Arrangements at Headquarters

Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's office.

"Senga, this is the letter of appointment from Headquarters. You haven't graduated yet, but Headquarters has decided to make an exception and grant you the rank of colonel. You will be stationed at the Sabaody Archipelago for the time being."

Sengoku handed Senga a document and a colonel's uniform, waiting for his response.

After glancing through the document in his hand, Senga looked up at Sengoku and said,

"Understood, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Should I leave right away?"

"Yes. This has already been delayed for some time. Sending you to Sabaody isn't just Headquarters' decision; the World Government's will is involved as well. You must be extra careful."

Senga raised a brow. Had the World Government already taken notice of him? He asked,

"The World Government? What instructions do they have?"

Sengoku shook his head, indicating that there were no clear instructions. Still, he had guessed a few things. After thinking for a moment, he said,

"The potential you've displayed in the Marines is indeed exceptionally striking. The World Government probably thinks you'll hold a significant position in the Marines in the future and wants to assess you. You should know that Celestial Dragons often go there to purchase slaves. Your attitude toward them is very important to the World Government."

After spending so many years in the Marines, Sengoku had dealt with the World Government plenty of times and could more or less read many of its intentions.

That did not affect his disgust toward certain people deep down. However, as Fleet Admiral, he could not show the slightest hint of it.

Senga nodded thoughtfully, and Sengoku continued to emphasize,

"If you encounter Celestial Dragons, make sure not to provoke them. If you really don't want to deal with them, deliberately avoid them. They generally aren't interested in the Marines."

Sengoku was truly afraid that a young man like Senga might get fired up after witnessing some of the Celestial Dragons' actions and do something unwise, ruining his own future. That was why he kept going on about it.

In truth, Senga's mental age was not young either. He understood everything Sengoku had said, so he assured Sengoku that he definitely would not cause any trouble during his time in Sabaody.

Only after receiving Senga's assurance did Sengoku relax. He waved a hand, indicating that Senga could leave.

When Senga exited Sengoku's office, he ran straight into Garp, whom he had not seen in a long time. The moment Garp saw Senga, he threw an arm over his shoulder and said carelessly,

"Isn't this Senga? Come on, come on, I'll treat you to some senbei at Sengoku's place!"

Senga smiled and waved his hand, saying he had just come from there and would not mooch off Sengoku's senbei. Garp did not insist. Seeing the document in Senga's hand, he asked,

"A letter of appointment? Did you graduate early? Where are you being assigned?"

Senga replied,

"I didn't graduate early. It's more like an internship. I'm going to be stationed at the Sabaody Archipelago."

"Sabaody Archipelago? Why are they sending you to that dump? Celestial Dragons go there all the time, and those bastards are no good!"

Garp shouted noisily. In his eyes, although the place was not far from Headquarters, it was filled with all kinds of shady dealings. The Celestial Dragons in particular disgusted him.

"Garp! What kind of bullshit are you spouting out there?! Get your ass in here!"

Sengoku in the office had already heard Garp's outrageous remarks and hurriedly stopped him. If Garp kept blabbering, someone from the World Government might hear him.

Garp curled his lips and made a silly face toward the office before seriously advising Senga,

"Anyway, be careful when you take up that post. Try to have as little contact with the Celestial Dragons as possible!"

Garp might usually be carefree and rough around the edges, but that did not mean he was nothing but a brainless brute. A man had to be rough when it was time to be rough and meticulous when it was time to be meticulous. Of course, he still had to be rough more often.

Senga accepted Garp's goodwill, said goodbye, and left. The moment he stepped out of the building, he used the Deva Path's power to fly toward the harbor. Along the way, Metis, who had been quietly lying motionless on his shoulder, suddenly asked,

"Master, what are Celestial Dragons? Why is everyone telling you to be careful around them? Are they very strong?"

Senga shook his head disdainfully and said,

"They're just a bunch of trash. Sooner or later, I'll carry a few sacks of rice up the Red Line Continent."

"Carry sacks of rice? What does that mean, Master? Are you going to bring them food?"

"Nothing. It means I'll wipe them out."

"I see. Master, when the time comes, I'll help you carry them too. I'll carry even more sacks of rice up there. I believe in you!"

Senga smiled and raised a hand to scratch Metis under the chin. Metis narrowed her eyes with an expression of enjoyment.

"You really have a lot of confidence in me."

"Of course! Master is the strongest!"

As he spoke, Senga arrived at the harbor. Following the instructions on the letter of appointment, he began searching for the warship that would take him there.

After searching for a while, Senga finally found the warship. However, the large character on its sail made him shake his head and laugh.

The sail bore a single large character: "Tsuru." Among all the warships at Headquarters, a warship bearing that character could only belong to Vice Admiral Tsuru, known as the Marine Chief of Staff.

When Senga arrived below the warship and prepared to board, he saw Gion leaning over the edge of the deck and waving at him.

Ever since their intense verbal exchange that night, this was the first time the two had met. Remembering what had happened that night, Senga could not help pursing his lips, making Metis roll her eyes.

Today, Gion wore the Marines' Justice coat, looking especially valiant and dashing. I'm a colonel too, so where's my coat? Senga was still somewhat annoyed about that. He did not plan to board normally either. He shot into the sky and swiftly landed on the ship.

After landing on the deck, Senga looked around and discovered that the surrounding soldiers were all women. They were also curiously examining the Marine who had descended from the sky.

"Who is that? He's pretty handsome."

"Look at his uniform. He seems to be a colonel!"

"He looks so young. What is he doing here? Could his sweetheart be on this ship?"

"I don't know, but didn't Vice Admiral Tsuru explicitly forbid male Marines from coming aboard this warship unless they had official business?"

The moment Gion saw Senga, a captivating smile bloomed across her face. Her high heels clicked as she hurried over to him. Since her subordinates were all around, she restrained the urge to hug him and said,

"How about it? Didn't expect it, did you? I'm the one sending you to your post this time too!"

"I really didn't expect it, but I like it."

"Hehe!"

"By the way, isn't Vice Admiral Tsuru here?"

"Big sister isn't here. She still needs to remain at Headquarters. This warship is entirely under my command now!"

"Haha, then I'll be in your care, Sister Gion."

"That depends on how you behave, little brother Senga~"