Chapter 32: The Giant Tribe Swears Fealty — Sengoku Deliberates
"Buru buru, buru buru."
"Garp, have you caught the offender," came Sengoku's voice from the Den Den Mushi.
"Caught," Garp answered, his tone heavy.
"Then tell me, old friend—any casualties?
"What kind of man makes you sound so grave," Sengoku asked, concerned.
They had known each other for decades; whenever Garp grew solemn, something major had happened.
"Aside from the Marine who rushed in first for merit, no casualties," Garp replied.
"Then why so heavy," Sengoku wondered.
"He's young, but he has unimaginable power. I even feel that, if it erupts, it could threaten me. Sengoku, you know where I am, right," Garp said, face set.
He glanced at Satan, who was ringed by Marines and lazily stifling a yawn, as if he might doze off at any moment.
"A threat to you—and young," Sengoku murmured. "When did such a monster appear on the seas. Still, that alone shouldn't make you this grim, should it."
"His bounty is zero. He asked to be imprisoned in Impel Down of his own accord. I worry he has ulterior motives," Garp said.
Satan was anything but simple. What was he truly plotting. Garp couldn't read him.
"Impel Down is an iron fortress, Garp—don't worry overmuch. Even Shiki paid a heavy price to escape. Once inside Impel Down, no matter the scheme, he won't get out. If he's a threat, all the more reason to lock him there. By the way, do the Celestial Dragons agree to spare him," Sengoku asked, as if remembering something.
"They also demanded he be sent to Impel Down," Garp said.
"A man who volunteers for Impel Down," Sengoku mused. Impel Down was a place where even birds wouldn't roost. Even Marines disliked garrison duty there. For pirates, it was a nightmare. What was this man planning.
"We don't have enough intel. Put him in Impel Down first. I'll have Magellan keep a close eye on him. The seas are already in turmoil—we can't take more shocks," Sengoku sighed.
New pirates sprang up endlessly, but among the Marines, the next generation was thin.
"Well, Garp, have you and Sengoku decided," Satan asked when Garp walked back.
"Let's go—just as you wished. And the girl—does she go too," Garp said, looking at Vivian. He could tell she had no power at all—just an ordinary human.
"My handmaiden naturally comes with me," Satan smiled.
"Handmaiden. Playing house," cold sweat trickled down Garp's back. Was Satan a noble's son wandering the seas. Another thread to tug.
"That's right. A little game of house. Garp, think I'll 'play' my way right out of Impel Down," Satan laughed.
"Then good luck. Take him," Garp ordered.
Marines stepped up and snapped seastone cuffs onto Satan's wrists.
"Please, let me go with you," a weak voice called as Satan started forward.
"The giant slave," Garp frowned.
"Please, master. Let me go too," the giant slowly rose, eyes fixed on Satan.
"Why follow me," Satan grinned.
"Master, hope," the giant said hoarsely. "You taught the Celestial Dragons a lesson. I want to protect you."
His tone was weak, but his gaze burned brighter.
"Hahaha. Protect me," Satan laughed until tears pricked his eyes. A giant slave wanted to protect him. Then he peered into the giant's heart—and found sincerity. Because he had beaten a Celestial Dragon, the man's sliver of hope had awakened.
"I know you are strong, master. But I, Yellow Ogre Salli, am willing to be your spear and shield, to guard you," the giant said, kneeling.
"Yellow Ogre Salli. The great pirate who vanished forty years ago," Garp blurted. That was no simple name. A peer to Blue Ogre Dorry among the giants, and most likely to become their chieftain after Dorry—until he disappeared forty years back. So he had become a Celestial Dragon's slave.
"Oh. Yellow Ogre Salli—so he's famous," Satan looked to Garp.
"Forty years ago, he had an eighty-million bounty. Back then, bounties weren't as cheap as now," Garp said frankly, a bit stunned. Giants were proud and hot-tempered, stubborn to the core. Salli was the pick of them. Such a man was pledging himself. What secret did Satan hold. Garp found himself even more curious.
"If you serve me, you'll be going into Impel Down and losing your freedom. Are you sure," Satan asked.
"I am. My heart died the day I became a Celestial Dragon's slave. You brought it back to life. No matter the sword mountain or sea of flames, I will go with you, and be your blade and shield," Salli vowed.
"Good. Then we go to Impel Down together," Satan laughed.
Who ever disliked having another powerful subordinate.
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