Ace ate while looking at Gini with curiosity, then he broke into a mischievous, expectant smile.
"This is really something to look forward to!"
"Better not get your hopes up. Although I didn't participate in Mr. Zephyr's battle."
Gini rubbed his forehead in frustration at Ace, who showed no fear and only anticipation. "I also heard Binz say that's not something a human can do. I never imagined the boss could be so strong. I certainly don't want to be thrown into the sea by a giant wave."
With their level of strength, in front of that kind of monster, they're essentially useless. If they can't escape quickly, they might be dead from the boss's aftershock before even being struck by the enemy.
"Moreover, the Four Major Families have existed in the West Blue for so many years; their strength is definitely not weak. If they unite, the people under Grado alone can't match them. And we also have to watch out for the marines, so you can't be careless."
"Got it, got it."
Hearing Gini's serious tone, Ace paid no mind, still eating while smiling. "Besides, isn't Mr. Ian coming? Nothing will happen!"
"All right, you're right!"
Gini looked at Ace helplessly, then checked the time. He stood up, his expression serious. "Are you full? If so, it's time to go. I don't know when the boss will arrive."
Just as he was about to stand, a figure suddenly emerged from the side of the table, speaking impatiently. "That guy is still with his wife and child. He probably won't come that fast."
Ace and Gini: "...?!"
Ace and Gini's expressions immediately changed. They turned sharply, but seeing who it was, both relaxed.
"Enel, you came too!"
"The boss isn't coming quickly?"
However, Enel didn't answer their questions. He touched his ear and said casually, "No need for that guy to act. I'm not like you useless people, I can handle it alone."
Without another word, ignoring Ace and Gini's frowns, a bolt of lightning flashed by.
Before they knew it, he was already at the door, still speaking impatiently. "Hurry up! I still need to go back to training!"
...
At the same time, in the West Blue's 315th branch.
"Captain Smoker."
Tashigi, the deputy officer of the 315th branch, walked over seriously.
Seeing Smoker sitting on the sofa, arms spread, head back, eyes behind a magazine, but mouth exposed, still puffing a cigar without worry of setting the magazine on fire, her previously serious expression turned helpless, but she continued speaking.
"The headquarters sent a mission. They want us at the 315th branch to keep an eye on the Five Major Families of the West Blue. Don't let them cause too much chaos."
Hearing this, Smoker, who was originally relaxing and smoking, was awoken.
He sat up, removed the magazine shielding the light, and looked at Tashigi irritably. "A bunch of trash is dealing with another bunch of trash. Why are we getting involved? Haven't they always ignored the West Blue's mafia? Why am I supposed to monitor them now? Do they think I have nothing better to do?"
"Captain Smoker."
Tashigi remained helpless: "Even though we're no longer at headquarters, you can't speak so casually. You should understand the true purpose of Marine Headquarters!"
"Neither wanting to ignore nor daring to act freely, I really don't understand what those guys want."
Smoker removed two cigars from the corner of his mouth with a sneer. "Now they want me to monitor them, do they think the rebel who defeated Admiral Kizaru won't kill me? Or are they testing the loyalty of the 315th branch? Seeing if they dare strike a former comrade?"
Tashigi: "..."
This made Tashigi silent, her expression equally odd, but she still said: "It shouldn't be that ridiculous!"
"Forget it, let's mobilize!"
Smoker, no longer interested, finished the last puff of his cigar, lit two more, held them in his mouth, and stood. "Let's go see what those guys are really up to!"
Hearing this, Tashigi's excitement surged. "Captain Smoker, are you planning to personally capture that damn criminal…"
Before she could finish, a sudden hit struck her head, causing her to hold her head in pain. She glared at Smoker, feeling wronged. "Captain Smoker, what are you doing?"
"What am I doing? I think you're the one who's doing what?"
Smoker didn't give any slack. "Do you think I'm so bored that I'm going to declare war on that rebel?"
Tashigi: "..."
"Let's go. Don't let the guys below act on their own, just watch from somewhere quietly."
"Yes!"
...
While the marines began moving, Gini and the others already saw the destination.
Enel, lounging on the mast, looked at the island ahead. "Is that the island ahead?"
"Yes. That island is exactly within Grado's and the Four Major Families of the West Blue's border territory."
Gini flicked the remaining cigarette butt into the sea while speaking helplessly. "The Four Major Families are cautious; they only agreed to negotiate here. Such careful guys."
Then he looked at Ace and Enel. "When we go up, don't run around. That island probably has traps set by the Four Major Families. Even with your strength, falling into a trap would be bad."
As soon as he finished, Ace cheerfully patted his chest, promising he wouldn't run around, while Enel, yawning atop the mast, didn't even stand up.
He just looked impatient at Gini. "Who said we're going ashore?"
Gini: "...?"
Gini looked confused at Enel, then his expression grew strange, but before he could speak.
Enel, crackling with lightning across his body, showed a cold smile on his face.
"Those trash are all gathered there together. Why go ashore? We can deal with them right here!"
Sensing something, he glared dangerously at Gini. "What, you have an objection?"
"No, I just suddenly remembered something. It's really nostalgic!"
…
At the same time, as Gini had said, the bosses of the Four Major Families of the West Blue, who had already set up traps, were waiting with grave expressions at a temporarily constructed camp.
"Why aren't we negotiating on the ship?"
Mac, who seemed a bit impatient, frowned at Vito. "If we were on the ship, we could escape immediately if any danger arose."
At these words, Vito, who had always been at odds with Mac, sneered: "You idiot, don't you know how the Capone Family ended back in the day?"
"Who doesn't know? Weren't they just sunk?"