Laskey lowered his red-tinted sunglasses and looked at Michael, who had descended from the sky.
"Who are you?"
"Commander of Marine Headquarters, Michael!"
Michael glanced at the CP spy team and let out a cold laugh.
"World Government spies? Not very impressive, are you?"
That single sentence from Michael instantly ignited the fury of all the CP agents present.
"You're just a Marine Commander. What gives you the right to talk so much here?"
Laskey sneered a little.
Just a Commander from Headquarters—Even that Onigumo next to him wouldn't speak to CP agents in such a mocking tone.
Michael just clicked his tongue.
In the next instant, Laskey was sent flying sideways.
And yet, Michael remained in place, hands still in his pockets.
However, Laskey didn't crash into the ground. A large palm caught him midair.
It was none other than old man Garp.
"Michael! Why did you start fighting as soon as you showed up?"
"Heaven knows I didn't start anything, old man Garp!"
"You didn't? But you flapped your wings!"
Garp couldn't help but chuckle helplessly.
Those wings could be used like that?
"No choice! Admiral Sengoku assigned you to lead this operation, and yet these CP agents had the nerve to disrespect you! With my short fuse, how could I just let that slide?"
Michael spread his arms, completely shameless as he spoke.
"What!? That bastard dared to disrespect this Vice Admiral!?"
Laskey was dumbfounded.
When did he ever disrespect Vice Admiral Garp!?
Even if you lent him a hundred lives, he wouldn't dare!
But Garp didn't give him a chance to speak—he simply turned around and tossed him toward the distant sea.
Brushing his hands clean, he contentedly walked over to Michael's side.
"Thanks to you, old man like me didn't get bullied by those CP agents."
"Don't mention it. As long as you're fine, Vice Admiral Garp."
Immediately, the CP agents lined up on their own—from CP1 to CP9, all in order.
These sharp-minded spies could clearly see that Garp and Michael were just deliberately messing with them.
But what could they do?
The relationship between the Marines and CP agents had always been rocky.
Undermining each other was practically routine.
But…
Are these two even trying to hide it!?
They couldn't even be bothered to come up with an excuse!
Are they really Marines!?
More unreasonable than pirates!
Of course, they only complained silently.
Even if they looked down on the Marines, they wouldn't dare disrespect the Hero of the Marines!
You looking to die!?
"Vice Admiral Garp, you've arrived."
Onigumo stepped forward and gave a standard salute.
Though they were both Vice Admirals, the difference in status was enormous.
Colleagues in name, but superiors in fact.
Not to mention, he had received word that this operation was to be commanded entirely by Marine Hero Garp.
"Everyone! Listen up!"
Garp's sudden roar echoed across the entire coast.
Not only Marines and CP agents, but even ordinary civilians near the port were startled.
"Search for the Pirate King's widow!"
"This mission is under my command!"
"Everyone remember: you are forbidden from harming civilians! Anyone who disobeys will be expelled from the Marines immediately!"
As he said this, he gave Onigumo and his direct subordinates a sharp glare.
He didn't say much more, but everything was said in that look.
In that moment, Onigumo felt cold sweat soak through his back.
He had indeed planned to use force to search.
After all, Baterilla Island wasn't a small place.
In his view, the quickest way to achieve the objective was to sacrifice some civilians.
But after Marine Hero Garp said that, even he had to comply.
He still wanted to stay in the Marines.
"Are you all deaf? I asked you a question!"
Michael stepped forward and barked, playing the bully under the tiger's shadow.
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines and CP agents all straightened up and responded loudly, shocked into compliance.
"CP agents are in charge of the southern and coastal areas of Baterilla Island!"
"Marines will cover all other areas!"
"Teams of two! Begin the mission!"
Just as Garp finished speaking, Laskey came running back from the nearby shoreline.
"Vice Admiral Garp! Please wait a moment!"
"I think… it's better if we have Marines and CP agents mix into joint units for the search!"
Garp didn't even bother to look at Laskey. He just waved his hand, signaling everyone to get moving!
Laskey wanted to say more but realized his CP agents had already paired off and dispersed.
Garp was already walking deep into Baterilla Island.
As Michael passed by Laskey, he smiled and said:
"Stop humiliating yourself."
"Lackey."
Michael didn't even lower his voice, nor did he have any ulterior motive.
He was just petty, plain and simple.
The Celestial Dragons had offended him, so now anything associated with them was within his range of malice.
...
"Hmm, didn't expect the CP organization to be this obedient."
"Well, duh. Do you even realize your own rank?" Michael rolled his eyes, then continued,"Having the CP agents search the southern and coastal areas means we can head to the spot Roger told us about without concern."
If Garp made any strange moves, the CP agents would definitely notice and try to keep watch.
But the Marines wouldn't find it odd.
After all, Garp was known for doing things his own way—This was common knowledge within the Marines.
"Let's go, Garp-san. Time to fulfill our promise."
Michael finished speaking and walked alongside Garp into a secluded path.
The Marines hadn't searched this area yet.
"Based on what Roger described, the birth shouldn't happen for a while yet."
Michael spoke as he walked.
At this point, Portgas D. Rouge had only been pregnant for eight months.
In the original story, she forcibly delayed the birth for nearly ten months before giving birth to Ace.
That was practically impossible. Realistically, she would've needed help from a doctor of Dr. Kureha's level or someone with a special Devil Fruit ability.
But since no such help was mentioned in the original, it could only be assumed there wasn't any.
Which meant, this world truly had power driven by will.
At the end of the path, Michael and Garp reached the edge of a cliff on Baterilla Island.
A luxurious estate stood there.
It seemed the Portgas family had once been a prominent noble family—before the Pirate King's legacy brought ruin to their name.
Walking up, Michael didn't bother knocking and simply pushed the door open.
The next moment, a large axe swung toward him.
Though it was a surprise attack, Michael wasn't flustered at all...
The attacker was strong—but didn't intend to kill.
Michael's angelic wings spread out instantly, one flap sending him retreating at high speed.
Then, he raised his head again and saw the face of the axe-wielder clearly.
His massive build was no less imposing than Garp's.
The round sunglasses on his face, the twin axes in his hands—His identity was unmistakable...
Former third-ranking member of the Roger Pirates—Scopper Gaban.
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