed briefly—then slowly relaxed.

As if sothing had just beco clear.