Naval Fleet – Flagship
Sengoku stared bitterly in the direction of Baterilla Island, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked.
"Ah... Why is Admiral Sengoku’s head on fire?"
"So scary... Judging by Admiral Sengoku’s expression, we must have failed."
"As expected of the Pirate King, Roger. Just one glance from him knocked us all out."
"Even Vice Admiral Garp was here this time, and we still lost."
"Incredible... The Pirate King really is hard to capture."
The Marines on the flagship trembled in fear, not daring to speak aloud—only whispering in their hearts.
"Sengoku, we did our best. No need to overthink it. Want a donut?"
Garp lounged on a folding chair, wearing his signature dog-shaped hat, casually stuffing donuts into his mouth one after another.
"Ah, Vice Admiral Garp is saying that at a time like this... He’s gonna get scolded."
"The 'Hero of the Marines,' Vice Admiral Garp... He’s way too laid-back."
Sengoku turned, veins bulging on his forehead, and pointed furiously at Garp.
"GARP! This is all your fault! If you had just held Roger back, I could’ve taken down those pirates in one go!"
"Just as I thought... Admiral Sengoku is furious."
"Poor Vice Admiral Garp, always getting yelled at by Admiral Sengoku."
The surrounding Marines averted their eyes, afraid Sengoku might redirect his anger at them.
Garp, picking his nose while eating donuts, merely shrugged.
"I already did my best. The first time I fought Roger, I went all out. But he’s developed even stronger techniques now—his Haki control has gotten sharper."
Hearing this, Sengoku, Zephyr, Kizaru, and Akainu all turned to look at Garp.
"Even so, with your strength, you should’ve at least stalled Roger! I was this close to seriously injuring those pirates!"
Sengoku’s frustration was palpable. Victory had been within reach, and now he’d have to face Fleet Admiral Kong’s reprimand.
"Hahaha! My bad. Maybe I was just too hungry to fight properly."
Garp laughed heartily before tearing open another bag of donuts.
"Ne~ What a terrifying guy. If Gol D. Roger is this strong, why did he surrender to the World Government in the first place?"
Kizaru scratched his cheek lazily, tilting his head in confusion.
"It is strange. What’s Roger’s goal? Did he plan something for the day of his execution? But why? His actions make no sense..."
Zephyr sighed, lighting a cigar with a troubled expression. His concern wasn’t the mission’s failure—it was losing Reid. He genuinely admired the young man’s potential and believed he could’ve become an outstanding Marine.
"Hmph! A pirate like him must be imprisoned immediately. Leaving him free only endangers the world. Next time I see him, I’ll bury him in magma!"
Akainu’s face twisted with rage, his molten fists seething as he glared at Baterilla Island.
"So terrifying... Vice Admiral Akainu is too brutal."
"No wonder he’s called a 'monster.' To rise to Vice Admiral so quickly—amazing."
The nearby Marines gulped, sweat dripping from their brows—whether from Akainu’s scorching heat or sheer terror, no one could tell.
"Akainu, don’t boast when you lack strength. If Roger wanted you dead, it wouldn’t be hard for him."
Garp munched on a donut, side-eyeing Sakazuki.
Kizaru glanced at Garp, his expression unreadable.
Though Akainu’s face darkened, he stayed silent. As much as he hated to admit it, Garp was right. If even Garp couldn’t capture Roger, what chance did a newly promoted Vice Admiral like him have?
"Coo coo coo!"
A news seagull circled above the warship.
The Marines looked up to see the bird carrying a bundle of newspapers. A soldier waved it down—standard procedure—and the bird landed, holding out a wing expectantly.
"What?! 1,000 Beri?!"
The Marine’s jaw dropped. He glanced at the newspaper bundle and cursed inwardly, "What a rip-off!"
With no objections from Sengoku or the others, he reluctantly handed over the money. The news bird flew off immediately after.
"Guess I’ll have to pay for this later..."
Sighing, the soldier approached Sengoku and handed him the paper.
"Admiral Sengoku, the newspaper. Please take a look."
The moment Sengoku scanned the headlines, his face twisted in fury.
Zephyr exhaled a cloud of smoke as he walked over.
"What’s it say, Sengoku?"
"That damn bird, Morgans... I’d like to slap him a few times. The news has already spread."
Sengoku scowled, shoving the paper at Zephyr.
After skimming it, Zephyr nodded calmly.
"At least Morgans showed some restraint. He didn’t mention our..."
"...embarrass us too badly."
"Hahahaha! That old bird—neither the World Government nor the pirates dare to cause trouble for him!"
Garp threw his head back in laughter, spraying bits of half-chewed donut everywhere.
"Vice Admiral Garp, please mind your image..."
A Marine behind him whispered a reminder.
"Oh, right. My bad."
Garp waved a hand dismissively.
"Sigh..."
The soldiers exhaled in exasperation. They were long used to Garp's unreliable demeanor.
"That old bird has strong ties with the World Government. Who would dare provoke him? Besides, every faction relies on him to spread news and boost their influence."
Zephyr took a final drag from his cigar before flicking the butt into the sea.
"Hmph! The Navy's justice must be restored. We should capture Gol D. Roger's family and force him to surrender!"
Akainu's fury burned hotter than his magma, his desire to capture Roger overwhelming.
"Zephyr, what kind of students have you been teaching?"
Garp munched on his donut, his tone eerily calm as he addressed Zephyr.
Kizaru also turned his droopy-eyed gaze toward them.
Zephyr...