Salute Formation With a Catch!!!

Hana is the renowned beautiful name for West Island. Because the island has all four seasons coexisting and varying altitudes between regions, countless flowers and exotic plants can be found here, leading people to call it "Hana."

The Capital of Ten Thousand Flowers!

As one of the World Government's affiliated nations and the designated supplier of flowers for the Celestial Dragons, Hana has long been a place of peace, where its people live and work contentedly. It is a rare peaceful island in the Great Pirate Era.

Ordinary pirates do not dare cause trouble on this island, and neither do those arrogant Supernovas.

This is because they are well aware that causing trouble here will result in investigations by both the Marines and the World Government's special agencies, leaving them with nowhere to hide on the seas! Even if they escape back to the Four Seas, the Marines will swarm them and bring them to justice on the spot!

There is only one reason...

The flowers here are designated offerings for the Celestial Dragons!

It may seem foolish to go to such lengths just for the flowers the Celestial Dragons like, but such things are not uncommon.

The place where the warship landed is the "Summer Domain" within West Island's four seasons region. Here, the grass is lush, the flowers are vibrant, and the air is filled with the fragrance of nature. Climbing vines cover the exterior walls of the port buildings, lush and green. As far as the eye can see, brilliantly green plants blend harmoniously with the city.

Hana, the Capital of Ten Thousand Flowers, is even more beautiful than its reputation!

Plop!

The thick steel anchor was lowered by the winch, splashing white waves onto the water. With a creaking sound, the deck railing deformed, forming a wooden ladder that slowly extended to the moss-covered stone steps of the port.

Thud!

A soldier operated a disk, locking it securely. He then saluted Garp, "Vice Admiral Garp, the stairs are installed!"

"Hmm, notify everyone... line up!"

"Yes!"

The soldiers sprang into action, straightening their backs, holding their muskets at shoulder height, and forming two columns, marching up the stairs on either side.

As an affiliated nation of the World Government and the designated flower supplier for the Celestial Dragons, Hana holds a high status on the seas. When a Marine warship docks, regardless of rank, proper etiquette must be observed.

Garp, for once, put down his ever-present donuts. He was neatly dressed, and his justice cape was spotless, making him look like an old man going on a date.

Just as he was about to descend the stairs, Garp suddenly turned back and called out.

"Ron, come stand to my right!"

"Me?!"

In the queue of miscellaneous soldiers, Ron pointed to his own nose. Looking left and right, he saw everyone around him casting him envious, jealous, and adoring glances.

Miscellaneous soldiers were not qualified to disembark first, let alone when the Queen of Hana, a true pinnacle of power, was there to greet Garp! To disembark with Garp represented his trust and high regard, meaning a meteoric rise was just around the corner!

Moreover... Garp's designated spot was the right side, a position coveted by countless prodigies!!!

Soldiers from Marine Headquarters all knew that ever since Garp defeated Rocks over thirty years ago and became the world-renowned "Hero of the Marines," only one person had ever stood on his right side during such solemn occasions!

That was the current Marine Admiral, "Aokiji" Kuzan!

Perhaps there was one more... Smoker, one of the new Marine elites stationed in Loguetown, East Blue, as a gatekeeper last year. He was a Logia-type smoke ability user, and word was he also stood on the right side then.

But that was merely in the East Blue, meeting with a local leader and visiting a friend along the way, and Smoker was brought along. Compared to the grand "Hana" of the Grand Line, the difference was worlds apart!

Even Rear Admiral Traine, his adjutant who mastered both forms of Haki and Rokushiki and was skilled in swordsmanship, was currently only positioned on the left. To receive such an honor, Garp's regard for Ron was self-evident.

For a moment, countless soldiers held their breath, looking up at Ron with awe.

"Vice Admiral Garp, isn't this a bit too soon?"

Traine wasn't jealous of Ron. He had long since seen through the word "talent" at his level. However, Ron was currently just a miscellaneous soldier, and his strength was still far from adequate. Placing him on the right side seemed slightly inappropriate.

"It's fine, I trust the kid who plays with thunder."

"Alright, if you insist..."

Traine stopped his actions and, like the other soldiers, focused his gaze on Ron.

Ron, as a transmigrator, was unaware of the intricate details behind this. He simply thought Garp saw his potential and wanted him to gain some exposure in the outside world, to build some recognition... Bringing promising juniors along to introduce them to other important figures was a universal way of showing care in any world.

Since he had decided to join the Marines, even if only to become stronger, connections on the seas and fame were undeniably important! Garp's willingness to do this filled Ron with gratitude. He stepped out of the formation, walking purposefully towards Garp.

Regardless of the higher-ups in the government, this atmosphere, these people... they were quite good...

However, he didn't hold back his words, smiling, "Is this really okay, Vice Admiral Garp? I'm just a miscellaneous soldier!"

Garp's old eyes widened, "Why so much nonsense! I'm giving you one second!"

Swish!

Zzzzt!

As soon as he finished speaking, lightning flashed. Ron, with a twitching mouth, materialized about ten meters away from Garp. Suddenly, he grinned slyly and said in a low voice.

"I bet five Belly you wouldn't dare hit me right now."

This was because the crowd below was clearly visible from their position. Besides the royal dignitaries who had come to greet them according to protocol, there were also countless onlookers who had come to witness the "Glory of the Hero of the Marines."

"Hey, you brat..."

Garp was instantly enraged. Traine's eye twitched violently as he coughed, "Vice Admiral, it's time to depart..."

Seeing his knuckles turn white as he gripped his sword hilt, Traine was prepared to draw his sword and strike both of them if they continued their antics, even if it meant facing court-martial for insubordination.

Thinking of something, Garp snorted and ignored Ron. He strode forward, stepping onto the stairs first.

"All hands... Salute!"

With a powerful roar, the soldiers uniformly raised their right hands to their foreheads. There was no rustling sound, only a dull thud as hundreds of soldiers, who had been standing calmly moments before, raised their right hands simultaneously. A sea of white, perfectly synchronized, was a breathtaking sight!

A formal salute was not only a sign of respect for affiliated nations but also a way for the Marines to display their strength and strict discipline to the public, ensuring their peace of mind during the Great Pirate Era!

For a moment, countless citizens exclaimed in admiration, gaining a new understanding of the imposing Marines.

"Are these the soldiers of Marine Headquarters? They're certainly different from the branch bases!"

"That's Vice Admiral Garp, the Hero who captured Pirate King Roger!"

"Mommy, mommy, I want to be a general when I grow up!"

"Hehehe, then you need to eat well and grow strong to become a Marine!"

Under the adoring gaze of the citizens, the three of them, led by Garp, arrived at the port in front of the Queen of the Flower Capital, who was lined up to greet them.

"Welcome to the Flower Capital!"

The Queen nodded slightly, her smile perfectly measured – not overstepping, not artificial, but warm and sincere.

Swish!

The other two saluted silently. Fortunately, Ron, as a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, had enhanced reaction speed; otherwise, he would have made a fool of himself.

"Huh?"

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead as he retracted his hand, Ron suddenly noticed that Garp's expression was a bit strange.

He couldn't look directly at the Queen of the Flower Capital, scratching the back of his head nonchalantly. After a long pause, he managed to blurt out, "Uh... it's been a long time, Rosa."

The Queen of the Flower Capital was no longer young, almost the same age as Garp. Although she maintained herself well and still possessed charm, the frown on her face betrayed her without hesitation.

She wore a magnificent long dress adorned with green leaves and roses, and a golden laurel crown on her head, inlaid with an emerald the size of a thumb in the center. She exuded a queenly aura of laziness, nobility, and maturity. In her youth, she must have been a beauty who captivated countless young men!

Seeing Garp's reaction, the Queen of the Flower Capital, known as "Rosa," curved her lips. She formally raised her right hand, covered in thin silk, and offered it to him for a kiss.

"It has indeed been a long time, Vice Admiral Garp."

Queen Rosa said slowly, "If it weren't for my 70th birthday banquet, I suppose I would have died without ever seeing you again, Lord Garp."

Creak...

Under Ron's subtle gaze, Garp, who had just bent down with a carefree, absentminded demeanor, instantly stiffened at a visible rate. His muscles were so hard... Ron estimated that even a knife wouldn't be able to pierce them now!

There's something going on!

There's definitely something going on!!!

Ron's eyes burned with gossip. The mother of Dragon, the mother-in-law of Luffy, the wife of Garp – this was an age-old mystery that had puzzled countless pirate fans!

Was the answer about to be revealed here?

Say a few more words, Your Majesty the Queen, spill the old scoundrel's embarrassing secrets!