Ocean Universe, Port City, current capital of the Ocean Universe…
Inside of a nice looking seaside restaurant, there sat the leader of Dark Ocean, Admiral Whirlpool, along with his remaining two sub leaders, Soran and DSD.
"I'm not sure about this, Admiral." Soran spoke. "After all this time, Paladin just calls and asks to arrange a meeting? I have a feeling someone else arranged this."
"I have the same feeling, Soran, but I want to hear what they have to say." Admiral Whirlpool explained. "After all, if they're taking the time to reach out to us, then I doubt they want us dead. There are more subtle ways to set up a trap."
It didn't take long before they saw Diablo approach them with Kaze, Paladin and two other sub leaders.
"It seems you arrived. Wonderful." Diablo said. "Introductions. My name is Diablo. I act as a liaison to Tempest, Mythos Hearts and the Hero Alliance as a whole."
"I'm the leader of the Dungeon Knights. Kaze, formerly Assassin of Darkness." Kaze said.
"I'm the second sub leader, currently one of the three vice leaders. Paladin of Light." Paladin said.
"3rd sub leader, and one of the three vice leaders. Mage of Fire." said a young man.
"4th sub-leader and one of the three vice leaders. Dancer of Seduction." said a woman.
"Kaze, huh…?" Whirlpool mused to himself before he addressed the visitors. "Admiral Whirlpool, leader of Dark Ocean, Sector 18 of Dark Garden."
"Soran, second-sub leader of Dark Ocean. And this is Deep Sea Diver, third-sub leader." Soran introduced and motioned to DSD, who nodded his head in greeting.
"Now that introductions are complete…we can begin with the purpose of this meeting." DIablo said. "I will get right to it." he said with a cheerful smile. "Dark Ocean should abandon Dark Garden and defect to the alliance."
"...I beg your pardon?" the admiral asked after a short pause.
"You heard what I said. We want Dark Ocean to fold and become part of our forces instead." Diablo said.
The three Dark Ocean members traded looks at each other, hardly believing what they were hearing. "Well, that's one way to start a conversation…" Soran said.
"Hold on a second." Whirlpool said. "First you absorb the remainder of Dark Dungeon, now you're asking Dark Ocean to join you…" the criminal mused. "I see now. You intend to take over all of Dark Garden, one sector at a time."
"Well, I am a demon. Wouldn't be too strange for one such as I to try and take over an entire criminal organization." Diablo said.
"You'd be surprised." Whirlpool said. "You aren't the first being to try and take over the organization. Most of the ones that have tried either wind up as slaves for decades, end up dead, or wishing they were. Though I will admit, you're the first person to sway over an entire sector to their side."
"Admiral…" Soran said waringly, as he and DSD were stealing themselves, just in case.
"Admiral, you don't want to fight this guy. Trust me on that." Kaze said.
"I didn't come here looking to fight, Assass- I mean, Kaze." Whirlpool caught himself. "Well then, Diablo, I don't intend to work for just anyone. Let me ask you a question, and I want your answer, not the one you think your master would want to hear. So: what's your definition of justice?"
"That's a good question. If I had to pick one answer…it would be…to crush anyone who dare to threaten my master." Diablo said as his malice seemed to ooze throughout the entire building. "Those who bring him and his comrades ill will, those who would sully their intentions…they are the worst. I will not hesitate…to eradicate every last one of them if it needs to be done."
"I see." the admiral said. "In that case…I'm going to have to say no."
"Admiral…" Kaze spoke up.
"Your justice is absolute." the admiral explained to Diablo, not stopping to acknowledge Kaze's warning. "My brother follows the same mindset, and he's slowly becoming more and more of a psychopath, just like his role-model. I have no intention of working under anyone who follows absolute justice. I know you work with the Fatebreakers, and they're good people, same with your master. But if the one I'm working under is you… I'm not going."
"Oh…you wouldn't be working under me if you accept." Diablo said.
"Right, I'd be working under Rimuru Tempest." Whirlpool said.
"No…not my master either." Diablo said, handing the admiral a piece of paper as he looked at it.
"Wait…are all these…" Soran said after seeing it.
"They're all shipping routes…routes between worlds, across various seas. You'd be the leader of your own division and seen as an equal. The captain of his own ship with his own crew. You'd be our navy but also you'd trade and make peaceful transactions with our allied kingdoms and nations." Diablo said. "Wouldn't be right to pull you from the sea."
The admiral considered the offer for a moment before he looked up at Diablo. "That does sound reasonable." the admiral admitted. "But, before we make it official…there's one thing I'd like to ask of you and Mythos Hearts."
"Oh? And what would that be?" Diablo asked.
"...My brother. His name is Inquisitor Alex." Admiral Whirlpool said. "If your guild ever encounters him, either he walks away a better man, walks away from Absolute Justice… or he doesn't walk away at all."
"You sure that's all you desire?" Diablo asked. "You are in a prime position to demand anything."
"There's nothing I want more." the admiral admitted. "I'd rather see my brother dead than see him become another Mad Dog. If you ever run into him… tell him he's the reason I chose my path."
"Very well." Diablo said handing over the document as the admiral signed it. "It's done. This contract is between the Alliance and Dark Ocean. Congratulations."
"Yeah but don't think you can sway all of Dark Garden like that." Mage of Fire said.
"Hmm…they say it's impossible…but many impossible things have happened in such a short time. The fall of the Assassin Organization, the raiding of several dungeons, even the fall the beings of light and darkness. These people…they have a tendency to make the impossible possible." Diablo said. "Though now…we should focus on setting all of you up. After that, we'll figure out our next target."
"Uh…yeah." Soran said as the three Dark Ocean members headed out. "Admiral…you could feel it couldn't you? That he was gonna kill you if you walked out?"
"I did." Admiral Whirlpool said. "But that's where my brother and I are alike. We're both willing to die for what we believe in. If I let myself be cowed into submission through fear, I'd be alive… but I wouldn't live."
"...I see." Soran said in understanding. "So…now we're sailing into a new future?"
"Indeed." the admiral answered as he looked up at the sky. "A bright one."
Dark Ocean- Acquired
Remaining Divisions of Dark Garden: 28