Chapter 26: The Departure and the Warning
Ian delivered his speech as the new captain, affecting an approachable and earnest demeanor. In front of the top brass, it was essential to appear well-behaved and benevolent. Once we're out on the sea, he thought, I'll make it clear who the true authority on this ship is.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
A warm round of applause followed from his three new cadres. The senior officers joined in as well. Kuzan could be heard muttering, "This kid knows how to work a crowd."
Sengoku raised a hand, and the applause subsided. "Very good. Now that the introductions are out of the way... Ian, what we must discuss next is your inaugural mission." He paused, his gaze steady. "I've consulted with Garp and Tsuru, and we are presenting you with two options."
"Option One: Assume command of the G-24 branch base near Reverse Mountain. The term of office is one year."
"Option Two: Lead a garrison force on the Sabaody Archipelago, near Headquarters. The initial deployment period is four months."
"Do you require a detailed briefing on the nature of these two postings?" Sengoku asked, watching Ian closely.
Ian took two deliberate steps forward and shook his head. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, no explanation is necessary. I understand the strategic significance of both locations."
"Reverse Mountain is the primary gateway from the Four Blues into the Grand Line. Pirates from all over the world funnel through there."
"The Sabaody Archipelago is the final stop of the first half of the Grand Line and the only passage to the second half, the New World. Any pirate crew with the ambition and strength to reach the New World must pass through it."
"In recent years, both locations have been critical points where our naval presence and control have been... lacking."
He laid it out plainly. Both missions were aimed at uprooting potential pirate threats. The first was like weeding a garden early; the second was like felling a tree that had already grown tall.
From the perspective of pure numbers, Reverse Mountain would offer more frequent engagements with pirates. Sabaody, however, would guarantee a higher caliber of opponent. After all, only the most notorious and capable pirates managed to reach that island and prepare for the journey to the New World. It was the island where the so-called "Worst Generation" of Supernovas were born.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Ian declared after a moment's consideration. "I choose the Sabaody Archipelago."
Beside him, Garp let out a silent, weary sigh. The very thing he had worried about had come to pass.
The next morning.
The scorching sun beat down on the departure bay of Headquarters. Three warships stood at the ready, a majestic sight. The central vessel was of Rear-Admiral specification, with four hundred Marines standing in perfect formation on its deck, poised to set sail. Flanking it were two smaller, Commodore-class warships, each bearing over a hundred crew members. These ships belonged to Ian, T. Peng, and Peacock, respectively.
After Ian's decision, Headquarters' famously efficient bureaucracy had swung into action, giving him a mere hour for final preparations.
At the port, everyone except Ian had already boarded. Though Peacock and T. Peng had their own commands, Ian had instructed them to remain on his flagship for an internal strategy meeting once they were underway.
Peacock leaned against the railing, watching Ian on the dock below. "What a remarkable man," she murmured, her voice uncharacteristically soft. "A Commodore's departure, personally seen off by the Hero of the Navy, Garp, and Admiral Aokiji himself. Such treatment is truly rare."
T. Peng's face was grim. "He is Vice Admiral Garp's prized student, after all. Naturally, he receives special attention."
Skylark stood slightly behind Peacock, cautiously peeking out to watch Ian's distant figure.
Before boarding, Garp's anxiety was palpable. His usual boisterous demeanor was gone, replaced by a troubled expression.
"Old man, what's with you today?" Ian teased lightly. "Where's that devilish instructor from training? This isn't like you at all."
Was a posting to Sabaody really such a terrible choice? It seemed his decision had struck a deeper chord than he'd anticipated.
Kuzan adjusted the eye-mask on his forehead. "Mr. Garp, if you didn't want him going to Sabaody, you should have said so to the Fleet Admiral directly. Why create a multiple-choice question and let him pick? You know this kid's personality—he was always going to choose the more difficult path. This hesitation isn't like you."
Kuzan's words confirmed Ian's suspicion. When the Fleet Admiral himself assigned a mission, was there ever really a choice? The fact that an option had been presented at all was almost certainly Garp's doing.
"Tch, kid," Garp grumbled, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening. "Couldn't you have picked something less... fraught? You've just formed your unit. You have no experience with Headquarters-level field operations. You have no idea what the Sabaody Archipelago is truly like!"
"I understand, Mr. Garp. I have been a Marine for years," Ian replied calmly. "The Sabaody Archipelago is... the sovereign territory of the Celestial Dragons. Because of its unique location, it attracts both rising pirate stars heading to the New World and veterans returning from it. Of the 79 numbered groves, nearly thirty are effectively lawless zones. And because the Celestial Dragons and the World Government intentionally turn a blind eye, our ability to enforce the law there is severely hampered. It feels like... you're putting those seastone bracelets on me again. It ties my hands."
His analysis left both Garp and Kuzan stunned. They had assumed Ian had chosen blindly, drawn only to the challenge. It seemed they had underestimated his understanding.
"You little brat," Garp said, a grudging respect in his tone. "You've done your homework. I thought you were just charging in recklessly. Since you know the score and still made your choice, I will only give you one piece of advice..." He grabbed Ian's shoulders, his grip firm, his voice dropping to a grave, serious register. "When the Celestial Dragons appear, no matter what is happening, no matter what you see, do not interfere in their affairs! As long as it doesn't involve those World Nobles, you can raise as much hell as you want!"
Garp's fear was clear. A man who would attack a Warlord's ship would not likely stand idly by in the face of the Celestial Dragons' atrocities.
"Don't worry," Ian said with a disarming smile. "They are the descendants of the Founding Creators. Why would I ever cause trouble for them?" He then leaned in slightly, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But I do have one question, Mr. Garp... what if... hypothetically... I simply can't help myself? What if we have a... minor... disagreement with the Celestial Dragons? What should I do then?"
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
Garp's response was three consecutive punches aimed directly at Ian's head, thrown with startling speed. Ian, having anticipated the reaction, nimbly dodged each one.
"YOU BRAT! HOW COULD I HAVE RAISED SUCH A TRAITOROUS DISCIPLE?!" Garp roared, his face turning red. "What kind of 'disagreement' could you possibly have with those... ahem... with the Celestial Dragons?!"
End of Chapter