"So, that's what he said? Cyrus?"
After listening to the marine's report, Captain Nezumi waved the man away and picked up a Den Den Mushi.
Regardless, the appearance of a suspected Devil Fruit user had to be reported.
After all, Devil Fruits were the secret treasures of the sea.
Devil Fruit users were extremely rare... especially here in Eastblue.
Earning merit wasn't just about capturing pirates or guarding a base; recommending talented individuals was also a way to earn merit.
If the Marines managed to recruit a Devil Fruit user because of his report, it would be a considerable achievement.
"Headquarters? This is Captain Nezumi of the East Blue 16th Branch, ID number 00733. I have something to report."
After the Den Den Mushi connected, Captain Nezumi spoke in a serious tone.
...
The town's port.
Cyrus looked at the bustling port, contemplating the information he had just gathered and examining the sea chart he had just bought.
The East Blue was vast, or rather, all four seas were vast.
He had set his next destination as Shimotsuki Village.
He didn't plan to go to the Grand Line until he was strong enough, so he decided to follow his original plan and find a way to Shimotsuki Village.
However, there were no ships heading directly to Shimotsuki Village.
According to the distance between here and Shimotsuki Village on the sea chart, it would take an ordinary merchant ship about three months.
Of course, if they sailed directly without stopping at other islands, the journey might be shorter.
"In that case, I'll just hire a ship."
After a moment, Cyrus shook his head slightly, having made his decision.
Perhaps there was another way, like going to a larger island to find a ship heading directly to Shimotsuki Village, but he didn't want to waste time on that.
With nearly ten million Belly on him, Cyrus had more than enough for the short term.
It was better to get to Shimotsuki Village as quickly as possible and begin his plan to get stronger.
With the decision made, the rest was simple.
After offering a payment of 500,000 Belly, Cyrus easily hired a merchant ship.
After a brief preparation of supplies, the ship left the port and sailed into the ocean.
The news of Cyrus's departure was naturally reported by the watchful marines.
The name "Shimotsuki Village," which Cyrus had inquired about, was also reported to Captain Nezumi.
"Is that his destination?"
Captain Nezumi pondered for a moment before reporting this information to Headquarters as well.
In any case, the information was reported.
He didn't need to worry about it anymore.
...
Several days later.
Marine Headquarters, an Admiral's office.
The crunching sound of rice crackers made the veins on Sengoku's forehead throb as he looked over his documents.
"Garp, you bastard, don't you have your own office?"
Unable to bear it any longer, Sengoku abruptly looked up and glared at Garp.
"Don't be angry, Sengoku. I just ran out of rice crackers!"
Garp paid no mind to Sengoku's anger.
He poured the last of the crackers from the bag in his hand into his mouth, got up, and casually walked over to Sengoku's desk, pulled open a drawer, and took out a large bag of rice crackers.
Seeing his old comrade act like this, Sengoku was speechless, but mostly, he felt helpless.
"If you're so bored, I'll find a mission for you."
Garp, who had just sat down, turned to look at Sengoku but said nothing.
"You refused the promotion to Admiral again this time. The World Government is very displeased with you," Sengoku said with a sigh, seeing Garp's expression.
"Being displeased is all they can do!"
Garp looked away and tore open the bag in his hands, acting completely unconcerned.
"Forget it. You have a point."
Several dark lines appeared on Sengoku's forehead, but he then sounded somewhat resigned.
The title "Marine Hero" had been circulating in the Marines for over a decade.
The Marines had intentionally molded Garp, the man who captured the Pirate King, into a hero of the Marines. Garp's personal influence was now immense.
As long as he didn't make a mistake, the Marines and the World Government wouldn't touch Garp.
Or rather, even if he did make a mistake, they wouldn't touch him.
Moreover, he was one of the top fighting powers on the seas.
No one was a fool.
"Ever since Roger's execution, the number of pirates has been increasing every year. In the New World, the influence of Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin is growing larger and larger. The Marines are preparing to move forward with the plan for our top-tier combatants.
We're preparing to formally promote Akainu and the other two to the rank of Admiral. What do you think?"
Looking at Garp eating his rice crackers, Sengoku suddenly spoke, changing the subject.
"That's something for you and the World Government to discuss."
Garp, however, looked completely unconcerned.
"The main reason for promoting the three of them to Admiral this time is to counter the growing influence of Whitebeard and the others on the Grand Line. It's imperative. Also, Fleet Admiral Kong is preparing to transfer to a post within the World Government."
"Oh?"
Garp froze and turned to look at Sengoku.
Previously, the Marines only had two Admirals: Sengoku the Buddha and Zephyr, the Black Arm.
However, due to certain events, although Zephyr was still an Admiral, he only served as an instructor at the Marine training camp at Headquarters.
This meant that the next Fleet Admiral of the Marines would likely be Sengoku.
"So, are you sure you don't want to be an Admiral? For you, it's just a title. It won't add that many missions to your plate."
Sengoku tried to persuade him again.
Garp shook his head directly, flatly refusing.
"Fine. In that case, take a look at this report."
With that, Sengoku tossed a report to Garp.
Garp raised a hand to catch it, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"A Pirate Hunter has appeared in the East Blue. Judging by his age, he should be around fourteen or fifteen. He just set out to sea and is a suspected ability user with flame-related powers, possibly even a Logia Type fruit user. Make a trip back and see if you can find him.
If you find him, see if you can recruit him into the Marines!"
"A flame-related ability user, and possibly a Logia Type? Sengoku, what do you take Logia Types for?"
Garp was a little speechless.
He had been in the Marines for decades and fought countless pirates.
There were only a handful of Logia Type users, and three of them were those three brats from the Marines.
"What if? Of course, if you're not willing, I'll send someone else," Sengoku replied directly.
"I'll go. It just so happens I need to make a trip back anyway."
Garp immediately stood up upon hearing this.
He finally had some time to go back, so he might as well treat it as a paid vacation.
Watching Garp swagger away, Sengoku shook his head helplessly.
This old friend of his was losing more and more of his drive.
As for the reason, he naturally knew it well.
But at their age, Sengoku didn't want to force the issue.
The most crucial matter now was the appointment of the three Marine Admirals.
After all, this appointment would also involve internal reforms within the Marines, as well as announcing the matter of the Marines' three great powers to the entire sea.
Deterrence was also a key component.