"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 be a Devil Fruit user needed to be reported.
After all, Devil Fruits were the treasures of the sea.
People with abilities were extremely rare.
Even within the Marines, there were only a few dozen Devil Fruit users.
Earning merit didn't just mean capturing pirates or guarding a base. Recommending promising people was another way to earn it.
If the Marines recruited a Devil Fruit user because of his report, that would be a considerable achievement.
"Marine Headquarters? This is Major Nezumi, from the East Blue's 16th Branch Base. My serial number is 00733. I have something to report."
Once the Den Den Mushi connected, Major Nezumi spoke in a serious tone.
The town's pier.
Dunn watched the pier bustle with activity again as he thought over the information he'd just gathered and studied the nautical chart he'd just bought.
The East Blue was vast—or rather, all four of the Blues were vast.
He'd chosen Shimotsuki Village as his next destination.
Until he was strong enough, he didn't plan to go to the Grand Line, so he'd decided to follow his original plan and find a way to reach Shimotsuki Village.
The only problem was that there were no ships going straight there.
Judging by the distance between here and Shimotsuki Village on the chart, an ordinary merchant ship might take around three months.
Of course, if he went directly there without stopping at any other islands along the way, it might take less time.
"In that case, I'll hire a ship."
After a moment, Dunn shook his head slightly and made up his mind.
He might be able to find a ship to Shimotsuki Village by first going to a larger island, but there was no need to waste time on that.
With nearly ten million Belly on him, Dunn had more than enough to last him for the foreseeable future.
He'd get to Shimotsuki Village as quickly as possible and start working on his plan to grow stronger.
Once he'd decided, the rest was simple.
After paying a fee of five hundred thousand Belly, Dunn easily hired a merchant ship. After a brief restocking stop, it left the pier and sailed out to sea.
The Marines keeping an eye on him naturally reported that Dunn had left by ship.
They also reported the name of Shimotsuki Village, which Dunn had asked about, to Major Nezumi.
"Is that where he's headed?"
After mulling it over, Major Nezumi reported the information to Headquarters as well.
He'd done his part by passing the message along. He didn't need to worry about it anymore.
Several days later.
Marine Headquarters, Admiral's Office.
The sound of someone crunching on senbei made Sengoku's forehead throb as he read through paperwork with his head bowed.
"Garp, don't you have an office of your own?"
Unable to take it any longer, Sengoku abruptly looked up and glared at Garp.
"Don't be mad, Sengoku! I just ran out of senbei!"
Garp didn't care in the least about Sengoku's anger. He tipped the senbei from his bag into his mouth, got up, and strolled over to Sengoku's desk. Then he opened a drawer and pulled out a huge bag of senbei.
Seeing his old comrade act like that, Sengoku could only stare in exasperation. More than anything, he felt helpless.
"If you're that bored, I can find you a mission."
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.
The title of Hero of the Marines had been around for more than a decade.
The Marines had deliberately made Garp, the man who captured the Pirate King, into their hero. Garp's influence was indeed enormous.
As long as he didn't make a serious mistake, neither the Marines nor the World Government would act against him. In fact, even if he did, they probably still wouldn't.
Besides, he was one of the sea's top fighters.
No one was foolish enough to ignore that.
"Ever since Roger's execution, the number of pirates has risen every year. Now, Whitebeard, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin are growing more influential in the New World. The Marines are preparing to move ahead with a plan to bolster their top fighters.
"We're planning to officially promote Akainu and the other two to Admirals. What do you think?"
Sengoku suddenly raised the subject as he watched Garp eating senbei.
"That's something for you and the World Government to discuss."
Garp looked completely uninterested.
"Promoting those three is mainly to counter the growing influence of Whitebeard and the others on the Grand Line. It's essential. Fleet Admiral Kong is also preparing to take up a position in the World Government."
"Oh?"
Garp paused and turned to look at Sengoku.
The Marines had only had two Admirals before: the wise strategist, Sengoku, and Black Arm Zephyr.
Though Zephyr was still an Admiral, circumstances had led to him serving only at the Marine Headquarters training camp. That meant Sengoku would likely be the next Fleet Admiral.
"So you're sure you don't want to become an Admiral? It'd just be a title for you, and it wouldn't give you many more missions."
Sengoku tried to persuade him again.
Garp shook his head and flatly refused.
"Fine. If that's your decision, take a look at this report."
As he spoke, Sengoku tossed Garp a report. Garp caught it and glanced at it, looking puzzled.
"A Pirate Hunter has appeared in the East Blue. Judging by his age, he's around fourteen or fifteen, and he's only just set out to sea. He may have an ability related to fire, possibly even a Logia Devil Fruit ability. Go back and see if you can find him.
"If you do, see whether you can recruit him into the Marines!"
"An ability related to fire, and possibly a Logia? Sengoku, what do you think Logias are?"
Garp looked exasperated.
He'd been in the Marines for decades and fought countless pirates. He'd met only a handful of Logia users, and three of them were the young rookies in the Marines.
"What if it's true? Of course, if you don't want to go, I can send someone else."
Sengoku answered without hesitation.
"I'll go. I was planning to head back anyway."
Garp stood up at once.
It had been a long time since he'd had a chance to go back. He might as well treat it as paid leave.
Watching Garp amble out, Sengoku shook his head helplessly.
His old friend had less and less drive these days. Sengoku knew the reason, of course.
But they were both getting on in years, and Sengoku didn't want to push him.
The most important thing now was appointing the three Admirals.
After all, the appointments would bring changes within the Marines, and the news about the Marines' three great powers had to be spread across the seas.
Deterrence was a crucial part of the plan, too.
Before you continue