Just Turned Eighteen~

The dog-headed warship was still moored at the port, with a large number of Marines helping the island's residents with simple reconstruction work and rescuing the injured.

But that was about all the Marines could do. As a violent organization, they were always more about killing than cleaning up, especially since this island wasn't even under the World Government's jurisdiction.

Inside the cabin, Garp was holding a Den Den Mushi, talking with Chief Staff Officer Tsuru.

"Yeah, Bane Ortolan. Don't know if it's his real name or an alias. I got it from the innkeeper where he was staying. Age looks like twenty-three or twenty-four, not sure exactly. Height three meters twenty-four. Mm... a Goro Goro no Mi user, pretty rare. Anyway, look into his info as soon as you can and see what's what." Garp's tone was relaxed, speaking with a chuckle.

"I know, I know. And though I've already guessed the answer, I'll ask anyway for form's sake—what about Roger?" Chief Staff Officer Tsuru asked from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.

"If you've already guessed the answer, then don't ask. Let me save a little face—isn't that part of your grace? Not very ladylike, Tsuru." Garp said brashly.

"Grace, with a crude guy like you?" Chief Staff Officer Tsuru jabbed back first, then added, "The Fleet Admiral and the higher-ups have finished their meeting. The specific plan for this operation in the New World has been set, and it's being handled by Sengoku. If you don't have anything pressing, don't linger in the New World. Come back as soon as possible."

"Oh? Settled that fast? What's the specific arrangement?" Garp asked curiously.

"Secure and stabilize the gateway sea area of the New World completely. Further compress the living space for pirates there. Let them wear themselves out with internal conflict for the rest." Chief Staff Officer Tsuru said.

The so-called 'gateway sea area' of the New World essentially refers to a certain range of sea extending outward from the Red Line, centered on Holy Land Mary Geoise, facing the New World direction.

This sea area had long been called the 'gateway sea area' by the Marines, like the front door to Mary Geoise.

Originally, this sea area was firmly held by the Marines and the World Government. But as early as the Roxx Era, the Marines lost partial control over it. By the time of Shiki's era, to bolster his prestige among the pirate factions, he further encroached on it, seizing many islands and squeezing the Marines' sphere of influence significantly.

Before the Ed War Sea Battle, the Marines had plans for a counterattack on the New World gateway sea area in the near future. Now, there was no need. Shiki had taken a huge fall himself, so the Marines didn't even have to start a major war.

"Not very ambitious, are we? Shouldn't we take this chance to beat the hell out of all those bastard pirates in the New World?" Garp joked offhandedly.

"According to Sengoku's analysis, if we ease the pressure on them, they'll keep fighting among themselves. On the other hand, if we come on too strong, it'll force those pirates to set aside their internal disputes and unite against us Marines." Chief Staff Officer Tsuru added.

After a brief pause, she continued, "Besides, you know we don't have enough troops or combat power for now."

"Hahahaha! Well, that brings me back to the good seedling I picked up this time. If we can get him to join the Marines and train him well, he'll be another powerhouse on par with Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino in the future!" Garp said cheerfully.

"We'll have to see what he's really made of first." Chief Staff Officer Tsuru remarked briefly, then said, "I'll start the investigation. You come back as soon as you can."

"Got it, got it." Garp replied twice, then hung up the Den Den Mushi.

After that, Garp sat back at his desk, studying the strategic sea chart of the New World. It was marked with the latest intelligence, along with speculated pirate movements based on gathered info, and the Marines' own arrangements and deployments.

He pushed a few strategic pieces around, running through some simulations based on the current situation, then rubbed his chin and said, "Big Mom and Kaido? If left unchecked, those two might end up as the biggest winners among the pirates in this incident... So, after Shiki, the top pirate forces in the New World will be the Big Mom Pirates, the Beasts Pirates, and the Whitebeard Pirates?"

Pushing a few more pieces, Garp mused, "As things stand now, the Whitebeard Pirates still hold the absolute advantage. Charlotte Linlin is second, and the weakest is Kaido..."

Just as Garp was thinking about these things, his door was pushed open, and a Marine wearing a hat walked in. It was Garp's adjutant, Bogard.

Bogard was very strong. Back in the day, he had followed Garp to participate in the God Valley battle and had performed well on that battlefield full of masters, surviving in the end. In short, he had the strength to fight at the top level.

Logically, with his strength and experience, becoming a Vice Admiral in the Marines would be no problem at all. But whether it was because he was influenced by Garp's personality and ideas, Bogard kept an extremely low profile in the Marines. Many young Marine officers didn't even know his true caliber.

He also had little interest in promotion. For years, he had stayed by Garp's side as a Rear Admiral, repeatedly turning down promotion orders.

Bogard and Garp were practically old friends, so there was no need for formalities or beating around the bush. As soon as he entered, he said directly, "That guy you brought back—the ship's doctor says he's about to wake up."

"Oh?" Garp tossed the piece in his hand onto the table, stood up, and walked toward the door, asking, "How's his condition?"

"Nothing serious. The wound on his arm is superficial. The doctor says his physical constitution is extremely tough; he'll recover quickly. If I hadn't reinforced him with Armament Haki, even the needle couldn't pierce his skin. He's just a bit mentally exhausted, but that's normal for awakening Conqueror's Haki." Bogard replied calmly.

Garp reached the door, grabbed the Warhammer lying on the floor, and said, "Did you try it?"

Bogard glanced at the Warhammer and shook his head. "No."

"It's ridiculously heavy, like a warship. I didn't pay attention at first, grabbed it casually to lift it, and almost threw my back out!" Garp complained.

Bogard naturally didn't believe Garp's nonsense. As Garp's right-hand man, he knew full well that this guy's strength was just as monstrous!

Or rather, anyone who excelled in pure physical combat with Haki was basically a freak of strength. After all, if you can't even hit hard, what kind of physical combat expert are you?

Soon, Garp and Bogard arrived at the medical bay where Ortolan was. Garp barged in casually and saw Ortolan sitting on the bed, talking with the Marine ship's doctor.

When Ortolan saw the Warhammer in Garp's hand, his expression visibly relaxed. It was clear he had been worried about losing his weapon.

The ship's doctor asked a few more simple questions, then said to Garp, "Vice Admiral Garp, he's fine. He just needs a couple of days of good rest to fully recover his energy."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the doctor left. Garp sat down on the chair across from Ortolan and asked with a grin, "Kid, what's your name?"

"Bane Ortolan." Ortolan looked at Garp and answered.

He had once imagined that if he wanted to join the Marines, having a big shot in the Marines vouch for him would solve a lot of problems, including his background.

But back then, that was just wishful thinking. Who was he? How could he meet a Marine big shot?

Anyone who could be called a Marine big shot was at the level of Garp or Sengoku. Their whereabouts were highly confidential within the Marines. Only those with high enough rank or directly involved in their operations would know.

Ortolan had no way of casually finding out where they were, unless they were on vacation and made the papers or something.

So even if he wanted to run into these big shots, he had no chance. He had even thought about going to Windmill Village in the East Blue to wait for Garp, but he never expected to actually meet him this time on Polis Island!

If Garp was willing to give him a hand, his problem of joining the Marines would be solved!

"Ortolan? That's a good name. How old are you this year?" Garp asked, still wearing a very friendly smile.

"Eighteen, almost nineteen." Ortolan said honestly.

Garp paused, then his expression grew even more delighted. "You're only eighteen? I thought you were twenty-three or twenty-four!"

What did eighteen mean? It meant he was even younger, and the potential he showed was all the more astonishing. At the same time, being younger meant he was more receptive to the Marines' beliefs and ideals, and more worth training!

Don't underestimate that five- or six-year age gap. That kind of difference, those experiences in youth, can often change a person's entire life, personality, and aspirations!