"Lorne, your ears were moving the whole time just now."
"Are you a Mink too?"
"But you don't have a tail."
Lorne patted Carrot's head and said with a smile,
"I'm not a Mink. These are just features I was born with."
"But the Mink Tribe has a unique fighting style. You can spar with Kuina more often in the future. It'll help you get stronger."
"The New World isn't as safe as you think. Without strength, you could be captured and sold at any moment."
Carrot jumped up happily.
"Okay!"
"Kuina's swordsmanship is amazing. I can't beat her."
"One day, I'll be as strong as you, Lorne, and protect Zou and everyone!"
Standing nearby, Garp took a great gulp of liquor and looked at Lorne, roaring with laughter, his face full of pride.
"Wahahaha!"
"Good!"
"This is wonderful!"
Garp's voice echoed across the sea, making the surrounding water ripple faintly.
"I take back what I said before."
"Lorne, you no longer need my protection."
Looking into Lorne's eyes, Garp spoke each word distinctly.
"You now possess the top-tier strength to reign over these seas!"
At Garp's words, the Marines on deck all drew sharp breaths.
Ryan's eyes widened, and he even began to stammer.
"The top-tier strength to reign over the seas... Vice Admiral Garp, do you mean our commanding officer has already reached the level of an Admiral or one of the Four Emperors?"
Garp curled his lip.
"Of course!"
"Don't you brats know how hard I punch?"
"This kid took a full-force blow from me head-on and even left my arm numb."
"With strength like that, he'd rank among the very best even against those monsters in the New World."
"As long as he doesn't go looking for death, no one can kill him easily."
Bogard silently