"Koby, have you heard?"
Helmeppo hurried up to Koby, looking nervous, and leaned close to his ear. "Your friend Luffy's been captured. He's locked up in Impel Down now! I heard they're going to publicly execute him and Fire Fist Ace at Marine Headquarters!"
"Luffy? He's so strong. How could he have been captured...?"
Koby froze. Just as the two of them were talking about Luffy, a thunderous roar erupted behind them. "Slacking off again, you two!"
"Ah! Vice Admiral Garp!"
They heard Garp before they saw him. At the sound of his voice, both of them began trembling uncontrollably, as if they'd been shocked. Helmeppo's face turned as white as paper, and he nearly wet his pants.
In the blink of an eye, Garp was upon them. Bam! Bam! Bam! The two poor souls each took three punches. Lumps swelled on their heads like little tents, and they grimaced in pain, on the verge of tears.
"Get back to training! Neither of you gets dinner tonight!" Garp roared, his anger undiminished.
Koby hastily agreed and started running laps around the training ground. Helmeppo limped after him, grumbling to himself, What's gotten into Vice Admiral Garp today? Why's he so angry?
Bogard said nothing. He followed Garp like a shadow, always keeping exactly the same distance from him.
The unassuming swordsman was as quiet as the sword at his waist. He rarely drew it, but when he did, blood was sure to follow—and his opponent had every reason to fear for his life.
Bogard could even hold his own against Hawk-Eye, the World's Number One Great Swordsman!
Shimotsuki Village!
It was a peaceful little village. The sky was clear, the blue sea rippled, and children chased one another across the beach. Cool water washed against the sand again and