The Grand Line, New World.
"Aiya, what a massive ship that is."
Jack sat cross-legged on the deck of the Seraphim, gazing at the pirate ship slowly approaching them.
"I wonder what these pirates are thinking. Do they really believe that making their ship bigger makes them stronger? No matter how big it is... it's still just a wooden ship, isn't it?"
"You're one to talk!" Yamato frowned beside him. "You think everyone can be like us, sailing around on a warship that's practically ahead of its time? That ship over there might not have any top-tier fighters aboard, but they've got some skill. Otherwise, how could they sail such a huge vessel across the New World without sinking by now?"
"But unfortunately," Jack stood up, that monstrous face of his twisting into a grin filled with killing intent, "their pirate days are about to end. It's obvious they're coming for us."
"Stop, stop, stop! Don't get all worked up like it's your turn to fight again. Father said we take turns for this kind of thing. Last time at Paradise, it was you who made the move, right? Which means... it's my turn!"
"Ah—well, it doesn't really matter that much," Jack scratched his cheek awkwardly, looking embarrassed. "But seriously, are you sure it's okay to call the Chief of Staff 'Father' so confidently?"
"After all these years, Father is already used to it!"
"How is that a good thing!?" Jack shouted. "That just means he couldn't talk you out of it and gave up!"
Jack and Yamato had been tagging along with Michael for the past five years, ever since they fled with him.
At first, Michael didn't want to take them.
He hadn't expected that after using the Navy's siege as a chance to fake his death and disappear, those two would still manage to track him down.
And to make things worse—
They even stole his ship, the Seraphim.
In the end, Michael had no choice but to keep them with him.
Not because he was sentimentally attached to the warship—
But because those two reckless idiots had already made enemies all over. They'd beaten up more than a dozen Vice Admirals!
Even if they went back to the Navy, there was no way they'd be accepted again.
So, he kept them by his side, letting them act as his errand boys—sinking pirate ships, tossing corpses, that kind of thing. He never let them get involved with the Revolutionary Army's internal affairs.
Their strength was so absurd that even Dragon himself once tried to recruit them officially.
But after personally witnessing what a pair of wild children they truly were, Dragon never mentioned it again.
At this moment, Michael was still in the cabin of the Seraphim, taking a nap.
Before setting sail, he'd already arranged everything for the upcoming missions and handed it over to Ginny and Kuma.
Even with limitless stamina, mental exhaustion was another matter entirely.
So, when it was time to sleep, he slept.
When he finally woke up and stepped onto the deck, he saw Yamato standing there, freshly returned, with bits of shattered wood floating in the sea nearby.
"You... what kind of 'business' did you just handle?"
"Father, it's like this." Yamato lifted a head by the hair, speaking as if she were reciting a report.
"That pirate crew was planning to attack us, so I decided to strike first. This guy's name was Redbeard Charles—nickname 'Chief Inspector of Pirates.' Bounty: 130 million Belly. Known for attacking Marines and, before entering the New World, repeatedly harassing Revolutionary Army offices around the world. Not that strong. Probably just got his high bounty from killing too many people."
She muttered under her breath:
"To think this guy actually called himself Chief Inspector!"
Michael's mouth twitched.
Yamato's power and combat experience were definitely top-tier across the entire sea.
But her blind worship of him...
"Hopeless," Jack said, shaking his head.
"You—ugh, forget it. I don't even want to talk to you."
"Alright, enough fooling around, both of you." Michael sighed. "If it's a pirate crew that goes around picking fights and causing trouble, then killing them is no big deal. Pirates like that can't touch the real strong ones, so they prey on civilians and weaker Navy branches instead..."
He paused, then asked, "How far are we from Egghead Island now?"
"About... a little over a day's journey." Yamato studied the sea chart and thought for a moment. \
"Since we have to avoid the Navy's exclusive sea routes, it's hard to take advantage of the special currents for speed."
"You did the right thing. Right now, we need to avoid direct contact with any Navy forces outside the SWORD Secret Special Force."
"Oh, right—speaking of the Navy," Jack said, taking a small box from his pocket. "While you were sleeping, Vice Admiral Garp tried to contact you."
The box looked small in his hands, but it was actually half a meter wide.
Inside, neatly organized, were several Den Den Mushi—each labeled with the name of the person it connected to.
Michael opened the box and picked up a white Den Den Mushi, placing it beside the one marked with Garp's name.
Given his current position, he still had to be cautious.
Anti-eavesdropping procedures—basic stuff.
"Purururu... purururu... click—"
"Hello? Who the hell's calling at this hour!? Ever heard of manners!? Calling someone in the middle of the night!"
The Den Den Mushi's face instantly morphed into Garp's wide grin.
"Hmm? Michael? That you, Michael?"
"Thanks a lot, Garp. Could you yell a little louder next time? Maybe let the entire Marine Headquarters know that you're chatting with a so-called Navy traitor!" Michael rubbed his temples. He never knew how to deal with Garp's bull-headed personality.
"Even if no one else hears, it's not great if Ace, Luffy, or Sabo do."
"Alright, alright, no need to be so uptight."
Garp's tone was still carefree, though his voice dropped a little.
"Honestly, even after leaving the Navy, your popularity there hasn't dropped one bit."
"Hasn't dropped?"
"That's right. Even though you were stripped of your rank, most Marines still see you as their Chief Inspector."
Garp chuckled.
"After all, a man who could wound two Admirals—that's the kind of person Marines can't help but admire."
"This world..." Michael exhaled softly. "It will always worship strength, in the end."
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