Just as the various factions prepared to head to the East Blue, more than a thousand Marine warships began setting out for it one after another.
Garp stood aboard a warship, gazing out to sea as the ocean breeze blew against his face. He wondered how to satisfy the World Government while minimizing unnecessary casualties in this operation. After pondering it for a long time without finding an answer, he let out a soft sigh.
"Vice Admiral Garp, what are you thinking about?" a languid voice called out.
"Kuzan, let's prioritize killing the cultists this time! Try not to hurt ordinary civilians!" Garp turned to Kuzan as he spoke. Although Kuzan outranked him, as the Marines' hero and a vice admiral, Garp believed Kuzan would grant him this small request.
"As long as you can answer to the World Government, I don't care who we kill!" Kuzan looked utterly indifferent. In truth, he didn't want to slaughter innocents either. That would go against the justice he upheld.
"Yes! I know. That's my hometown. I think the World Government will at least do me this favor." Garp had already decided that he would protect the people of the Goa Kingdom, even if it cost him his position in the Marines.
"Captain, we've reached Windmill Village!" Shanks was gulping down liquor in his cabin. "Haha, I get to see that little brat Luffy again!"
"Come on, head ashore with me." With that, Shanks led his crew toward Masno's tavern.
Masno was carefully polishing a glass behind the bar when the sudden sound of the door opening made her look up. She was about to greet the newcomers with a smile when she spotted a familiar face. "Shanks, what brings you here?" she exclaimed delightedly.
"Haha, we came back to see Luffy. Speaking