Sengoku, I Found a New Recruit

If it came to an actual fight, Garp could probably break free within 0.5 seconds. But don't underestimate those 0.5 seconds. In a clash between experts, even 0.5 seconds could be fatal.

Still, the abilities of those eyes were terrifying enough. And Mu Chen had said they had only just awakened. If they became even stronger later, it probably wouldn't be just a few seconds anymore.

Looks like you need to work harder. Your genjutsu is still a little weak. If I hadn't been off guard at the time, there's no way you could have succeeded.

Garp immediately put on a victorious expression, as if to say that he had only been caught off guard just now.

But Mu Chen understood. This was Garp, after all. In a normal battle, he simply would not be able to successfully cast genjutsu on him.

Just then, Garp's Den Den Mushi rang again. The moment Garp saw it, his previously smug expression wilted away. As the Den Den Mushi connected, it immediately took on the appearance of a goat-faced man. Judging by the voice that dared to yell at Garp, Mu Chen immediately guessed who it was.

Hello, Sengoku? What is it?

Garp, you've already found Roger. Why haven't you returned to headquarters yet?

I received word that you were wandering around Loguetown. I sent you on a mission, not on vacation. Get back here immediately!

Alright, alright. Aren't I already on my way back?

The warship has already set sail. Do you think I don't know what you're like?

Get back here now. I'm already on my way back, and I've got good news for you!

Oh, you're coming back? Good news?

What good news?

Garp glanced at Mu Chen, then spoke directly into the Den Den Mushi. "I found a very promising recruit in Loguetown. He's quite strong. He's not even twenty yet, but he already has the combat power of a colonel. I'm planning to send him into the Navy's elite training camp."

However, Sengoku on the other end of the line did not seem particularly interested in Mu Chen. After all, he had seen monsters like Borsalino and Sakazuki. Mu Chen did not seem all that special by comparison.

Garp was immediately displeased. "Sengoku, I'm telling you, this recruit I found has very special abilities. He's far more than that. Just wait and see!"

Hmph!

Without waiting for Sengoku to respond, Garp hung up the Den Den Mushi.

"Mu Chen, that guy Sengoku doesn't know talent when he sees it. Don't take it to heart."

Garp even comforted Mu Chen, his face still showing his displeasure toward Sengoku. Mu Chen was talent he had discovered, and having him dismissed like that really annoyed Garp. Whatever happened, happened.

By the way, how long would we be sailing?

How do we get to Marine Headquarters?

Marineford?

Through Reverse Mountain?

Or by crossing the Red Line?

Mu Chen was rather curious about this. Back when he watched the anime, he had always viewed things from Luffy's route.

Although Mu Chen had come to the world of One Piece, he had never really learned much about the world map. Back then, all he had thought about was how to slack off.

How do you not even know that? How did you become a Marine?

And yet you know about Devil Fruits and Haki.

Garp recalled Mu Chen's reaction when he had heard about Devil Fruits before. He had not been surprised at all. A tiny place like the East Blue could not possibly come into contact with Devil Fruits. They were said to be legendary, let alone Haki.

Garp did not want to dwell on that question either. "If the bottom of the ship isn't inlaid with Seastone, Reverse Mountain is the only way into the Grand Line. You know what Seastone is, right?"

"I do." Garp had not expected Mu Chen to know about Seastone too, but he did not dwell on it and continued explaining.

In fact, in this pirate world, Reverse Mountain and Mary Geoise were like the South Pole and North Pole. They stood at opposite ends of the world and were also the points where the Grand Line intersected.

The Red Line towered into the clouds, circling the world like a hula hoop.

Simply put, the East Blue and South Blue lay on one side of the Red Line, while the North Blue and West Blue lay on the other.

Between the East Blue and South Blue was the first half of the Grand Line, separated by the Calm Belt.

Between the North Blue and West Blue was the latter half of the Grand Line, commonly known as the New World. Marine Headquarters was located in the first half of the Grand Line, near Mary Geoise.

To travel from the East Blue to Marine Headquarters as quickly as possible, you only needed to sail through the East Blue, then cross the Calm Belt by one of two routes. The first passed through the Sabaody Archipelago. The second passed through Enies Lobby, entered the Gates of Justice, and used the swirling currents to reach Marine Headquarters at Marineford.

The second route was the fastest, so we would pass through Enies Lobby. If we sailed at full speed, we should arrive in half a month.

When Mu Chen heard that, he was stunned. Half a month?

Did that mean his slacking-off check-ins would be interrupted for half a month?

Mu Chen absolutely could not let that happen!

"Garp, how about I temporarily serve as a sailor on your ship?"

If he wanted to slack off and check in, he needed a position. Mu Chen's previous post had been major at the Loguetown Marine Branch, but now he was nothing. He had even left his check-in location, so he needed a new identity for check-ins.

"Oh ho, you want to be my sailor?"

"Sure!"

Garp laughed loudly, clearly happy too soon. At that moment, the system's voice rang out. New slacking-off identity acquired: Vice Admiral Garp's sailor.

Mu Chen listened, and sure enough, a smile appeared on his face.

Garp looked at him. Didn't Mu Chen like slacking off?

Why did he want to become his sailor?

But Garp had clearly overthought it, because over the next half month, he barely saw Mu Chen at all.

Half a month after boarding, Mu Chen was hiding alone in a cargo hold, holding a bottle of fine wine and drinking it in gulps.

In the pirate world, the food and wine really were quite good.

After taking a sip of wine, Mu Chen opened a bag of scallops and began crunching away.

Mu Chen sighed in satisfaction. "This is the life!"