Not long after, everyone followed the rat back into Arlong Park.
On the way, Colonel Nezumi felt something was wrong. Several tall buildings that once stood in Arlong Park were now gone, and the closer they got, the stronger the smell of blood became. Colonel Nezumi's heart grew increasingly uneasy.
When he entered the park and saw the courtyard filled with Fishman corpses, he knew the villagers hadn't lied. Still, when he thought of the Arlong Pirates' treasure, a wave of greed surged in his heart.
Nezumi looked at Luffy and the others and said, "Did you kill Arlong's crew? Where did you put their treasure? This is all evidence of piracy and needs to be handed over to the Marines. Hand it over, or you won't want to know the consequences."
"Oh~ How severe are the consequences? We'd really like to try," Zoro and Sanji said in unison.
"Oh~ So you want to oppose the Marines? In that case, don't blame me for being ruthless," Colonel Nezumi snarled.
Then, he waved his hand at the Marines behind him. "This village was invaded by two pirate crews. Both massacred all the villagers and perished together. Aim your guns and shoot. Eliminate—"
Before he could finish speaking, his adjutant rushed over, covering his mouth and whispering, "Colonel, we can't afford to provoke these people. One of them has a bounty of 500 million Berries."
Nezumi froze. He followed the direction his subordinate pointed and saw the person from the bounty poster issued by Marine Headquarters just last night. Terrified, he quickly changed his expression and walked over.
"Oh my~ So it's Grandpa Shin'ya and your captain and crew. Hahaha~ It's all my fault for being blind. This Fishman pirate crew—was your doing, right? I'll send Arlong's bounty to you right away. Since Cocoyasi Village is under your protection, I'll leave immediately and never return."
Zoro sneered, "You're a disgrace to the Marines. All you do is bully civilians."
Shin'ya also smiled, looking at Nezumi, then pointed at Luffy and asked, "Nezumi, right? Do you know who he is?"
Nezumi was puzzled. Is this person important? Why don't I recognize him? Then he shook his head. "I don't know."
"Since you're about to meet your end today, I'll tell you so you can die in peace." Shin'ya placed his arm around Luffy's shoulder. "This guy's background is terrifying. His name is Monkey D. Luffy—his grandfather is Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, the Marine Hero. His father is Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army. His mentor is Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors. His brother joined Whitebeard's crew. Your death flag is fully stacked—who's going to save you now?"
A ruthless glint flashed in Nezumi's eyes. "Attack! They clearly don't plan to let us go. Wipe out the village to keep things quiet! Shoot!"
"Biu. Biu. Biu. Biu." Bullets flew toward Luffy and the others.
Luffy stepped in front of the group, his eyes blazing with killing intent. "You're not fit to be Marines—reckless, heartless. I'll beat you to death!"
"Gum-Gum Whip!" Luffy swung his leg, knocking down a group of Marines.
Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji quickly joined the fray. The battle grew violent and bloody.
Half an hour later, dozens more Marine corpses littered Arlong Park. Shin'ya, finding them an eyesore, used his thorns to drag the bodies into the seabed roots as fertilizer.
Soon after, everyone returned to Nojiko's house. The villagers began preparing food, planning an all-night banquet.
---
Meanwhile…
The Marines who had been stationed outside with Colonel Nezumi quickly sailed away from Cocoyasi Village once they realized what had happened. They returned to Marine Branch 16 and reported that Colonel Nezumi had been killed by the Straw Hat Pirates.
At the same time, photos of all the Straw Hat Pirates were uploaded.
---
At Marine Headquarters, in the Intelligence Department, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had previously ordered that any new intel about Shin'ya be reported to him immediately. So when the report from East Blue Branch 16 arrived, an officer ran straight to Sengoku's office.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Come in."
"Report, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. There's new intel on the man you've been monitoring," the officer said, handing over the file.
"I see. You may leave," Sengoku said, taking the report.
After the officer left, Sengoku began reading. "Hmm? According to Baratie intel, Garp's grandson wouldn't kill Marines without cause. Looks like something's rotten at Branch 16. Garp should be in East Blue, right? I'll call him later."
He kept reading. "Cocoyasi Village was suddenly surrounded by a thorn forest? And cannon fire couldn't get through? That's definitely Shin'ya's doing. But why?"
He soon understood. A girl from Cocoyasi Village had joined the Straw Hats. That gave him a general idea: "The Marines from Branch 16 were likely oppressing the people, maybe worse. The girl must've shown some potential Shin'ya valued. To let her set sail peacefully, he used his ability to shield the village. As for why the Marines were killed, that needs confirming."
Sengoku picked up the Den Den Mushi to call Garp.
---
Elsewhere…
Garp had arrived at Windmill Village the day after Luffy set sail. After the mayor told him Luffy had already departed, he didn't linger. He boarded a Marine ship and slowly began heading toward the Grand Line.
Coincidentally, the island Garp docked at was the same one Luffy had just left.
Everywhere he went, Garp heard praise for Luffy and his crew. Now, whenever he got the chance, he'd boast, "As expected of my grandson. Even as a pirate, he's doing the right thing!"
In Shells Town, he threw the disgraced Captain Morgan—whose legs were broken—into the dog-head battleship's prison, planning to send him to trial. He also brought Coby and Helmeppo aboard, intending to take them to Marine Headquarters.
In Orange Town, he learned that Luffy had defeated the Buggy Pirates and saved the villagers.
At the moment, Garp was on Syrup Village, escorting the Black Cat Pirates—who had been tied up by Shin'ya's Wood Release—onto his ship.
Looking at Jango, the Nyaban Brothers, and the now-castrated Captain Kuro, Garp even considered recruiting them into the Marines. The Black Cat Pirates originally refused, but they couldn't withstand Garp's "fist of love" training regimen, so they reluctantly agreed.
Then Kuro, now walking with a strange effeminate gait, walked up to Garp with a Den Den Mushi, fluttering his hand and speaking in a delicate voice, "Oh dear~ Vice Admiral Garp, Fleet Admiral Sengoku is calling."
Garp picked up the Den Den Mushi with a look of disgust, like an old man squinting at his phone on a crowded train. "You go away. Next time, let someone else handle this."
As soon as he answered, Sengoku's roar exploded from the Den Den Mushi. "Garp! Look what your grandson has done! He nearly wiped out all of Marine Branch 16 in Cocoyasi Village! What kind of upbringing is this!?"
Garp picked his nose and laughed. "Is that so? As expected of my grandson. If Luffy did that, the problem must be with Branch 16."
"We don't have the full story yet. You're to head to Branch 16 immediately and then investigate Cocoyasi Village. There's a girl from there who joined your grandson's crew, and the whole island is now surrounded by Shin'ya's ability. Figure out if it's for protection or something else," Sengoku said wearily.
He added, "Also, no matter the reason, your grandson killed Marines. I'm issuing a bounty on him. This is just a courtesy notice. You'd better hurry up and not dawdle in East Blue for half a year again. Remember, you're still a Vice Admiral!"
Garp pouted. "Yeah, yeah. Hanging up."
And he hung up decisively.
Then he gave the order, "Navigator, adjust course. We're heading to Cocoyasi Village. No need to rush. Take your time."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!" the navigator saluted before heading below deck.
---
Back in Sengoku's office at Marine Headquarters.
"Someone!" Sengoku barked.
A soldier entered and saluted. "Fleet Admiral, your orders?"
"Go to the Intelligence Department and tell them to issue bounties for the Straw Hat Pirates," Sengoku said, handing over a document.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku." The soldier took the document and ran off toward the Intelligence Department.
---
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