Garp! (Continued)

"That's very convenient."

Hyogoro nodded slightly.

In that case, there would be no need to risk contacting each other if anything happened.

"Sukiyaki Master..."

Watching the Kozuki Sukiyaki fly up, Kawamatsu felt somewhat downcast.

There's no way to resist! Sukiyaki- sama is about to be taken away as a hostage.

Actually, there's no need for hostages at all; this guy can possess someone else's body across mountains and rivers.

"If anything happens, remember to call me from that world."

Naito felt he had been far too dutiful.

Is that all there is to Imu?

"Then, that's settled."

Naito prepared to take to the sky.

At that moment, Kozuki Hiyori suddenly spoke up, "Wait!"

"Um?"

Naito turned around.

The girl looked directly at him, not at his physical body, but as if she were looking through flesh into Naito's soul. "How should we address you?"

A familiar problem.

"Just call me the Night King."

"Night King... is that you, sir?"

Kozuki Hiyori nodded slightly, then continued, "When is the right time to start the war?"

This is not your concern.

Naito didn't linger, soaring into the sky, leaving behind only the words, "Just follow my orders."

The crowd watched with varying expressions as the two figures disappeared into the night sky.

"Alright,"

Babanuki tentatively began, "Shouldn't everyone be heading back? The next patrol is about to start their shift."

In the darkness of the night, neither Kurozumi Orochi nor Kaido realized that the prison mine had changed hands.

It was morning, the sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze was blowing.

Marine Headquarters G-1 Base.

The Marine Guerrilla Unit' five massive warships slowly docked at the port.

"You're back again."

On the side of the first ship, Doll remarked with some emotion, "This voyage has certainly been quite eventful."

"Yes,"

Binz chimed in, "Slaying the Leonard Pirates, supporting Punk Hazard, chasing down that escaped convict, and eliminating several pirate groups on the way back—everyone's exhausted. We really need a good rest this time."

The Marine Guerrilla Unit will then stay at G-1 Base for a week. The officers and soldiers also need rest; no one can withstand long-term voyages at sea.

"So, Binz,"

Naito sat lazily on the gunwale, yawning, and said, "What does all this have to do with you? What are you tired about?"

While his consciousness was in Wano Country, his body never stopped training, and now he is indeed somewhat physically and mentally exhausted.

As for Binz, he was basically just a spectator. Zephyr told him to do odd jobs, and he really did nothing but do odd jobs.

"Stop talking such discordant things, Naito!"

Binz declared righteously, "Every marine in the Guerrilla Unit is fighting for justice with all their might! We just have different roles!"

"Is your job just to cheer and shout?"

Naito raised an eyelid. "At least Ain knows how to show some concern."

"I cared too, okay!"

"The concern shown by an ugly man is even more infuriating; it's a side effect, it's harmful to my eyes."

"Hey! Naito! You bastard!!"

Binz was furious. "Besides, didn't you say women are a nuisance? Why is Ain's concern different? I knew you were just pretending!"

"Are you an idiot, Binz?"

Naito said calmly, "I'm just telling Ain not to have unrealistic expectations, not that I have abnormal taste. Ain is undoubtedly a beauty. Do you even know what it means to be pleasing to the eye?"

With a blank expression, Ain said, "Should I be happy?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

Naito said matter-of-factly, "With my approval, you can be proud, Ain."

"Then thank you so much, Naito."

Ain rolled her eyes.

This guy can be really annoying when he's being annoying.

So you weren't blind after all?

Haha! You two have such a good relationship.

Doll laughed heartily, "Really, it reminds me of my classmates. I wonder what Hina is doing now."

Hina?

Is this woman in the same year as Smoker and Hina?

Compared to those two classmates who were still colonels seven years later, this woman's career has progressed much better.

"Where did you see that Doll?"

Binz snorted, "Naito's only problem is that he's a bit stronger, otherwise Ain and I would have beaten him up already."

"Yeah?"

Naito smiled slightly and looked at Ain, "Ain, will you beat me up?"

The boy's handsome face immediately came into view, and his usually lazy face now held a gentle smile.

Ain's ears suddenly turned slightly red, and she felt her face burning. She subconsciously turned her face away, "I can't be bothered with you! Don't drag me into your jokes."

Naito looked at Binz with a hint of amusement, "Look."

"Hey! Ain! Besides being strong and handsome, what else is good about Naito?!"

Binz jumped up and down in anger, "You woman, you're completely blinded by lust!"

"Ha ha!"

Doll laughed so hard she almost fell over. "It's perfectly normal. What female marine in the Guerrilla Unit wouldn't want to date Naito?"

"Am I really living in such a dangerous environment?"

Naito suddenly became somewhat serious.

Ain's face flushed slightly, and she looked at Doll with a hint of annoyance, "Senior Doll, please stop joking!"

"Hmm? Little Ain, don't you want to?"

Doll's eyes lit up. "Naito, how about we go on a date next time?"

"Wishful thinking."

Naito gave a cold laugh.

"Hmm—"

Doll narrowed her eyes, seemingly somewhat smug. "This look of disdain is highly regarded among the female marines."

Naito's lips twitched visibly.

What's going on with the navy? Do they have so many prostitutes?

Therefore, boys also need to protect themselves when they go out.

"Haha! Naito, you're really funny!"

Doll laughed heartily.

After some casual conversation, the Guerrilla Unit landed at G-1 Base. After a few words of instruction from Zephyr, the team disbanded, and the marines, led by their officers, went to their accommodations.

Naito and his group followed Zephyr into the G-1 Base building and arrived at the base commander's office.

Zephyr pushed open the door and entered, his hearty laughter immediately greeting everyone, "Hahaha! Zephyr! Welcome back!"

An elderly man with white hair, dressed in a white suit and draped in Justice Coat, sat on the sofa, stuffing a bag of senbei into his mouth while laughing heartily at Zephyr.

Zephyr stopped in his tracks, looking disgusted. "Garp, you bastard, you're flying food scraps all over me!"

Is this the Garp the Hero?

Naito sized up the old man.

He looks much the same as in the comics: a full head of white hair, a robust physique, and a scar near his eye.

Its aura is terrifyingly strong.

He's not even in the same league as Teacher Zephyr.

Binz and Ain behind him both looked somewhat excited.

This was the first time they had ever seen a legendary naval hero!

"Haha, sorry, sorry,"

He said sorry, but his tone and expression showed no remorse whatsoever. Iron Fist Garp was still grinning, "I'm just so happy that we can fight side by side again, right!"

Zephyr adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and said, "Don't you dare hold us back."

Naito almost lost his composure.

No, Mr. Zephyr, don't you have any self-awareness?

"Ha ha!"

Garp the Hero burst into laughter.

"Thank you for your hard work, Professor Zephyr. This voyage has been very successful."

Sitting opposite him on the sofa, the man in the office chair behind the desk, Admiral Akainu, whom he had met on Punk Hazard, stood up.

"It's pointless to return empty-handed from the most crucial battle."

Zephyr shook his head, then asked, "So, has headquarters gotten any news about those people?"