The Assignment, Hina Seeks a Fight!
Ivan turned and saw Garp and his adjutant, Bogard, jump aboard the Orange. His eyes narrowed slightly.
Perhaps it was because he had slaughtered all those people behind Garp's back, but now that he was facing Garp again, he couldn't help feeling a little guilty.
The monsters on the seas, especially those who had honed their Observation Haki to the utmost, all possessed intuition beyond ordinary people's imagination.
Ivan was genuinely afraid that he might accidentally give something away and Garp would notice.
In a brief moment, Ivan quickly thought, Garp came straight here as soon as he received news of the bounty. Could he really have noticed something?
Outwardly, he gave nothing away and exclaimed in a loud voice:
"Yes, the East Blue is home to a Marine legend like you, Vice Admiral Garp, and it also produced Pirate King Roger. It really is a sea that produces monsters!"
"Hahaha, yes, that guy Roger was a real monster!" Garp's voice boomed like thunder. "By the way, brat, what do you think of that Fox?"
Ivan's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his composure. "That guy should be quite strong, and he's also an unusual pirate."
"Oh? Interesting. Go on." Garp folded his arms and pressed him with interest.
Ivan deliberately chose a neutral perspective and spoke slowly:
"He doesn't rob civilians or slaughter innocents. Instead, he targets pirates, Marines, and nobles. His way of doing things is somewhat similar to Whitebeard's."
"Ahahaha, you're wrong there. Fox isn't like that bastard Whitebeard. Whitebeard's goal is to protect, while Fox is more like a guy who hates evil with a passion." Garp paused and looked at Ivan with a faint smile. "I think he's a little like you!"
A jolt of electricity swept through Ivan's body. He instinctively stiffened his back, his muscles tensing to the limit as he even prepared to flee.
No way, right?
Could that old fox Garp really have discovered something?
He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and gave an awkward laugh. "Vice Admiral Garp, don't joke around. I'm a Marine. How could I be like a pirate?"
Garp laughed, then gave him another heavy pat on the shoulder. The force was astonishing, but there was something suggestive in his gaze as he said pointedly:
"Don't be nervous, brat. You and Fox are only alike in a few ways. For example, you both hate evil with a passion.
"You might not know this yet, but everyone Fox killed was scum within the Marines, just like that Nezumi.
"If you ask me, good riddance to that kind of scum!
"The parasites in the Marines are a hundred times more hateful than those pirates out in the open. Just like those Celestial Dragons, none of them are any good!"
"Vice Admiral Garp!" Hearing those words, Bogard immediately interrupted him loudly.
Garp knew he had misspoken, but had no intention of repenting. He laughed. "I know, I know. We still have to show that trash some respect in public."
Ivan looked at Garp speechlessly, while Nami and Tashigi were somewhat terrified.
Were they allowed to hear this?
At the same time, Ivan realized that Garp must have noticed some clues. Otherwise, he wouldn't have mentioned Captain Nezumi.
However, Garp couldn't be certain that Fox had anything to do with Ivan. He only had his suspicions.
But what if Garp did suspect him?
After seeing the suffering of ordinary people at the bottom, the pirates who slaughtered people at will, the nobles who oppressed the populace, and the kings who indulged in extravagant feasts, Ivan had long since formed an ideal.
He would personally destroy this utterly corrupt old world and create a new one!
Even if he had to fight all the remnants of the old world, he would not hesitate!
Several days later, Ivan and the others finally arrived at Marineford, and Ivan was officially appointed a Marine Headquarters Colonel.
At the same time as Ivan's promotion, his subordinates also received promotions of varying degrees.
Tashigi was promoted to major, Barton to captain, and even Nami, who had only recently joined the Marines, was promoted to second lieutenant because of her outstanding navigational skills.
At the same time, thanks to Garp's consideration, Ivan was able to choose his next posting for himself.
Without hesitation, he chose to serve at a Marine Branch in Paradise, the first half of the Grand Line.
The Marine Branches in Paradise were far from Marineford, and a colonel was a senior officer at a branch.
In Paradise, Ivan would have a great deal of freedom and be able to act conveniently. It was his best choice.
Soon, Ivan's appointment was finally confirmed.
To Ivan's surprise, he was ultimately assigned to the G-2 Branch.
Many people might not be familiar with the G-2 Branch, but they would surely know a country near it.
The desert kingdom-Alabasta!
At a training ground in Marineford.
Having just completed the complicated procedures for his appointment as colonel, Ivan brought his subordinates here and began their daily training as usual.
He drew the long sword at his waist and held it before his eyes, studying it.
Before leaving Loguetown, he had visited Ipponmatsu's weapon shop and demonstrated his swordmaster realm to the owner. Having earned the owner's recognition, he had been given Yubashiri outright.
It had to be said that Yubashiri was worthy of being one of the 50 Skillful Grade Swords. It was completely different from the swords he had used before.
Both its sharpness and its toughness far surpassed those of the long swords Ivan had previously obtained.
Moreover, after Ivan found his way to the threshold of Haki, he discovered that Yubashiri's blade conducted Haki more easily. That also meant Yubashiri could be forged into a Black Blade more easily.
Holding Yubashiri, he rapidly swung the long sword. Terrifying Flying Slashes tore through the area, cutting open the ground before Ivan and the sea at the edge of the training ground, immediately drawing many gazes.
A Headquarters major said in surprise, "To unleash a Flying Slash of that level, this guy must have at least the strength of a Rear Admiral. Who is he? Why haven't I seen him before?"
Another second lieutenant pondered. "I've seen him going in and out of the Fleet Admiral's Office a lot lately. He must be the newly appointed colonel. I remember his name is Ivan."
"Ivan, the rumored Blood Butcher · White Dove? Isn't he from the East Blue? How is he so strong?"
For a moment, the Marines watching from the sidelines buzzed with discussion.
The strong were dazzling to begin with, and a strong newcomer like Ivan drew even more attention.
Suddenly, the Marines around them grew restless. Pink hearts appeared in their eyes as they looked behind them.
Before long, a beautiful woman walked over. She had long, straight pink hair parted down the middle and reaching her waist, a sharp bearing, and a burgundy suit.
As soon as the beautiful woman appeared, the Marines around her began calling out:
"Captain Hina, you're as beautiful as ever today!"
"Captain Hina, could I trouble you for an autograph? I want to put your name up in the training room to remind myself at all times to become a Marine as outstanding as you!"
Hina was long accustomed to their reactions. Ever since she was little, people had adored her because of her exceptionally beautiful looks.
Although she didn't like it, there was nothing she could do.
After all, Hina was simply too beautiful!
Hina ignored the Marines around her and went straight up to Ivan. She sized him up with a few glances and asked, "You're Ivan? Hina has heard Smoker talk about you!"
Ivan knew about Hina and Smoker's relationship. The two were friends from the same class, and in the future they would even go shopping together, with some suspecting they would become a couple.
Curious to learn that Smoker had mentioned him to Hina, Ivan asked, "Captain Hina, what did Captain Smoker tell you?"
Hina's expression turned a little strange as she said, "He said you're very talented. Vice Admiral Garp once mentioned that you might become a Marine Admiral in the future, and that you're the future of the Marines."
As soon as she finished speaking, the Marines around them let out a deafening cry of surprise:
"Huh?!"