Old Flame and the Other Woman?

What thoughts would you have if you transmigrated into the One Piece World?

If thousands upon thousands of transmigrators were interviewed, most of them would answer like this.

"Get stronger, then stand at the pinnacle of the world!"

"Right the wrongs of the world, sail the seas, and live life to the fullest!"

"Overthrow the World Government! Bring down the Celestial Dragons!"

"Girls—all the girls are mine! White stockings, black socks, little whips!"

But the joys of transmigrating into the One Piece World certainly did not end there. In Ron's eyes, taking in scenery unlike anything on Earth, experiencing the customs of different places, witnessing the wonders of islands, and getting stronger—the reason he had joined the Navy—were all sources of joy.

Beyond that, uncovering truths concealed by the original story and exposing secrets no one knew about was an even greater pleasure!!!

To Ron, the question "Who was Garp's wife?" was on the same level as "What secret did One Piece really hide?"

Because those were things that countless One Piece fans on Earth did not know!

If he could uncover them himself, that sense of accomplishment... was simply incredible!

Perhaps because Ron's gaze was a little too blazing, Queen Rosa turned and asked, "Sir, is there a problem?"

At the same time, she impatiently pulled her hand from Garp's frozen palm and gave a soft humph.

Rosa did not know Ron, but she knew exactly what it meant to stand at Garp's right side. She would not look down on him just because he was dressed like a low-ranking errand soldier.

In response, the flames of gossip in Ron's eyes nearly burst forth as he opened his mouth and shouted, "Of course, it's about you and Garp—"

BOOM!!!

The next second, a ring of heavy dust exploded from the spot! Amid flying sand and stones, thick smoke billowed over thirty feet into the air!

The citizens immediately became terrified, not knowing what had happened. Fortunately, Queen Rosa promptly signaled to those around her, and the guards moved to calm the crowd. The disturbance was swiftly settled.

Looking at Garp beyond the dust, kneeling on one knee with his fist driven into the ground, as well as the lightning crawling wildly across the earth and leaping about like sprites, Queen Rosa smiled faintly.

"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit, which disappeared centuries ago? No wonder you think so highly of him..."

"Pff, hahaha..."

Even Garp's hearty smile could turn dry one day. He clenched his teeth tightly, his smile uglier than a cry, and said to Rosa, "This brat is on his first voyage and doesn't know the rules. I hope Your Majesty won't take offense."

He had not used Armament Haki. Otherwise, Ron would have been pounded into meat paste with one punch.

Still, although he had escaped with his life, Garp clearly had no intention of letting him have any peace in the days ahead... Even an idiot could hear the killing intent in those words!

"It is nothing. Even the most beautiful flower grows from an ugly seed, and even the finest jade needs a craftsman's careful carving."

Watching Ron transform from lightning back into solid form, trembling as he hid behind a dark-faced Traine, Rosa said calmly, "That should be enough of a welcoming ceremony. Return to the palace."

"Yes!"

The reason the Queen had come to Summer Domain Port to welcome the Navy visitors was not only because the climate here was mild and the waters calm, making it suitable for docking. It was also because her palace stood at the foot of the mountain at the end of the Summer Domain.

West Island was somewhat similar to Drum Island, with a towering snow mountain at its center. But Drum Island had merely been a solitary, ordinary peak. The snow mountain on West Island, Mount Saint Gall, stretched for a thousand miles! The entire nation was countless times larger than Drum Island and no less vast than the desert kingdom of Alabasta!

At the same time, this snow mountain was an active volcano, and the island's four-season climate originated from it.

The cold winds of the northern region were entirely blocked outside by the active volcano, leaving the southern Summer Domain hot and sunny all year round. Meanwhile, the magma belt accumulated at the summit altered the air currents' temperature before they blew along the ridge into the Autumn Domain and Spring Domain, creating the Grand Line's one-of-a-kind four-season climate.

As they proceeded along the bustling road unique to the Summer Domain, a magnificent mountain escarpment soon appeared before them. The upper half of the cliff was covered in thick snow, hanging down like an inverted waterfall. Yet at a certain point, the Summer Domain's warm winds blew the snow and ice away completely, exposing dark stone walls sharply divided from the white snow above. The sight was breathtaking.

The thousand-mile-long cliffs were all like this, enough to make anyone sigh in admiration at nature's miraculous craftsmanship. Not to mention the equally extensive palace complex situated beneath the escarpment.

A group of people had long been waiting before the palace gates. They were the guards sent to welcome the Queen home.

At that moment, Ron suddenly sensed killing intent. Turning around, he found Garp staring unblinkingly at someone across from them. Following his gaze, Ron saw a middle-aged man with a composed expression and the face of a stereotypically handsome older gentleman. The man wore heavy black armor completely unlike the Queen's guards, while everyone else stood half a step behind him. Even without Observation Haki, Ron could feel the intense aura of slaughter emanating from him!

This was a decisive, battle-hardened general!

Combined with that aura, his masculine charm came crashing forward. Many of the nearby maids had spring in their eyes as they secretly glanced at him.

After looking back and forth three times between that handsome face and Garp's old face, Ron suddenly understood.

"Holy shit!!!"

Garp immediately turned around and glared at Ron with an unfriendly expression. "What the hell are you thinking, brat?"

Ron decisively shook his head. "I wasn't thinking anything."

Garp still wanted to say something, but Queen Rosa stepped down from the carriage and shot him a look. After glaring at Ron once more, he finally walked over.

"General Fred, this is Vice Admiral Garp of Marine Headquarters. Vice Admiral Garp, this is General Fred."

As though she knew the two were quite familiar with each other, Queen Rosa did not waste words. She merely introduced them in a calm tone before asking, "Have the accommodations for the Navy soldiers been arranged?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, everything has been properly prepared."

General Fred's voice was exceptionally pleasant, carrying the husky magnetism unique to a mature man. It was not even in the same league as Garp's loudspeaker-like racket. Comparing the two, Ron felt even more certain that Garp had no chance whatsoever.

"Mm, good. I shall return to the palace first. Handle the remaining matters yourselves."

Rosa spoke indifferently, then headed deeper into the palace surrounded by a large group of guards and maids. The other guests were not qualified to be personally welcomed by the Queen. She had welcomed Garp because he represented Marine Headquarters and the World Government's dignity; as an Affiliated Nation, their king was required by etiquette to receive him. Now that the reception was over, Queen Rosa naturally had no reason to remain.

Once Rosa left, Ron turned his gaze back, eagerly anticipating a great confrontation between the old flame and the other woman.

Yet unexpectedly, Fred's very first words changed the entire flavor of things.

"It seems the Navy still refuses to give up, Vice Admiral Garp."

The Navy, not Garp...

The implications behind that were worlds apart.

Under Ron's slightly surprised gaze, Garp remained calm and said flatly, "Your scheme will not succeed, Fred."

"Then I shall eagerly await the Navy's performance, Vice Admiral Garp... Three days from now will be both the Queen's birthday banquet and the joyous day I ascend the throne... You must have a good drink!"

After speaking, Fred gave Garp no chance to retort and turned to leave. Ron would have been an idiot if he still could not see that something was wrong. Recalling how he had been tricked into going to sea, Ron asked quietly, "Is that him? Our mission target..."

"Not ours. Yours..."

Taking a deep breath, Garp loosened his clenched fist and waved a hand. "Let's look at the encampment first. I'll explain it to you slowly."

Being fat was great—more flesh, more durability! The air conditioner broke today. Turn it off and it got hot; turn it on and it got too cold. Everyone caught colds and sore throats from the chilly wind, except Dashu, the fatty. He sat right beneath the vent, leisurely and perfectly fine.

Sigh, watching them band together to buy 999 cold medicine... that feeling was wonderful!