After an intensive, guided hypnosis session, Captain Nezumi — now reduced to a shell filled with 'destructive' matter — was sent away.
Luffy smirked as he watched him leave.
"Navy, oh Navy… I hope you appreciate my gift."
Just imagining what would happen next brought a wide grin to his face.
The Navy would hardly have time to care about him anytime soon…
Yet, he hadn't expected that a mere Nezumi would have such deep connections.
As expected, corruption is universal — it exists in every corner of the world.
Sighing, Luffy murmured,
"After all, I'm still a warm-hearted person. I care about Marine personnel more than any Marshal ever has in history…"
As for Arlong? His life and death were no longer relevant.
After being stripped of his abilities and dignity, he could no longer even be called a Fish-Man.
His end was humiliating — drowning.
But for Luffy, there was a gain. He had acquired a new concept: [Ocean's Beloved].
His journey from here on out would be far smoother. As the beloved son of the sea, he would never again encounter bad weather — not that he ever had, thanks to his maxed-out luck.
As long as he was on the ocean, he was unbeatable. The sea itself would protect him.
No enemy could catch him off guard at sea — the ocean was watching over him.
There were many sub-abilities as well:Power blessings from the sea, underwater breathing, mermaid-like speed and agility, strength gained just from breathing ocean air, and full-level affinity with marine creatures.
"Luffy, hurry up! The food is ready!!"
Yasha's voice came from behind.
Luffy nodded and moved toward the banquet.
Yes, the most important thing right now was to have a good party.
"Coming!!"
With cheers and joyful cries, the banquet resumed.
Somewhere in the East Blue, far from Luffy's current location…
A Marine warship with a dog-head figurehead plowed through the waves, battling fierce winds and rain. It moved resolutely against the tide.
Garp, wearing his trademark dog-head cap, stood by the railing, glaring at the raging weather with frustration.
"What's wrong with the weather in the East Blue these days? It's even more treacherous than the Grand Line…"
Since returning to the East Blue to chase down his disobedient grandson, nothing had gone smoothly. Storms, typhoons, whirlpools…
Even worse.
Puru puru puru…
The Den Den Mushi rang. After answering the call, Garp's face darkened.
"What do you mean you lost his whereabouts?! What the hell happened?!"
"…Hawkeye?! Ask him about Luffy — understand?!"
After hearing the full report, his expression shifted — first hardened, then softened.
"Keep looking. Don't let that disobedient brat leave the East Blue. Contact me immediately if you get any updates."
After ending the call, Garp sighed… then clenched his fists in anger.
He wanted to punch the storm itself.
These days, it felt like the whole world was against him.
Pirates constantly attacked him, shouting about taking his head. Sengoku was becoming a nuisance, urging him to return and barking about urgent matters.
"Damn it! All I want is to bring my disobedient grandson back! Why is everyone against me?!"
The sailors around him looked on with pity.
Truthfully, Garp had never experienced such a streak of bad luck — not even when hunting the Pirate King. That guy may have been lucky, but at least Garp hadn't been this miserable.
Bogard lowered the brim of his hat, hiding his expression.
"Garp-san… Luffy-kun already has a crew. Even if you find him, he won't back down. You know how stubborn he can be…"
"…Unless you plan to throw him into Impel Down."
Garp froze.
He sighed in defeat.
Bogard was right.
What could an old man like him do?
First Dragon, then Ace, and now his last hope had shattered — damn Luffy had gone rogue too.
"Red-Hair!! Damn it — turn the rudder! I'm going to blow that brat's head to pieces!!"
Bogard calmly responded,
"Please calm down, Garp-san. The Navy can't clash with a Yonko so casually…"
"And if you return to the Grand Line, Sengoku will catch you immediately."
Garp deflated like a balloon.
Puru puru puru…
The Den Den Mushi rang again. Garp straightened and answered.
After a few moments of listening, his face turned grim — but there was also a flicker of relief.
He exhaled, long and heavy — a sigh full of defeat.
"Change course… Marine 16th Branch…"
Bogard, having heard the report too, wore a grim expression.
"I just hope things don't get any worse…"
"At least now, we know Luffy-kun is safe and fine."
Garp brightened.
"Of course! As expected of my grandson. Sengoku won't have a choice but to promote him now — give him a raise and a captain's title. What a great merit…"
Bogard's lips twitched.
Great merit? More like he dragged the entire Navy into a huge whirlpool of scandals…
The report read as follows:
Pirate Monkey D. Luffy, along with his crew (Zala, Kuina, Nami, Yasha, Sanju), defeated the Arlong Pirates — and a Navy unit colluding with them.
But that wasn't the worst part.
One righteous Navy recruit, unable to tolerate the injustice, took advantage of Nezumi's absence to gather stacks of evidence — detailing all the crimes and shady dealings of the 16th Branch, and even implicating higher-ups from Marine Headquarters.
Worse still, he leaked everything to multiple press outlets.
Tragically, this hero was discovered by Nezumi… and killed.
Nezumi, in fear, fled.
Now the entire East Blue was in chaos.
The Straw Hats were famous — but the spotlight wasn't on them.
It was on the Navy.
And Garp could no longer act willfully.
Luffy was now officially a pirate.
Three days later…
Luffy lay lazily on a recliner, skimming through a stack of newspapers. The sensational headlines stretched across the front pages.
He grinned.
"These reporters are really talented."
"Navy East Blue Historical Scandal — Headquarters Implicated!""Pirates and Navy: Brothers from Different Mothers?""A Predicted Big Clean-up!""Can the Navy Still Be Trusted?"
Luffy chuckled.
"Hope you like it, Navy… my carefully prepared 'gift'…"
His casual act had thrown the Navy into panic.
The whole sea was now wondering…
Can the Navy handle this?
Luffy could feel the luck backlash from his actions — but most of the people caught in it were weaklings. Not worth suppressing.
He let it rage.
Not worth mentioning.
He sighed in satisfaction, his face full of smugness.
"The plan was a success. I got famous, the higher-ups now know I'm Garp's grandson, and I even 'saved' an entire Marine faction. Don't thank me…"
Kaya's voice called from the deck.
"Luffy! Everything is ready. Don't laze around — I'm starting now!"
Luffy smiled in anticipation.
"Already? Then I'm looking forward to it…"
In the lab, the girls stood in front of equipment straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Among them was a new member: Nojiko.
Nami, fully aware of the benefits of following the captain, had tricked her sister aboard. Nojiko hadn't received her cheat yet, but that was about to change.
Nami looked at her.
"Get ready."
Nojiko looked back at Nami — full of envy and anticipation.
The girl who had once been the younger sister was now tall, stunning, and powerful.
Nojiko would be lying if she said she wasn't jealous.
She wanted to be beautiful and strong too.
If not for Kaya's ongoing genetic experiments, she would have already transformed.
Kaya finally appeared with Luffy.
She gave Nojiko a reassuring smile, then gently led her toward a coffin-like machine.