"So, that's what he said? Dunn?"
Listening to the seaman's report, Major Nezumi dismissed the man with a wave of his hand and picked up a transponder snail.
Regardless of the circumstances, a suspected Ability User had to be reported. Devil Fruits were treasures of the sea, and users were incredibly rare—even within the Marines, there were only a few dozen.
In the Marines, credit wasn't just earned by catching pirates or guarding a base; scouting talent was a valid path to promotion. If the Marines recruited an Ability User because of his report, it would be a significant achievement for his record.
"Headquarters? This is Major Nezumi of East Blue Branch 16, ID 00733. I have information to report."
As the connection went through, Nezumi spoke with a rare, serious tone.
The Town Pier.
Dunn watched the bustling pier, contemplating the information he'd gathered while studying the sea chart he had just purchased. The East Blue was vast—in fact, all four seas were enormous.
He had decided his next stop would be Shimotsuki Village. He had no intention of heading to the Grand Line until he possessed sufficient strength, so he stuck to his original plan. However, no direct commercial ships were heading there.
Based on the chart, a standard merchant vessel might take three months to reach it, though the trip might be shorter if it didn't stop at other islands.
"In that case, I'll just charter a ship," Dunn decided with a slight shake of his head.
He had nearly ten million Berries on him—more than enough for the short term. He wanted to reach Shimotsuki Village as fast as possible to begin his true training regimen.
After offering a payment of 500,000 Berries, he easily secured a merchant ship. Following a quick supply run, the vessel left the dock and sailed into the open ocean.
News of Dunn's departure was immediately reported up the chain. Specifically, his inquiry about Shimotsuki Village reached Major Nezumi's desk.
"Is that his destination?" Nezumi mused for a moment before passing the detail along to Headquarters. Once the report was filed, it was no longer his concern.
Several days later.
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
The constant crunch-crunch-crunch of rice crackers made the veins on Sengoku's forehead throb as he looked over his paperwork.
"Garp, you bastard! Don't you have your own office?!" Sengoku finally snapped, glaring at Garp.
"Don't be so grumpy, Sengoku! I ran out of crackers!" Garp replied indifferently. He poured the crumbs from his bag into his mouth, stood up, walked to Sengoku's desk, and casually pulled open a drawer to retrieve a fresh, large bag of crackers.
Sengoku stared at his old comrade with a look of utter exasperation. "If you're so bored, I'll find a mission for you."
Garp sat back down and looked at him without a word.
"The World Government is very displeased with you for refusing the promotion to Admiral again," Sengoku sighed.
"They can stay displeased then," Garp muttered, ripping open the new bag.
"Fine, you're not wrong," Sengoku grumbled. The title "Marine Hero" had circulated for over a decade. The Marines had intentionally built Garp's legend after the capture of the Pirate King.
As long as he didn't commit a major crime, neither the Marines nor the World Government would touch him—and even if he did, they probably wouldn't. He was, after all, a pinnacle of combat power.
"Since Roger's execution, the number of pirates has increased every year. In the New World, the influence of Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin is growing.
The Navy is putting the 'Top Combat Power' plan on the agenda. We are preparing to officially promote Akainu and the other two to Admiral. What do you think?"
Garp continued munching. "You and the World Government can discuss that."
"This promotion is necessary to counter the rising tides of the Great Age of Piracy. Also, Fleet Admiral Kong is preparing to take a position within the World Government."
"Oh?" Garp paused, looking at Sengoku.
Previously, the Navy only had two Admirals: Sengoku the Strategist and "Black Arm" Zephyr. However, due to certain events, Zephyr now only held a position at the Marine Training Camp. This meant the next Fleet Admiral would almost certainly be Sengoku.
"So, are you sure you won't take the Admiral position? To you, it's just a title; it wouldn't change your workload much."
Garp shook his head, refusing flatly.
"Fine. In that case, look at this report." Sengoku tossed a folder to Garp. "A bounty hunter appeared in the East Blue, about fourteen or fifteen years old.
He's a suspected fire-based Ability User, possibly a Logia. Head back home and see if you can find him. If you do, see if he's willing to be recruited into the Navy."
"A fire user? Possibly a Logia? Sengoku, what do you think Logias are—growing on trees?" Garp scoffed. He'd fought countless pirates over the decades; he could count the number of Logia users he'd met on his fingers, and three of them were already "brats" in the Navy.
"It's a 'just in case.' If you don't want to go, I'll send someone else."
"I'll go. I was planning to head back for a visit anyway," Garp said, standing up. It was a perfect excuse for a paid vacation.
Sengoku watched him saunter out and shook his head. His old friend was losing his drive, and Sengoku knew why.
But at their age, he didn't want to force it. The most important thing now was the appointment of the three Admirals and announcing the "Three Great Powers" to the world as a deterrent.
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