What Is Freedom

The atmosphere in the room gradually recovered from its initial shock.

The wind blew in through the window, carrying the scent of sea salt.

Sunlight fell across the wooden table, casting a faint glow on the walls of the juice glasses.

"What has the sea been like lately?"

Rouge thought for a moment. "I'm not sure about other places, but the East Blue hasn't seen much major unrest."

"There are pirates, but none of them have amounted to much."

"The villages have remained peaceful as well."

Rock smiled faintly after hearing that.

"Well~"

He glanced out the window. In the distance, windmills turned while the sea remained calm.

"The East Blue is peaceful because someone keeps coming back to 'patrol.'"

"Honestly... it's peaceful to an excessive degree."

There was a hint of teasing in his voice.

Rouge paused slightly, then smiled helplessly.

"Vice Admiral Garp..."

she said softly.

"He truly does care."

Rock did not continue that subject.

He understood perfectly well that this kind of "peace" had essentially been forced into place.

Once that restraint loosened, the East Blue would be no exception.

"Then—what about major incidents?"

Rouge nodded.

"I have heard of a few."

She thought briefly. "For example... the Mary Geoise Attack Incident."

"And the emerging force that appeared a few years ago—"

She paused and looked toward Ace.

"What was it called again?"

"Adventure Group!!!"

Ace immediately chimed in from the side, instantly perking up.

He suddenly leaned forward, his eyes shining so brightly it was almost alarming.

"And—the strongest one!"

"The White Tiger Adventure Group!!!"

As he spoke, he pulled a crumpled intelligence newspaper from his clothes and carefully unfolded it.

"Vice Admiral Rock, look!"

Rock took it and lowered his head to examine it. In the photograph—

A figure stood at the bow of