Arrival at the North Blue Branch

North Blue Branch harbor.

Fine white waves churned across the sea as a Marine Headquarters warship, far larger than the branch's vessels, slowly docked.

Its heavy steel hull gleamed with a cold, imposing sheen beneath the morning light, like a moving fortress closing in.

The harbor had already entered its highest state of alert.

Colonel Mole stood at the very front, his back ramrod straight, with a row of elite Marines standing solemnly behind him.

At the center of the formation—

Sakazuki and Borsalino stood side by side.

Sakazuki looked more tense than usual, his gaze fixed firmly on the warship gradually pulling into port;

Borsalino, meanwhile, still looked utterly unconcerned, leaning slightly to one side as though he had merely been dragged here to enjoy the sea breeze.

"—Clank."

The gangplank slowly lowered, metal striking metal as the sound echoed through the harbor.

Before anyone appeared, a hearty laugh came from the ship first, crashing into the crowd's ears like a cannonball.

"HAHAHAHA!!!"

"Those two auras are really something!!"

Before the words had faded, a tall figure had already stepped onto the gangplank and descended.

Garp strode forward in great steps. The instant his foot landed on the harbor stones, it felt as though even the air trembled.

His sharp eyes, ever filled with laughter, immediately passed over Colonel Mole and locked onto the two figures behind him—

One was like churning magma, scorching and violent.

The other resembled condensed light, dazzling yet impossible to grasp.

The Marines by the shore erupted into a low commotion the moment they recognized him.

"Th-that's—"

"The Hero of the Marines, Garp!!"

"Vice Admiral Garp came in person?!"

The cries of amazement had not fully subsided.

A familiar, casual voice came from behind Garp, carrying a hint of teasing.

"Big Brother Garp, aren't