Shimotsuki Village and the Navy's Three Great Powers

"So, that is what he said? Dunn?"

Listening to the report from the marine before him, Major Nezumi waved him away, then picked up the Den Den Mushi.

Regardless of the details, a guy suspected of being a Devil Fruit user needed to be reported.

After all, Devil Fruits were the secret treasures of the sea.

Ability users were extremely rare.

Even within the Navy, there were only a few dozen such individuals.

Meritorious service wasn't just about capturing pirates or guarding a base; recommending talent was also a valid way to earn credit.

If the Navy managed to recruit an ability user because of his report, it would be no small achievement.

"Headquarters? This is Major Nezumi of the East Blue 16th Branch, ID 00733. I have a matter to report."

Once the connection was established, Major Nezumi spoke with a serious tone.

At the town docks.

Dunn watched the pier return to its bustling state, pondering the information he had just gathered while examining the nautical chart he had just purchased.

The East Blue was vast, or rather, all four seas were vast.

He had set his next destination as Shimotsuki Village.

He had no intention of heading to the Grand Line before he possessed sufficient strength, so he decided to stick to his original plan and find a way to Shimotsuki Village.

However, there were no ships sailing directly there.

According to the distance on the chart, an ordinary merchant ship would likely take about three months to make the journey.

Of course, if they sailed straight there without stopping at other islands, the time might be slightly shorter.

"In that case, I'll just hire a ship."

A moment later, Dunn shook his head slightly and made his decision.

Perhaps by using other methods, he could find a ship heading to Shimotsuki Village if he went to a larger island, but he didn't want to waste time on that.

With nearly ten million Berries on him, it was certainly enough for the short term, at least.

He would head to Shimotsuki Village as quickly as possible and begin his plan to grow stronger.

With the decision made, the rest was simple.

After offering a reward of 500,000 Berries, Dunn easily hired a merchant ship. Following a brief period of preparation for supplies, the ship departed from the dock and sailed out into the ocean.

The news of Dunn's departure was naturally reported by the watchful Navy.

Among the details, the name of the destination Dunn had inquired about—Shimotsuki Village—was also reported to Major Nezumi.

"Is this his destination?"

After pondering for a moment, Major Nezumi reported this new information to headquarters as well.

Since the report had been sent, he no longer needed to concern himself with it.

Several days later.

Navy Headquarters, Admiral's office.

The crunch, crunch sound of someone chewing on a rice cracker made the veins on Sengoku's forehead throb as he looked down at his documents.

"Garp, you bastard, don't you have your own office?"

Unable to hold back any longer, Sengoku slammed his head up and glared at Garp.

"Don't be so angry, Sengoku. I just ran out of rice crackers!"

Garp didn't care about Sengoku's fury at all. He poured the remaining crackers from his bag into his mouth, stood up, walked over to Sengoku's desk, pulled open a drawer, and took out a large bag of crackers.

Seeing his old comrade act this way, Sengoku was speechless, though mostly just resigned.

"If you feel so idle, I'll find you a mission."

Garp, who had just sat down, turned his head to look at Sengoku but didn't say a word.

"You refused the promotion to Admiral again this time, and the World Government has quite a few complaints about you."

Seeing Garp's reaction, Sengoku sighed and said.

"They can only have complaints!"

Garp looked away, tore open the bag in his hands, and acted as if he couldn't care less.

"Forget it, you're right about that."

Sengoku felt a few black lines appear on his forehead, but he felt helpless.

The title of "Hero of the Navy" had been circulating within the ranks for over a decade.

The Navy had deliberately molded Garp, the man who captured the Pirate King, into the hero of the organization, and Garp's personal influence was indeed immense.

As long as he made no mistakes, the Navy and the World Government would not move against Garp; or rather, even if he did make mistakes, they still wouldn't.

What's more, he was a top-tier combatant on the high seas.

No one was a fool.

"Ever since Roger's execution, the number of pirates has increased every year. Now, in the New World, the influence of Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin is growing ever stronger. The Navy is preparing to put the top-tier combatant plan on the agenda. We intend to officially promote Akainu and the other two to Admirals. What do you think?"

Watching Garp munch on his rice crackers, Sengoku suddenly spoke, shifting the topic.

"You and the World Government can discuss that yourselves."

Garp appeared completely indifferent.

"Promoting the three of them to Admirals this time is mainly to deal with the growing momentum of Whitebeard and the others here in the Grand Line; it is imperative. Furthermore, Commander-in-Chief Kong is preparing to head to the World Government to take up his post."

"Oh?"

Garp was taken aback and turned to look at Sengoku.

Previously, the Navy only had two Admirals: one was the strategist Sengoku, and the other was Black Arm Zephyr.

However, due to certain events, although Zephyr was still an Admiral, he only served at the Navy Headquarters training camp. This meant that the next Fleet Admiral would likely be Sengoku.

"So, are you sure you won't take the Admiral position? For you, it's just a title; it wouldn't add much to your workload."

Sengoku tried to persuade him once more.

Garp shook his head directly, refusing flatly.

"Fine, since that's the case, take a look at this report."

As he spoke, Sengoku tossed a report to Garp, who raised his hand to catch it, glancing at it with some confusion.

"A pirate hunter has appeared in the East Blue. Judging by his age, he should be fourteen or fifteen, having just set sail. He is suspected to be a user of flame-related abilities, possibly even a Logia-type Devil Fruit. Go back there and see if you can find him. If you do, see if you can recruit him into the Navy!"

"A flame-related ability user, and possibly a Logia-type? Sengoku, what do you think Logia-types are?"

Garp was speechless.

He had been in the Navy for decades and had fought countless pirates; there were only a handful of Logia-type users, three of whom were the very brats in the Navy.

"What if? Of course, if you don't want to, I'll send someone else."

Sengoku replied immediately upon hearing this.

"I'll go. I was planning on heading back there anyway."

Garp stood up immediately upon hearing this.

Since he finally had the time to go back, he might as well treat it as a paid vacation.

Watching Garp saunter away, Sengoku shook his head helplessly.

This old friend was becoming less and less motivated, and the reason, naturally, was clear to him.

But at their age, Sengoku didn't want to force the issue.

The next most critical matter was the appointment of the three Navy Admirals.

After all, this appointment would involve internal reforms within the Navy, as well as announcing the three great powers of the Navy to the entire world.

Deterrence was also a key component.