As the white-masked CP0 was about to have the gates of the New World opened for them—
On the celestial ship heading toward the royal palace of the Goa Kingdom, several black-suited men standing at a distance, observing the refugee fleet, gradually wore grim expressions.
"That official… they haven't returned after so long. There's no response from the Den Den Mushi either. Could they have failed?"
Considering this possibility, the black-suited men's expressions grew increasingly fearful.
If the white mask could bring the criminal back, that would be fine. The criminal would personally bear the wrath of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government.
But if… even CP0 failed, or worse, was lost to the enemy, then the situation would become severe.
This would necessitate deploying an Admiral to hunt down the perpetrator—an act heinous enough to alarm the entire World!
"We can't delay any longer. We must report this immediately!"
Marine Headquarters, Marineford, the Fleet Admiral's office.
Sitting behind the office desk with arms crossed, Fleet Admiral Kong quietly listened to a Marine officer's report.
Kong's body was incredibly robust, with a broad chest. However, his triangular-shaped beard and hair had turned completely white with age. He was far older than Garp, who was also famed for his physical strength and known as "Iron Fist."
"Saint Charlos was attacked in the waters of the Goa Kingdom. The CP0 agents accompanying him are out of contact—status unknown, possibly dead..."
"In a remote place like the Goa Kingdom, to think there exists such an audacious criminal."
Kong's expression darkened.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, the latest message from the Goa Kingdom has identified the criminal. He's the number one wanted man in the Goa Kingdom—the one responsible for burning the Terminal of Uncertainty!"
"Right before attacking Saint Charlos's ship, he also just repelled a joint operation launched by the Goa Kingdom and the Marines' 73rd Branch…"
The officer, with a complicated expression, placed a wanted poster on the desk.
"Sig, King of the Bandits of the East Blue! Bounty: 8.8 million berries!"
"8.8 million? And a bandit? What on earth is the intelligence division doing?"
Kong rubbed his temples in frustration.
Beyond assaulting a Celestial Dragon, he was suspected of defeating the CP0 agent accompanying Saint Charlos. Such a ferocious criminal only had a bounty of 8.8 million berries until now?
Forget it. There's no point in dwelling on that at the moment.
CP0 had already failed. To handle this situation—
The Marines' highest combat power, an Admiral, would have to be deployed.
After all, the status of the Celestial Dragons is not to be challenged.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, allow me to go," came a voice.
It was Admiral Sengoku, who had been silently listening from one side of the office, volunteering.
Admiral Sengoku was now 67 years old, similar in age to Garp—essentially, a grandfather figure. Yet his hair was still jet-black and thick, with an afro hidden under his Marine cap and a twisted goatee on his chin.
Hearing Sengoku's offer, Kong remained silent.
The Goa Kingdom was a remote location, a minor kingdom in the East Blue.
Sending Admiral Sengoku from Marine Headquarters in the middle of the Grand Line to the faraway East Blue would take far too long.
When it involves a Celestial Dragon, any delays in action would only increase the pressure on the Marines.
"Isn't Garp stationed near the Goa Kingdom? Notify Garp immediately. Have him capture the criminal Sig!" Kong ordered the officer.
Sengoku let out a light sigh. He knew all too well his old friend Garp's temperament.
One of the reasons Garp had repeatedly refused promotions to Admiral was that he didn't want to get entangled with the Celestial Dragons.
Marine Vice Admiral Garp was a hero with unparalleled achievements and status, wielding exceptional authority. However, his dislike for the Celestial Dragons was never hidden.
His merits and strength had long qualified him for the rank of Admiral. However, becoming an Admiral meant accepting certain responsibilities—like protecting the Celestial Dragons.
Yet as someone who never accepted the Admiral rank, Garp might outright refuse Kong's summons.
"That guy, Garp… Forget it. I'll go myself," Sengoku said.
Sengoku, having little hope in Garp, stood up and spoke again.
At this moment, the officer who had just contacted Garp spoke up:
"Fleet Admiral Kong, Vice Admiral Garp has agreed to the order. He's already on his way to capture the bandit Sig!"
...
In the waters surrounding the Goa Kingdom, under the night sky, Garp's warship was sailing at full speed.
"Bring me the shells!"
Garp stood on the deck, shouting in anger.
"Vice Admiral Garp! No, we can't!"
"Our warship was just repaired at the base, we can't push it any further!"
The officers nearby looked horrified and hurried to advise him.
"Bring me the shells!" Garp snapped, glaring at them.
Seeing his expression, the officers had no choice but to give in helplessly.
Standing at the stern of the ship, Garp clenched his fists tightly, his anger boiling over inside.
He had never wanted to be involved in the Celestial Dragons' business.
He had been planning to flat-out refuse the order, but then he heard the name of the criminal from the Den Den Mushi.
"Sig! You're the one causing all this trouble! Not long ago, I entrusted my grandson to you, and now you've stirred up such a mess!"
"And my grandson? Don't tell me you've taken him aboard your ship?"
Garp's rage exploded in his heart!
But this was a secret matter, and he had to keep it hidden—he couldn't tell any of his subordinates.
If he refused the Marine's order, then an Admiral would be sent to capture Sig.
If Luffy was really with Sig, what would happen? Could the Marines accidentally harm him?
After thinking it over, Garp reluctantly decided to go after Sig personally!
He took Sig's wanted poster from his coat and gave it a glance before crumpling it into a ball with force.
"Sig, you didn't take my warning seriously at all!"
Garp had received more than just an order. The report also included information about Sig's assassination of a Celestial Dragon.
"I thought you hadn't fully recovered your strength and were only left with a bit of momentum..."
"But you managed to assassinate a Celestial Dragon right under CP0's noses, and it seems you even defeated CP0 afterward..."
"Looks like I underestimated you after all!"
Garp's anger began to intensify.
He took the cannonball from his subordinate and hurled it forward with great force.
Boom!
The newly repaired Marine warship resumed its cannonball speed, and the large ship began to stagger again, tossing everyone aboard from side to side.
In the ship's hold, in a prison cage, the sawshark fishman Arlong was huddled in a corner, his gaze dull and unfocused.
Hearing the faint sounds of cannon fire from outside, Arlong was startled.
He thought back to the other day when he had arrived in the East Blue with the newly formed Arlong Pirates, intending to make his mark, only to run into Garp.
'Another Marine Vice Admiral... Am I really this weak? Have I made no progress at all over the years? The gap between me and a Marine Vice Admiral is still this big?'
Arlong muttered to himself while curled up in the cell.
After Fisher Tiger, the captain of the Sun Pirates, died, Arlong left on his own to seek revenge. But he ended up encountering a Marine Vice Admiral who resembled a monkey. After a crushing defeat, he was thrown into prison.
After being released, he wised up and decided to hide out in the East Blue, the weakest sea, to bide his time.
But now, he had run into yet another Marine Vice Admiral.
_________________________________
titles of the upcoming chapters:
Chapter 60: How to deal with Garp?
Chapter 61: Another Encounter with Garp
Chapter 62 A loving father and a filial son
Enjoy!!!