"Speaking of the other three military source nations, why don't you take a guess, old man Garp?"
"Stop playing coy! If I could guess, would I even be asking you?!"
"...You really have no shame, do you?"
Michael watched as the old bastard started acting stubborn and realized he might have been dragging this out a bit too much.
If it were someone like Granny Tsuru—a cultured and insightful grand strategist—she would have patiently listened to his elaborate explanations.
But Garp? Forget it.
"Anyway, none of them are within reach for now. Even Wano Country is just in the early stages of planning..."
"So after all that talk, it end up to be a lot of nonsense huh?"
The moment Garp said that, Michael expression soured.
He slammed the table indignantly. "Calling this a nonsense? This is called ambition! This is called foresight!"
Before Michael could finish boasting, the Den Den Mushi on Garp desk began ringing.
"Brrr brrr brrr, brrr brrr brrr..."
Garp usual carefree expression instantly turned serious.
This was a dedicated line between him and Sengoku.
Sengoku wouldn't contact him through this Den Den Mushi unless it was something major.
"Hey, Sengoku, what's going on?"
"You still haven't returned to Marine HQ—did you go back to Foosha Village again?" Sengoku expression was perfectly mirrored by the Den Den Mushi, equally grave.
"No, I'm with Michael in the Calm Belt right now. I was planning to take your stupid little brat back, pick up the girl and take them out to sea for some real-world experience." Garp glanced at Michael before answering.
"Since when did you and Michael agree on this...? Whatever. It's good that Michael there. Both of you need to head to Baterilla Island in the South Blue immediately."
"The South Blue? What's there?" Garp dug his nose nonchalantly.
Then he noticed Michael throwing him a look and gesturing toward something—the sword hanging at Michael waist.
'Ace.'
Garp froze, recalling a conversation he'd had with Roger a few days prior...
'If it's a boy, name them Ace.'
The same name as his sword.
Then it clicked—Michael hint.
Of course! Baterilla Island in the South Blue—that was where Roger widow was!
A sudden, unsettling thought crossed his mind...
"Sengoku... you're sending us to Baterilla Island in the South Blue... could it be...?"
"The World Government has received intel that the Pirate King widow is there." Sengoku voice grew low and firm.
"The Marines and CP agents have already been dispatched to the South Blue. I need you to oversee the search operation."
"Got it." Garp hung up the call without another word. His expression darkened.
Michael wasn't any better.
"Damn it, how did word about Roger widow reach the World Government so fast?!" Garp gritted his teeth.
"If it were just the Marines, fine—but CP agents too..."
In Garp eyes, those CP spies were no better than criminals. Having them involved in the search for Roger's widow was anything but good news.
To say the least...
Garp and Michael found it quite challenging to hide a pregnant woman right under the noses of the CP organization.
Garp believed in honoring his commitments—once he gave his word, he would see it through.
Naturally, Michael had considered this as well.
But... that was only part of the issue.
What truly irked him was how the old man blindly obeyed the World Government, triggering this massive manhunt in the South Blue.
As a result, the Marine reputation had plummeted.
In the original timeline, two major events had utterly tarnished the Marine name.
These were the primary reasons for the Marine talent drought and the sharp decline in recruitment.
The first was the Buster Call on Ohara.
The second was the South Blue manhunt.
These two incidents dragged the Marine reputation into the abyss, barely better than that of pirates. Even the promotions of Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu to the rank of Admiral were delayed by at least a decade due to the negative fallout.
Since Michael saw the Marine as the foundation of his plan to overturn the world, he absolutely couldn't allow such reputation-damaging events to occur.
The simplest solution, of course, would be to hand over Roger widow—Rouge and her unborn child, Ace.
But that was impossible.
First, Michael was a man of his word.
Besides, he was originally from the South Blue. Though his childhood there had been far from pleasant, he still held some sentimental attachment to his homeland.
Second... Ace was also part of his future plans.
How could he possibly hand him over to the World Government?
Michael lips twitched.
Well, it seemed he and the old man Garp would have to intervene.
"Let's go, old man Garp. Since the higher-ups sent us to the South Blue, we might as well go."
"Just one thing—once we're there, you follow my lead."
Garp eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
"HUH? I need to listen to a brat like you?!"
"Got a better idea? Do you have a way to smuggle a pregnant woman past the CP agents?" Michael rolled his eyes.
"And as a South Blue native, do you really know the situation better than I do?"
"Uh, well..." Garp stroked his beard with his hand.
He could just eliminate all the CP spies tagging along.
But that wasn't an option!
After some thought, he finally sighed in resignation.
"Fine, you call the shots."
"Since you're letting me lead, I'll warn you upfront..." Michael hopped onto the table and whispered into Garp ear.
"You'll have to make a sacrifice."
***
Baterilla Island, South Blue
"All hands, assemble!"
At the harbor, Marine soldiers were gathering. Half were from Headquarters, the other half from South Blue branches.
Leading them was Vice Admiral Onigumo of the Marine Headquarters.
His menacing face, paired with spider-leg-like hair, left the soldiers trembling in fear as they quickly lined up with their heads bowed.
"Hurry it up, you lot! This is a top-priority order from the World Government!"
In contrast, the CP spies were far more relaxed.
Over a hundred elite agents, drawn from CP1 to CP9, had been assigned to this mission of capturing the Pirate King widow. The task was important, but not important enough to warrant CP0 involvement.
The leader of CP agent on this mission was CP9 Laskey.
The name might not ring a bell, but his two daughters... Kalifa and Alpha.
Truly, a man of refined taste.
At the moment, Laskey wore a deeply displeased expression.
This mission was originally supposed to be led by Spandine, but that superior officer was too busy groveling to the Celestial Dragons and didn't have time to carry out the task.
So, as the most senior member present, he had to take command temporarily.
Thinking of this, Laskey couldn't help but grit his teeth.
Damn Spandine, his skill at sucking up to superiors was truly unmatched.
"Hey, you guys in black suits, why aren't you lining up?!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out from midair.
Laskey instinctively looked up.
A Marine officer with pure white wings descended in a slow spiral from the sky.