◉◉◉◉◉
Garp studied the unfamiliar face on the new bounty poster with curiosity.
Sengoku gave a quiet sigh before answering.
"East Blue may be the weakest of the four seas… but it sure produces its share of monsters."
He gave Garp a pointed look.
"Let's not even talk about Gol D. Roger your generation. But in this era, we've got you, Garp the Marine Hero... your son, Dragon, the Revolutionary Army's leader… and your grandson, Portgas D. Ace, now making waves in the Grand Line as Fire Fist!"
"Is this kid just as crazy?" Garp asked, raising the bounty poster again.
"Not yet," Sengoku admitted. "He's not a current threat but his potential is enormous. Based on our intelligence, he's a Logia-type Devil Fruit user the Wind-Wind Fruit."
"The Wind-Wind Fruit?" That caught Garp's attention. His tone finally turned serious.
"Yes. A Logia. I don't have to explain how dangerous that can be you've seen what Ace can do with the Flame-Flame Fruit." Sengoku then leaned forward and added, "And I suspect this kid is behind the naval ship disaster in East Blue four months ago."
Garp furrowed his brows.
"That storm… the townspeople did mention a massive waterspout."
"Exactly. The Wind-Wind Fruit could do that. It makes him a prime suspect," Sengoku confirmed. "That's why I sent a Navy Colonel with 200 elite troops to investigate. But they turned up nothing. I was going to recall them... but now I want him to bring Aero in."
Sengoku paused, then admitted a deeper concern.
"East Blue has become unusually unstable. First, Krieg calls himself a Pirate Admiral and rallies 5,000 men for a Grand Line invasion. Then Aero sets sail and wipes out the Arlong Pirates shortly after. The seas are boiling."
"You want me to go?" Garp asked, now fully focused.
"Yes. We need to crush this before it escalates," Sengoku said. "I'm worried our deployed forces will only push them to grow faster."
Garp nodded and stood with sudden energy. "Alright! I'll head out!"
As he turned to leave, Sengoku called out behind him.
"And keep your grandson in line! Two is already too many don't let a third one pop up! I've been fending off calls for your impeachment."
Garp paused, then turned back with a grin.
"Don't worry! I'll definitely have a talk with my grandsons!"
He laughed loudly as he walked off.
---
Meanwhile, in East Blue…
A large Marine battleship sailed steadily across the open waters. Its crisp white sails bore the bold blue Marine insignia, and its hull was painted dark navy blue. Rows of massive cannons lined the bow, while busy sailors patrolled the deck.
On the main deck beneath the mast, a Marine officer reclined on a beach chair under the sun. His green suit and white cape with the word "Justice" emblazoned on the back stood out, and a white cap shadowed his eyes.
"Sir! Urgent call from HQ!" A soldier ran over, holding a Transponder Snail.
"Hmm?" the officer sat up, adjusted his cap, and reached for the snail.
"Brrrr… click—"
"Hello?"
A garbled command came through the line.
"…Roger. Understood. I'll bring him in personally."
He handed the snail back to the soldier and stood.
"Set course for East Blue. We're heading back."
The crew snapped into action while their laid-back superior calmly reclined again.
"Tch. Just when I thought I'd get sent somewhere exciting… now I'm chasing pirates again," the officer muttered. He reached for a nearby table and picked up a bounty poster.
"Aero… where are you hiding? I'm coming for you."
A smirk played on his lips.
Originally a Marine Colonel, he'd recently been promoted to Rear Admiral as a reward for accepting this East Blue assignment. The plan had been to recall him for the operation to capture Portgas D. Ace, but with Aero's activities, HQ decided to keep him here a little longer.
---
Back on the Grand Line…
The Navy's operation against Fire Fist Ace had already begun. Marines were mobilizing, planning to crush this rising star of piracy.
Ace had sailed into the second half of the Grand Line, the New World, for two reasons: to escape the Navy, and to challenge one of the Four Emperors Whitebeard.
---
New World – Whitebeard Pirates' Territory
Aboard the Moby Dick, a massive man with a crescent-shaped white mustache laughed heartily while drinking from a large sake bottle.
"Gurararara! Looks like the New World's about to get lively!" Whitebeard grinned, newspaper in hand.
---
Back in East Blue – Aboard the Dove
Aero, sitting aboard his own ship, skimmed the day's newspaper.
Today's headline?
"Portgas D. Ace Makes Waves in the Grand Line!"
◉◉◉◉◉
~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◉◉◉◉◉
For early access to advanced chapters on P-atreon:
P-atreon/iamxeno
(Just remove the - hyphen to access Patreon normally)
Thank you so much for your support and for reading!