As the Wicked Wench continued to tread across the waters of the East Blue, life on board stayed mostly the same, although there were now two noticeable changes. First, the food had improved beyond anything the crew had ever eaten before.
Second, there was a new presence among them, Kuwajima, who was still adjusting to the rhythm and daily routines of life at sea.
For the crew, his addition felt natural, and for Kuwajima, the shift was strange at first but gradually comforting.
During the following days, the crew took turns touring Kuwajima around the ship. They showed him the basic layout, the storage areas, the common spots where everyone spent their time, and finally the room that would serve as his private quarters.
The space surprised Kuwajima, since it was noticeably larger than the room he once had back in Shimotsuki Village.
It even felt more spacious than the quarters of some of the senior members of the Wicked Wench, a fact that made him awkwardly grateful, though he did not voice it directly.
Of all the places he was shown, the kitchen captured his interest the most. The ship's kitchen was positioned near the deck and built with an open design so that heat and smoke would escape easily.
With all the openings for ventilation, the ship never absorbed the smell of whatever was being cooked.
Before Kuwajima joined them, the crew mostly roasted whatever they caught from the sea, which meant simple meals and very little variety.
Now, with his skill, the kitchen quickly turned into a space the crew passed by more often than usual just to smell whatever he was preparing.
After the kitchen, the room that Kuwajima appreciated the most was the training room. Every member of the crew spent time there, and he could see immediately how much they all wanted to grow stronger in their own way.
He naturally gravitated toward Issho, whose quiet personality matched his own steady nature.
Even without speaking much, the two found an understanding that made their training sessions smooth and comfortable.
As days passed, Kuwajima gradually settled into the daily life of the Wicked Wench. He cooked for the crew, trained with them, and even joined small conversations on deck when they gathered to pass the time.
He realized more than once that he felt surprisingly lucky to have chosen this ship. The longer he spent with them, the more he noticed how different their personalities were, yet how easily they respected one another without needing to force anything.
He often found himself thinking, almost unconsciously, that he was glad he had become part of this group, regardless of where the future would lead him.
With that thought lingering in his mind, he continued to integrate himself into their routines while handling his responsibilities as their new chef.
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While the Wicked Wench sailed leisurely through the East Blue, another vessel traveled through the same sea, though with much more noise. It was a Marine ship, and aboard it was a loud, elderly man whose laughter echoed across the deck, accompanied by the lighter, slightly amused laughter of a younger man beside him.
The ship's figurehead bore the shape of a dog biting a bone, a design well known across the seas. It was associated with only one man, someone Jack preferred not to encounter this early in his journey.
The man on board was Monkey D. Garp, father of the future revolutionary leader Monkey D. Dragon and grandfather of a boy who would eventually become one of the Four Emperors, Monkey D. Luffy.
But at this moment in time, none of those future titles meant anything. Garp was known simply as the Hero of the Marines, and he was laughing loudly with his apprentice, Kuzan, who would one day be called Aokiji.
"Guhahahahaha, Kuzan, if you ever get assigned to this sea, make sure you squash any pirates you find here," Garp said while taking a swig from the drink in his hand.
He wore a casual shirt and shorts, looking nothing like a Marine officer. "I am going to make this sea the most peaceful sea in the entire world."
"Garp-san, shouldn't you at least try wearing your uniform? If Kong-san finds out you are ignoring protocol again, he will definitely be angry," Kuzan replied, although his tone made it clear he was teasing. Even he knew that no matter how many times Kong complained, Garp would never change.
"Hahahaha, that is only if he finds out, and even if he does, that old man still would not be able to do anything to me," Garp said confidently before breaking into another loud laugh. Everyone on the ship sighed in quiet resignation.
They all respected Garp as a hero, but they had also learned to accept his habits, even the ones that damaged reputations or bent rules.
After spending years with him, most of them had given up on expecting promotions, especially Bogard, who had remained at the same position despite serving alongside Garp for years.
Garp himself had been a Vice Admiral for more than a decade, constantly rejecting every offer to become an Admiral.
As Garp and Kuzan continued chatting, Bogard stepped forward to inform them that they had spotted an island ahead.
According to him, the island looked abandoned but full of vegetation, which meant there might be resources they could gather to resupply the ship.
The Marine vessel shifted course and headed toward the island. The soldiers quickly prepared empty containers and tools to collect whatever they could find.
Meanwhile, on another stretch of the sea, the Wicked Wench had also noticed the same island.
Laffitte had spotted it from afar, and Jack approved of making a stop. He had grown tired of staring only at the sea and wanted to stretch his legs while seeing new scenery.
After some time, both ships anchored on opposite sides of the island. Their crews prepared to disembark. However, the moment Jack and Garp stepped onto land, they both sensed something powerful at nearly the same moment. Their eyes widened slightly, then shifted into identical grins.
"A beast," both of them said at almost the same time. Without hesitation, they began running toward the source of the powerful presence. Their crews, confused but curious, followed after them.
As the pirates and Marines both sprinted toward the center of the island, they soon saw the figures of the opposing group approaching. Garp raised his fist while Jack drew his sword, both of them immediately jumping toward each other the moment they were close enough.
"Galaxy Impact!" Garp shouted as he unleashed his signature technique. Despite the others not sensing it, Garp could feel a dangerous pressure coming from Jack.
"Pandemonium!" Jack shouted back, using a move derived from the techniques of his late father. Jack did not know that the name of this technique triggered something in Garp. The instant their attacks collided, Garp's expression shifted from playful to sharp, as a memory surfaced of a rival he had personally killed long ago, someone who had used that same technique and whose presence had never quite left Garp's mind.
When their attacks met, the island's center cracked violently, the ground splitting beneath them. Their respective crews watched from the sides, ready to act the moment their leaders signaled, though none dared interfere yet.