The Navy's Backbone, Austin Alone

The warship sailed slowly onward.

Austin quietly plotted out his next Devil Fruit without making a sound about it.

Because even if he found the Devil Fruit he wanted right now, he had no idea whether the young Vegapunk had mastered any Devil Fruit-related technology yet.

And the only known case of someone possessing two Devil Fruit powers without their body exploding to death, that little dark, chubby Teach, was still just a young brat.

He still had plenty of time.

Once he raised his raw strength to the level of Garp and Whitebeard, he could take his time planning everything out.

With a sweep of Austin's hand, the warship successfully passed through the Red Line and headed toward the Four Blues, the symbol of the shallow seas.

South Blue.

Baterilla Island.

This was a beautiful island. Simply looking at it made one feel refreshed, as though it were perfect for a vacation.

"What a nice place he picked for his retirement..."

Austin gazed at it from afar and could not help sighing inwardly, wondering if he should stay here for a while too.

He could also spar with Roger and improve his strength while he was at it.

Azure Austin, who thought about getting stronger every moment of every day, was just that hardworking and ambitious.

The warship slowly approached Baterilla Island's harbor, paying no attention whatsoever to the ornate vessels nearby as it brazenly took the central berth.

It was the first time the soldiers had ever docked like this. Seeing the unfriendly looks from the people onshore and aboard the neighboring ships, they felt rather uneasy.

"Um... shouldn't we dock according to the island's arrangements?"

One of them came over to report to Austin.

"Why? Isn't there an open spot here? We'll dock here. It's such a