Several months later, Marineford.
In Rock's office, the war reports that had once piled up like mountains had finally vanished altogether.
The tallest stacks on his desk were now piles of brand-new documents.
"New route survey reports," "Sea Gate maintenance logs," "Unknown island registries," "Long-range exploration team mission receipts"... the titles had all changed, but the workload hadn't lightened one bit.
Rock casually opened the topmost file.
[Marine Headquarters First Long-Range Exploration Team · Sunshine Squad]: All three missing adventure groups have been recovered. Map completion for the target region has increased from 7% to 31%.
A line of flamboyant handwriting had been added at the end: [The captain pursued an unidentified giant sea beast without authorization, taking the entire team forty-seven nautical miles off course. Recommend withholding this month's bonus and informing Vice Admiral Garp.] It was signed by Nami.
Rock's mouth twitched. "Figures."
He opened the next file.
[Spade Adventure Group discovers unknown volcanic archipelago]: Ace had discovered a new island and submitted a naming request for [Fire Fist Island]. Beside it was an enormous red stamp from the Adventure Guild bearing a single word: [Rejected].
Rock couldn't help laughing aloud.
The third file. [White Wolf Adventure Group ventures deep into uncharted northeastern waters] There was no lengthy report, only a sentence Yamato had left: [This place is so much fun!]
Then came the Heart Adventure Group, the White Tiger Adventure Group, the Kuja Adventure Group, the Fish-Man Adventure Group, the Second Long-Range Exploration Team, the Third Long-Range Exploration Team... report after report piled up on his desk.
Some had discovered new islands hidden in the mist, others had charted unpredictable new currents, and some had gone missing for three days before returning on their own with treasure slung over their shoulders. Others had argued outside