Garp's Eastern Journey

A few days later, Branch 153.

"I understand, please rest assured, Commander... Yes!"

Inside the Branch Chief's office, Morgan stood at attention and saluted, his menacing iron jaw set. He then put down the Den Den Mushi and looked up.

"Has everyone received the notice? Vice Admiral Garp from Headquarters has crossed the Calm Belt and arrived in the East Blue. He'll be passing by our branch tomorrow, so all units are to prepare for his arrival!"

"Vice Admiral Garp? The same Vice Admiral Garp who arrested the Pirate King Roger?!"

"Of course, who else likes crossing the Calm Belt?"

"I never imagined the renowned 'Iron Fist' Vice Admiral would visit a small place like ours."

Inside the office, the officers immediately began to discuss excitedly.

The name "Iron Fist" Garp was known to every household in the East Blue, and recognized worldwide. As Marines born in the East Blue, their admiration for Garp wasn't a new thing.

Morgan didn't stop them, letting them chatter.

That was "Iron Fist" Garp!

The idol of almost every Marine in the East Blue!

If he hadn't just taken office and needed to maintain his authority, he would have joined in the excitement.

From a corner, Lowett, who had been listening with half-closed eyes, pondered for a moment before speaking, "Vice Admiral Garp passing by specifically... is probably because of Kuro's matter."

Branch 153 had only about two hundred men, and nearly half their fighting strength was wiped out in the battle against Kuro.

Such a significant loss meant it was understandable for Garp to visit on behalf of Headquarters to offer condolences once he returned to the East Blue.

This was a pain none of them could forget.

The atmosphere instantly became somber. A Major seemed about to reprimand Lowett, but was deterred by Morgan's gaze.

"Regardless, Vice Admiral Garp will be here soon... Everyone, pull yourselves together! Let Headquarters know that Branch 153's backbone is not broken!"

"Now, dismissed!"

After the meeting, Lowett walked along the small path back to the dormitory, lost in thought.

He could feel that as time passed, the dissatisfaction of some officers towards him was growing.

Perhaps the intentions of some higher-ups were good, not to blame him and to win back the soldiers' loyalty. But any order had a time limit, and over time, the issue of a commander in the field not obeying orders became unavoidable.

"Perhaps Garp's arrival this time is an opportunity."

Summer of Sea Garden Era 1517, half a year had passed since January 1st. Garp's return to the East Blue was not an accident in Lowett's eyes, but a certainty.

Because...

January 1st, Sea Garden Era 1517, was the 17th birthday of the Pirate King's posthumous son, Portgas D. Ace.

A man should set sail at seventeen!

It was unclear who started this tradition.

Even some Marines joined the Navy at seventeen.

Half a year was enough time for Garp to hand over the daily affairs of the Grand Line G3 Branch he was in charge of, and then rush back to the East Blue to visit his remaining grandson, Monkey D. Luffy.

"This world is about to be thrown into chaos!"

Looking out at Shells Town beyond the wall through the window curtain, Lowett murmured softly.

The future "Worst Generation," the center of the era's vortex might be the Straw Hat Pirates, but they were not the beginning.

The true beginning stemmed from Blackbeard Teach's betrayal.

The peak of the era's vortex originated from Ace's defeat and the exposure of his identity.

The Summit War marked the end of this decade-long period of relative peace, and the Great Pirate Era truly went berserk.

Ambition clashing with ambition, dreams colliding with dreams!

Courage, fame, friendship, wealth...

A thousand sails unfurled, a hundred boats raced.

It was the best of times, and the worst of times.

And the key to determining one's attitude towards it all was strength!

"There's no future staying at Branch 153. My soul is all used up and I can't replenish it. In the end... I still have to go out to sea."

Since he had already decided to leave, Lowett wouldn't miss any opportunity.

As for the consequences...

A scarlet light gathered in his eyes, a rusty, fishy smell wafted with the wind. His fingers traced a red line across his face, and through his fingers, Lowett's eyes were filled with brutality, sending a chill down one's spine.

"Anyone who stands in my way will die!"

The next day, the sky was clear.

"Attention...!"

As the drawn-out tone ended, the sound of marching footsteps echoed in unison.

The townspeople gathered curiously outside the port, craning their necks to see what was happening in the center. Moored just outside the modest port was a uniquely designed warship.

Viewed from the side, the warship looked normal – the familiar blue hull, the familiar white flag. But at the bow, instead of the usual three cast-iron cannons, there was a... cute dog's head.

It was even sticking its tongue out!

"Pwahahaha, you're all looking quite spirited!"

A hearty laugh boomed from the center of the crowd, loud and resonant, yet carrying the weight of passing years.

Even more amusing than the dog-headed warship was the fact that the famous "Iron Fist Vice Admiral" was wearing a dog-head hat. As he laughed, the two dog ears flopped and swayed, looking surprisingly...

"Yes, thank you for your praise, Vice Admiral Garp!"

Morgan gave a perfect salute, suppressing the urge to look at the dog ears, then clasped his hands behind his back, standing perfectly still.

Upon closer inspection, one could see he was gripping the tiger's mouth of his right hand with his left, pressing down hard, his skin turning pale.

"No, it should be I who thank you!"

Suddenly, Garp said in a deep voice.

Gazing at the surrounding eyes – some filled with reverence, some with determination, some with confusion, and some... stifling laughter – Garp slowly raised his palm.

"The East Blue is my hometown, but I haven't had the time to protect her... It is your efforts that have maintained the peace of the East Blue."

After holding the salute, Garp spoke solemnly amidst countless stunned gazes.

"You are the heroes!"

The officers, including the ordinary soldiers, blushed and stood at attention, responding with emotion.

"For Justice!!"

As their arms were raised high, within the crowd, Lowett's distinctive one-armed posture was very noticeable. Garp glanced at him, then lowered his arm and continued.

"The Grand Line gathers pirates from all corners. Some say the East Blue is the weakest sea, and its Navy are just weaklings who bully trash to get by..."

The soldiers were incensed, breathing heavily in anger.

"But I don't think so!"

Garp proclaimed loudly, his stern gaze sweeping over every soldier.

"The East Blue may be the weakest, but it is also a symbol of peace! Are there no pirates in the East Blue?"

"Yes!"

"But why?"

Hearing this, Lowett narrowed his eyes silently: "This is not simple!"

This was his first time meeting Garp, his impression of him being solely from what he'd read.

But the Garp before him was clearly different from the character in the original work – someone who was unpretentious, acted recklessly, and was more comical than serious.

As the saying goes, "To grow old without dying is to be a thief." To transform from a wild kid who could ride a tiger through the forest into the world-renowned Iron Fist Vice Admiral today, Garp had clearly strengthened more than just his fists.

As expected, Garp's eyes widened, and he said angrily.

"Because it is the East Blue Navy, because of your valiant efforts, that pirates in the East Blue will never have a chance to rise!"

As the soldiers' emotions surged, Garp's voice boomed.

"So this saying is very problematic!"

"The East Blue is the weakest, that is the shame of pirates! The East Blue is the weakest, that is your pride!"

"On behalf of the useless people of the Grand Line, I salute you!"

Where are the most arrogant pirates?

Answer: The Grand Line.

There are also Navy bases there, yet they cannot achieve the same stability as the East Blue. Moreover, the Revolutionary Army is stirring up trouble everywhere.

So, in terms of actual results, this "useless" label applies to all stationed Navy personnel in the Grand Line.

Including Marine Headquarters!

But the complex situation in the Grand Line is clearly incomparable to the East Blue. Garp's statement was indiscriminate, even insulting Sengoku.

Looking at his adjutant, who was half a step behind him... well, his face had indeed darkened.

But it was effective, wasn't it?

A faint smile quickly flickered across Lowett's lips as he saluted earnestly.

Without looking, he knew that the soldiers around him were blushing crimson from Garp's words, wishing they could immediately go out and fight pirates.

After suffering a blow, the morale of Branch 153 was of utmost importance, and morale was often something that could be so simply controlled by words.

"Wow, Vice Admiral Garp actually thinks of us like this? Truly..."

"Honestly, when I heard the terrible news before, I even regretted becoming a Navy officer. Now... how should I put it? I have endless energy!"

"Me too!"

"Since the pirates of the East Blue are synonymous with weakness in the eyes of outsiders, then let them continue to be weak!"

"That's right... Lieutenant Lowett!"

Passing a corner in the corridor, some excited soldiers saw Lowett approaching and quickly snapped to attention and saluted.

In the eyes of the uninformed soldiers, Lieutenant Lowett, aside from his somewhat mysterious background, was quite imposing with his pale face and cold eyes.

Especially that severed arm; one couldn't imagine what kind of dangerous battle it had endured.

Nodding in greeting and letting the soldiers scurry away, Lowett stopped in front of Morgan's office door and knocked.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Enter!"

"Report... Colonel Morgan, you called... me..."

Pushing the door open, Lowett's pupils contracted.

Morgan wasn't the only one in the office; Garp was there too... Just as he was thinking about how to excuse himself, Garp had unexpectedly sought him out.

This was undoubtedly good news, but Lowett didn't have the time to focus on it right now.

Because...

Just separated by a wall, he hadn't detected Garp's presence at all!

With Garp's vigorous life aura, ten transcendent Knight Kings combined wouldn't compare. This situation was as bizarre as someone blasting music and dancing on the floor above you, and you being completely unaware.

"My spiritual power was blocked? No! I unconsciously avoided this place."

A chill ran down Lowett's spine as he quickly understood the problem.

Spiritual power, as an energy evolved from the soul, was constantly emanating, as natural as growing hair on the skin. Blocking it was a technique only mages possessed, and no one in this world knew how to do it.

Besides that, the only other thing that could achieve the same effect was the sixth sense.

As a mage, their sixth sense was exceptionally keen, even surpassing their individual consciousness and helping them unconsciously avoid danger.

Lowett had encountered similar situations more than once. When he was conferred the title of "Black Count," the "Ten Saints" who presided over the ceremony had also caused his spiritual power to unconsciously avoid them.

Only by looking with his eyes could he feel their vast, bright, and brilliant auras, like stars.

That was a soul strength capable of making a planet tremble and collapse!

It also happened when he crossed the River Styx to the Underworld and met the "Lord of the Underworld," Emperor Haisan. He only realized there was "someone" there when they were a meter away, and even then, it was because the other party had deliberately coughed.

While the diffusion of spiritual power for sensing was uncontrollable like growing hair, powerful mages could still restrain this behavior. After becoming a formal mage, casually sensing another person's condition was a more severe provocation than pointing at their nose and insulting them!

Therefore, it was extremely dangerous.

Meaning...

"His life form hasn't transcended my cognitive limits, but his danger level is no less than that of the Ten Saints and Emperor Haisan...?"

Lowett thought to himself.

No, absolutely not.

It's a comparable threat level to me!

Not a comparable level to the Ten Saints.

But this inference couldn't be proven yet.

Perhaps only when his soul recovered would Lowett get his answer.

After all...

If Garp was truly that strong, this world would be far too dangerous.

This would disrupt Lowett's entire plan.

Working hard to save drafts. Once the contract status changes, I'll update with two chapters stably, so please bear with me, esteemed readers.

If you have any opinions or suggestions about this book, feel free to leave a comment in this chapter's discussion. It's troublesome that the mobile assistant I downloaded yesterday has some issue with my phone; it just turns black and becomes unresponsive when opened... It's really annoying.