East Blue, Marine 153rd Branch Base.
Smoker, the Marine officer overseeing the East Blue, sat in the Base Commander’s office, reviewing a stack of personnel files.
His goal was simple, to choose a suitable Marine to take over as the next commander of the 153rd Branch.
Not far from him, Monkey D.
Garp lounged comfortably on a sofa, casually eating senbei and sipping tea as if he had no concerns in the world.
After some time, Smoker pressed his fingers to his temples, clearly tired, and spoke, “Vice Admiral Garp, are you planning to stay here indefinitely?
I thought you said you came to visit your grandson.”
“I did come to visit my grandson,” Garp replied with a hearty laugh, “but I never said which one.”
Smoker paused for a moment before narrowing his eyes.
“You mean Portgas D.
Ace?”
Although not widely known, Ace being Garp’s adopted grandson was hardly a secret among Marines familiar with him.
Smoker was one of those few.
“That’s right, that brat Ace,” Garp said, his smile fading into something more somber.
“I wasn’t careful back then, and he ran off to become a pirate.
I planned to capture him myself, but by the time I had the chance, he had already joined Edward Newgate’s crew.
Sengoku told me not to act rashly, and the matter has been delayed ever since.”
Smoker chose not to challenge that statement, even though he remembered Ace had once been considered for the Shichibukai.
Instead, he asked, “Then why stay here?
Do you really think he will come to this place?”
“There’s a high chance,” Garp said, his tone turning serious.
“Ace came out of the New World to hunt down someone named Light.
It is well known that Light collected Thatch’s bounty from you and vanished after leaving Loguetown.
If nothing unexpected happens, Ace will come here looking for information.”
Smoker nodded thoughtfully.
“That makes sense.
For a pirate bold enough, seeking information from Marines is not impossible.”
Garp shot him an annoyed look.
“Are you implying something about me?”
Ignoring that, Garp continued with a grin, “So I plan to stay here for now.
Later, you can spread the word that I’ve left.
That brat will only show himself if he thinks it’s safe.
Once he appears, I’ll capture him.” You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“And send him to Impel Down?” Smoker asked with a faint smirk.
Garp’s face reddened slightly, but he remained firm.
“If he refuses to change, then I will not bend the rules.”
“In other words, if he admits his mistake, you will cover for him,” Smoker replied dryly.
Garp coughed awkwardly.
“The Marines have a recruitment system for pirates.
It is not covering for him.
Ace has talent.
If he is willing to join the Marines and atone for his actions, that would be a good outcome.”
Such a system did exist, though it was rarely used by notable pirates.
It mainly served as a path for minor offenders.
Someone like Ace, however, would never accept such an offer, not with his loyalty to Whitebeard.
Meanwhile, at Shimotsuki Village, the atmosphere was entirely different.
At the dock, Koushirou stood calmly, seeing off his two disciples.
Those disciples were Light and Zoro.
Light had arrived at Shimotsuki Village months ago, and now, in February of the year 1520, the time had come for departure.
In just a few months, Monkey D.
Luffy would begin his journey.
However, things were already changing.
Zoro, who should have become Luffy’s first crewmate, was now traveling with Light instead.
The future had quietly shifted.
Usopp’s situation had also changed.
Light had reported Kuro, leading to his capture by Smoker.
Whether Usopp would still meet Luffy remained uncertain.
As for the remaining key figures in the East Blue, Light had already made his plans.
Sanji was of little importance to him beyond potential connections to Germa.
If possible, Light intended to make use of scientific resources to study the rc cell injections in his possession.
But Nami was different.
A skilled navigator was essential for survival at sea, and Nami had the potential to become the best in the world.
Light had no intention of letting her slip away.
As for Luffy’s fate without her, Light had no concern.
If Luffy wanted to drift aimlessly at sea, that was his problem.
After recruiting Nami, he would head to Alabasta and deal with Crocodile.
More importantly, he wanted to bring Nico Robin into his fold.
Robin’s intelligence and composure made her invaluable.
Someone like her could assist with planning and decision making, something Light considered essential.
Still, he knew taking Robin might complicate matters if he ever decided to align with the Marines.
For now, he would deal with that when the time came.
While Light was lost in thought, Koushirou continued giving instructions to Zoro.
“I have already entrusted all advanced Haki knowledge to your senior, Light.”
“I am the senior, Master,” Zoro replied, clearly irritated.
“You lack experience outside the village, but Light does not.
You must listen to him more.”
“I am the senior!”
“You have always had a terrible sense of direction.
In the village, someone could guide you.
Out there, you must stay close to Light.
Do not get lost and cause trouble.”
“I AM THE SENIOR!”
Zoro’s patience finally snapped.
Without another word, he stormed onto the ship.
Koushirou watched him go with a gentle smile before turning to Light.
“Light, there is only one thing I wish to say to you.”
Light felt a surge of emotion.
His master trusted him completely.
His eyes grew slightly moist as he grasped Koushirou’s hand.
“Master, please tell me.
I will remember your words.”
Koushirou nodded calmly.
“I know you are capable, and I can see that you aim to achieve great things.”
Light felt understood.
“Therefore,” Koushirou continued, patting his hand, “if you cause trouble in the future, do not mention your master.”
Light froze.