"Come to think of it, Ron." Rocks suddenly changed the subject. "Did you do something to that guy? He seems very interested in you."
"Imu?" Ron asked back.
Whitebeard and Rocks raised their brows at the same time, surprise appearing on their faces. "You know him?"
Ron shook his head, but still found himself an excuse. "A long time ago, on some island, I saw an ancient stone tablet. It had his image carved on it and recorded a few things about him."
No sooner had Ron finished than Rocks laughed. He swung his fist and lightly hammered Ron's shoulder, cursing, "You bastard, don't take me for an idiot."
"..."
The corner of Ron's mouth twitched.
'Damn. The script is wrong. My bluff failed?'
Whitebeard said nothing. He only looked at Rocks with curiosity. In truth, he had not doubted Ron's words much.
"I understand more about the truth of this world than you imagine. That excuse of yours sounds perfect, but it has too many holes, Ron," Rocks said calmly.
Ron sighed softly and shrugged, as if giving up his struggle. "Fine, then I'll tell you a secret. I don't actually belong here. I come from a very distant planet, and all of you are characters written into stories by people from my planet. I was lucky enough to read them, so I know many things."
After saying that, he swept his gaze across the three faces.
Whitebeard, Rocks, and Kaido all wore the exact same expression.
Translated, that expression probably meant: Do I look like an idiot to you?
"What? You don't believe me?"
"What do you think?"
Ron shrugged helplessly and merely smiled faintly, no longer explaining.
A long time later, in the East Blue, at an unnamed reef area, waves slapped lazily against black rock walls and splashed fine white foam.
Garp wore loose shorts and was bare-chested, with a pair of flip-flops on his feet. He sat cross-legged on a flat reef, fishing.
One hand held the fishing rod, while the other supported his head. The fishing line hung in the water, swaying gently with the waves. His eyelids drooped along with it, as if he could fall asleep at any moment.
Tap, tap, tap.
Hurried footsteps suddenly came from behind.
"Vice Admiral Garp." An aide came behind him and said slowly, "A call from Marine Headquarters!"
"Uh." Garp turned his head with a blank expression. "No way. I'm on vacation! Go deal with it for me. Just say I'm not here."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp." The aide immediately turned, walked to a wind-sheltered corner, and answered the Den Den Mushi.
"Hello."
"Garp!" A furious roar came from the other end, so loud it nearly drowned out the sound of the waves.
The aide's shoulders trembled in fright, but he maintained a polite smile. "Mr. Steel Bone Kong, I'm very sorry. Garp isn't here. He went out."
"Find Garp for me immediately! Right now!" Steel Bone Kong's voice rose another pitch, as if his anger could no longer be contained.
The aide's smile stiffened. He quickly turned and sent Garp a pleading look.
Garp sighed lightly and waved for the aide to bring the Den Den Mushi over.
Then he took it in one hand, naturally shoved the other hand into his nostril, and spoke absentmindedly. "What is it, Kong?"
"Bastard Garp." Kong's voice came through the Den Den Mushi. "The World Government and the Marines have treated you well, haven't they? Why? Tell me. Why did you do something to betray the World Government?"
'Me? Betray the World Government?'
Garp's finger paused in his nose.
He seriously thought back over everything he had done lately.
Insulting Celestial Dragons?
Falling asleep in an important meeting?
None of that seemed to be on the level of "betraying the World Government."
"Fine, Kong." Garp looked very honest. "Since you already know, then next time I curse people, I'll do it secretly so no one hears."
Steel Bone Kong was silent for two seconds. When he heard the first half, his heart clenched. But after hearing the second half, he deeply sighed in relief.
"That's not what I'm talking about," Kong continued testing him.
'There's more?'
Garp froze and thought seriously again.
"Fine, Kong. I shouldn't have taken those Celestial Dragons' wine while escorting supplies."
"..."
Kong fell silent.
After a long time, he slowly exhaled, as if finally understanding something.
How could an idiot like Garp secretly do something to betray the World Government?
If this guy really wanted to do something, he would definitely do it openly and proudly, practically wishing to post a notice to inform the whole world first.
"The World Government wants to investigate you," Kong said slowly, his tone steadier than before.
"Investigate me?" Garp tilted his head in confusion. He pulled his finger from his nose and flicked away whatever was on it. "Isn't that a bit much? I only took a little stuff from the Celestial Dragons. At worst, I cursed them a few times."
"It shouldn't be those trivial matters," Kong said in a lower voice. "Something may have happened during this World Government operation."
Garp waved carelessly, then began picking his other nostril. "Then what do I need to do?"
"Continue your vacation... Also, I'll extend your leave."
"Hahaha. Thanks, Kong."
The next day, at the Holy Land Mary Geoise, inside Pangaea Castle's Flower Room, morning sunlight poured through tall arched windows and cast soft shadows over the green grass.
The air was filled with the faint scent of flowers and earth. Several colorful butterflies rose and fell among the flowers, their wings glimmering with rainbow fragments beneath the light.
Imu stood in the center of the grass. He slightly lifted one hand, and a blue-purple butterfly gently landed on his finger.
He quietly watched that butterfly without speaking.
Behind him, a figure slowly approached.
She held a thick stack of documents. When she arrived behind Imu, she slowly knelt on one knee, head lowered, her voice soft and respectful. "Imu-sama. The Marines have sent a file."
Imu's finger moved lightly. The butterfly seemed to receive a signal. It spread its wings, lifted from his fingertip, and flew deeper into the flowers.
He slowly turned his head, gaze falling on the thick stack of documents. His voice was calm. "Is this Ron's?"
"No." The woman shook her head slightly. "According to the Marines, this belongs to Monkey D. Garp. His identity is a vice admiral under our Marines."