"We're doomed!" Nami shrieked, gripping Dante's arm like a lifeline as her wide, panicked eyes locked onto the approaching Marine vessel. "They found us, didn't they?! Did the Marines catch Mock? What do we do? We have to run! Now!"
"Relax," Dante said, his voice calm despite the rising tension. "If it comes down to it, we'll just act like we don't know him."
"Relax? Relax?! And how exactly are we supposed to pretend we don't know him now?" Nami shot back, still frantic. Her gaze darted around desperately. "Robin! Where's Robin?! Someone tell her to get the ship ready!"
"Get the ship ready? Come on, Nami, it's nice here." Dante gently freed his arm from her grip and flicked her forehead. "Robin's busy. Leave her be."
Most people at sea suffered from face blindness-they struggled to recognize faces unless they were particularly infamous. As long as Robin stayed low-key, even Smoker and his crew likely wouldn't realize she was the Devil Child the World Government had spent years hunting.
Still, with Garp here, it was better to be safe than sorry. Robin should lay low for now.
Speaking of which...
It had been years since Admiral Aokiji Kuzan had shown his face. What had that guy been up to? And more importantly-did he really not know Robin was here?
"Ow! That hurt!" Nami huffed, rubbing her forehead, but the flick seemed to have snapped her out of her hysteria. She still looked worried, though. "You do have a plan, right?"
"Of course."
"And? What is it?"
Dante smirked, watching the Marine ship approach.
"Collusion."
---
The Marines arrived with grim expressions. Smoker led the way, his jaw tight with suspicion, while Tashigi followed closely, her gaze darting between the villagers and the ship.
Garp, ever composed, strode down the gangplank with his usual carefree air, though something sharp lurked in his eyes, to verify if there was any slavery going on here, he might be willing to begrudgingly ignore bubbleheads, but he wouldn't tolerate any of that among the Marines, especially in East Blue.
Collusion with pirates. Defrauding military funds. Capturing slaves.
Smoker had more than enough reason to arrest any corrupt Marine Captain.
But before they could even make a move on Dante, Nota, who had been waiting anxiously on the dock, rushed toward him. "Captain Ashford, sir..."
Dante cut him off with a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "It's fine. I know. Help Nojiko and the others settle the newcomers."
He had already briefed Nojiko and the others. So, while they were understandably nervous at the sudden appearance of a Marine inspection team, they didn't panic or try to interfere.
Dante then turned to face the three Marines, a wide smile spreading across his face. He opened his arms in a welcoming gesture. "Welcome, Marine Inspection Team! We're honored by your visit!"
Silence.
"..."
Faced with his enthusiasm.
Garp grinned, Tashigi sulked, and Smoker merely glared.
Marine Captain Dante Ashford.
Smoker felt a twinge of disappointment.
A Marine Headquarters prodigy.
And yet, here he was-disgraced, reduced to playing games in a backwater village.
Was he even worthy of Zephyr's teachings?
Back then, Zephyr had personally vouched for him. Otherwise, Dante would have been court-martialed long ago.
"Marine Captain Dante Ashford-" Smoker began, his voice cold.
But before he could finish, a loud, booming voice cut through the tension.
"Alright, everyone, move in an orderly fashion! Don't be scared! I told you-I'm not some slaver! Get over here, eat your fill, and you'll be thanking me later!" It was Mock, captain of the Mock Pirates.
The refugees, who had been huddled in the ship's cabin in fear of being sold, hesitated. Their eyes, still clouded with terror and uncertainty, flickered with confusion as the Mock Pirates guided them toward the pier.
Smoker and Tashigi tensed, expecting an exchange-pirates handing off captives, another crime to add to Dante's record.
And then...
Just as Smoker and Tashigi were bracing themselves for the refugees to be handed over, a group of villagers approached the pier.
They were wearing brown Security Squad hats and uniforms, and the leader had a windmill stuck in his hat.
'The island's Security Squad?, What were they doing here? Had the 16th Branch already infiltrated the island?'
As the two Marines wondered, the Security Squad members marched toward the terrified refugees in neat formation, quickly dividing into three columns and surrounding them.
'What were these guys up to?' Tashigi and Smoker exchanged worried glances, assuming the Security Squad was about to attack the refugees. They were about to forget about Dante, who they were supposed to be arresting.
Smoker's grip on his jitte tightened.
Tashigi, instincts flaring, reached for her sword. "They're going to-"
"Hold it," Smoker interrupted, stopping her hand. His sharp eyes studied the scene. "Something's off." He watched the scene unfold, his eyes narrowed.
He was right.
The Security Squad wasn't attacking the refugees. Instead, something completely unexpected was happening.
"Alright!" the Security Squad captain barked. "Let's get you all fed! Follow me!"
"Time for a bath!"
"Anyone sick? If you're not feeling well, get in my line!"
Under their guidance, the confused refugees were led away-orderly, unharmed, and... cared for?
'Feed them?'
'Bathe them?'
Tashigi stared in disbelief. "What... what is happening?"
Her hand hovered over her sword hilt, uncertain whether to act or let the bizarre scene unfold. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she turned, alarmed.
"Wait-where's Marine Captain Dante Ashford?! Did he escape?! Were we tricked?!"
"Calm down," Smoker muttered, scanning the area.
Dante was indeed gone. But Smoker wasn't concerned.
The 16th Branch was locked down. There was no way a mere spiritless Marine Captain could slip past him and the Hero of the Marines.
The real question was-
"Where's Vice Admiral Garp?"
'Where had Vice Admiral Garp wandered off to this time?'
A familiar voice came from not far behind.
"I'm here!"
Tashigi and Smoker spun around to see Vice Admiral Garp standing next to a vendor, with Mock, the Mock Pirates Captain, standing beside him looking miserable. Garp was happily munching on a sweet tangerine focaccia. "Not bad! Really tasty!"
'What was this guy doing?' Smoker strode forward, his face darkening. "What are you doing? Do you realize we have more important things to do? Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Relax, kid," Garp said, waving his hand dismissively. "I have to say, this focaccia is delicious. Want one? Someone's treating."
"This old man sure knows how to eat. This is a special focaccia from the Goa Kingdom, a secret recipe from the royal family. This kid spent a fortune to get it," the vendor said with a grin, kneading the dough. "You know, even the Hero of the Marines said it was good after eating it."
Smoker and Tashigi's expressions darkened.
'Goa Kingdom? Selling focaccia?'
'And he's using Garp's name as a selling point... while Garp is literally standing right there?'
Smoker clenched his fists, trying to stay on track. "Vice Admiral Garp-"
Before Smoker could continue, Garp frowned, looking at the vendor with a serious expression. "How could those trash from the Goa Kingdom royal family have a focaccia recipe this good?"
'That's what you're arguing about?!'
Smoker's mouth twitched. Seeing that Garp was about to get into a full-blown argument with the vendor, he quickly interjected, his voice strained. "Vice Admiral Garp, don't forget our mission!"
Even Tashigi chimed in, "Vice Admiral Garp..."
But Garp simply waved them off, stuffing a focaccia into Tashigi's hand. "Try it. You'll see, I'm telling you, it's really good. Don't worry, someone's else paying. That kid Dante said he'd cover all our expenses in Cocoyasi Village."
Tashigi hesitated-then took a bite.
And froze.
Seeing that Smoker was about to protest, Garp's winked mischievously as he looked around while continuing to eat.
"Relax, Smoker. Take a look around first."
Hearing Garp's words, Smoker reluctantly calmed down, though he still curled his lip in disdain.
'Look around? What was so special about a small village?' Smoker came from Marine Headquarters. He had seen everything the Grand Line had to offer.
But as he glanced around, the disdain on his face quickly vanished, replaced by an expression of shock.
The village before him...
It was filled with cleanliness, vitality, and the smiles on everyone's faces.
These scenes, which were common in wealthy royal capitals and the Sabaody Archipelago, left him and Tashigi, who was still munching on her focaccia, speechless.
"This..."
Before Smoker could process it, Garp grabbed another focaccia and took a huge bite. Then, he turned to Mock, who was still looking miserable, and grinned. "Hey, kid Mock, you're going to show us around properly. Otherwise, I'm arresting you!"