A few minutes earlier, Sengoku hung up the Den Den Mushi, his mood far from pleasant. His thick brows were furrowed together like a sheet of paper crumpled dozens of times.
"Ah, Garp, do you think I'm doing a decent job as Fleet Admiral?"
For once, Sengoku seemed somewhat lost.
Garp, carefree as ever, picked his nose. "You old fool, always worrying about useless things. Whether you're decent or not isn't for me to say. What I do know is that there's been a lot less chaos on the seas these past years, and the Four Seas are safer than before."
A smile appeared on Sengoku's face. This guy Garp might seem unreliable, but he actually knew how to comfort people!
He was an even more sentimental person than Sengoku himself!
"Pururururu... Pururururu..."
The Den Den Mushi that had just been hung up rang again. Sengoku picked it up curiously, asking in puzzlement, "Colonel Ivan, is there something else?"
He had considered the possibility that Colonel Ivan, stewing over things, might be calling back to curse him out. Or perhaps Hana-Fuda had launched another attack on them. Or something else entirely. But he never expected to hear Ivan's shocked shout:
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, it's terrible! Hana-Fuda has been killed by someone from Shadow Garden!"
Sengoku: "..."
After a long moment, Sengoku hung up the Den Den Mushi and raised a large hand to rub his hair in agitation.
Garp was taken aback. He rarely saw his friend lose control like this and couldn't help but ask:
"What happened?"
"Hana-Fuda is still dead..."
"Isn't that a good thing? Not many of those Seven Warlords of the Sea deserve to live. If you ask me, that kid Ivan might be a bit impulsive, but he didn't really do anything wrong. He shouldn't be punished."
"No, it wasn't Ivan who killed Hana-Fuda."
"Huh?"
"It was a new member of Shadow Garden, wearing a Tanuki mask."
Garp: "..."
...
The Grand Line, first half. Ivan returned to the G-2 Branch and soon received official notification from Headquarters:
Ivan has demonstrated outstanding merit and performed his duties diligently. After strict evaluation, he has been judged qualified and is hereby promoted to Rear Admiral of the Navy, in charge of patrol operations in the seas near the G-2 Branch.
At the same time, the events that had occurred not long ago were reported by the World Economic News Paper.
Ivan read the newspaper. One photo showed the wreckage of the Tyrannosaurus Pirate Ship and him standing with his foot on Hana-Fuda's head.
Another photo showed the Tanuki hovering in mid-air, its black cloak fluttering in the sea breeze, eyes glowing red as it fired a Heat Ray, killing Hana-Fuda.
As soon as this issue of the newspaper appeared, it caused a worldwide sensation.
Everyone was not only shocked by the terrifying power of another member of Shadow Garden but also stunned that Colonel Ivan had actually defeated a Seven Warlord of the Sea head-on!
Consequently, the fame of Ivan and the Tanuki soared rapidly across the seas. Many people even wanted to join the Navy because of Ivan, and others sought out Shadow Garden because of the Tanuki, hoping to become a member of Shadow Garden themselves.
But while Ivan's whereabouts could be traced, Shadow Garden left no trace at all. It was as if the organization was merely a mirage—visible but untouchable.
Of course, since all members of the Shadow Garden were Ivan's alternate identities, naturally no one else could find any trace of the Shadow Garden.
...
At the same time, in a mansion deep within Onigashima, Kaido poured bowl after bowl of wine into his mouth, wailing incessantly:
"Waaaaah, my poor brother Hana-Fuda, how could you die?
I was waiting for you to make a name for yourself, to drink with you for days and nights, to conquer the seas together... How could you lose your life first!"
Finally, he slammed the empty wine jar onto the stone platform and glanced at Ulti and Page One, who were quietly weeping below.
Poor little ones, their father is dead. They must be heartbroken.
Thinking this, Kaido's rage burned even fiercer. He stood up abruptly and said in a low voice:
"Hana-Fuda is dead, and the murderer must pay with their life. Jack, go kill that so-called White Dove Vice Admiral for me. I want him dead!"
Queen, who was as round as a ball, couldn't help but remind him: "Boss Kaido, it wasn't White Dove who killed Hana-Fuda, but the Tanuki from the Shadow Garden!"
Kaido struck Queen on the head with his club and roared:
"Do you think I don't know that? Even if White Dove isn't the murderer, he's an accomplice and must die! As for that so-called Shadow Garden Tanuki, I'll deal with him myself!"
"Boss is wise!"
...
At the G-2 Branch, in the self-service restaurant, the surrounding crowd watched with curiosity and awe at the table in the corner.
Currently, four people were seated at this table.
One of them was the recently famous Vice Admiral Ivan, also one of the highest-ranking officers of the G-2 Branch.
The other three were the newly promoted Vice Admiral Hina, and the newly promoted Captains Tashigi and Nami.
As the saying goes, three women make a drama, and what was happening at the table proved just that.
"Ivan, this Honey Crispy Meat Roll is delicious. You should try it." Hina rolled up the crab meat she had personally peeled and handed it to Ivan with a smile.
Ivan didn't stand on ceremony and picked up the Honey Crispy Meat Roll to eat.
However, while he ate happily, Nami and Tashigi were not pleased.
Due to Hina's promotion, her position had changed. Originally, as a frontline commander, she used the power of the Barrier-Barrier Fruit to capture pirates.
But after being promoted to vice admiral, she was temporarily stationed at the G-2 Branch to assist in capturing the increasingly rampant pirates in the area.
At first, Hina's stay at the G-2 Branch didn't seem unusual, but gradually, she grew closer to Ivan.
Perhaps Hina herself hadn't noticed, but Tashigi and Nami, as outsiders with a clear view, immediately realized that because Ivan had saved Hina, she now held great affection for him.
This made them exchange glances in dismay. Damn it, there were already enough rivals, and now another one had appeared!
More importantly, this rival was unprecedentedly formidable—she was none other than the unattainable flower of the Marines, Black Barrier Hina!
Thus, to face such a powerful enemy, Tashigi and Nami decided to join forces against her!
Tashigi and Nami exchanged looks, then both moved closer to Ivan, squeezing Hina aside, and placed another delicacy into Ivan's bowl:
"Ivan, try this. This Grilled Giant Squid is much better than some bun!"
"That's right, that's right! The Octopus Balls are also delicious!"
Hina sensed their hostility, puffed out her cheeks, and forcefully squeezed her way back in with her formidable strength.
The three of them were in a chaotic tangle, with only Ivan in the center having eaten his fill.
Just then, the sound of footsteps approached. Vice Admiral Gumir sat down at a nearby table with a smile, watching the scene with amusement. "Ah, youth is wonderful. When I was young, I was just as popular with the ladies."
At his words, the previously rowdy group immediately fell silent, casting skeptical glances his way.
Unfazed, Vice Admiral Gumir addressed Ivan and Hina:
"Rear Admiral Ivan, Rear Admiral Hina, please come to the conference room later. We have an important mission to carry out!"
"What mission?"
"Soon, the Celestial Gold will be transported to Mary Geoise in batches. We need to ensure the stability of the surrounding seas at all costs.
This is also the reason why Rear Admiral Hina is temporarily stationed at the G-2 Branch!"
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "GoddessTL" on Patreon!"
Thanks!