Chapter 6: Shimotsuki Village and the Navy's Three Major Forces

“So, that’s what he said? Dunn?”

Listening to the report from the Marine in front of him, Lieutenant Commander Rat waved him out, then picked up the Telephone Snail.

No matter what, a person suspected of being a Devil Fruit user needed to be reported.

After all, Devil Fruit are the secret treasures of the Grand Line.

Devil Fruit users are very rare.

Even within the Marine, there were only a few dozen Devil Fruit users.

Earning merit wasn't just about capturing Pirates or guarding a base; recommending talented individuals was also a way to earn merit.

If the Marine later recruited a Devil Fruit user because of his report, it would be a significant contribution.

“Is this Marineford? This is Lieutenant Commander Rat from the East Blue’s 16th Branch Base, number 00733. I have something to report.”

After the Telephone Snail connected, Lieutenant Commander Rat spoke with a serious tone.

...

Town pier.

Dunn looked at the pier, which had returned to its busy state, pondering the information he had just gathered and examining the sea chart he had just purchased.

The East Blue is vast, or rather, all four seas are vast.

He had set his next destination as Shimotsuki Village.

Before he had enough strength, he didn't plan to go to the Grand Line, so he decided to follow his pre-set plan and find a way to Shimotsuki Village.

However, there was no direct ship to Shimotsuki Village.

According to the distance between here and Shimotsuki Village on the sea chart, a typical merchant ship might take about three months.

Of course, if it was a direct voyage without stopping at other islands in between, the time might be shorter.

“In that case, I’ll hire a ship.”

A moment later, Dunn shook his head slightly and made a decision.

Perhaps by other means, going to a larger island might lead him to a direct ship to Shimotsuki Village, but he didn't want to waste time on that.

With nearly ten million Berries, Dunn felt it was definitely enough for at least a short period.

He still wanted to reach Shimotsuki Village as quickly as possible and then begin his plan to become stronger.

Once the decision was made, the rest was much simpler.

After offering a reward of 500,000 Berries, Dunn easily hired a merchant ship. After a brief preparation of supplies, the merchant ship left the pier and sailed into the ocean.

The news of Dunn’s departure by ship was naturally reported by the Marines who were monitoring him.

Among the reports, the name Shimotsuki Village, which Dunn had inquired about, also reached Lieutenant Commander Rat.

“Is that his destination?”

Lieutenant Commander Rat pondered for a moment, then reported this news to Marineford again.

Since the information had been reported, he no longer needed to concern himself with it.

...

Several days later.

Marineford, Admiral’s Office.

The crunching sound of crackers made the veins on Sengoku’s forehead throb as he looked down at his documents.

“Garp, you bastard, don’t you have your own office?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Sengoku suddenly looked up and glared at Garp.

“Don’t be angry, Sengoku, I just finished my crackers!”

Garp didn't care about Sengoku’s anger at all. He poured the crackers from the bag into his mouth, then stood up and walked to Sengoku’s desk, pulled open a drawer, and took out a large bag of crackers.

Seeing his old comrade like this, Sengoku was speechless, but more so, he was helpless.

“If you feel so idle, I’ll find you a mission.”

Garp, who had just sat down, turned his head to look at Sengoku but didn't say a word.

“This time you’ve once again refused the appointment to Admiral, and the World Government is very displeased with you.”

Seeing Garp’s expression, Sengoku sighed and said.

“They can only be displeased!”

Garp retracted his gaze, tore open the bag in his hand, and looked indifferent.

“Forget it, you’re right.”

Sengoku’s forehead showed a few black lines upon hearing this, but then he looked somewhat helpless.

The title of Navy Hero had circulated within the Marine for over a decade.

The Marine deliberately molded Garp, who captured the Pirate King, into a Navy Hero, and Garp’s personal influence was indeed immense now.

As long as he didn't make mistakes, the Marine and the World Government wouldn't move against Garp, or rather, even if he made mistakes, they wouldn't.

Moreover, he was a top combatant on the Grand Line.

No one was a fool.

“Since Roger’s execution, the number of Pirates has increased every year. Now in the New World, Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin’s influence is growing. The Marine is preparing to put the plan for top Marine combatants on the agenda.

They are preparing to officially promote Akainu and the other two to Admiral. What do you think?”

Looking at Garp, who was eating crackers, Sengoku suddenly spoke, changing the subject.

“You guys can discuss that with the World Government.”

Garp, however, looked unconcerned.

“This promotion of the three of them to Admiral is mainly to counter the growing influence of Whitebeard and the others in the Grand Line. It’s imperative. Additionally, Fleet Admiral Kong is preparing to take up a position in the World Government.”

“Oh?”

Garp was startled and turned to look at Sengoku.

Previously, the Marine only had two Admirals: the Strategist Sengoku and Black Arm Zephyr.

However, due to some matters, although Zephyr was still an Admiral, he only served in the Marineford training camp. This meant that the next Fleet Admiral should be Sengoku.

“So, you’re sure you won’t accept the Admiral position? For you, it’s just a title, and it won’t increase your duties much.”

Sengoku tried to persuade him again.

Garp directly shook his head, flatly refusing.

“Alright, if that’s the case, take a look at this report.”

Saying that, Sengoku threw a report to Garp. Garp raised his hand to catch it, looking a bit confused.

“A Pirate Hunter has appeared in the East Blue. He should be around fourteen or fifteen years old, just started sailing, and is suspected of being a fire-related Devil Fruit user, possibly even a Natural System Devil Fruit user. Go back and see if you can find him.

If you find him, see if you can recruit him into the Marine!”

“A fire-related Devil Fruit user, and possibly Natural System? Sengoku, what do you take Natural System for?”

Garp was somewhat speechless.

He had been in the Marine for decades, fighting countless Pirates, and there were only a few Natural System Devil Fruit users, three of whom were the three young ones in the Marine.

“What if? Of course, if you’re unwilling, then I’ll send someone else.”

Sengoku replied directly upon hearing this.

“I’ll go. It just so happens I need to go back.”

Garp immediately stood up upon hearing this.

It was a rare opportunity to go back, so he considered it paid leave.

Watching Garp leisurely leave, Sengoku shook his head helplessly.

His old friend was becoming less and less motivated, and the reason, he naturally knew.

But at his age, Sengoku didn't want to force him.

The most crucial matter now was the appointment of the three Marine Admirals.

After all, this appointment would also involve reforms within the Marine and the announcement of the Marine’s three great powers to the entire Grand Line.

Deterrence was also a key element.