Vic was led by the guards to a small courtyard, where Vic was told that this was Vice Admiral Garp's residence. Vic thanked them and carried the food into the courtyard.
Vic looked around the small courtyard; the cottage and yard were pretty much the same as those in an ordinary house.
There is a lawn in the yard, and a circle of flowers along the yard wall that doesn't require any maintenance.
The layout is very simple; the house is a small two-story building, not very large, and looks quite ordinary.
"Grandpa Garp lives a very simple life. I didn't expect him to live in such an ordinary place. If no one told me, who would guess that this is where a high-ranking naval officer lives!" Vic thought to himself.
" Vice Admiral Garp, I've brought you some food! Quickly bring out the table and put your things out, it's delicious!" Vic shouted from the courtyard.
"Haha, Vic, I knew you wouldn't come empty-handed when the guards reported you were coming. Sure enough, you brought some good food."
Garp laughed as he walked out, then added, " Sengoku, hurry up and bring out my table, or you won't get to eat! Hahaha!"
" Garp, you bastard, all you do is boss me around. Next time you come to my place, there won't be any senbei, hmph!" Garp's angry voice came from inside the house.
Vic was somewhat surprised, not expecting Sengoku to be with Garp at this time.
He had been at the Marine Headquarters for so long but had never seen Sengoku. He could imagine that Sengoku, as Marine Admiral, must be very busy, having to worry about the duties of Fleet Admiral.
Garp didn't sit idly by; he snatched a large bone from Vic's hand and started eating it, crunching and chewing without waiting for Sengoku.
Sengoku carried a large table into the courtyard, looking displeased. Seeing that Garp had already started eating, he became even angrier.
He put down the table, immediately went to Vic's side, snatched another large bone club, sat opposite Garp, and began tearing at the meat with all his might, looking as if he were eating someone's flesh.
Vic was speechless; these two old guys really had a love-hate relationship!
Vic placed the bison on the table without saying a word, then went inside and brought out three chairs.
Vic sat at the table, watching the two of them compete to eat meat.
"They're just like two little kids, so competitive!" Vic chuckled to himself.
They burst into laughter together after they had finished eating all the meat in their hands.
Vic didn't know what the two were laughing about, but Vic could hear the strong sense of nostalgia in their laughter—the camaraderie of decades of fighting together.
After finishing their meat, the two sat down at the table, not continuing to eat wild beef, and both looked at Vic.
Vic felt a bit of pressure. These two were considered top experts in the ocean, but he had come here to ask for their help.
" Vice Admiral Garp, Admiral Sengoku, how did you two find the meat to taste?"
Vic didn't get straight to the point, but instead exchanged pleasantries, following China tradition.
"Great, delicious! Better than the chef on my ship. From now on, you'll be in charge of cooking on my ship, hahaha!"
Seeing that Vic hadn't gotten to the point yet, Garp looked at Vic with a mischievous expression and said...
"This meat is delicious! I haven't had it in years. Your name is Vic, right? I know you."
Zephyr said you have great talent and has always wanted you to go directly into the Elite Camp.
He wants to teach you properly, but Garp just won't let him. Can you understand that?
Sengoku looked at Vic with a smile on his face, Garp ignored Sengoku's words and just laughed heartily.
"I don't understand, but Vice Admiral Garp must have his reasons. I'm quite free now."
The progress of my cultivation is also good; I think it's about the same everywhere.
"I also consult with Professor Zephyr from time to time, so it doesn't affect anything," Vic said earnestly.
"Hahaha! Vic, you talk too much nonsense. When did you become so long-winded? Just say what you need to say. Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious!"
Garp is an impatient person. He was getting a little impatient watching Vic struggle to get to the point.
If it weren't for the delicious food, I would have punched him long ago.
Sengoku also smiled as he looked at Vic. He had a good impression of Vic; he had a good temperament and was very talented. He was a promising talent.
"Ahem, it's like this, I think this is a difficult situation for you, after all, it's a request to use public resources for private purposes, and the Admiral Sengoku is also here, so it's a bit embarrassing to say!"
Vic said somewhat awkwardly, looking embarrassed.
He didn't even know Sengoku was here before he arrived; Sengoku is currently the most powerful figure in the navy.
Vic didn't know what the Sengoku' attitude would be.
"Just tell me directly. I'll make my own judgment on whether it's feasible or not. Don't worry about the Sengoku; once I've made a decision, it's hard for them to change it. Just say it."
Garp spoke with an air of Haki, completely ignoring Sengoku's grinding teeth.
"That's right, Vice Admiral Garp. Didn't I ask you to collect rare metals for me before?"
I just want to forge two good swords. The sword I'm using now can hardly withstand higher-level combat.
When we fought for the first time in the East Blue, I felt like my sword was about to break.
So I'd like you to help me use naval intelligence to find out where Nagayama Black Gold is. That's all.
Vic stated his request and glanced at Sengoku, Sengoku didn't react.
"Oh, is that the legendary Nagayama Black Gold sword that's famous in the sword-forging world? That's quite rare."
I haven't heard that name in a long time; obtaining that kind of metal is extremely difficult.
Want a sword? You might as well just steal one from a pirate! Pirates have plenty of Famous Sword. How about I help you steal one, hahaha!
Garp looked eager to try and steal something.
"No need. My swordsmanship is different from others. What I want doesn't exist in this world yet. I want to forge my own unique sword!"
Vic spoke earnestly, a sharp glint in his eyes.
After listening, the two realized that Vic wanted to take a path that no one had ever taken before, and if he succeeded, he could become a top expert in swordsmanship.
" Vic, this isn't a big deal, and there's nothing secret about it."
Just keep an eye out for it. If I get any news about it, I'll have someone let you know. You can rest assured.
Sengoku listened to Vic's words and said dismissively.
This was no big deal for him; he could simply ask the intelligence department to keep an eye out when they were compiling the intelligence. Garp didn't even need to say anything before he agreed.
"Thank you very much, Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp. I won't disturb your meal any longer. Please enjoy your meal."
You are also welcome to visit my seaside cabin, Admiral Sengoku. I'll head back now.
Having received definite information, Vic decided not to linger and politely extended a final invitation to Sengoku.
"Alright, you can go back now. Don't neglect your cultivation; I'll be checking on you from time to time, hahaha!"
Garp replied, as if he had just remembered something funny.
Sengoku nodded and said nothing more.
Upon hearing this, Vic sensed that something ominous was watching him, and a chill ran down his spine!
He didn't say anything more and went straight out of the yard, heading back the way he came.
The two started arguing again in the courtyard, but Vic didn't care.
We've achieved our goal for today, but it's not entirely safe.
"We still need to go to the Sabaody Archipelago to see if the underground forces have any information on this. The more we do, the higher our chances of finding it will be."
Vic left the high-ranking officers' quarters and entered the streets of the residential area.
The streets are still bustling, especially the pubs and restaurants.
People in the world of One Piece really love drinking; the consumption of alcohol is enormous, making it an important industry for the headquarters.
After passing through the living quarters, we arrived at the recruit training area, where the seaside was not far away.
Vic unleashed his Haki, beginning his final Haki training session of the day.
Vic possesses a very strong foundation in Haki; even when he first Awakening, his Haki level was comparable to that of Onigumo.
This is mainly related to his accumulated experience. He was naturally gifted physically, and he also trained intensely for several years.
Those Haki Particles also grew unknowingly; although they hadn't Awakening before, it didn't prevent them from becoming stronger.
The foundation is different, and the height you stand at after Awakening is also different. Awakening early does not mean that your Haki is stronger. There is another basic condition that restricts it.
Individual differences are universal; some races are simply different in certain aspects, and there's no comparison.
Catching up is difficult, but not impossible. Someone like Vic is more like an ascetic!
However, the results of his efforts are visible; he never stops striving and never stops making progress!
His ceiling was incredibly high; it's unimaginable now.
Back in the cabin, Vic meditated until dawn.