Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
After the morning briefing, Zephyr and Garp walked out together, wearing smiles on their faces.
“Hahaha, what a pity, huh…
you and Sengoku let Roger slip away again.” “Tch,” Garp’s face darkened.
Every single time, Roger always had enough leeway to escape capture.
No matter what kind of encirclement they set up, it seemed they just couldn’t trap that man.
And the truth was…
even though he stood on the opposite side as a marine facing a pirate, Garp just couldn’t bring himself to hate the guy.
So he could never put his full effort into the chase.
It was always such a dilemma.
Although he was now hailed as the “Legendary Marine” and the “Hero of the Marines,” Garp knew well that this title came from his victory over Rocks.
And that victory over the sea overlord Rocks wasn’t his achievement alone.
It was the result of fighting alongside Roger.
Teaming up with a pirate…
now that was just absurd.
“We’re heading out on a long mission again tomorrow…
this time to the latter half of the Grand Line.
Up for a drink?” Garp, already the Vice Admiral at this point, changed the subject.
In today’s meeting, he had once again declined the promotion to Admiral.
“Can’t do it today.
I’ve got plans…
I need to make a trip to the Sabaody Archipelago.” “Huh?
What are you going there for?” The Sabaody Archipelago was not far from Mary Geoise and had always been a bustling hub.
Grove 1 through 30 were lawless zones where outlaws thrived.
As long as no trouble broke out, everyone could coexist peacefully.
If trouble did flare up, an Admiral or multiple Vice Admirals would be dispatched.
Right now, Zephyr’s least favorite disciple, Vice Admiral Borsalino, was stationed at Sabaody as its guardian.
So normally, Zephyr wouldn’t go there unless he had a reason.
“An old friend is coming.
As for who it is, don’t you worry about that.” “Oh, I see…” Garp took a few steps, then suddenly remembered something and asked uncertainly: “The kind of person who would make you skip a mission just to greet them…
could it be…
the self-proclaimed Duke of Kuraigana Island, Dracule Richard?” “Yeah, he contacted me before…
said he’d probably be arriving at Sabaody around now.” “Dammit…
why didn’t that guy tell me?” Garp’s expression turned a bit awkward.
“That guy…
he’s kind of friends with Dragon too, right?” “Is that so?
What’s Dragon up to these days?” “Who knows what he’s doing.” Garp muttered a few things under his breath, his expression somewhat irritated.
Dragon, who had once had such a promising future, had been selected as a member of the newly formed top-secret special strike unit…
the one meant to carry out decapitation operations on the great pirates of the era.
But overnight, without any prior discussion, Dragon had resigned from his position as Marine Vice Admiral, vanished without a trace, and left Marineford.
Yes…
as the son of the Marine Hero, having grown up surrounded by such influences, Dragon had indeed served in the Marines for a while in his teens.
But for reasons unknown, he had ultimately chosen to leave.
In the Marines, young recruits held Dragon in the highest esteem, because he had shown extraordinary talent in every form of physical combat.
Even the high-level martial art known as the “Six Powers” had been improved and partly created with Dragon’s involvement.
“Well then…
I’m inviting myself along too.
Haven’t been to Sabaody in a while.
I wonder if that Richard will bring his liquor.” “Haha, I’m looking forward to that too.” “Hey!!!
You two!!!” Sengoku, still an Admiral at this point, shouted from behind them.
“Don’t go wandering off!!
We ship out tomorrow!!” Garp’s eye twitched and he whispered: “Ignore him…
pretend we didn’t hear.
Let’s make a run for it.” The two of them hurried away, leaving Sengoku clicking his tongue in exasperation.
They’re already grown men, and yet still acting so willful.
“Garp, you bastard…
how many times are you going to turn it down?!” “What was wrong with being an Admiral?!” “Sigh…” …
The Sabaody Archipelago was located near Marine Headquarters.
It was formed by the exposed roots of the world’s largest mangrove tree, the “Yarukiman Mangrove,” which rose above the water’s surface.
Over years of development, it had grown into a cosmopolitan hub of culture, population, wealth, and prosperity.
In the original storyline, Brook called it the “Island of Failure” and the “Island of Setting Sail Again.” Of course, that nickname didn’t exist yet.
Out on the open sea, a three-masted sailing ship with an air of antiquity was making its way forward, the sharp fittings at its bow parting the water with a splashing roar.
Richard leaned against the railing at the bow and let out a yawn.
This ship was called “The Order Keeper”…
it had been the royal family’s inspection vessel.
Though damaged, once Richard had the funds, he had immediately commissioned shipwrights to come to Kuraigana Island via merchant ships and build a vessel with a deliberately “aged” metallic style.
Its interior facilities were excellent…
red carpets, wall sconces, and candleholders…
every bit fitting for royal standards.
The maidservant Rowling attended to Richard in the second-floor cabin, while the guard Liam led thirty soldiers serving as sailors, responsible for lookout and security duties.
After a fourteen-day voyage, they could finally see the silhouette of the Sabaody Archipelago on the horizon.
Just then, Liam suddenly descended from the high lookout platform, landing lightly on the deck with a soft thud.
His powerfully built frame was like a mountain as he strode quickly to Richard’s side.
“Young Master, we’ve spotted a pirate ship.” “Oh?!
Good.
Let’s go take a look.” Richard curled his lips upward.
His sources of income, aside from trade, occasionally included taking a “toll” from passing pirates.
Any pirate who crossed his path was usually in for a very unlucky day.
What could he do…
a man’s got to make a living.