Other than Frost Moon Village, the only thing he had done in East Blue was deliver a group of captured pirates to Base 16 in exchange for some start-up funds. Word must have leaked from those pirates.
He wasn't a pirate, and the other side was Garp. He had no desire to join the Marines, and even if they found him, Garp probably wouldn't force the issue.
If it had been someone else, though, he would have already considered leaving, to avoid drawing trouble to himself.
Don was lost in thought, and so was Koushirou.
Watching Don silently walking ahead, then glancing at his daughter Kuina, Koushirou sighed inwardly.
At first, he had worried that Don's presence would fuel Kuina's competitiveness, making her even more stubborn.
But now, looking at her, the results seemed… surprisingly good.
Even so, he wished his daughter could live peacefully in Frost Moon Village—that would be the safest path.
After all, in this age of pirates, the seas were far too dangerous.
Unfortunately, Don clearly wasn't planning to stay in Frost Moon Village for long.
If only he could wait a few years, perhaps he might take Kuina with him to see the world.
With Don at her side, Kuina would be much safer.
When they returned to the dojo, Koushirou told the three of them to find something to do on their own, while he went back to his room.
"You want to rely on the power of a Devil Fruit to erase the limits of your body—or should I say, your constitution?"
Don looked at Kuina, who was staring straight at him, and spoke as he walked outside.
Kuina froze for a moment before following, and Zoro trailed after her.
"…Yes."
Kuina didn't deny it.
"Don't you think relying on external power to strengthen yourself makes your swordsmanship impure?" Don asked curiously.
He personally didn't care, but he knew some people in this world held a very pure, almost sacred, faith in the way of the sword.
"Why would I think that? It's still my power," Kuina replied, puzzled by his words.
"Isn't a true swordsman someone who dedicates their everything to the blade in their hand, reaching for higher realms?"
As Don spoke, the three of them reached Frost Moon Village. Locals greeted them along the way.
"So that's how you reach a higher realm."
Zoro's eyes lit up in sudden realization.
Until now, he hadn't really thought much about the meaning of swordsmanship. At most, he vaguely recalled something an old man had once told him about swords.
"But it's still my sword," Kuina shook her head slightly.
What Don said wasn't wrong—she knew relying on such means was a shortcut.
But his existence had shown her just how wide the gap was between herself and true monsters.
Even Zoro… she could already feel his strength surpassing hers.
"If that's the case, then once I head out to sea, I'll keep an eye out for you," Don said with a faint smile.
"And me? What about me?" Zoro asked eagerly, hopping beside him.
"Not you."
Don shook his head flatly. Zoro exploded in protest, lunging at him, only to be caught by the collar like a stray cat.
He struggled desperately, but couldn't break free from Don's grip.
"Pfft!"
Kuina couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"Come on, let me treat you both. Eat whatever you want today—your senior brother is paying."
Don waved his hand and casually tossed Zoro aside.
"In that case, I won't hold back."
Zoro didn't dare approach him again. Instead, he poured his frustration into food.
Frost Moon Village had inherited parts of Wano's traditions, including many of its cooking methods.
Kuina and Zoro didn't hold back in the slightest, while Don himself bought a newspaper.
The president of the World Economy News Paper was notoriously bold—there was nothing he didn't dare publish.
But the upside was, through the paper, you could see the latest major events.
Flipping it open, the very first page caught Don's eye.
Three figures in Marine uniforms, standing side by side.
[The Marines' Strongest Force]
Narrowing his eyes at the headline, Don whispered the names to himself.
Kizaru. Akainu. Aokiji.
He paid Kuina and Zoro's bill while carefully reading the article.
Fleet Admiral Kong was stepping down. Admiral Sengoku would succeed him as the new Fleet Admiral, and all three Admiral candidates would be promoted at once.
Staring at the paper, Don felt as though he were watching history unfold. A smile crept across his lips.
But there was something about his smile—a lofty, almost condescending glint in his eyes.
Maybe it was just the angle of his gaze at the newspaper… or maybe it was something else.
"Don!"
Kuina's voice pulled him back. She held out a skewer of dango to his mouth.
Instinctively, he took a bite. The taste was good.
Meanwhile, in Foosha Village…
Garp, dressed in casual clothes, stood over a thoroughly beaten Luffy, whose head was covered in lumps.
Clearly, the "Fist of Love" had just fallen.
"Damn that Shanks!"
Garp's tone was anything but pleasant.
"Don't you dare insult Shanks! I'm going to sea one day—I'm going to be the Pirate King!"
Hearing his grandfather badmouth Shanks, Luffy roared in protest, face full of defiance. Of course, it wasn't so much defiance as simply doing whatever popped into his head.
Garp scowled and raised his fist again to educate the boy.
Buru buru…
The Den Den Mushi rang.
Garp lowered his fist and answered. The snail twisted into the shape of braided hair and a seagull perched atop a cap.
"Garp, how's the task I gave you coming along?"
Sengoku's voice came through.
"…What task?"
Garp blinked, then coughed. "Ah, right, still searching."
"GARP!!"
Sengoku's roar blasted from the Den Den Mushi, forcing Garp to hold it at arm's length.
"You bastard! What the hell are you doing back in East Blue—on vacation?!"
Garp scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"No, no, I am searching. But you know how vast East Blue is… finding one person here isn't easy."
He made excuses, but Sengoku knew him too well.
That tone alone was enough to tell—Garp had spent the whole month slacking off, completely forgetting the mission.
On the other side, Sengoku's deep breathing was audible. Finally, his voice returned, calmer but heavy.
"Forget it. End the mission. You've seen the papers by now, haven't you? You'll need to be there too."
"That's got nothing to do with this old man."
As soon as Sengoku's tone softened, Garp picked his nose with his little finger, speaking lazily. And sure enough, Sengoku exploded again.
The Den Den Mushi let out a roar so loud that young Luffy covered his ears in terror.
What kind of monster was this voice?
Scarier than Grandpa!
Thinking that, Luffy tried to sneak toward the door.
But the moment his foot moved, searing pain struck the top of his head. He collapsed, clutching his skull and rolling on the floor, wailing in agony.
No Devil Fruit power could shield him from that kind of pain.
Perhaps… that explained why Monkey D. Luffy wasn't exactly blessed in the brains department.