The courtyard was lively.
Ark was extremely busy, sometimes directing the girls to set the table, other times reminding the boys to focus on cooking instead of fooling around.
After much effort, dinner was finally ready.
Ark, along with two older girls, distributed bread and vegetable soup to everyone.
Soon, the dining table was filled with laughter and cheerful conversations.
Every child was satisfied with their current life.
The Marine base was nearby, so they didn't have to worry about pirates. Yakovich would often bring them delicious food to improve their meals, and even the stern-looking Smoker would occasionally "accidentally" leave supplies outside the manor.
They understood and pretended it was a lucky find to improve their lives.
Moreover, over the past year, pirate raids on Loguetown had become increasingly rare. Most townspeople had also grown kinder toward the orphans.
When they went to buy food or daily necessities, shops would often give them discounts or extra items.
"Is this what heaven is like?"
Mia still remembered Reddy's description of heaven from back then.
As she grew older, she increasingly felt that it was unrealistic, but now, this place felt like heaven.
"How can this be heaven?"
Remo, who had replaced Ark as Reddy's biggest admirer, retorted disdainfully. "Doctor Reddy is going to create a real heaven with us!"
"Then we won't have to worry about pirates ruining our lives again!"
"We can go to school and become outstanding people like Doctor Reddy!"
"We can even help other children like us!"
"I believe in Doctor Reddy!"
The other children were drawn in by Remo's words, imagining that perfect life, their faces gradually lighting up with joy.
Ark, however, seemed out of place, absentmindedly stirring his vegetable soup with a spoon.
Lately, he had been severely demoralized by Garp.
He was losing confidence.
As one of the few orphans who could read, Ark knew Reddy had a grand dream.
He also wanted to be Reddy's assistant and contribute.
So Ark trained hard every day, hoping that when the time came, he could proudly say to Reddy, "I'll help you."
But Garp had brutally shown him the truth—he was nothing.
"If you want to get stronger, join the Marines."
Ark's mind kept replaying Garp's frequent words, and he was starting to waver.
Suddenly, the ground shook violently.
Plates and bowls clattered to the floor, shattering into pieces.
Ark and the other children panicked, hiding under the table.
"What's happening?"
"An earthquake?"
"I'm scared!"
"Stay calm, everyone, just stay hidden."
After a brief moment of chaos, Ark, along with Remo and a few other older boys, managed to calm the others.
"Kyahahahaha... Garp!"
A shrill, owl-like laugh echoed through the night, filled with resentment.
Meanwhile, the Marine base was in chaos.
The sudden earthquake caused a brief panic among the soldiers.
Smoker was the first to react, transforming into smoke and flying above the base, a cigar clenched between his teeth as he scanned the surroundings.
"Golden Lion Shiki, you've finally shown yourself!"
Garp strode out, his Justice Coat billowing behind him. There was no fear on his face, only excitement.
Years ago, it had been him and Sengoku who defeated Shiki when he stormed Marineford and sent him to Impel Down. Meeting an old foe today invigorated him.
A dangerous pirate like Shiki belonged behind bars.
Garp's presence quickly restored order in the base.
Marine soldiers efficiently distributed weapons and rushed out, heading into town.
Loguetown wasn't free of pirates.
Some rookie pirates, whose captains had been captured by Smoker or Garp, refused to give up their dreams.
At a time like this, they had to ensure the town didn't descend into chaos.
"Kyahahahaha... I only came to Loguetown to kidnap some kids, but I never expected you to be here too... Garp!"
Shiki descended, appearing in Garp and Smoker's line of sight.
Originally, he had listened to Indigo's suggestion to come to Loguetown and take hostages to force Reddy to reveal himself.
But then he spotted Garp's dog-head battleship docked at the Marine base.
Enemies meeting eyes burned with hatred.
Shiki had never forgotten that it was Garp and Sengoku who defeated him.
After spotting the ship, he couldn't resist attacking the base immediately.
But Indigo didn't care about Shiki's grudge. He only wanted to capture Reddy as soon as possible to extract the Bloodline Factor technology.
This was world-changing science!
So Indigo argued that charging in recklessly was foolish. Instead, they should lift the entire island into the sky, forcing Garp and the Marines to hesitate.
With the island in the air, victory was assured.
Shiki was persuaded once again.
This time, he wanted revenge, not redemption.
Pirates could do whatever they wanted without shame.
"Vice Admiral Garp, the island... it's rising!"
Smoker, floating in the air in his smoke form, was highly sensitive to air currents. Realizing the island was ascending, he grimly warned.
"What?!"
Garp was shocked. This wasn't the Shiki he knew.
In his experience, Shiki was a reckless, self-centered madman who disdained underhanded tactics.
"Kyahahahaha... Garp, surprised?"
Seeing Garp's expression, Shiki felt as refreshed as drinking an ice-cold beverage on a scorching day.
Smoker, furious, transformed into smoke and shot toward Shiki.
"Kyahahahaha... Are you joking, brat?"
Shiki's reaction far exceeded Smoker's expectations. His Haki-coated right hand grabbed Smoker's real body.
With his intelligence restored by his small victory over Garp, Shiki held Smoker by the face, pulling him close.
"You think you're someone special? If you want to beat me, at least bring Garp or Sengoku!"
"Damn it!"
Smoker struggled with all his might, but Shiki's grip was like iron, tightening slowly as if toying with him.
"Ah!"
Smoker screamed in pain.
His skull felt like it was about to be crushed.
The more he screamed, the more excited Shiki became, looking down at Garp with a cruel grin.
"Shiki, let him go!"
Garp's expression darkened.
A Shiki with regained intelligence was indeed a formidable enemy. If not, he wouldn't have nearly defeated Roger in the Edd War and rewritten pirate history.
"Kyahahahaha... Here, take him back!"
Shiki laughed maniacally and hurled Smoker down at Garp with full force.
Smoker plummeted like a meteor, too fast to use his Devil Fruit powers to slow his descent.
A deafening crash.
Half the base collapsed.
Garp's aura changed instantly.
Black-red lightning crackled around him. The ground trembled violently, spiderweb-like cracks spreading beneath his feet.
Small rocks and dirt floated upward, defying gravity.
"Shiki, I'll send you back to Impel Down!"