"Training ends here for today!"
Don waved his hand dismissively and turned, walking toward the docks.
Zoro, still climbing to his feet, and Kuina both stared curiously at his back.
That direction wasn't toward Isshin Dojo.
It was toward the docks of Frost Moon Village.
On the pier, the villagers gaped in shock as a massive warship loomed closer—though it stopped just short of pulling in too near.
"That's a Marine warship!"
Few here had ever seen one in person, but there was no mistaking that design—or the enormous insignia of the Marines emblazoned across the sail.
"Why would the Marines come here? Could there be pirates nearby?"
The trembling question spread unease like wildfire.
Frost Moon Village had never suffered a pirate raid before. The East Blue was vast, and pirates were relatively few here. Still, the villagers had read enough newspapers to know of their cruelty.
On the warship with the dog-head prow
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
Bogard, captain of the Marines' headquarters and Garp's long-serving aide, stood before him and saluted crisply.
Garp, in uniform, was sprawled lazily in a beach chair, snoring. Bogard's sharp call startled him awake, bursting the snot bubble hanging from his nose.
Rubbing his eyes, Garp yawned.
"We've arrived?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp. East Blue, Frost Moon Village."
Bogard turned toward the small island in the distance and gave a curt nod.
"Mm. You all stay here."
Garp stood, stretched his joints, and then leapt skyward—soaring hundreds of meters—before crashing down toward the village dock.
Having served under him for more than twenty years, Bogard knew this routine all too well. Unfazed, he began barking orders to drop anchor and keep the men on standby.
Meanwhile, Garp landed heavily on the dock.
The villagers froze, then scattered in terror.
Who leaps such insane distances like that, if not a monster?
"…Er."
Scratching his head, Garp realized he might've frightened them.
Wait.
He was about to use Observation Haki to search for his target when he sensed something—his gaze snapped toward the village.
From the same direction the villagers had fled, a youth in loose robes walked forward calmly.
For reasons he couldn't explain, Garp knew instantly: this was the one he'd come for.
Don's expression remained calm as he approached the towering figure waiting on the pier. Though Garp's build wasn't as grotesquely massive as some monsters of the sea, his body radiated crushing power.
Likewise, Garp studied the boy in silence.
Young. No more than fifteen or sixteen—just as the reports had said.
Tall, well-proportioned, steady steps that carried an undeniable weight.
A fine seedling indeed, Garp thought.
When Don finally stopped before him, Garp grinned broadly.
"You're the bounty hunter Don?"
"Mm. And you're Marine Hero Garp?"
Don answered evenly, then returned the question.
"Eh?" Garp scratched at his greying hair, momentarily taken aback.
"Seems I'm still quite famous, eh? Hahaha!"
He broke into thunderous laughter.
"…."
Don watched him, speechless.
People in this world truly loved to laugh.
"You look awfully cheerful," Don muttered.
"Of course! Fame has its perks, you know." Garp chuckled, then dropped the levity, his tone turning straightforward.
"Join the Marines, Don! Your talent is remarkable—don't waste it."
"No."
Don shook his head without hesitation.
"Why? Surely becoming a Marine is better than wandering as a mere bounty hunter?"
Retracting his hand, Garp's eyes narrowed curiously.
"I'm still in training. So no."
Don thought for a moment, then gave his answer.
"You can train as a Marine too. Headquarters is full of strong fighters," Garp replied with a grin.
"But I've heard… Marines take orders from the Celestial Dragons."
Don's voice dropped low as he spoke.
Garp froze. His laughter faded, his sharp eyes lingering on the boy's face. Then, after a long pause, he nodded.
"…I see. I understand."
Without another word, he turned and vaulted skyward, heading back toward the ship.
"…Did that old man just misunderstand something?"
Don frowned slightly, puzzled by Garp's reaction.
On the warship, Garp exhaled a sigh.
"Another youth who distrusts the Marines because of the Celestial Dragons, huh…"
Of course he understood. The Dragons' reputation across the seas was notorious.
Even he himself had never accepted a promotion to Admiral—precisely because he had no desire to serve those detestable creatures.
If he couldn't stand them, how could he demand others to?
Landing back on the ship, Garp sank into his beach chair again.
"Set sail. Back to headquarters."
"Vice Admiral Garp, the target…?"
Bogard glanced toward the dock, where Don still stood.
"He's not here. Must've passed through and gone somewhere else."
Eyes closed, Garp replied flatly.
"Uh…"
Bogard blinked, then glanced once more at the pier. But he didn't question further. If Garp said so, that was good enough.
Orders rang out, and the warship began to turn.
Back on the dock, Don watched the ship slowly depart.
That old man was surprisingly easy to deal with.
Shaking his head slightly, he turned—only to see Koushirou waiting, hands tucked in his sleeves.
"…Trouble."
Don sighed and walked over.
"The Marines came for you?" Koushirou asked as he drew near.
"Mm. They tried to recruit me. I refused."
"You refused?" Koushirou blinked.
"Yes. I have no desire to be a Marine. You know my dream."
"And after you refused, they just… left?"
"It was Garp."
At that, Don looked him in the eye.
Garp?
Koushirou's body stiffened.
Of course he knew. Luffy's father was none other than Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Garp. And naturally, he knew the man's reputation as well.
If it was him… then yes, it made sense.
"Anyway, I've awakened both Haki. I won't be staying here much longer."
Don said it quietly.
"I always knew you wouldn't stay in this village forever. But I didn't expect it to be this soon."
Koushirou's sigh carried both awe and melancholy.
Barely two months, and already the boy's strength had soared. Even his swordsmanship had taken great strides.
"You're heading to the Grand Line?"
Koushirou asked directly. Don knew too much for vague words.
"No. Not until I'm absolutely confident I can handle the powerful pirates that await there."