Transfer to G5

Haku said seriously, "The person in question is the son of your deceased captain, Gol D. Roger!"

At this, even Shakky, who had been lounging around looking relaxed, turned to stare at Haku with a serious expression.

Rayleigh looked at Haku in shock, hardly believing his own ears.

He shook his head, thinking he must have misheard. "Did you just say Captain Roger's son?"

Haku nodded. "Yes! Gol D. Roger's son!"

Rayleigh asked again, "Are you sure?"

"I'm very sure!" Haku said firmly.

At this point, Haku immediately guessed that Rayleigh did indeed know about Portgas D. Rouge, but he had no idea she had left a son for their captain.

Now that Haku had directly revealed Ace's identity to Rayleigh, it was partly his way of protecting Ace.

After all, in this world, Ace was the only one with any blood relation to him!

But Haku's current identity was a Marine Admiral; he couldn't just step in and save Ace outright!

So, to be safe, Haku decided to drag Rayleigh into this muddy mess.

After going over some details with him, Haku left.

As for whether Rayleigh would doubt Ace's identity, well, with an information broker like Shakky around, Haku trusted they'd investigate on their own!

Before long, Haku returned directly to his ship. After resting aboard for a night, he set off early the next morning, piloting the ship toward Marineford.

As for what Haku had done on Sabaody Archipelago, the commotion was too big to hide from the World Government, and it ended up being reported by the World Economic News Company.

Anyway, that Morgans guy made another killing off Haku!

And the whole world was watching the World Government—no, to be precise—laughing at the Celestial Dragons!

Inside Sengoku's office!

At that moment, Garp was munching on a donut right in front of Sengoku, savoring it with relish!

Vice Admiral Tsuru was sitting on a sofa diagonally across from Garp, leisurely sipping hot tea.

Sengoku, on the other hand, didn't look nearly as good as his two old friends!

His beard was unkempt, his eyes bloodshot—clearly he hadn't slept well!

Garp, eating his donut, laughed heartily. "As expected of Haku, even blackmailing a Celestial Dragon!"

Vice Admiral Tsuru smiled too. "Yeah, this is going to give you a headache, Sengoku!"

Sengoku looked helplessly at his two old friends and said with a wry smile, "I called you two here mainly to discuss how to downplay this matter. You know, what Haku stirred up is no small thing!"

Garp snorted at Sengoku. "Just count your blessings. At least that kid Haku wrangled tens of billions in military funding for you!"

Though Garp wasn't there yesterday, he'd figured out the whole story through his own channels!

Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded in agreement with Garp. "That's right. Haku blackmailing the Celestial Dragons caused some trouble, but it also secured a sizable military budget for the Marines. That's good for our development."

Sengoku shook his head with a bitter smile. "Don't take this so lightly, you two. Haku's main target this time was the Five Elders. The World Government is already very displeased with him."

Garp shrugged carelessly. "So what? That kid Haku is one of our Marine Admirals."

The smug look on Garp's face as he said this nearly made Sengoku lose his patience!

Sengoku spoke up. "This incident really did blow up. Aren't you afraid Haku might actually get stripped of his Admiral position?"

Vice Admiral Tsuru interjected, "The Five Elders won't let go of a high-end combat power like Haku. But they'll probably transfer him out of Marineford for cold treatment."

Soon, Sengoku's phone rang. After answering it...

Sengoku gave Vice Admiral Tsuru an odd look and said, "You're right. The transfer order just came down!"

"But the place Haku's being sent to isn't great."

Since this involved Haku, Garp spoke up. "Where's he being transferred to?"

Sengoku replied, "The order says Haku is to be stationed in the New World!"

Garp and Vice Admiral Tsuru were both surprised. The New World was the territory of the Four Emperors—a true battlefield.

Garp asked, "Why the New World?"

Sengoku said helplessly, "I don't know the higher-ups' intentions either. Maybe they want Haku to spend some time there."

Vice Admiral Tsuru thought for a moment. "The New World is dangerous, but it's also full of opportunities. Haku taking a post there could be a valuable experience."

Sengoku nodded in agreement. "Right. Besides, Haku is an Admiral now. He needs more experience and training to better fulfill his duties."

Garp grumbled, "Still, there's no need to send him to the New World, is there? That's the Four Emperors' turf—it's no joke."

Sengoku looked at Garp. "Garp, I know you're very fond of Haku. But you need to understand—Haku is now a Marine Admiral. He represents the face and strength of the Marines!"

Vice Admiral Tsuru also tried to soothe him. "That's right, Garp. We all want what's best for Haku. And honestly, with Haku's current strength, who in the New World can really do anything to him?"

Garp sighed. "Fine, since you both say so, I've got nothing left to say. I just hope Haku does well in the New World!"

"Don't worry, Old Man! Even without this transfer order, I was planning to head to the New World anyway." The one speaking was Haku himself. Since Marine Headquarters was indeed close to Sabaody Archipelago, it didn't take Haku long to return to Marineford.

At that moment, Sengoku grabbed a report from the desk and hurled it at Haku's face. "You little brat! You've barely been back and you're already causing trouble!"

Haku casually caught the report Sengoku had thrown at him and said with a smile, "What are you talking about, Marshal? This wasn't something I started."

Garp, after Haku entered, chuckled and said, "You little rascal! You've grown quite a bit since I last saw you!"

Indeed, Haku hadn't been back to Marineford in over half a year, and at his age, he was in a phase of rapid growth.

Seeing Haku again after such a long time, Garp immediately noticed the change.

Haku, without a shred of modesty, boasted to himself, "Of course! Look who you're talking to."