It was as if, in an instant, the person opposite had been replaced by someone else entirely. The overwhelming sense of pressure sent shivers crawling across Aokiji's skin.
This had never happened, even after consuming a Logia-type Devil Fruit.
He couldn't imagine what had occurred in that moment on Don.
"Hahaha! Don, you mean him… he went to the East Blue?"
Garp, momentarily stunned, erupted into laughter.
"Yes, he came to the East Blue. And… we even clashed."
Aokiji rubbed his head, a hint of frustration in his voice.
"You clashed? You took him down?"
Garp blinked, speaking instinctively.
"Took him down?" Aokiji's expression turned strange.
"If I hadn't run fast, I'd probably have been the one taken down."
"Hahaha! I knew that kid was fast… wait, what are you saying?"
Aboard the returning dog-head-shaped warship, Garp lifted his pinky to scratch his ear.
"Teacher Garp, that guy is far from simple," Aokiji said.
As Garp's disciple, Aokiji shared a close relationship with him.
Don, the man who had made Garp chase after him twice, had naturally been discussed by Garp. He was suspected to be a natural Logia-type fruit user.
In fact, his fruit seemed somewhat countered by Don's powers, which piqued Aokiji's curiosity.
But from Garp's words, it was clear he admired Don.
If Don had possessed the strength he just demonstrated in the fight, Garp—old as he was—would never have stayed so calm.
"What exactly happened?"
Garp's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
Aokiji didn't hide anything, recounting the events he had just witnessed.
"You weren't just half-asleep, right?"
Garp, after listening, finally managed a single remark.
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
Aokiji's tone grew serious. "Do you think I'm joking?"
"But that's impossible! When I faced him before, he could never reach the level you described."
Garp's confusion was evident, his voice uncertain.
"You've faced him before?" Aokiji asked, surprised.
"Yes. We sparred aboard a warship. Though it wasn't serious, I could see this kid's situation clearly—strong, yes, but not to the level you're describing."
Garp was stunned.
He knew Aokiji's character well—he wouldn't lie.
So what exactly was Don?
Silence filled the Den Den Mushi. After a long pause, Garp spoke again.
"If you let him go, are you confident?"
"No!" Aokiji answered decisively, then hesitated.
"His power surges instantaneously. He seems to possess Conqueror's Haki as well. I cannot predict his strength after such a change. If it came to a life-or-death fight, I'd likely lose."
"So that kid had been hiding his strength."
Garp murmured, and after a moment, spoke again.
"This time, it's because of that little girl. Don't let this information spread."
"Understood!"
Aokiji scratched his head, somewhat helpless. Even if he wanted to, he wouldn't reveal it.
Even without Robin knowing, someone like Don—given the strength he displayed—wouldn't be lightly assigned a bounty by the Marines unless he openly declared himself a pirate.
After all, he had consistently claimed to be a bounty hunter.
Someone like that, as long as he didn't commit acts the Marines or World Government couldn't tolerate, would be carefully considered before any bounty was issued.
"This is troublesome… if Sengoku asks later…"
Garp muttered before hanging up the Den Den Mushi. Aokiji's own device drooped, as if about to fall asleep.
After putting it away, Aokiji stood and looked out toward the ocean.
In his eyes, islands burned with fire reaching the sky.
…
"Relax. You don't need to be on guard against everything anymore."
Don spoke, looking at Robin lying nearby.
Curled up as if asleep, Robin opened her eyes and saw Don sitting beside her, leaning against his sword.
The sensation was unfamiliar—she couldn't adjust.
Since Don had spoken, Robin sat up fully, hugging her legs, eyes fixed on him.
"You know me so well… aren't you worried about attracting the attention of the World Government? That's a massive force."
"It is massive, yes. But given your situation back then, how did you stay hidden for over a decade?"
Don studied Robin's now slightly tanned skin, thinking about when he could help her regain her fair complexion.
"Why?" Robin asked instinctively.
"You're important, but not as important as you think."
Robin paused. With her intelligence, she could understand the logic—but she couldn't fathom why someone would disregard the World Government's threat entirely.
"Master!"
During their conversation, a voice rang out outside.
Don stood and tossed his sword to Robin.
Startled, she caught it instinctively, feeling its weight, and held it close.
"Let's go. Change ships. To leave the East Blue, someone needs to escort us. The World Government has surely blocked some areas."
Robin stood, holding En, and followed Don.
Outside, Capone Bege was waiting.
He surveyed Robin trailing behind Don, then looked at Don himself.
His men had briefed him. Though some had been unconscious and hadn't witnessed everything, they knew Don had clashed with Admiral Aokiji and emerged unscathed, bringing Robin along.
This favor… was worth something.
"Hahaha! My friend, congratulations on achieving your goal."
Capone Bege's mind raced before he laughed heartily.
"You'll be needed again later!"
Though his bounty was substantial, he had indeed helped. If he had searched for her himself, who knew when he would have succeeded?
Possibly two years later, Robin might still be waiting for a chance to leave the East Blue, and he might never have found her.
"Of course. But are you sure you're heading to the North Blue?"
Capone Bege was curious. With Don's strength, he could easily make a name on the Grand Line.
Curious, but he didn't ask outright.
"Yes. I had a minor conflict with Doflamingo before. This time, I need to go to the North Blue and settle it."
Doflamingo!
The name startled Capone Bege.
Doflamingo, the Shichibukai and underground king of the North Blue.
Moreover, Don had conducted multiple transactions with him before, acquiring many of his weapons.
A "minor conflict"?
Capone Bege, observing Don's expression, didn't believe it.
END OF CHAPTER
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