"Hey, everyone! We've got trouble!"
Just as Rayleigh was talking with Gaban and the others, an urgent shout came down from the lookout above.
Gaban and Rayleigh looked up at the same time, toward the figure bending over to shout down from the top of the mast.
The lookout continued, "Marine warships spotted to the east, and Garp is leading them!"
Garp???
As those words fell,
Roger, Rayleigh, and Gaban swept their gazes toward the sea to the east almost simultaneously.
Soon, the outlines of three Marine warships approaching at full speed came into view.
The spray parted by their bows gleamed a cold white in the sunlight, and cannon ports lined both sides of their hulls in neat rows.
The sea breeze pulled the flags aboard the warships taut, and the word "Justice" on them was clearly visible even from far away.
A figure stood firmly at the bow of the warship in the middle.
His arms were folded across his chest, and the justice coat behind him snapped in the sea breeze.
A smile sat on his face, and he looked eager to get started.
Tap, tap, tap...
A Marine soldier hurried up behind him, stood straight, and reported in a steady voice, "Vice Admiral Garp, we're within firing range. Shall we open fire?"
Garp did not even turn around, his tone dismissive. "Open fire for what? How could that stuff possibly work on Roger and his bunch? Only my fists can make them behave."
On the deck of the Oro Jackson, Rayleigh and Gaban exchanged a glance.
"Fight him next time, Roger!" the two said at once.
Rather than fight, both preferred to steer clear for now. Garp was no small fry; he was a bone tougher than iron, and there was no benefit in taking