"So, that's what he said? Don?"
Hearing the report from the marine in front of him, Major Nezumi waved him away and then picked up the Den Den Mushi.
No matter what, a suspected Devil Fruit user was worth reporting.
After all, Devil Fruits were treasures of the sea.
Fruit users were rare—extremely rare.
Even within the Navy, there were only a few dozen.
Earning merit didn't come only from capturing pirates or guarding a base; recommending talent was also a way to distinguish oneself.
If, because of his report, the Navy managed to recruit a new ability user, that would be no small accomplishment.
"This is Headquarters? This is Major Nezumi of the East Blue's 16th Branch, ID 00733. I have a matter to report."
Once the Den Den Mushi connected, Nezumi's tone turned solemn.
At the town's harbor.
Don glanced over the dock, now bustling again, while turning over the fresh news he'd picked up. In his hand was a nautical chart he'd just bought.
The East Blue was vast—no, all four seas were vast.
He had set his next destination: Shimotsuki Village.
Until he had enough strength, he had no intention of venturing into the Grand Line. He would stick to his plan and head first to Shimotsuki Village.
The problem was, no ship sailed there directly.
Judging from the distance marked on the chart, a typical merchant ship would take about three months to get there.
Of course, if a ship sailed straight without stopping at other islands, the time might be shorter.
"In that case, I'll just hire a ship."
After a moment's thought, Don shook his head and made his decision.
Sure, there might be other ways—like first heading to a bigger island where he could find a direct route to Shimotsuki Village—but he didn't see any need to waste time like that.
He had nearly ten million Berries on him. For the short term, at least, that was more than enough.
Better to get to Shimotsuki Village as quickly as possible and begin his plan to grow stronger.
Once the decision was made, things became simple.
With a fifty-thousand-Berry payment, Don easily hired a merchant ship. After some brief preparations for supplies, the ship pulled out from the dock and set sail onto the sea.
Naturally, news of Don's departure was promptly reported by the Navy scouts keeping watch.
Among the details passed along was Don's inquiry about Shimotsuki Village, which quickly reached Major Nezumi's desk.
"That's his destination?"
Nezumi mulled it over and reported the information up the chain.
In any case, once he'd passed it on, the rest was no longer his concern.
A few days later.
Marine Headquarters – Admiral's Office.
The loud crunching of senbei echoed in the room, the sound making veins throb on Sengoku's forehead as he tried to read through a stack of paperwork.
"Garp, you bastard—don't you have your own office?"
Finally snapping, Sengoku lifted his head and glared at the old man across the room.
"Don't be mad, Sengoku. I just ran out of senbei, that's all!"
Garp brushed him off, poured the last crumbs from his bag of rice crackers into his mouth, then casually strolled to Sengoku's desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a fresh pack of senbei.
Sengoku stared at his old comrade with a look that was equal parts exasperated and helpless.
"If you're really that idle, I can find you a mission."
Garp, just settling back into his chair, turned his head but said nothing.
"You rejected the promotion to Admiral again. The World Government is not happy with you."
Sengoku sighed as he spoke.
"Let them be unhappy."
Garp tore open the bag of senbei, his expression utterly indifferent.
"…Forget it. You're right."
Sengoku's forehead darkened with black lines, but then he let out another weary sigh.
The title "Hero of the Navy" had been circulating for decades now.
The Navy had deliberately built Garp up as the man who captured the Pirate King. His personal influence was immense.
As long as he didn't commit some heinous crime, neither the Navy nor the World Government would ever move against him.
And even if he did… they probably still wouldn't.
More importantly, Garp was one of the world's top fighters.
No one was stupid enough to discard such power.
"Since Roger's execution, the number of pirates has grown every year. In the New World, Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin are only getting stronger. The Navy has decided to push forward the plan to solidify our top fighting force.
We intend to officially promote Akainu and the other two into Admirals. What do you think?"
Sengoku looked at Garp as he munched on crackers, his tone suddenly shifting.
"That's your business with the World Government, not mine."
Garp spoke without interest.
"This isn't just about titles. The promotions are a necessary response to the growing power of Whitebeard and the others. Besides, Commander-in-Chief Kong is preparing to transfer to the World Government."
"Oh?"
Garp raised his brows, turning to look at Sengoku.
Up until now, the Navy had only two Admirals: Sengoku the Strategist, and Black Arm Zephyr.
But Zephyr, due to certain events, had long since restricted himself to the Headquarters' training camp. Though he still held the rank of Admiral, he no longer served in active command.
Which meant the next Fleet Admiral was almost certainly going to be Sengoku.
"So you really won't take the Admiral post? For you, it's just a title. It wouldn't mean much more work."
Sengoku pressed him again.
But Garp simply shook his head, flatly refusing.
"…Fine. In that case, take a look at this report."
Sengoku tossed a document his way. Garp caught it with one hand, raising a brow as he skimmed it.
"A pirate hunter appeared in the East Blue. Fourteen or fifteen years old, just set out to sea. Suspected flame-based ability user, possibly even a Logia-type. I want you to check it out—see if we can bring him into the Navy."
"Flame-based, possibly Logia? Sengoku, you talk like Logias are cabbage you can buy at the market."
Garp sounded unimpressed.
He'd been in the Navy for decades, fought countless pirates, and had only ever seen a handful of Logia users. Three of them were the Navy's own "brats."
"It's just a possibility. If you don't want to go, I'll send someone else."
Sengoku shrugged.
"I'll go. I was planning a trip back anyway."
Garp stood up at once.
Finally, a good excuse for some time off—paid leave, no less.
Watching his old friend saunter out, Sengoku shook his head in resignation.
This man had less and less motivation with each passing year. Sengoku knew the reason, of course… but Garp was already old, and forcing him served no purpose.
For now, the most pressing matter was the coming appointment of the three Admirals.
The Navy needed to reorganize and make its strength clear to the whole world.
Deterrence was a weapon in itself.