Chapter 18: Encounter with Garp
"Hey!"
Jiang Qize smiled as he greeted the nearby marines.
Seeing that expression, the veins on Lieutenant Commander Rega's forehead bulged into a cross shape, and a few black lines appeared there too.
"So, you're the bounty hunter—Summoner Ze?" Rega asked in a deep voice.
"Didn't expect a Marine officer to recognize a small fry like me." Jiang Qize grinned, flashing a row of bright white teeth.
"You're no small fry anymore," Rega replied flatly. "I've been hearing your name quite a lot lately."
He really hated talking to people like this—slick and glib. After all, he was an honest man.
"Hahaha… is that so? Then you're not here to arrest me, are you, Marine brother? I'm a good and law-abiding citizen—I've never done anything bad!" Jiang Qize laughed heartily.
Rega's mouth twitched.
A "good citizen"? Just look at that pile of blood-soaked corpses behind you… and you have the nerve to say that?
"No. I'm here to tell you that we were just about to capture the Blood Wolf Pirates. Why did you get involved?" Rega asked, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
"Oh, that." Jiang Qize gave an innocent shrug. "I was just worried you might get hurt. Those pirates are vicious, you know. As a responsible citizen, it's my duty to help maintain peace—so I stepped in."
He placed a hand on his chest solemnly. "No need to thank me. It's simply what I must do."
Rega clenched his teeth. "Then I'll be taking the Blood Wolf's corpse with me…" he said coldly, struggling not to draw his sword on the spot.
"That won't do, Marine brother," Jiang Qize protested. "You know I'm a bounty hunter—I live off this job. If you take the body, how am I supposed to claim the reward? Look behind me—so many mouths to feed, young and old! Could you really be that heartless?"
He gestured pitifully at the Raptorex and the other small dinosaurs standing behind him, putting on a face so tragic it was almost tearful.
"Hahaha! What's all this ruckus about?"
A booming laugh suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
A massive Marine battleship was slowly approaching. Standing at its bow was a tall, broad-shouldered man radiating authority. He wore a dog-head cap, a great cape emblazoned with the word "Justice," and his sharp eyes gleamed like stars.
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
Rega's eyes lit up, and he immediately saluted.
All the other Marines aboard the ships followed suit.
Jiang Qize narrowed his eyes.
He hadn't expected to run into Garp here—what a coincidence.
But… what was that in his arms?
He could just make out a baby wrapped in a white cloth, cradled in Garp's embrace.
"A baby… could that be Luffy?"
"No, that doesn't make sense—Luffy wouldn't be out at sea yet. That means… it must be Ace!"
A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
So Ace had already been born.
"Hahaha! I was just passing through," Garp said cheerfully. "But you, young man—you're quite strong! How about joining the Marines under me?"
He laughed heartily, his black hair still full and dark, his presence exuding a subtle yet overwhelming pressure.
"Thank you for the offer, Vice Admiral Garp," Jiang Qize replied with a polite smile. "But I'm used to living free. Hunting pirates and earning a little money suits me fine. Being a Marine… doesn't really fit me."
He wasn't a pirate right now, so he felt no fear facing Garp. After all, the old man was known to be kindhearted.
"Hahaha! Well, if you ever change your mind, come find me anytime," Garp said, still laughing, as his warship slowly sailed past them.
Rega and the other Marines stood at attention, watching Vice Admiral Garp's ship disappear into the distance.
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