Lieutenant Asta, flanked by two of his officers, boarded Vice Admiral Garp's warship, feeling the weight of the moment. As they stepped onto the massive deck, Asta couldn't help but admire the sheer scale and might of the ship. The carved dog-shaped figurehead, a symbol of Garp's unyielding strength, loomed proudly over the waves.
The deck was bustling with Marines, each moving with precision and discipline. But Asta's focus was on the figures ahead: Garp, relaxed yet commanding, sat on a crate munching on a donut. Beside him stood Bogart, the silent swordsman with a sharp aura, and—much to Asta's surprise—Rear Admiral Gion, her presence exuding elegance and authority.
Asta quickly saluted. "Lieutenant Asta, reporting, sir!"
Garp laughed heartily, waving him off. "No need to be so stiff, boy. Now, tell me—what has Aron found out during these days?"
The abruptness of the question caught Asta off guard, but he quickly composed himself. He took a deep breath, his face growing serious. "Sir, it seems that the pirate Arlong has been ruling over Cocoyashi Village and its surrounding areas for years. He's been extorting money from the villagers, and those who couldn't pay..." Asta paused, his voice heavy with emotion. "...were subjected to harsh punishments. Entire homes and families were destroyed."
As Asta began to describe Arlong's reign of terror, flashbacks of the village's suffering played vividly in his mind: families forced to give up their life savings, children crying as their homes were demolished, and the oppressive shadow of Arlong's tyranny looming over every aspect of life.
Before Garp could respond, Gion stepped forward, her eyes blazing with righteous fury. Her voice, sharp and commanding, rang out. "And what was the Navy doing while these people were suffering?!"
The deck fell silent. Every Marine within earshot froze, their gazes shifting to Asta, whose nervous sweat began to bead on his forehead. Even Garp turned to Asta, his normally jovial expression hardening into something unreadable.
Bogart, silent as always, watched Asta with an intensity that made the young Lieutenant feel like a sword was pressing against his neck.
Knowing he couldn't avoid the truth, Asta swallowed hard and answered. "The Marines stationed in the area… were in a cooperative relationship with Arlong. They were accepting bribes in exchange for turning a blind eye to his crimes."
The weight of his words hung in the air like a storm cloud.
Gion's expression darkened further as her aura began to leak out, her anger manifesting in waves of heavy pressure. Marines on deck stumbled, and some dropped to their knees, unable to withstand the sheer force of her haki-like presence. Even Asta struggled to stay upright, his legs trembling as he clenched his fists.
"Unforgivable," Gion hissed, her voice low and cold.
"Gion," Garp's voice cut through the tension like a blade.
Instantly, the oppressive aura vanished, leaving the Marines gasping for breath. Gion stepped back, still visibly shaken by the revelation.
Asta exhaled in relief but flinched as Garp's gaze fell on him once again. The Vice Admiral's sharp eyes seemed to pierce straight through him. "Once we've dealt with things on Conomi Island, we'll be visiting the Marine base. Those corrupt officers will face justice."
Asta nodded quickly, his heart pounding. He knew that Captain Nezumi and the others involved would soon face the full wrath of Garp the Hero—a fate worse than any pirate could imagine.
"Bogart," Garp said, his voice calm but firm. "Set a course for Conomi Island."
Bogart, his face partially hidden beneath his hat, nodded silently. A faint, almost imperceptible flash of red light flickered in his eyes as he moved to relay the orders.
A Letter from Atharva
Two days later, a merchant ship docked at Conomi Island. The villagers of Cocoyashi Village, led by Genzo, gathered near the harbor for trading. They stood wary, knowing that merchants could be as cunning as pirates when it came to bartering.
Genzo oversaw the proceedings, his sharp eyes ensuring the villagers weren't cheated. Among the crowd, Lieutenant Aron, stationed on the island, watched silently from the sidelines.
As the trade continued, a man approached Genzo. He was in his thirties, with short brown hair and a calm demeanor. His simple but neat attire gave him the appearance of a messenger rather than a merchant.
"Are you Genzo?" the man asked, his tone polite but firm.
Genzo turned toward him, his instincts immediately on alert. "Who's asking?"
The man smiled softly and bowed slightly. "I bring a letter from Lord Atharva of Atharva Island."
The mention of Atharva Island made Genzo's eyes widen. He immediately thought of the boy whose actions had shaken the East Blue. Aron, who had been listening nearby, froze in place.
"Lord Atharva?" Genzo repeated, his tone a mix of surprise and confusion.
The messenger handed over a sealed letter and said, "Yes. I was instructed to deliver this to you personally. My name is Kade, a resident of Atharva Island."
Genzo carefully took the letter, his hands trembling slightly as he examined the seal. Despite his surprise, he managed a smile. "Thank you, Kade. Please, stay in the village for a few days and rest before you return."
Kade nodded graciously. "You have my gratitude. I'll head to Cocoyashi Village." With that, he walked away, his calm demeanor leaving an impression on everyone present.
Aron watched Kade's retreating figure before turning his gaze to the letter Genzo tucked carefully under his coat. His thoughts swirled as he silently started walking back to the village with Aron following from behind.
To Be Continued...