After listening to Beckman's report, Shanks patted him on the shoulder.
"You've already figured it out, haven't you? It'd be strange if the Marines didn't show up."
"Indeed," Beckman nodded. "The Marines are likely waiting to observe what happens after our clash with Big Mom. If either side starts losing—or worse, gets defeated—they'll probably make their move."
Shanks chuckled. "I don't plan on losing. But tell me—who did the Marines send this time?"
He stood up, hand resting on the hilt at his waist, and looked toward Beckman.
"According to our sources, the Hero of the Marines himself might be coming… and possibly an Admiral as well."
"Monkey D. Garp, huh?"
Shanks nodded slightly. He was all too familiar with that name.
Back in his days as an apprentice pirate, he and his captain had crossed paths with that Marine hero more than once.
"He's not someone you can take lightly," Shanks murmured.
Despite his words, his face showed no sign of worry.
"So, Captain," Beckman asked, "how far are you planning to take this fight?"
"There's no need for a decisive victory against Charlotte Linlin. This battle won't end quickly anyway," Shanks replied calmly. "The Marines can keep an eye on things for now. With an Admiral and Garp both here, they won't stick around forever."
He waved his hand casually, then leapt up onto the ship's railing, gazing into the distance.
"I'll go greet Charlotte Linlin—she's on her way."
Leaving those words behind, Shanks launched himself forward. His body paused briefly mid-air before accelerating again, arcs of Conqueror's-infused lightning crackling around him.
From afar, a massive figure surged toward him, treading upon thunderclouds and radiating a terrifying aura.
"Captain! Don't you dare lose!"
Someone aboard the ship shouted as Shanks charged ahead
followed immediately by a chorus of laughter from the crew.
Then, the shockwaves of two Conqueror's Haki collided, crashing over the ship like a storm.
Several crew members dropped unconscious from the sheer pressure.
But the senior officers stood firm.
They knew Big Mom was strong—but their faith in their captain was absolute.
——
On a nearby Marine warship.
"It seems the Fleet Admiral was right. Their battle won't end anytime soon," said Aokiji, watching the clash of two Yonko unfold in the distance. He glanced at the man beside him, who appeared to be sleeping standing up.
A bubble of snot popped. Garp rubbed his nose and opened his eyes lazily.
Falling asleep while standing—that in itself was a talent.
"Then we wait," Garp said, unfazed. "Wait for Sengoku's orders."
He didn't seem the least bit concerned, as if the whole situation barely registered in his mind.
"If Shanks doesn't lose this fight," Aokiji mused, "then the balance of power in the New World could shift again."
Garp just shook his head. "The Marines barely have control over the New World as it is. Three Emperors, four—it doesn't make much difference."
Then he turned toward Aokiji, his expression suddenly more thoughtful.
"But that kid Don…!"
A faint glint passed through Garp's eyes.
"He said he wanted to build a Hunter's Guild. I've got a feeling he's planning something big."
Garp paid close attention to Don's movements.
After all, that boy had grown strong under his watch.
It had been less than two years since Garp first met Don in the East Blue.
Back then, their brief skirmish near the Sixteenth Branch had told him enough—Don already had frightening potential.
But the speed of his growth since then… was simply absurd.
The great figures who once shook the seas had all reached their prime before changing the world.
Yet Don—barely in his teens—already possessed such power.
Aokiji rubbed his stubbled chin. "That's not necessarily a bad thing. At least he's not a pirate. If this Hunter's Guild he's planning really takes off, then most who join it will naturally stand against the pirates."
"That's true," Garp said slowly, "but I can't help feeling that he didn't tell us everything."
Still, Aokiji's point wasn't wrong—at least Don wasn't a pirate.
But someone like him… anything he did could change the course of the world.
"He won't stay in Paradise for long," Aokiji said thoughtfully. "It won't be long before he breaks into the New World. Who knows—he might even end up joining this war between Shanks and Big Mom."
"By his current pace, though, it'll take him a while to reach Sabaody Archipelago."
——
Sabaody Archipelago
Putting away the Den Den Mushi, Don tucked it into his coat.
Fortunately, with Robin keeping an eye on it this time, the poor thing hadn't starved to death.
"So Crocodile's still not here, huh? That guy's really too damn slow," Don muttered irritably.
Robin smiled faintly. "We did descend from Skypiea and flew across a vast stretch of ocean. It's possible we skipped several islands along the way."
"Ah, that's true."
Don nodded, then turned to look at the vast chain of islands ahead.
The colossal mangrove trees dwarfed even the one he had seen when he first arrived in this world.
The Sabaody Archipelago itself was formed from the tangled roots of one gigantic tree—so massive it could rival the Zou elephant as one of the sea's great natural wonders.
Then again, in this world, such miracles were almost commonplace.
After a brief glance, Don withdrew his gaze.
"Once we land, Robin and I will take the Sea Train to Water Seven. What about you guys?"
Issho's lips curled in a faint smile. "My hands have been itching lately."
No one aboard had been sparring with him lately, and he was clearly restless.
"I don't have anything urgent," Mihawk added. He figured going back to his island to sit alone wasn't exactly exciting.
"Good. Enel will stay with you two for now," Don said, glancing toward the former Sky God. "If he causes trouble—beat him."
Enel: "…"
That was both an order and a warning.
After all, with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, if Enel tried to escape, even Mihawk and Issho might have trouble catching him in time.
"Understood," Issho said seriously, turning toward Enel and nodding.
"I won't run," Enel grumbled. "I have my pride."
But before he could say anything else, Don extended his hand.
Instantly understanding, Enel handed over the blade he'd been carrying.
Their ship slowly approached the docks of the Sabaody Archipelago.
As the gateway to the New World—and a hub for trade across countless islands—the place bustled with ships of every kind.
A single glance revealed a dozen pirate vessels anchored nearby.
The dockworkers seemed entirely unfazed by it all.
Don's small ship blended right in, drawing no attention.
"Come on. Bring the money," Don said to Robin.
Robin nodded, slinging the heavy pouch of beli over her shoulder before following him ashore.
"Let's meet later at the Shakedown Bar on Grove 13."
END OF CHAPTER
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