"Wahahaha~ They got away again this time!"
In the South Blue, on an uninhabited island near the Calm Belt, the heavily damaged Marine's forces were resting and recuperating.
Sengoku showed no signs of frustration on his face, instead, it was filled with deep thought.
The bandage-wrapped Garp picked his nose as he approached, wiped his booger on Sengoku's justice cloak, and sat down cross-legged.
"What are you thinking about? So we failed… we'll just come up with another plan next time."
"No, I'm not upset about the failure. It's that man's decision."
Sengoku sighed.
"If only we had rammed their pirate ship with our warship right from the start, even mutual destruction would have been better."
"That way, they definitely wouldn't have been able to escape into the Calm Belt."
"Even if they did escape, the Roger Pirates without a klabautermannwould never evade our next capture."
"This time, I miscalculated. I never expected him to bet their future on those colossal Sea Kings."
"And they actually succeeded. This is really… ugh!"
Garp, however, looked unconcerned, "What's the rush? The next time we run into him in the New World, I refuse to believe they'll be this lucky again."
Sengoku glanced at Garp with a look of disdain.
"After this battle, do you really think we can easily find them again?"
"And now, the most important matter is no longer the Roger Pirates, but the World Government and the Five Elders."
"You ate the Goro Goro no Mi and kept it a secret. The Five Elders will definitely suspect the Marine's intentions."
"They'll surely use this as an excuse to cut our military funding."
"Kong-san might already be waiting outside the Room of Authority right now. Given the personalities of those five, they'd probably make Kong-san wait for days before agreeing to see him."
"Tch."
Garp clicked his tongue in displeasure, "If I were the Fleet Admiral, I'd smash that damned garbage dump to pieces. What kind of holy land is that? Ptui~!"
"A bunch of trash. If you guys hadn't stopped me, I'd punch every Celestial Dragon I see."
"If I accidentally killed one, I'd just use them as bait!"
"That's exactly why I'm worried, you idiot." Sengoku rubbed his temples.
"If only I hadn't slacked off and let you teach Bazel when we were kids. Now that brat doesn't value the lives of Celestial Dragons either."
"Even if you're going to take action, at least do it discreetly. How are Kong-san and I supposed to explain things to the Five Elders if you act openly?!"
"Explain?"
Garp started picking his nose again, "Why should I explain anything to those trash? Don't joke around, Sengoku. They'd better not let me become the Fleet Admiral."
"Because the first thing I'd do as Marshal is remove the duty of Admirals protecting Celestial Dragons from the Marine's responsibilities."
"Protect my ass! Sinking those trash in the sea would just pollute the ocean~"
"You can say that around me, but don't go spreading it outside."
Sengoku felt a headache coming on, "Bogard, where is the ship coming to pick us up?"
Not far away, Bogard, who was also wrapped in bandages, checked the nautical chart.
"It should arrive this afternoon. We can take that ship back to headquarters."
"Notify everyone to prepare. We're returning to Marineford."
Sengoku stood up, his spirits lifted, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Garp, from now on, you're with me. We're going to cause trouble for Whitebeard!"
"According to intelligence from 'Twilight', the Roger Pirates' next target is highly likely to be Kozuki Oden of the Stonemason Tribe!"
"If we can't find the Roger Pirates, then we'll find a way to cut off their future path in advance!"
"I will make the theme of the next era… Justice!"
Ryugu Palace.
"Are you leaving already?"
Neptune, who was patrolling the kingdom with his soldiers, showed a surprised expression.
"Was our hospitality lacking?"
"No, the Beast Pirates have been staying here for quite a while now. It's time for us to set sail again."
Bazel said with a sincere smile.
"If everything goes according to plan, after we fully develop Wano, you and Otohime are welcome to visit."
"If it seems suitable, you can also relocate the fish-men and merfolk to our territory. I'll find a way to establish an absolutely safe area for you to live in."
"By then, besides humans, the races living with you might also include the dwarves and giants."
"Wahahaha~!"
Neptune laughed, patting his chest, "That kind of future is really something to look forward to! If we can really go, Otohime would be overjoyed!"
"Then I won't keep you. If you need the fish-men's help, please don't hesitate to contact me!"
"In a few years, I'll probably take over the throne. By then, my authority will be much greater than it is now."
"Maybe I can even pay an official visit as the King of Ryugu Palace, letting the other races of this sea know about what you're trying to do!"
"All races living together on one land… that's a future I can't even imagine!"
Bazel exchanged a few more pleasantries, a sudden arc of light flashing in his eyes.
"Speaking of which, Neptune, I remember Roger is a friend of yours, right?"
Neptune nodded in agreement.
"Roger came to Ryugu Palace a long time ago."
"We had a great conversation back then. That man is also a very straightforward and bold man!"
"Is that so~"
After verifying the authenticity of the information, a hint of helplessness flashed through Bazel's heart.
Originally, he had wanted to take the Road Poneglyph from Fish-Man Island with him when they departed this time.
But after multiple attempts, they all ended in failure.
They were unable to move such a massive stone stele, and the two ships of the Beast Pirates couldn't bear the weight of that Road Poneglyph either.
While Kaido's Flame Cloud ability could shake the stele, there was no way to transport it from the depths of 10,000 meters underwater to Wano Country.
The seawater involved was the biggest challenge.
In the end, Bazel could only choose to make a copy of the Road Poneglyph's contents and find someone capable of translating the ancient script later.
Buru Buru Buru~
Kacha.
"It's me, Bazel!"
Hanafuda's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"I heard from Babanuki that we're setting sail. What should we do with those slave traders hanging at the port of Fish-Man Island?"
"There's no sunlight here. If they die, the smell of rotting flesh will attract colossal Sea Kings."
"Leave one or two to escape back to Paradise. Throw the others into the sea to feed the fish right in front of them."
Bazel said this without any emotional fluctuation.
"Let those few survivors spread the word in Paradise: Fish-Man Island is under the protection of our Beast Pirates."
"If we hear any more news about mermaid slaves in the future, I will personally ensure those merchants daring to auction fish-man slaves become dead men."
"No matter who it is, even if it's a Celestial Dragon, I will kill them all the same."
"Understood~ Costa, where are you, damn it?! Get over here and get to work!"
Kacha.
Neptune bowed deeply to Bazel.
"Bazel, the fish-men will forever remember your help. When I become king, I will announce your deeds to all our citizens."
"This is the treatment you deserve!"
"That kind of thing doesn't matter to me. For me, it was just a small effort."
After bidding farewell to Neptune, Bazel turned and left.
"See you in the New World, Neptune. I believe you will definitely be the most outstanding king of the fish-men."
Neptune slapped his chest firmly, his expression solemn, "I will surely become a king who loves his people as his own children!"
Fish-Man District.
Hanafuda walked alone into this lawless area.
"Are you planning to set up an arena again!?"
Jinbei, who had become a kingdom soldier, blocked Hanafuda warily.
"No, I'm here to say goodbye to you, Jinbei."
After more than a month of interaction, Hanafuda no longer held the initial hostility towards Jinbei.
He greatly admired this whale shark fish-man who filled his soul with loyalty.
"Our Beast Pirates are setting sail. The next time we meet will probably be years from now."
Jinbe was stunned, "You're leaving already?"
He didn't understand where this feeling of reluctance came from.
During this period of interaction, whenever his daily work ended, he would seek out Hanafuda for sparring.
It was through these numerous exchanges that he gradually began to understand this man and the Beast Pirates' philosophy.
"Was our hospitality lacking?" Jinbei asked the same question as Neptune.
"No, once our territory is settled, you can come find me anytime."
Hanafuda handed over a piece of Vivre Card, with his Den Den Mushi number written on it.
"This is my Vivre Card. Follow it, and you'll find me."
He reached out and slapped Jinbei's shoulder firmly a few times.
"Jinbei, I acknowledge your loyalty. A man like you is wasted staying in this darkness."
"If you're willing to set out to sea, you're welcome to join the Beast Pirates."
After speaking, Hanafuda turned and left.
"Hey, you bastards of the Fish-Man District, I'm leaving! Remember my words!"
The male fish-men hiding in their houses watched the departing man's back through cracks in their windows.
Harsh, relieved, complex, respectful, hostile… each fish-man's eyes revealed different emotions.
"A real man should use his fists to protect his compatriots and comrades, not to bully his own people."
"If you want my recognition, become men like Jinbei!!"
"At the very least, only after you've washed your souls with loyalty will I acknowledge you as truly dignified men!!!"
---
Check out My Patreon For 40+ Advanced Chapters:
Pat reon.com/IamPoorGuyToo