But as a village that had produced a Marine hero, the villagers, though nervous, weren't panicking completely.
They sent someone to notify the village chief while hurrying home to hide their valuables.
Compared to Windmill Village's orderly chaos, the distant Marine surveillance ship was in complete turmoil.
"Why would the Beast Pirates go to Windmill Village?"
The branch major responsible for surveillance paced frantically in the cramped bridge like an ant on a hot pot, cold sweat pouring from his forehead.
Others might not know, but he did. Windmill Village was Vice Admiral Garp's hometown.
Every year during vacation, Vice Admiral Garp would return to stay for several days.
This was an open secret within the East Blue Marine branch.
Now it was perfect. The vicious Beast Pirates had set their sights on this place. If they went crazy and committed a massacre, he could kiss his career goodbye.
His adjutant approached and advised: "For now, we can only report the situation and wait for headquarters to decide."
"Oh, right!"
The major suddenly realized, slapping his forehead.
He really was panicking and getting confused.
Was the Beast Pirates something a small branch major like him could handle?
He'd already risked his life following the Beast Pirates, which was more than worthy of his Marine salary. Why look for trouble?
Soon, Marine Headquarters received the major's urgent report.
Concerning the safety of the Marine Hero's hometown, the Marine colonel who received the intelligence didn't delay and urgently passed it up to Sengoku.
After quickly scanning the intelligence, Sengoku frowned, unable to figure out Kai's purpose.
If Kai had some conspiracy, he'd have been quiet since arriving in East Blue, except for fighting Hawkeye.
But if he was simply touring, what was he doing in Windmill Village?
He should be going to the Goa Kingdom instead. That was the famous tourist destination.
But regardless, with his old friend's hometown's safety at stake, both professionally and personally, he had to get involved.
He couldn't let Zephyr's tragedy repeat with Garp.
Coincidentally, these days are Garp's vacation time, so he should be somewhere near East Blue.
Sengoku dialed Garp's number. The Den Den Mushi rang for a while before a deep, calm voice answered:
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! This is Bogard."
"Where's Garp?"
"The Vice Admiral is clearing out pirate crews in East Blue."
Saying this, Bogard held the Den Den Mushi toward the battle center.
Clear laughter from Garp came through the phone.
"Iron Fist Meteor Shower!"
This was followed by a series of deafening explosions.
Garp didn't keep Sengoku waiting long. His recreational pirate-clearing activity soon ended.
This was just a small diversion during his travels.
An unrestrained laugh came through the Den Den Mushi: "Hahaha, Sengoku, it's only been a few days and you already miss me?"
"Give me a break. I'd prefer if you stayed out longer. At least no one would steal my senbei."
After the two old friends habitually exchanged barbs, Sengoku got to the point.
"Listen, Garp. Natural Disaster Kai is currently in Windmill Village."
"What?!"
Veins bulged on Garp's forehead as he hung up and commanded loudly: "Set course for Windmill Village! Full speed ahead!"
The magnificent Rayquaza slowly docked at the harbor.
Windmill Village's cozy tavern welcomed a group of special guests.
"What's special about this place? It looks like an ordinary village to me." Violet was puzzled.
"Don't underestimate this place." Kai chuckled: "This is the hometown of Marine Hero Garp."
The speaker was casual, but the listener took it to heart.
The tavern owner, Makino, frowned and unconsciously glanced toward the corner at the straw hat-wearing kid who was eating enthusiastically.
Were they here for Mr. Garp?
She never hesitated to assume the worst intentions when it came to pirates.
"Makino, another plate!"
Luffy raised his empty plate high, his cheeks bulging comically.
"Luffy, you've already eaten a lot. Leave once you're full." Makino hinted desperately.
"Huh? But I'm not full yet." Luffy replied blankly: "I want another plate."
Idiot.
Makino held her forehead in frustration. She really shouldn't have had such high expectations for Luffy's intelligence.
"Hey, straw hat kid over there."
Kai said with a smile: "Can you lend me your straw hat to look at? I can treat you to a meal."
"Really?"
Luffy's eyes lit up as he immediately handed his straw hat to Kai, earnestly instructing: "Be careful! This hat is a gift from Shanks. It's my most important treasure!"
Then he turned to Makino: "Give me three more plates of meat."
Makino sighed and returned to the kitchen to prepare food for Luffy.
"Wait."
Violet realized: "Shanks? You don't mean Red-Haired Shanks, do you?"
"Yeah." Luffy nodded vigorously, matter-of-factly: "Shanks is my good friend! Do you know him too?"
"It'd be rare not to know him. He's the man closest to becoming a Pirate Emperor in the New World."
Violet looked at Luffy in shock: "It's hard to imagine such a man would have a friend like you."
This kid couldn't be crazy, could he?
"I wouldn't lie!" Luffy jumped off his stool, put his hands on his hips, and declared loudly: "I, Monkey D. Luffy, am the man who will become Pirate King!"
The tavern instantly fell silent.
Contrary to Luffy's expectations, Kai's group didn't mock him like others usually did.
"An amazing dream!" Yamato gave a thumbs up.
Several people nodded slowly with respect.
Not everyone dared to declare their dreams in public.
Dreams shouldn't be mocked.
Kai played with the straw hat in his hands that symbolized Roger's inherited dream.
This was an ordinary, worn straw hat with nothing special about it except being comfortable to wear without any rough spots.
But with the blessing of Roger, Shanks, and Luffy, it could definitely be considered a holy relic.
Too bad he didn't have a collection catalog system.
Otherwise, it would definitely be SSR-level treasure.
"Here, back to you."
After satisfying his curiosity, Kai placed the straw hat gently on Luffy's head.
At this moment, a black-haired youth walked in casually.
"Luffy, I knew you'd be here."
Hm?
Kai raised an eyebrow.
Could it really be such a coincidence?
The youth also noticed the unfamiliar group of Kai and company in the tavern.
"Who are you?"
Having just come down from the mountain, he didn't yet know about pirates landing.
Kai turned around and got a clear look at the youth.
About ten years old, actually one year older than Zoro and Sanji by real age.
He had many freckles on his face and wore a red vest with "Righteousness" written on it and black shorts.
Without Kai needing to speak, the youth's eyes lit up with recognition.
"Natural Disaster Kai!"
He shouted: "Come duel with me! If I beat you, I'll be qualified to challenge Kaido, right?"
In the blink of an eye, Ace had already planned out his duel opponents.
First fight Kai, then Kaido, finally challenge Whitebeard, and become Pirate King!