"Vice Admiral Garp, a pirate ship has appeared directly in our path. Should we engage?"
In the East Blue—dubbed the weakest of the four seas—a Marine warship cut through the waves with a commanding presence. Onboard stood Vice Admiral Garp, his black hair still untouched by age, casually surveying the ocean. A pirate ship had dared to sail directly into their course, an act that could only be described as suicidal.
If the ship had stayed at a distance, Garp likely wouldn't have bothered; after all, he wasn't one to waste effort unless provoked. But to brazenly block his path? That was a mistake no pirate should make.
"These fools must have a death wish," Garp said with a smirk, cracking his knuckles. "Full speed ahead. We'll send every last one of them to Impel Down to rot."
His booming voice carried authority and the promise of chaos, as though daring the pirates to make a move.
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!" the crew responded in unison.
The warship surged forward, slicing through the water with incredible speed. Despite Garp's famously laid-back nature, the East Blue was his home, and he would tolerate no threats here. It was no coincidence that this sea remained the weakest—Garp's frequent visits ensured that any pirate crew unlucky enough to cross his path would either find themselves locked away or feeding the fish at the bottom of the ocean.
---
On the Pirate Ship
"Captain! A Marine warship is closing in on us—it's Garp's ship!" the lookout cried, his voice trembling.
The captain of the pirate crew, a man with wild, kelp-like hair, laughed hysterically. "Perfect! I've been looking for a fight. If we take out that ship, we'll make headlines worldwide!" His confidence was palpable, though clearly misplaced.
With a sneer, he pointed at the distinctive figurehead of the approaching ship—a dog's head carved in Garp's unmistakable style. "What kind of idiot decorates their ship like that? They'll regret underestimating us soon enough!"
In the East Blue, not everyone recognized Garp's legendary warship. After all, what business would a Marine hero have in such a backwater sea? But ignorance would soon prove fatal for this crew.
---
Back on the Warship
"Vice Admiral, the pirate ship has increased speed and is heading straight for us," an observer reported.
"Ha! They've got guts, I'll give them that," Garp chuckled. "But guts alone won't save them. Listen up, everyone—no mercy! Judging by their audacity, they've probably committed more crimes than we can count. Prepare to sink their ship and take the survivors as prisoners!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!"
The crew moved with practiced precision, their confidence bolstered by Garp's commanding presence. After all, this was the man who had captured the Pirate King himself. To the Marines on this warship, Garp was more than a hero—he was a living legend.
---
The First Strike
As the pirate ship closed the distance, its cannons fired, sending a volley of poorly aimed cannonballs toward the Marines. Most missed entirely, splashing harmlessly into the sea.
"Tch. Pirates in the East Blue are so weak these days," Garp muttered, shaking his head. "They've got no skill, yet they think they can take on the Marines. Let's show them how it's done."
The warship shuddered slightly from the impact of a distant explosion, but the seasoned Marines barely flinched. Even the junior sailors stood firm, their feet steady as if nailed to the deck.
Garp's adjutant, Bogard, stepped forward with his usual stoic demeanor. Though largely unknown outside the Navy, those who had faced him in battle knew better than to underestimate his strength. Rumors even claimed he once held his own against Silvers Rayleigh during a clash between Garp and Roger's crews.
"Return fire," Garp ordered, his tone casual but firm. "But aim carefully—I sense there are a few innocent prisoners on that ship. We'll take them alive."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Garp's observational Haki had already pinpointed weak, fading life signs aboard the pirate vessel—likely hostages or captives. His intuition rarely failed him.
The Marines Strike Back
With precision born of experience, the Marines unleashed a barrage of cannon fire. The shots hit their mark with devastating accuracy, crippling the pirate ship without destroying it entirely. Smoke and flames erupted from its deck, and the panicked cries of pirates filled the air.
On the warship, Garp crossed his arms, grinning like a predator eyeing his prey. "Now, let's go clean up the mess."