Garp

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

Inside Colonel Rhode's office at Marine Branch 155 in the East Blue,

Senga sat on the sofa, quietly reading a newspaper. Rhode remained at his desk, staring nervously at a Den Den Mushi on top of it.

Today was the day Vice Admiral Garp from Marine Headquarters was due to arrive at the branch.

Rhode deeply respected this legendary Vice Admiral. After all, the claim that Garp had once driven One Piece's Roger into a corner was truly intimidating, and Garp's strength was undeniably formidable.

However, Rhode did not know much about Garp's personality. He feared that some misstep might anger the great figure who was about to arrive.

Senga looked up at Rhode's constipated expression and found it rather amusing. Ever since Rhode had called him into the office that morning, he had maintained that same posture and expression, terrified of missing a call from the Den Den Mushi.

"You really don't need to be so nervous. I know a little about Vice Admiral Garp. He's quite approachable. Just act as you normally would."

Senga closed the newspaper and said to Rhode.

Rhode's face instantly darkened. Good grief, this newcomer supposedly knew more about Marine officers than he did, despite having served in the Marines for decades?

Still, he did not dare show any dissatisfaction. After all, the person before him was not someone he could afford to provoke either.

Seeing no reaction from Rhode, Senga lost interest and stood up, intending to go outside for some air. Suddenly,

"Burururu, burururu."

The Den Den Mushi, which had remained silent all morning, finally reacted. Like a camel that had finally found water in the desert, Rhode snatched it up and shouted excitedly into it,

"Hello! This is Marine Branch 155, Colonel Rhode speaking!"

"Mm. This is the HQ3 Battleship. We are about to dock at your branch. Please come out to receive us."

"Yes, sir!"

Rhode gave a military salute, rose to his feet, called for Senga, and hurried toward the warship's docking point. Senga silently followed behind him.

By the time they arrived at the dock, rows upon rows of branch Marines were already standing neatly in formation, eagerly awaiting the warship's hatch to open.

Under everyone's watchful gaze, several ranks of Marines from Headquarters emerged first and swiftly formed up. Then, a burly figure wearing a Dog Head Mask appeared at the hatch.

The man in the Dog Head Mask was naturally Garp. He glanced at the formation below, then strode down from the ship without a care for the eyes around him and shouted,

"Where's Colonel Rhode here?"

"Here! Vice Admiral Garp, I'm here!"

Rhode jogged up to Garp. Garp looked him over, nodded, and then asked,

"Mm. Is Uchiha Senga here? I was delayed in his hometown for a while, so I won't be staying long this time. We'll take him and head straight back to Headquarters."

"I'm here." Before Rhode could answer, Senga called out from the crowd. Garp turned to look and saw a slender youth standing among the Marines, his unusual, eerie eyes making him stand out from the crowd.

This is the talented young prospect Sengoku told me about? He looks awfully young. Garp thought, then beckoned to Senga.

"Good, come over. It's time to board. We're heading back to Marine Headquarters."

Senga nodded. The surrounding Marines automatically made way for him, and he walked forward to Garp's side.

As he examined the youth before him again at close range, especially those violet eyes, Garp sensed that Uchiha Senga was no ordinary person.

Interesting. Once we get back to Headquarters, I'll have to properly test this kid's strength. Having made up his mind, Garp greeted the branch Marines below and turned back toward the warship with Senga.

Standing at the bow of Garp's warship, Senga waved to the branch Marines and Rhode below, thanking them for their care over the past few days.

The branch Marines below, Rhode included, were somewhat moved. It was already exceedingly rare for such a gifted genius to remember ordinary people like them when he was about to spread his wings and soar.

"Keep it up, Senga! I look forward to hearing your name here again!" Rhode shouted excitedly. Senga gave Rhode a thumbs-up from the ship.

Seeing Senga's actions, Garp's opinion of him rose another notch. In Garp's view, the ability to get along with others and respect them was sometimes an even more precious quality than strength. That was partly why Garp had taken Koby as his disciple later on.

In a rather good mood, Garp waved his hand and gave the order to set sail. The warship turned its bow and headed toward the Grand Line.