Chapter 1: Unwelcome Visitors
The waters of the East Blue, often called the weakest of the four seas, were calm. A massive Marine warship cut through the gentle waves, its course straight and unwavering. On the bow, the figurehead of a snarling dog stood as a silent warning.
On the bridge of the warship, a Marine seaman lowered his telescope and turned to address his commanding officer. "Lieutenant General Garp! A pirate ship has appeared directly on our course. Do we need to engage and sink them?"
Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, his hair still a deep, untamed black, stood with his arms crossed. He peered at the distant ship, a simple pirate vessel flying a Jolly Roger he didn't recognize. In the East Blue, his home waters, Garp was far less relaxed than he would become in later years. He felt a deep responsibility to keep this sea safe.
Normally, Garp wouldn't go out of his way to chase down every pirate he saw. If they kept their distance and caused no trouble, he might let them be. But this ship was different. It wasn't hiding or running. It was sitting boldly on his warship's route, an act of sheer stupidity or unbelievable arrogance.
"This pirate ship dares to park itself right in front of the old man?" Garp rumbled, a grin spreading across his face that didn't reach his eyes. "It seems they really want a one-way ticket to Impel Down to relax! Full speed ahead! We're sending every pirate on that ship to the city for a nice, long vacation!"
"Yes, Lieutenant General Garp!"
With Garp's order, the warship sprang to life. Sailors moved with practiced efficiency, and the great vessel surged forward, its speed increasing dramatically as it aimed straight for the pirate ship. The East Blue was Garp's birthplace, and he would not tolerate vicious pirates threatening its peace. Many said this sea was the weakest, and Garp's frequent, unannounced visits home had a lot to do with that reputation. Any pirate unlucky enough to cross his path during these trips met a harsh end. The lucky ones were arrested and sent to Impel Down. The unlucky ones found a grave at the bottom of the sea.
On the pirate ship, the mood was very different. A lookout, pale-faced, scrambled down from his post. "Captain! The Marine warship… it's speeding right for us! They're coming to attack!"
On the deck, the pirate captain, a man with wild, seaweed-like hair, laughed loudly. His expression was twisted with confidence. "Looking for us? I was looking for them! I didn't expect them to deliver themselves right to us! Hahaha! Perfect! We'll wipe out every Marine on that ship and make a name for ourselves across the seas!"
He pointed a dirty finger at the approaching warship. "Look at that silly dog head on the front! It doesn't look impressive at all. We'll show them the power of the Seaweed Pirates!"
In the four seas, the distinctive design of Garp's personal ship was not widely known. Even if someone had heard of it, they would never believe the legendary "Hero of the Marines" would be sailing the tranquil East Blue. To them, it was just another Marine vessel.
"Vice Admiral Garp," the Marine observer reported calmly. "The pirate ship is now accelerating toward us. Their target is confirmed to be us."
The atmosphere on the Marine warship was focused but not fearful. Every sailor stood ready, their hearts steady. Their confidence came from the man standing on the deck. He was Monkey D. Garp, the man who had cornered the Pirate King himself, Gold Roger. To these Marines, Garp was a living legend, his stature greater than even that of a Fleet Admiral.
"Hahahaha! How interesting!" Garp boomed, his laughter echoing. "I didn't expect to find such a blind and foolish bunch of pirates! Don't hold back, men! Judging by their actions, they're a vicious crew. They've likely hurt innocent people. We take them down, and we take them down hard!"
"Yes, Lieutenant General Garp!"
Garp knew that not all pirates were evil. Some sought adventure or treasure. But a crew that actively charged a Marine warship? He could guarantee that ninety-nine percent of them were no good.
As the distance closed, the pirate ship fired first. A single cannonball soared through the air toward the warship.
The Marines watched its trajectory without panic. They were used to this. The shot was poorly aimed, missing widely. The cannonball hit the sea with a loud boom, throwing up a geyser of water that rocked both ships slightly. The Marines adjusted their footing effortlessly; they were elite soldiers, handpicked for this vessel.
"Tch," Garp clicked his tongue. "The pirates in the East Blue… no skill, but all the trouble-making spirit. They really need a good cleaning."
The crew on Garp's ship was exceptionally powerful. His right-hand man, Bogard, standing silently nearby with his sword, possessed strength comparable to an elite vice admiral, though he remained in Garp's shadow. Even the great "Dark King" Silvers Rayleigh, first mate of the Roger Pirates, had been held at bay by Bogard in past battles. The other officers on board were all at the rank of commodore or captain, a terrifying concentration of power. Even a Fleet Admiral's personal ship might not have such a formidable lineup.
"Since they've started it, we'll finish it!" Garp commanded. "Return fire with a few warning shots! But be careful! Don't hit the main hull of that pirate ship. My Observation Haki senses a few very weak lives on board… prisoners, most likely. They might still be alive."
"Yes, Sir!"
Garp's powerful Haki had brushed against the pirate ship. Amid the coarse, violent energies of the pirates, he felt a few faint, flickering sparks of life, so weak they could die at any moment. They were not part of the crew. Pirates rarely kept useless, injured people on board unless they were deeply valued. These were likely captives, and Garp intended to save them.
(End of Chapter)
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