Marine Base, Loguetown — Captain's Office.
Stork, who was carrying out a sweeping rectification of the Loguetown Marines, was holding a Den Den Mushi as he reported his progress to his superior, Vice Admiral Garp.
"Hahaha… Stork, you've done very well! Good work!"
After hearing Stork's report, Garp—sitting in his office at Marine Headquarters—burst into hearty laughter. When he had first recommended Stork to go to Loguetown and clean up the East Blue Marines, he had been somewhat worried.
Now, after just two days in office, Stork had already handed in such a satisfactory result. Garp could finally relax—and go brag to Sengoku!
"Not at all!"
After receiving Garp's acknowledgment, Stork was visibly excited. "Vice Admiral, there's something I must report to you!"
"Go ahead."
Garp was in a great mood. If Stork were to make any requests right now, he might very well agree without hesitation.
"The reason I was able to smoothly begin my work upon arriving in Loguetown is entirely thanks to Mr. Arashi!!!"
"Arashi? That brat is still in the East Blue?" Hearing Arashi's name, Garp immediately became interested. "Go on—what trouble has he caused in Loguetown this time?"
"The Marine Major Nezumi of East Blue Branch 16 was captured by Mr. Arashi!!! At first, I thought it was pirates causing trouble, but it turned out that Major Nezumi had been colluding with pirates—the very same pirate crew that massacred Marines seven years ago. He even secretly caused the death of a former Marine from Cocoyasi Village…"
Stork recounted everything he had learned in detail. After listening, Garp fell silent. Only after a long pause did he speak in a low voice:
"Stork, it seems the corruption within the East Blue Marines is even worse than I imagined. You must continue and wipe out every last parasite in the Marines!"
"And…"
Garp suddenly recalled something important and continued, "Based on your report yesterday, Fleet Admiral Sengoku realized the severity of the situation in the East Blue Marines. Worried that you might not be able to handle it alone, he has decided to send Smoker to Loguetown to assist you! After you complete this rectification mission, he will take over as the highest authority in Loguetown."
"Smoker?"
Hearing that name, Stork immediately frowned.
He had long known that his role in Loguetown was temporary. Once he completed this mission, Headquarters would send a new captain to replace him.
But he had never expected it to be Smoker—the notorious problem child of Marine Headquarters!
When it came to Smoker, Stork truly had a headache.
As a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, Smoker had immense potential—he could have easily become a Commodore or even a Rear Admiral. However, because his beliefs clashed with many of the higher-ups at Headquarters, he had repeatedly hit obstacles, severely limiting his prospects.
But that wasn't even the main issue.
The real problem was that Smoker simply didn't care about promotions or benefits. As long as he believed something was right, he would act on it—even if it meant directly confronting his superiors.
A soldier's duty was to obey orders? That didn't apply to him.
Defying orders was practically routine for Smoker!
So if Smoker were transferred to Loguetown, there was no way he would obediently cooperate.
Suddenly, Stork had an epiphany.
Perhaps Headquarters wasn't sending Smoker here just to assist him. More likely, they were tired of the trouble he caused at Headquarters and decided to send him away—out of sight, out of mind.
Well, regardless of Smoker's rebellious nature, Stork himself didn't dare disobey orders. Since this was a directive from above, what choice did he have?
"Yes! Thank you for the Fleet Admiral's consideration!"
Though he had countless reservations, Stork answered decisively, as if he didn't mind Smoker's unruly personality at all.
"Alright, that's it."
Garp was about to hang up.
But then he suddenly picked up the Den Den Mushi again and asked, "That brat Arashi is still in Loguetown?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral."
Stork responded promptly, "According to the soldiers, Mr. Arashi has opened a restaurant in Loguetown's food street. I was planning to visit and show my support after reporting to you."
"Of course you should support him!"
Garp replied instinctively, "Take some soldiers with you. Whatever you spend, just reimburse it from military funds!"
As soon as he said that, Garp suddenly widened his eyes.
"What?"
"A restaurant?!"
Garp shot up from his seat, disbelief written all over his face. "What kind of joke is this? Isn't he a traveler?!"
"Um… I'm not sure either. But before coming to Loguetown, Mr. Arashi had already stayed in Cocoyasi Village for quite some time. He even leased an orange grove there. Oh, and yesterday he suggested that we help open a safe sea route for Cocoyasi Village—he plans to turn it into a fruit and vegetable base!"
"???"
Garp felt completely disoriented. Was this kid doing it on purpose?
He had earnestly tried to recruit Arashi into the Marines, but Arashi refused, saying he wanted to travel. Yet right after leaving Syrup Village, he went to Cocoyasi Village to lease an orange grove—and now he had opened a restaurant in Loguetown?
For a moment, Garp could feel his blood pressure rising again.
Don't get angry!
Absolutely don't get angry!!
Garp took a deep breath, forcing a smile onto his face. "Go immediately. Take your men and fill up that restaurant. Each person orders two servings!"
"Eh???"
Stork was stunned and cautiously asked, "Vice Admiral Garp… what exactly do you mean by that?"
"Stop asking questions—just do as I say! Come back and get reimbursed afterward!"
With that, Garp decisively ended the call, his expression fierce.
"Refused to join the Marines, huh? Opening a restaurant instead? I'll tire you out…"
After muttering those words viciously, an image of Arashi running around frantically in the restaurant appeared in Garp's mind.
Just imagining Arashi being worked to exhaustion made the old man burst into laughter!
Meanwhile, upon hearing that everything would be reimbursed, Stork happily put down the Den Den Mushi and decisively ordered the subordinate standing nearby:
"Let's go—gather the men and show Mr. Arashi our support!"
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