"This time, I brought back a batch of really good wine. I'll send some to Teacher later. We also caught quite a few pirates on the ship, and I've hidden their treasure away. Next time we go out, I'll exchange it for Berries. That'll be enough for us to live comfortably for a while," Ryu said with a smile.
"That sounds good. The Marine's benefits aren't great. You've been a Marine your whole life, and yet you're still not as rich as this kid. You young people really know how to make money, wahahaha," Garp chuckled.
Sengoku, who had been listening to the two talk openly about violating Marine discipline and secretly confiscating pirate treasure, was nearly fuming with frustration. The veins on his forehead were almost forming a "井" shape. He swore to himself that he would find a chance to properly teach these two reckless fellows a lesson.
"Young Ryu, you were a bit reckless this time," Garp finally started joking once they arrived at Ryu's small courtyard.
"Teacher, when it comes to Ace, I had no choice," Ryu shook his head and replied.
"Is it really that serious?" Garp frowned, asking.
"Ace could lose his life if things go wrong," Ryu said quietly.
Garp froze, then patted Ryu's shoulder and said, "I'm getting old. The next generation is yours to lead. Just be careful."
"Don't worry, Teacher. I will protect the justice in my heart," Ryu said firmly.
Garp smiled bitterly, thinking to himself, "What if your sense of justice conflicts with the Marine's justice?"
Although he thought this, Garp didn't say it out loud. Many excellent Marine officers had left the Marines and become pirates because their personal sense of justice clashed with the Marine's justice.
"Don't worry, Teacher. I'll succeed. Piracy isn't my path. I'll lead the Marines to true justice!" Ryu said solemnly, as if sensing Garp's concern.
"Kid, that path is too difficult," Garp sighed.
"If dreams were easy to achieve, then they wouldn't be called dreams. So, Teacher, don't lose heart. I'll need your help when the time comes!" Ryu grinned.
"I'm afraid this old body of mine won't be able to help you much," Garp shook his head and laughed.
"Your reputation is my greatest support!" Ryu smiled lightly.
"Ah, speaking of which, I almost forgot to tell you. Last time I went to the East Blue, I brought back two kids. If you have time, take care of them for me. As for the wine you brought back, send half to me. I won't stay long!" Garp seemed to suddenly remember something, then quickly stood up to leave.
Ryu's smile froze, his teeth gritted as he muttered, "Old man, that's too much. No share of the profits this time!"
"What? When I helped you get out of Sengoku's office just now, you called me Teacher, but now you're calling me 'old man'? How rude!" Garp, who was nearly at the door, turned around and punched Ryu on the head. A big bump immediately appeared on Ryu's head.
Although Ryu knew that Garp was just using his strength to bully him, he couldn't do anything about it. With no way to fight back, Ryu nodded with tears in his eyes and said, "I understand. I'll take care of the younger brother, and I'll send the profit share to you right away."
After hearing this, Garp nodded in satisfaction and said, "You wouldn't listen when I spoke to you properly, so I had to show you the teacher's authority~ wahahaha."
Watching Garp leave, laughing to cover up his own embarrassment, Ryu ground his teeth in frustration.
Meanwhile, Luffy and the others had just finished their battle with Silver Fox Foxy. Although it was a close call, with Luffy and his crew's strength, they didn't face any serious problems.
"Hey, old man, do you want to take a ride on our ship to the island over there?" Luffy asked the short old man who had been walking on stilts for ten years on Long Ring Island.
The old man shook his head and said, "The ten small islands of Long Ring Island are connected, so it's considered one small island. It's not possible to store a record of it, so there's no need to trouble you all. Since everything's done, come to my house and rest for a while!"
The old man said this as he walked toward the door, but then, with a "bang," he collided with something.
"What is this?"
"It's a person!"
"Has he been here the whole time?"
The Straw Hat Pirates were startled by the tall man who suddenly appeared at the entrance of the old man's tent. The man seemed to be sleeping, and it wasn't until the short old man bumped into him that he slowly woke up.
"Who are you?" the man asked, removing his eye patch and looking at the Straw Hat crew.
"Hey, who are you? Didn't you know you're blocking the door? I thought you were a tree!" Usopp responded in frustration.
However, Robin, who was standing behind them, trembled in fear as she looked at the tall man. She seemed terrified.
"Robin? What's wrong? Do you know him?" The crew members looked at Robin in shock, while Zoro had his sword ready to unsheath.
"H-he's..." Robin stammered, unable to finish her sentence.
"Ah~ Robin, long time no see! You've grown into a fine young lady!" the tall man said lazily.
"What? So, he's someone Robin knows?" Luffy said, tilting his head.
"Ah~ he's someone I knew a long time ago," the tall man quietly replied.
"You idiot, how can it just be someone you knew? Robin's already this frightened! Who are you really?" Nami asked seriously.
"Ahh, come on, brothers, don't be like that. I didn't get any orders. I was just out for a walk and happened to end up here!" the tall man waved his hand and laughed.
"Orders? What organization are you from?" Zoro glared at the tall man and asked.
"He… he's from the Marines! A Marine Admiral, Aokiji Kuzan," Robin finally calmed down a bit, but she still seemed in disbelief. She hadn't expected the tall man to appear here so suddenly.
"Admiral?" The crew members exclaimed in surprise.
"That's right, a Marine Admiral. He's the highest combat strength in the Marine organization, with only three people holding this title. He's one of them, called Aokiji, Kuzan! Above him is only the Marine Fleet Admiral!" Robin explained to the crew.
"Why would a Marine Admiral be targeting us? Shouldn't he be going after people with higher bounties?" Usopp, terrified, had already hidden behind Zoro.
"Admiral? Does that mean he's even stronger than Ryu?" Zoro's fighting spirit was ignited.
"Ara ara, everyone, don't get too excited. I've already told you, I'm not here to capture you. I was just out for a walk! By the way, what was your crew's name again? Never mind, I forgot!" Aokiji waved his hand dismissively.
--------------------------------
Hello Cute Selfie Cat here
If you want to read advance chapter
Feel free to join my patreon(.)com/CuteSelfieCat
> Free members get +5 Chapters
> Tier 1 members get +15 Chapters
> Tier 2 members get +25 Chapters