"Ian."
A voice suddenly came from behind, instantly attracting Ian and Vegapunk's attention.
They both turned to look at Ain standing at the door.
Ian raised his eyelids and looked at Ain, who was wearing a hospital gown, but her face was not as pale as the day before.
"Is your injury healed?"
As soon as he finished speaking, before Ain, who was standing at the door, could say anything, Vegapunk said proudly: "Of course it's healed. It's just a minor injury. There's no need to bother here."
Ian: "..."
That's right.
In this world, getting a puncture in the stomach should be just a minor injury.
Just as Ian's mouth twitched…
"Thank you... For saving me."
Ain also walked over and gave Ian a complicated look. She hadn't forgotten how Ian, bare-chested, had rushed across the sea while carrying her.
Although it was only a minor injury for Mr. Vegapunk, she knew that without Ian, she might have died.
After solemnly thanking him, Ain looked at Vegapunk and bowed slightly.
"And Mr. Vegapunk, thank you for treating me!"
"It's a small matter."
Vegapunk waved his hand, seemingly unconcerned. Then, after sticking out his tongue, he said with a cheerful expression: "It's a good thing that I was able to heal you."
"It's a small matter for you, but it's a life-saving favor for me. Thank you so much for your treatment."
Hearing Vegapunk's words, Ain thanked him again. After a brief pause, she looked up at Ian and said: "Ian, the Marine Headquarters sent someone over. It's..."
Before Ain could finish her words, a booming laugh echoed from the doorway.
"Hahaha!"
Followed by a hearty, carefree voice.
"It's me! You're the kid Zephyr told me about, right? You really pulled off quite the stunt! That pirate scum became furious because of you!"
"If he had known you were here, I have no doubt that guy would have dared to cause trouble even at the World Government's secret base!"
"You know what that guy did? He actually went to the Marine Headquarters demanding that they hand you over! Of course, Marine Headquarters refused, but Sengoku was so mad that he almost smashed his office apart!"
"Too bad, he didn't even know you had retired long ago. Otherwise, he would be as furious as Sengoku!"
"That old fool, Sengoku, even yelled at me, can you believe it? If I hadn't passed that mission to Zephyr, how could we have caught such a deep-cover spy? It's all over the papers now, he should be thanking me!"
"Hahaha, I have to say, you really did Marine Headquarters a big favor!"
Ian: "..."
He stared speechlessly at the old man in the dog hat, who had his arm thrown over his shoulder while rambling nonstop.
"You don't know me yet, do you? I'm Garp. I heard you want me to teach you the advanced techniques of Armament Haki?"
The other party said while picking his nose as he patted Ian's shoulder. "How about it? You want to hang out with me?"
"No, I'm married, and I don't want to be a marine anymore."
Yes, the boisterous old man before him was none other than the Naval Hero, Garp.
Upon hearing Garp's invitation, Ian refused without hesitation.
"Even if you have a family, you can still be a marine."
Even after hearing Ian's firm refusal, Garp didn't seem to mind at all and grinned.
"You can bring your wife to live on the Marineford. If you come, I'll immediately secure a house for you, and I'll teach you anything you want!"
Before Ian could shake his head and refuse again, a voice rang out from the doorway.
"Vice-Admiral Garp, forget it. Ian won't agree. You know, Zephyr-sensei invited him before, but he refused, no matter what he offered."
Binz, who hadn't been seen for two days, walked in.
Seeing that Ain's injuries had healed, he breathed a sigh of relief. Then, looking at Ian, he said with a look of resentment: "Do you know what I've been through at sea these past two days? If it weren't for Vice-Admiral Garp's warship, I don't know where I would have drifted. I would be practically dried out. And you...your boat didn't even have food or water!"
Ian: "..."
He had indeed not prepared any food or water on that small boat.
Before Ian could say anything else.
"But thank you so much! If it weren't for you, Ain and I might be dead."
Binz said with another grin. "I owe you a favor, and considering your previous request, I'll do whatever you ask from now on."
"That's enough catching up."
Seeing this, Garp, who was picking his nose nearby, also smiled and looked at Ian. "So, kid, you really don't want to be a marine? Fine! If you ever change your mind, come find me. Now then..."
He turned to Binz and Ain.
"You two should head back to headquarters and file a report. That old fart, Sengoku, is waiting for you at Marineford! If you show up late, be careful, he's the petty type and might make things difficult for you!"
"Eh? You're leaving already? So soon?"
Hearing Garp's words, before Ain and Binz could say anything, Vegapunk came over and looked at Ian with some regret. "And you're not a marine?"
Ian: "..."
What's this old man up to?
Is he planning to use the Marines' route to get him to donate blood?
Ian stared speechlessly at Vegapunk, whose face was filled with regret, and he said unhappily: "That's right, I'm not a marine anymore. I'm just a retired Marine who was drafted in to help. Don't bother with my blood!"
"Okay! Okay! Although it's a little regretful, I won't force anyone to do something they don't want to do."
Vegapunk sighed and clasped his hands behind his back. "Looks like I have to give up now! I hope we will see each other again next time!"
"Let's go! I need some rest too. Thanks to you, the entire G-5 Branch is in chaos, it's still on lockdown, and every marine is under review for corruption. Well, I already went there once, so the rest is Sengoku's problem."
Garp said cheerfully as he walked forward. "This time, I should be able to enjoy my vacation properly! Hahaha, kid, I'll go with you to the West Blue to see how Zephyr is recovering. You have to treat me well!"
Ian: "..."