"Hahaha! So we finally meet, Sengoku!"
As soon as he heard that, Garp laughed heartily—but his laughter quickly faded when he saw Sengoku's expression darken.
"Where are the people I told you to bring back?"
Sengoku's head seemed to swell, his teeth bared in irritation.
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Tsuru calmly sipped her tea, barely lifting an eyelid; she had long grown accustomed to these scenes.
As for the other two admirals, Akainu and Kizaru, one sat stiffly with a serious demeanor, the other lazily clipped his nails with a bored expression.
"They don't want to join the Navy. There's nothing I can do about that," Garp said, casually taking a seat beside them.
Sengoku glared at him silently, his eyes fixed on Garp.
"And the intelligence?" he asked after taking a few deep breaths.
"Oh, it's just a young man, really. You're so concerned—aren't you busy as Fleet Admiral? So many things to handle every day."
Garp waved his hand and chuckled.
"You even know I'm busy?" Sengoku barked out in frustration, his irritation barely masked with humor.
"I know, I know. That's why I won't bother you further. I'll take my leave now!"
Garp stood as if to leave, but Akainu and Kizaru's eyes immediately landed on him.
"Wait. Don't deflect, Garp. Tell us your opinion."
Garp sighed. "Alright, Don's quite a capable young man. He likes chasing pirates."
Akainu nodded slowly at that.
"Though he says it's for bounties," Garp added.
Akainu's face stiffened, and he let out a cold snort.
"That's fine. After all, that's the point of issuing bounties in the first place," Tsuru said with a gentle smile. Behind her, a young female Marine's long legs peeked out, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
If Vice Admiral Garp praises him, he must be someone noteworthy.
"And then? Garp, don't pretend you don't know what I'm asking!" Sengoku's expression darkened.
"Well, he's suspected to have a Logia-type Flame-Flame Devil Fruit. He even crossed paths with Jinbe in the East Blue. The result? I don't know exactly, but since Jinbe didn't take the Fishman's body, I assume he lost that encounter."
Garp scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"Crossed paths with Seven Warlord Jinbe? Impressive. That young man's only in his teens, right?" Tsuru asked with a smile.
"Indeed. Still quite young. He even sparred with me on my ship."
Garp scratched his head casually. All eyes in Sengoku's office now fixed on him.
"Ahem, of course, I wasn't serious."
Though Garp was eccentric, everyone acknowledged his combat abilities.
"Mastery of both types of Haki, impressive physique, strong as an ox—just didn't hold back in strikes!" Garp added, rubbing his eye sockets. Of course, the bruise from that infamous punch had long healed.
"Such a talented young man… Vice Admiral Garp, you should find a way to bring him back to headquarters. He'll understand the Navy's justice in due time."
Akainu said sternly. Garp glanced at him but said nothing. Akainu frowned but didn't press further.
"Scary, really. If a young man like this trains at sea for a few years and becomes strong… if he turns pirate, that'd be a huge problem."
Kizaru pouted, clipping his nails with a soft snap.
"No need. Don has little interest in becoming a pirate," Garp said firmly.
"Kizaru, you can't decide that for him," Tsuru interjected, shaking her head.
Her sharp intellect immediately saw the truth: whether Don becomes a pirate is his choice alone, and the Navy or World Government can't dictate that.
Garp's expression darkened as he recalled Don's mention of the Celestial Dragons. The source of so many troubles in the world.
Seeing Garp's face, Sengoku and Tsuru understood that he had withheld some details.
"If he becomes a pirate, I'll personally capture him," Garp finally said after a moment of hesitation.
"But from what I've seen, he's not someone who would commit evil. Even if he becomes a pirate, there may be other reasons behind it."
Garp's clarification left no doubt: he would not try to recruit Don again.
"Very well, then," Sengoku said, not entirely satisfied but temporarily setting the matter aside. Don was a Logia-type user and very young. Unlike ordinary pirates, he was worth keeping an eye on.
"Up in the North Blue, the Germa 66 attacked four kingdoms, beheading their kings and broadcasting it through the World News."
Sengoku continued.
"Such villains must be eradicated!" Akainu immediately spoke up.
"The World Government is planning to approach Germa 66," Sengoku said, glancing at Akainu.
Akainu's expression stiffened, and he remained silent.
"Only if it's worth it. Otherwise, the World Government won't interfere," Garp muttered, picking his nose nonchalantly.
"They're probably inviting them to become a World Government affiliated nation. After all, those four kingdoms in the North Blue weren't members before," Tsuru explained.
"This time, the World Government's approach will require Navy cooperation, and they requested a fleet admiral," Sengoku added.
At this, Akainu stood immediately.
"I have too many matters to attend to." With that, he left.
Then, all eyes turned to Kizaru.
"Me?" Kizaru raised a hand and pouted, clearly reluctant to travel so far.
"Your speed will get there fastest. You're it," Sengoku ordered.
Kizaru groaned internally, but nodded and left.
Tsuru's gaze lingered on Garp as Kizaru departed.
"Diamante is Doflamingo's executive. The Sea Dragon is a Fishman who's close with Jinbe. Once Don heads to the Grand Line, conflict with them is inevitable."
Tsuru, having chased Doflamingo for some time, knew his cadre well. Diamante, a core executive, being defeated by Don would surely set off repercussions.
"No need to worry about that. Let's see how far Don can go. As for Doflamingo… if he's defeated, so be it," Sengoku said bluntly.
The Shichibukai system was the World Government's choice. Doflamingo was selected by them. If he fell, the Navy had little reason to intervene—it was just about finding a replacement.
Sengoku's gaze turned to Garp.
"No, as I said… he seems uninterested."
Garp understood immediately and shook his head.
END OF CHAPTER
patreon.com/MrBehringer
Fireborne Legends
🔹 Rising Bounty – Read up to 15 chapters ahead
🔸 Legendary Bounty – Command up to 35 chapters ahead