Loguetown
Ark was sweating profusely as he trained in the courtyard.
An old man sat nearby, watching Ark train hard while stuffing rice crackers into his mouth one after another. He mumbled mockingly, "You have no talent. Continuing like this will only make you a little stronger."
"Shut up, old man!"
Ark glared at the old man with disgust.
This strange old man had been coming here for almost half a year.
At first, it was nothing, but later, he came almost every day to watch Ark train hard, only to mock him.
Ark swore that if he could beat this old man, he would definitely punch him to death.
"Brother Ark, Dr. Reddy is in the newspaper!"
Mia, now eight years old, ran into the courtyard, her face covered in sweat. From a distance, she excitedly waved the newspaper in her hand.
As she passed the old man, he suddenly reached out and snatched the newspaper from her.
"Three billion berries. What a terrifying kid, hahahaha."
The old man glanced at the front-page headline and laughed loudly as he flipped through the rest. But Ark snatched the newspaper back and gave him a disdainful look.
After taking the newspaper, Ark fell silent after just one glance, his face full of conflict.
Mia asked curiously, "Brother Ark, aren't you happy to see Dr. Reddy in the newspaper?"
Ark hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Ever since that day three years ago, he had idolized Reddy and worked hard until now.
But Reddy had been given a bounty and was called the future fifth emperor of the sea... His heart was in turmoil.
"Kid, you're scared."
The old man stuffed another rice cracker into his mouth, hitting the nail on the head.
"I'm not!"
Ark adjusted his black wide-brimmed hat and retorted angrily, but the next moment, his mood turned gloomy.
Had Dr. Reddy really become a pirate?
"Having a bounty doesn't necessarily mean you're a pirate."
The old man spoke, a trace of emotion flashing in his eyes. Suddenly, the rice crackers in his hand didn't taste as good.
"Really?"
Ark's eyes lit up again.
Mia finally understood that Ark was conflicted over whether Dr. Reddy, now with a bounty, had become a pirate. She puffed up her cheeks and shouted, "Dr. Reddy is a good person. He would never become a despicable pirate!"
"Yeah, Dr. Reddy would absolutely never become a despicable pirate!"
Ark's mind cleared, and he firmly supported Mia's view. A man who proposed creating a beautiful paradise couldn't possibly do evil things.
Even if he killed someone, that person must have deserved it!
Yes, that's how it was!
The old man chuckled without saying anything, stood up, brushed off the cracker crumbs on his clothes, and walked out of the estate.
Returning to the Marine base, Smoker walked toward him holding a newspaper.
"Vice Admiral Garp, that man..."
Smoker hesitated. His impression of Reddy was still quite positive. He believed this man had a rare and noble ideal.
"The World Government is the World Government. It doesn't represent everyone." Garp laughed loudly and walked past Smoker.
Smoker froze. By the time he snapped out of it, Garp was already far ahead. He quickly caught up and asked as he walked, "Vice Admiral Garp, what do you mean..."
The topic was sensitive, so Smoker didn't dare to speak too openly.
Garp laughed. "Do you know why I've stayed in Loguetown for so long?"
Smoker hesitated. "Because of Golden Lion Shiki?"
Garp burst into laughter and slapped Smoker, making him stagger. "Golden Lion Shiki, after disappearing for over a decade, is no longer the legendary pirate he once was."
Smoker was confused. He didn't understand.
"Idiot!"
Garp mercilessly slapped Smoker again, making him stumble. "The reason I stayed here so long was to avoid cleaning up after that old man Zephyr!"
Smoker had nothing to say.
Fine, you're strong, so you're right. What else can I say?
"Originally, that was my plan."
Garp suddenly changed the subject, his tone becoming excited. "But I accidentally found a promising Marine recruit."
"Ark?"
Smoker reacted quickly.
Garp said excitedly, "That's right. That kid doesn't have extraordinary talent, but his will is incredibly strong, and he's willing to work hard. I've been observing him all this time and even told him he has no talent, but that kid never slacked off, not even for a moment."
Smoker lit a cigar and nodded in agreement.
He also admired Ark.
Over the past three years, Ark had performed exceptionally well, repeatedly rescuing orphans lured into joining local gangs.
Now, there were nearly three hundred orphans in the estate outside the base.
Under Ark's leadership, these orphans supported themselves, each working hard to make life better for everyone.
"Zephyr likes kids like this."
Garp excitedly punched his palm. "Maybe Zephyr can uncover talents in him that others haven't noticed."
Smoker blew out a puff of smoke and shook his head helplessly. "That kid is stubborn. He refuses to join the Marines."
Garp laughed loudly. "I'll use my Love-Fist to persuade him!"
Nightfall
The orphans who had gone out to earn money returned to the estate one after another.
When Mia saw a sixteen-year-old boy return, she immediately ran up to him, waving the newspaper. "Brother Remo, look! Dr. Reddy is in the newspaper!"
"Let me see!"
Remo excitedly took the newspaper from Mia and read it carefully, as if it were a sacred text.
Mia was proud.
She had shown this special edition to every companion who returned to the estate.
Remo pretended he could read, going through every word before flipping back to the front page. Staring at Reddy's photo, he said excitedly, "Three billion berries... Dr. Reddy is truly my idol."
"The newspaper called Dr. Reddy the future fifth emperor of the sea. How shameless!"
Ark had completely accepted Garp's explanation and didn't believe Reddy had become a pirate. He thought the newspaper was just being unscrupulous, arbitrarily labeling Reddy as a pirate.
"Where's the newspaper office? I'll smash it!"
Ever since joining this group, Remo had listened to Reddy's vision of a beautiful paradise and was deeply moved, becoming a devoted fan. He couldn't stand the newspaper office's baseless rumor of his idol.
"I heard this newspaper office is in the New World. The butcher told me."
Their conversation had already attracted other orphans. Hearing this, a little girl eagerly provided information.
The others also racked their brains, piecing together bits of information.
"Oh, it's in the Grand Line. That's too far."
The orphans were disappointed. If only it were in Loguetown, they could smash its windows tonight.
Only Remo vowed solemnly, "When I grow up, I'll go to the New World and smash that newspaper office!"
Ark watched the lively scene, feeling dejected. He silently walked out of the estate alone.
"Here."
A man's voice came from the shadows.
Ark walked over.
"This is next month's living expenses. Don't lose it."
The man finished speaking and turned to leave, but Ark called out from behind.
"Uncle Bill, I feel ashamed."
Ark said gloomily, "Remo and the others think I'm the one who rescued so many people from the gangs, but I know it was you."
Bill smiled indifferently. "I still have a bounty on my head, but you're the man recognized by Lord Reddy."
"But..."
Ark hesitated.
As the number of people in the estate grew, the 2.5 million berries Reddy had given them had long been spent.
For almost a year now, they had barely survived thanks to Bill's support.
"Don't worry about it."
Bill waved his hand and walked away, saying as he left, "The date of your promise with Lord Reddy is approaching. Don't let him down."