"Ahahaha, that little girl's quite something!"
After observing the battle between Yamato and Kuzan, Garp laughed heartily: "Conqueror's Haki Infusion… she's already reached that threshold."
"Of course, my girlfriend is strong!"
Caesar grinned. "But speaking of which, is it just you few who came this time? Is the Navy really that confident?"
"Hmm?"
Garp bared his teeth in a grin. "What an arrogant brat. If we hadn't underestimated that girl's strength, do you really think you alone could hold your ground against me and Kuzan?"
"Hard to say, but if I can't win, I can always run~"
Caesar's tone was playful. "Don't tell me the Navy doesn't know about the Paw-Paw Fruit's abilities."
"Hahahaha, as expected, we can't fool you!"
Garp cracked his knuckles, producing a series of popping sounds.
"Capturing you would be ideal, but you guessed right—this old man came mainly to gauge your strength. The Navy still has the Grand Line to manage. We can't just send two Admirals after a slippery brat like you."
"But your strength truly surprised me. Is it because of a Devil Fruit?"
"Why would I tell you that?"
Caesar tilted his head. "How about you quit the Navy and join me? What kind of justice can you uphold while serving those Celestial Dragons?"
"Hmm… that does sound tempting."
Garp casually removed his Justice cloak and flexed his wrists, preparing to go all out. "But kid, if things really went the way you imagine, countless people would die! It would be a terrifying war that engulfs the entire sea!"
"What revolution doesn't involve bloodshed? Dying in resistance is still better than dying under a slavemaster's whip—at least you keep some dignity!"
Caesar scoffed. "Am I wrong, Navy… hero? Speaking of which, wasn't that title something you earned by protecting the Celestial Dragons?"
Garp's face darkened, his movements freezing for a moment before his expression twisted in outrage. "Bullshit! That old bastard Kong tricked me by saying Roger was at God Valley! Those Celestial Dragons are trash—since when do they deserve my protection?!"
(Manga Chapter 1096 reveals Kuma's backstory: Garp was originally on vacation when Kong ordered him to reinforce God Valley. Garp only knew it was a Celestial Dragon event and even asked why they had to go to such a remote place. Kong replied, "I can't tell you that," then added, "I never expected Roger to make a move." Garp immediately said, "You should've said so earlier!" and eagerly rushed over…)
"Oh? So back at God Valley—"
"Hey hey hey! Don't you dare bring that up again! If I'd known the truth back then, I wouldn't have lifted a finger for those scum!"
Garp roared, steam practically shooting from his nostrils in fury.
"Is that so…"
Caesar silently pulled out a Recording Transponder Snail and pressed play.
"Celestial Dragons are trash—since when do they deserve my protection?"
"If I'd known the truth back then, I wouldn't have lifted a finger for those scum!"
Garp's voice echoed clearly in everyone's ears. Kuzan and Gion fell into awkward silence, unsure how to respond.
This wasn't something they could easily comment on.
They couldn't even try to smooth things over…
Gion wasn't entirely clear about what the two were discussing, but she knew exactly what kind of people the Celestial Dragons were.
As for Kuzan and Bogard, they understood all too well—especially Bogard, who had already been Garp's adjutant back then.
"Eh?"
Garp's eyes widened as he stared at Caesar in disbelief.
"Navy Hero Denounces Celestial Dragons, Calls Them Trash Scum—how does that headline sound, Vice Admiral Garp?"
Caesar grinned at him. "I bet Morgans would pay a fortune for this recording."
"Na—NI?!"
Garp's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull. "You brat… you're too damn sneaky!"
Cursing the Celestial Dragons was one thing. With his title as the Navy's hero, as long as he didn't do it to their faces, even the Five Elders wouldn't make a big deal out of it.
Given his strength and influence within the Navy, the Five Elders couldn't touch him unless he went too far. It was more of a mutual disdain between them.
But publishing it in the papers? That was a whole different story!
Garp knew full well—those Celestial Dragons would do anything to protect their pride!
Thinking this, Garp immediately started shouting, "You brat, delete that recording right now!"
"Oh~ Scared?"
Caesar tilted his head innocently, spreading his hands. "What's wrong, big man? Can't stand by your own words?"
"Bullshit!"
Garp's face flushed red. "That's not what I meant!"
"Then what are you afraid of? They're just a bunch of trash nobles who trample on the people and treat lives like dirt. Look how panicked you are!"
Caesar's tone was leisurely. "Even if they slaughter innocents, trade slaves, and exploit civilians, you've turned a blind eye for years. What's wrong with cursing them a little? Don't worry, I won't actually release the recording~"
Garp's mouth opened and closed, left speechless.
"Oh, right, Vice Admiral Garp, there's one more thing I need to report to you..."
Caesar suddenly raised a hand, his expression turning stern as he delivered the final blow. "I want to report the Celestial Dragons for slave trading! Massacring civilians! Hosting human hunting games—yes, the exact same kind they were holding back at God Valley when you were protecting them!"
"ENOUGH!"
Garp roared, his face burning with fury, veins bulging in his eyes.
After shooting Caesar a glare, he turned and stormed off. Passing a raised section of ice, he kicked it hard—BAM!—shattering it to pieces.
"You lot! We're done here, let's go!"
The old man bellowed, his face red with anger.
The moment he finished speaking—whoosh!
Garp casually reached back and caught a small card midair.
Above, Caesar cheerfully waved. "That's my Den Den Mushi number, Vice Admiral Garp! If you ever get sick of the Navy, you're always welcome to join me!"
"Hmph! Brat!"
Garp snorted, grumbling as he stuffed the card into his pocket.
"Ara ara, is it over already?"
Kuzan scratched his head in confusion. "But if I recall correctly… wasn't I the Admiral in charge of this operation?"
Gion and Bogard, who had been facing off against Kuma and the others, sheathed their swords.
"What, you think you can do anything about him?"
Gion shook her head. As Tsuru's sworn sister, she was on good terms with Garp and leaned toward the more moderate faction within the Navy.
Back during the meeting, she had clearly overheard Caesar's words to Vice Admiral Tsuru, so she held no ill will toward Caesar's crew. As for Garp's willful retreat, she had no objections either.
Kuzan and Bogard were even less of an issue.
Especially Kuzan—Garp never indulged his admiral status, throwing tantrums whenever he pleased.
"This is for the best. Continuing would escalate into all-out war, and these guys aren't easy to handle. At the very least, the forces we brought today are far from sufficient," Kuzan remarked calmly. "Though we didn't extract much useful intel, we've gauged their general strength. Our main objective is accomplished—no need to drag this out."
Gion nodded. "Morgans wasn't lying. Another trouble on the level of the Four Emperors."
"Trouble? I wouldn't say that."
Whoosh—two more projectiles cut through the air. The two casually caught the flying business cards.
Caesar descended from the sky, grinning at them. "My doors are always open to righteous warriors like you! Whether it's funding or resources, I'll provide full support. Why not give it some thought?"
"You really want to destabilize my admiral position, don't you?" Kuzan sighed, freezing the card into shards. "Well... no need for these."
Caesar nodded. "Fair point. You can find me anytime anyway."
Kuzan: "..."
He genuinely wanted no further dealings with Caesar—who knew when he might "defect" from the Navy?
Gion glanced at the card before tucking it into the Other-Dimensional Space at her chest, smiling. "I'll keep mine. Might come in handy someday."
"Yes, yes!" Caesar eagerly agreed. "Like if some officer gets persecuted by the World Government and defects—send them my way! I heard Admiral Zephyr's been having a rough time lately? Mind connecting us?"
"You... really push your luck!" Gion feigned annoyance, though privately, she'd kept the card precisely for such possibilities. But whether to trust Caesar... she'd have to consult her elder sister Tsuru later.
"Depends on my mood~" Gion sheathed her sword. "Your blade is strong. I hope we can duel seriously someday. See you on the Grand Line!"
"Hah..."
As the dog-headed warship turned away, Nami slumped against the railing, kneeling on the deck with relief. "That scared me to death. Thought we were done for."
Baby5 patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it after a few more times."
"I don't want to get used to this!" Nami wailed.
Robin offered an apologetic smile. "It can't be helped. As long as I'm on this ship—"
"They came to assess my strength," Caesar interjected, landing back on deck. "Capturing you was secondary. Alone, you're not worth the World Government's attention. Alone, neither am I worth their effort. What they fear is the two of us together. So don't overthink it. Worst case, I'll just reveal Ace's identity as the Pirate King's son to divert their focus."
"Hey hey hey!"
Ace's face darkened. He had been immersed in the overwhelming strength displayed by both Caesar and Garp, only snapping back to reality upon hearing the conversation.
"That's right, Sister Robin! Don't overthink it! We knew before boarding that this was about overthrowing the Celestial Dragons—it was bound to happen sooner or later!"
Realizing she'd accidentally touched on Robin's painful memories, Nami quickly added, "I just feel my strength is too lacking. And like Caesar said, we still have Ace as our shield!"
"Hey hey hey!"
Ace's face darkened even further.
While he'd always longed for comrades who wouldn't judge him for his bloodline, this group was somewhat...
Good news: they didn't treat him as an outsider.
Bad news: they didn't treat him as human either...
"Hehe, I'm not overthinking it."
Robin smiled gently. "The fact that the World Government takes me seriously proves I'm a significant threat to the Celestial Dragons in Caesar's plans. So whether it's the Navy or the World Government, it doesn't matter to me—I won't give them another chance to hurt me."
Caesar clapped Ace on the shoulder. "See? Even Robin, a woman, has this level of resolve. The Pirate King's son is nothing special."
Ace pouted. "I didn't hide my identity because I was afraid of being captured!"
"Say, were those guys just now from the Navy?"
Yamato climbed aboard via the rope ladder, looking excited. "Do you think we'll get bounties?"
"Oh right..."
Deuce smacked his fist into his palm. "Judging from Vice Admiral Garp's words, the captain's wanted poster should be issued soon, right?"
"Honestly, I'm kinda looking forward to it."
Caesar laughed. "Wonder how much bounty the Navy will place on me? At least three billion, right?"
"What about me? What about me?"
Yamato asked eagerly.
"With your strength, definitely no less than one billion. After all, you fought a Marine Admiral and didn't show any signs of being at a disadvantage. I'm really surprised—your power has grown remarkably fast recently..."
Caesar continued, "Kuma didn't fight this time, so his bounty probably won't increase much. But Robin's bounty should rise again. The others likely won't get bounties."
"Aww—"
Bonney, Deuce, and Bartolomeo looked disappointed, while Nami patted her chest in relief.
"Bounties, huh..."
Ace adjusted his hat brim, his voice full of longing. "Wonder how much I'd be worth with my current strength?"
Caesar thought for a moment. "Purely judging by strength, about one hundred million."
Ace's face fell. "So you're saying you're worth thirty of me?"
"Haha, not that exaggerated..."
Caesar shook his head. "Bounties just indicate how much of a threat someone is to the Navy. If we're talking actual combat power, even a hundred of you stacked together wouldn't be my match."
"Damn it... Don't look down on me!"
Gritting his teeth, Ace suddenly kicked at Caesar, who easily dodged and casually punched Ace into the deck.
Robin: "Ara, that makes it 3:0."
Ace: "..."
"Really, don't make extra work for me..."
Deuce sighed and pulled the dazed Ace out of the deck.
"So where are we heading next?"
Nami looked at Caesar. "Recruiting new crew members?"
"Hmm... There is one more person I have in mind."
Caesar sighed regretfully. "But that guy's completely directionless—can't find any trace of him..."
Aside from Ace and Nami, if there was anyone else in the East Blue that he particularly favored, it would undoubtedly be Zoro.
Caesar wasn't one to slack on gathering intel, but this guy was just too absurd—due to his terrible sense of direction, no one had ever been able to accurately track his whereabouts...
He was in the East Blue!
But he simply couldn't be found!
"Let's leave it for later. Just a few more days—once Hanafusa delivers the Sick-Sick Fruit, we'll set sail for the North Blue!"
"The North Blue?"
"Yeah, to find an incredibly strong swordsman!"
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/GoddessTL
Thanks!