"So that's what he said? Dunn?"
After listening to the Marine's report, Major Nezumi waved him out, then picked up the Den Den Mushi.
In any case, someone who might have Devil Fruit powers needed to be reported.
After all, Devil Fruits were the treasures of the sea.
People with powers were extremely rare.
Even within the Marines, there were only a few dozen Devil Fruit users.
Merit didn't come only from capturing pirates or guarding a base. Recommending talented people was another way to earn it.
If the Marines managed to recruit a Devil Fruit user thanks to his report, that would be no small achievement.
"Marine Headquarters? This is Major Nezumi of the East Blue's 16th Branch Base, serial number 00733. I have something to report."
Once the Den Den Mushi connected, Major Nezumi spoke solemnly.
The town's pier.
Watching the pier bustle with activity again, Dunn thought over the information he'd just learned and studied the sea chart he'd just bought.
The East Blue was vast. Or rather, all Four Blues were vast.
He had chosen Shimotsuki Village as his next stop.
Until he was strong enough, he had no intention of going to the Grand Line, so he would follow the plan he'd made earlier and find a way to reach Shimotsuki Village.
The trouble was, there were no ships heading directly to Shimotsuki Village.
Judging by the distance between here and Shimotsuki Village on the chart, an ordinary merchant ship might take about three months to get there.
Of course, if it went straight there without stopping at any other islands, it might take less time.
"In that case, I'll hire a ship."
A moment later, Dunn gave a slight shake of his head and made his decision.
He might have been able to find a ship to Shimotsuki Village by going to a larger island, but he had no need to waste time on that.
He had nearly ten million Beli on him, which would be more than enough for the short term.
He'd go to Shimotsuki Village as quickly as possible, then begin his plan to grow stronger.
Once he'd made up his mind, the rest was simple.
After paying five hundred thousand Beli, Dunn had little trouble hiring a merchant ship. Once they'd briefly stocked up on supplies, the ship left the pier and sailed out to sea.
The Marines keeping an eye on Dunn naturally reported that he had left by ship.
They also reported the name Shimotsuki Village, which Dunn had asked about, to Major Nezumi.
"Is that his destination?"
After pondering it for a moment, Major Nezumi reported the information to Headquarters as well.
He'd already sent in his report, so there was no need for him to worry about it anymore.
Several days later.
Marine Headquarters, the Admiral's office.
The crunching of Sengoku chewing on rice crackers made the vein in his forehead throb as he looked down at his paperwork.
"Garp, you bastard, don't you have an office of your own?"
Finally losing his patience, Sengoku looked up sharply and glared at Garp.
"Don't be mad, Sengoku! I just ran out of rice crackers!"
Garp paid no attention to Sengoku's anger. He tipped the rice crackers from the bag in his hand into his mouth, got up, and casually walked over to Sengoku's desk. Then he pulled open a drawer and took out a large bag of rice crackers.
Seeing his old comrade in arms act like this, Sengoku could only stare at him in speechless exasperation. More than anything, he felt helpless.
"If you've got so much free time, I'll find you a job."
Garp had just sat down. At Sengoku's words, he turned to look at him without saying anything.
"You refused the promotion to Admiral again. The World Government isn't happy with you."
Seeing Garp's expression, Sengoku sighed as he spoke.
"They can be as unhappy as they like!"
Garp looked away, tore open the bag in his hand, and acted as if he couldn't care less.
"Forget it. You do have a point."
A few dark lines appeared on Sengoku's forehead, but he soon looked resigned.
The title Hero of the Marines had been circulating within the Marines for over a decade.
The Marines had deliberately built Garp up as their hero after he captured the Pirate King, and Garp's personal influence was indeed immense.
As long as he didn't make a mistake, neither the Marines nor the World Government would move against him. Or rather, even if he did make a mistake, they wouldn't touch him.
Besides, he was one of the sea's top fighters.
No one was a fool.
"Ever since Roger's execution, the number of pirates has increased every year. Now, Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin are growing more and more powerful in the New World. The Marines are preparing to put the plan for our top combat forces into motion.
"We're planning to officially promote Akainu and the other two to Admiral. What do you think?"
Watching Garp munch on rice crackers, Sengoku suddenly spoke, changing the subject.
"That's for you and the World Government to discuss."
Garp seemed entirely uninterested.
"Promoting the three of them to Admiral is mainly a response to Whitebeard and the others growing more powerful in the Grand Line. It's unavoidable. Also, Fleet Admiral Kong is planning to take up a post with the World Government."
"Oh?"
Garp paused and turned to look at Sengoku.
Previously, the Marines had only had two Admirals: Sengoku, the "Strategist," and Black Arm Zephyr.
But because of certain circumstances, Zephyr had taken a position at the Marine Headquarters training camp despite still holding the rank of Admiral. That meant Sengoku was expected to become the next Fleet Admiral.
"So you're sure you don't want to become an Admiral? For you, it's just a title. It wouldn't give you many more assignments."
Sengoku tried to persuade him again.
Garp shook his head and flatly refused.
"All right. If that's how it is, take a look at this report."
As he spoke, Sengoku tossed a report to Garp. Garp caught it, then glanced at it in confusion.
"A Pirate Hunter has appeared in the East Blue. Judging by his age, he's around fourteen or fifteen and has only just set out to sea. He may have fire-related abilities, and could even be a Logia user. Go back and see if you can find him.
"If you do, see if you can recruit him into the Marines!"
"Someone with fire-related powers, who might even be a Logia user? Sengoku, what do you think Logia fruits are?"
Garp looked rather exasperated.
He'd been in the Marines for decades and fought countless pirates. There had only been a handful of Logia users, and three of them were the young upstarts in the Marines.
"What if he is? Of course, if you don't want to go, I'll send someone else."
Sengoku replied at once.
"I'll go. I was planning to head back anyway."
At that, Garp immediately stood up.
He'd finally got the chance to go home for a while. He might as well treat it as paid leave.
Watching Garp wander out, Sengoku shook his head helplessly.
His old friend had less and less drive these days, and Sengoku knew the reason.
But they were both getting on in years, and Sengoku didn't want to push him.
The most important thing now was the appointment of the Marines' three Admirals.
After all, these appointments would bring changes within the Marines, and the news of the Marines' three great powers had to be spread across the seas.
Deterrence was a crucial part of the plan.
Before you continue