"Sengoku, weren't you looking forward to this before?"
Of course Garp understood what Sengoku meant.
But Donquixote Doflamingo was a special case—his identity was unusual, and the things he had done were just as unusual.
For example, the fact that he had killed Sengoku's foster son, Corazon.
Though Sengoku had never brought it up again, restrained by his position, Garp, who knew him well, understood perfectly: Sengoku had never forgotten.
"Not going to war in the North Blue is a good thing for Don. Right now, though the commotion he's caused is a bit much, the World Government will at most keep an eye on him. In the end, the Navy will have to deal with it.
But if he starts a war with Doflamingo, that's a whole different matter."
Sengoku looked at Garp with a grave expression. "Come to think of it, if you had just brought him in the first time you met him, none of this would've happened."
Clearly, Sengoku was still holding a grudge.
Especially after hearing Borsalino's report.
If Don's strength was as described by Kizaru, then it already surpassed that of a Headquarters' elite Vice Admiral.
In a few years, he might even be a candidate for Admiral.
In other words, he had the strength, but there was no seat open.
"I understand what you mean, Sengoku."
This time, Garp didn't try to defend himself further. His expression grew serious as well.
"That young man had better not join the Navy. Otherwise, things could spiral beyond anyone's control."
"The Celestial Dragons?"
At those words, Sengoku fell silent for a moment, then asked.
Garp gave a slight nod.
"What a headache…"
Sengoku sighed deeply, then looked at Garp again.
"If that's the case, then yes—letting him join the Navy could indeed be a problem. Still, he should at least be warned."
"Of course. After all, if Don's power one day turns to piracy, that would be a disaster."
Garp chuckled, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"You bastard! Your salary this month is completely docked!"
Sengoku waved him off irritably.
"Doesn't matter. I don't need money anyway!"
Rising from his seat, Garp strolled to Sengoku's desk, pulled open a drawer like he owned the place, and grabbed two large packs of rice crackers. With a jaunty swagger, he walked out.
Sengoku glared after him, face dark.
"…But Garp is right."
He let out a heavy sigh.
After all, this world had many powerful individuals who were neither Navy nor pirates.
As long as Don didn't cause such massive disturbances, it would be fine.
It was one thing in the North Blue—he was mainly targeting Doflamingo's armories.
But if he created this kind of chaos elsewhere, there was no hiding it. Within a day or two, the news would spread across the seas.
And even now, this North Blue incident was probably impossible to conceal.
That damn bird from the World Economic Journal would never let such a story slip by.
While Sengoku worried over this matter…
Elsewhere, Kuzan's eyes widened when he heard Garp's account of Don after returning.
"Sounds like his strength has increased again."
Touching his chin, Kuzan's voice carried uncertainty—clearly, Garp's words sounded unbelievable even to him.
It hadn't been long, after all.
"Hm? Didn't you say that when you fought him, you were on the losing end? But according to Borsalino's account this time, he didn't mention that kind of power you described."
Curious, Garp studied the expression of his disciple.
"That might be related to a sudden surge of strength. He must have some sort of special method that temporarily boosts his power."
Kuzan speculated.
As a Navy Admiral, he had experienced countless battles. Don's situation was unusual, but thinking it over, it made some sense.
After all, there were plenty of people across the seas who had hidden tricks—sudden bursts of strength in combat.
It was just that none of them matched Don's explosive surge.
It was as if he had become a completely different person.
"So you're saying that when he grew stronger again this time, he didn't rely on that hidden method?"
Garp nodded, understanding now.
"Teacher Garp, but… what he did this time, are you sure there won't be a bounty?"
"No. The Navy won't issue one. After all, he didn't harm civilians, nor did he plunder wealth. It was purely his private feud with Doflamingo."
"…Still, what a willful guy."
Kuzan muttered with a sigh.
The very "willful guy" Kuzan spoke of was, at that moment, hurling himself forward through a storm of fire.
With Kizaru's appearance, Don knew the Navy would likely intervene. That meant he had to finish what he started.
Anchoring himself firmly to the ship with his ability, he felt the fierce winds as the vessel sped forward. Beside him, Robin's long hair whipped wildly, blown back into a huge crest by the wind.
She could clearly sense Don's speed had increased.
The reason was obvious.
And she could guess too—that their time in the North Blue was running short.
Before long, they returned from an island utterly destroyed by flame and blade.
From the sky, a newspaper fluttered down.
The news-delivery bird caught Don's gaze, panicked, and beat its wings furiously to escape into the distance.
Pa!
Don reached up and snatched the falling newspaper.
"It's you."
Robin leaned over, speaking as her eyes fell on the print.
Pictures of the ruined island and the obliterated armory stared back at them.
"The Young Powerhouse Who Defeated Chinjao Arrives in the North Blue — Already 24 Islands Destroyed."
"This… is not good news."
Robin murmured.
Like this, whether or not he was a pirate, the world would brand him one.
She knew what Don wanted. She also knew this outcome was probably not what he had in mind.
But Don rubbed his chin, expression stern, eyes flashing with sharpness.
"These bastards… do I not even have a name?"
His voice was edged with irritation.
Robin blinked in surprise.
So that's what he's angry about?
"There are always two sides to news—if there's the bad, then there's the good. At the very least, this gives you fame. If you really intend to establish a Hunter Association on the Grand Line one day, you'll need influence—something that can inspire those who set sail.
Why are there so many pirates now? Besides the fact that most people live poorly, it's also because of the Great Treasure Roger spoke of."
Robin's brows rose. "So you plan to use this chance to spread your own reputation?"
But wouldn't that backfire? If the Navy issued a bounty, his identity as a pirate would be sealed.
"That doesn't matter. A bounty is just a bounty. As long as my strength is enough, it'll be me who calls the shots."
To conjure an enormous organization out of nothing—that was no simple feat.
Perhaps he really did need to become one of the Emperors of the New World before Shanks, to claim the position of Yonko, in order to succeed.
After all, the Hunter Association he envisioned was not a Revolutionary Army. The Navy and World Government might keep an eye on it, but at first they probably wouldn't target it outright.
And if, by then, his strength was overwhelming, even the Navy and the Government would have to think twice about their next move.
END OF CHAPTER
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