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The sun shone brightly over Marineford, the grand headquarters of the World Government's military might. The massive fortress, with its iconic crescent-shaped harbor, was a bustling hive of activity. Marines trained in formation, officers barked orders, and communications hubs buzzed with news from across the seas.
In the central command office, Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat at his desk, a growing pile of wanted posters and reports spread before him. His fingers massaged his temples as he read through the latest intelligence. The rise of multiple troublesome individuals in the Grand Line was creating a storm that even his experienced command struggled to manage.
"This is ridiculous," Sengoku muttered, slamming a hand on the desk. "Two new wild cards are wreaking havoc across the Grand Line, and we're stretched too thin to deal with either properly."
He held up two wanted posters. One showed Straw Hat Luffy, grinning boldly with his iconic hat tilted back. The other bore the grim visage of The Boogeyman, his dark expression shadowed by the name that struck fear into criminals and corrupt marines alike.
"The Boogeyman," Sengoku said aloud, his voice heavy with frustration. "Michael Carter. Bounty: 280,000,000 berries. A bounty hunter turned criminal in the eyes of the World Government. His precision, his haki, his ability to vanish without a trace—he's turning the Grand Line into his personal hunting ground."
Sengoku glared at the other poster. "And then there's Luffy. Straw Hat Luffy. Grandson of that idiot Garp." He sighed deeply, leaning back in his chair. "These two are growing stronger with every passing day. They're uncontrollable."
---
The sound of a hearty laugh filled the room, breaking Sengoku's train of thought. Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp strolled in, a doughnut in one hand and his signature carefree grin plastered on his face.
"What's this, Sengoku?" Garp asked, gesturing to the wanted posters. "You seem stressed. Let me guess—it's because of my grandson!"
Sengoku groaned, slamming the posters onto the desk. "Garp, this isn't funny. Your grandson is causing chaos wherever he goes. He just defeated Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai, and now Alabasta is practically worshipping him as a hero."
Garp chuckled, biting into his doughnut. "Well, you can't blame the boy for being strong. He's my grandson, after all!"
"That's the problem!" Sengoku snapped, pointing at the poster. "He's following in your footsteps—no, he's worse! He's a pirate, Garp. And not just any pirate. He's a growing threat to the World Government."
Garp waved him off. "Bah, he's just a kid having fun. Let the boy stretch his legs."
Sengoku's glare hardened. "Fun? Fun?! He's tearing through the Grand Line, defeating Warlords, and building a crew that's quickly becoming infamous! And as if that weren't enough, now we've got this—" He held up the Boogeyman's poster. "—to deal with. Michael Carter. A bounty hunter turned mercenary with skills that rival the best of our forces. He's taking down pirates and corrupt marines with terrifying efficiency."
Garp's grin widened, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I've heard of him. Baba Yaga, right? The bounty hunter who's causing criminals to wet their pants just by hearing his name."
"Don't call him that," Sengoku muttered. "He's a menace."
"He's strong," Garp countered, his tone turning serious for a moment. "I've been reading the reports. His precision is unmatched, and his haki… they're saying he's got Conqueror's Haki. You don't see that every day."
Sengoku pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're missing the point. He's a wild card. He's unpredictable, and he's taking contracts to kill corrupt marines. Do you have any idea what kind of image that gives us?"
Garp shrugged. "Sounds like he's cleaning up some of the mess we haven't gotten to yet."
Sengoku stared at him, incredulous. "Do you even hear yourself? He's a threat, Garp. Just like your grandson. If we don't deal with them soon, they'll become even bigger problems."
Garp leaned back against the wall, folding his arms as his grin returned. "You always see things in black and white, Sengoku. Luffy's not just causing chaos—he's making waves. People like him. He's got that D spirit, that fire. And Carter? He's got his own code. He's not slaughtering innocents or terrorizing villages. He's taking down the scum that deserve it."
"That doesn't make him an ally," Sengoku retorted.
"No," Garp agreed, his tone lighter. "But it doesn't make him an enemy, either. You're looking at two men who are going to change the world, Sengoku. Whether you like it or not."
---
Sengoku groaned, rubbing his temples as Garp laughed heartily. The Fleet Admiral knew Garp wasn't entirely wrong. Both Luffy and Michael Carter were forces of nature, carving their paths through the Grand Line with determination and strength that defied the odds. But that didn't make Sengoku's job any easier.
"You're impossible," Sengoku muttered, glaring at Garp. "Do you ever take anything seriously?"
Garp's grin softened, and for a moment, there was a flicker of pride in his eyes. "I take my family seriously. And I take strength seriously. Luffy's going to be great, Sengoku. And Carter? If he keeps this up, he'll be someone worth watching."
Sengoku shook his head, leaning back in his chair. "I'm surrounded by madness."
Garp laughed, tossing another doughnut into his mouth. "Welcome to the Grand Line!"
---
As Garp left the office, humming a cheerful tune, Sengoku returned his gaze to the wanted posters. Two names. Two rising legends. Straw Hat Luffy, the aspiring Pirate King. Michael Carter, the feared Boogeyman. Both were growing stronger with each passing day, and both were shaping the Grand Line in their own ways.
For Sengoku, they were headaches. For Garp, they were sparks of hope.
And for the world, they were forces that could not be ignored.
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