As the Mock Pirates ship sailed farther and farther away, Cocoyashi Town gradually disappeared beyond the horizon. Leaning against the ship's bulwark, Smoker let out a slow breath, his once-agitated heart gradually settling.
He pulled the cigar from his mouth, flicked off the ash, and turned to glance at Vice Admiral Garp, who remained sprawled out on a deck chair, completely at ease-even on a pirate ship.
Smoker frowned slightly.
This mission had turned out to be far more bizarre than he had expected.
Initially, he had been assigned to investigate whether Marine Captain Dante Ashford was colluding with pirates and embezzling Marine funds. The evidence was clear-solid enough to arrest and prosecute him on the spot. That much had gone as planned.
What he hadn't anticipated, though...
Was that the key figure leading this mission-Vice Admiral Garp-would blatantly cooperate with the suspect.
And that wasn't even the worst part.
What really left him speechless was the fact that the Hero of the Marines had actually schemed to embezzle Marine Headquarters' funds with Ashford.
It was outrageous!
Smoker couldn't fathom what went through the old man's mind. Yet another question gnawed at him...
Just then-
"Bwahaha~" Garp's loud, carefree laughter rang across the deck.
Still lounging comfortably, he crossed his legs and rested his hands behind his head, his gaze fixed on the open sea. Without even bothering to look at Smoker, he spoke, "The mission's over, Smoker. So why the long face?"
"..."
'Do you really have the right to ask me that?' Smoker exhaled sharply through his nose, reigning in his frustration before responding with a serious expression. "Vice Admiral Garp, do you even realize what you've done?"
"Of course~." Garp waved a hand nonchalantly, picking his nose with complete indifference. "I was just helping that kid Ashford swindle some money from the Marines."
'So why do you sound so damn proud about it?!' Smoker's face darkened. He opened his mouth, about to argue-
"Ah, wait, that's not something I should be saying out loud," Garp suddenly chuckled. "What if I get investigated? I take it back, I take it bac!"
Despite his words, there wasn't the slightest hint of concern on his face. In fact, he remained just as cheerful as ever. "You're no fun, Smoker. That Ashford kid is way more interesting. You got something you wanna say?"
Smoker's eyes narrowed. "As agreed, I will keep this mission under wraps. But if that man does anything that violates Marine justice, I will report everything-including today's events and your actions-to the Fleet Admiral."
"Relax, I swear I won't even care about that kid if that time comes!" Garp grinned.
Smoker, ignoring the old man's carefree attitude, took a deep breath, regaining his composure. His gaze turned serious. "There's something else I need to ask. I hope you'll give me an honest answer."
"Go ahead." Garp continued picking his nose. "Let's see if I even know the answer!"
"...The God Valley Incident."
"I don't know anything about it! And you didn't hear anything!"
'This old bastard is messing with me.' Smoker's forehead twitched in irritation. He hadn't even finished asking the question, and Garp had already shut him down-his shifty eyes and casual nose-picking making it painfully obvious that he did know something but had no intention of talking.
Smoker clenched his right fist. At this moment, he really wanted to punch the old man.
Not that it would do any good-he knew he couldn't win.
But still...
'The God Valley Incident... What really happened?' As a Marine from Headquarters, Smoker had, of course, heard of its name and rumors.
The official story was that Vice Admiral Garp had saved the Celestial Dragons, earning himself the title of Hero of the Marines.
But now... it seemed like there was far more to the story.
Back when Ashford had tried to say something about it, Garp had cut him off. And now, the moment Smoker brought it up, Garp refused to speak.
'So, what happened that even the Hero of the Marines was so reluctant to discuss it?'
As Smoker sank deep into thought, Garp suddenly spoke-his tone uncharacteristically serious.
"Smoker," he said, lowering his hand. "There are some things... that, as a Marine, you're better off not knowing."
Smoker's eyes widened slightly.
Garp leaned back and shut his eyes. "Don't dwell on this. As a Marine, all you need to do is uphold the justice in your heart."
Then, just as quickly as he had turned serious, Garp snapped back to his usual self, stretching with a lazy yawn.
"Hey, Mock! What's there to eat on this ship? I'm bored outta my mind!"
From somewhere on the deck, Mock's loud voice rang out.
"Coming right up! You want some of Cocoyashi Town's specialty Canned Tangerines and Tangerine Jam? They're made with spring water, mountain soil, and-uh-something about a machine... Anyway, they're delicious!"
"What?"
Before Garp could make sense of that nonsense, one of Mock's crew members groaned in frustration.
"Captain, you're saying it wrong! The boss said we have to promote our Tangerine Jam and Canned Tangerines like this-"
The man cleared his throat and began reciting in a dramatic voice:
"Irrigated with pure mineral water from lush forests, carefully selecting each tangerine sapling, applying natural organic fertilizer.
The tangerine grove is nestled in gently rolling hills, enveloped in mist and rain, making the tangerines sweet, juicy, and incredibly refreshing! Each jar of tangerine jam is personally handcrafted by eight expert jam makers-an unrivaled delicacy! A tradition of excellence, a taste beyond compare!'"
"..." Garp blinked. Even Smoker and Tashigi, who had been deep in thought, were now staring at the crew member in confusion.
"...Are these really just tangerines?" Smoker muttered.
Garp burst into laughter. "Sounds good! Bring some over!"
Garp burst into laughter. "Sounds good! Bring some over! Let's give it a try!"
Not long after, Mock arrived with several cans of jam and tangerines. Smoker and Tashigi, despite themselves, gathered around out of curiosity.
"Can I try some?" Tashigi asked.
"No problem! Plenty to go around!" Mock didn't hesitate, handing a can to Tashigi and even pushing one towards the frowning Smoker. "Here, try it!"
With Mock's encouragement, the three opened their cans, and after a tentative taste, their eyes widened.
It was good.
But not nearly as exaggerated as the ridiculous sales pitch had made it sound.
Garp chuckled. "Not bad! But that ad was full of crap. I knew that Ashford kid is a real con artist, even swindling the Marines!"
"Hmph~" Smoker scoffed but said nothing, staring at the can in his hand. He seemed about to say something when...
*Puru puru, puru puru~!*
A Den Den Mushi rang.
It was Garp's.
Garp lazily pulled it out and answered. "Oh~ it's Sengoku! What's up?"
At the mention of Fleet Admiral Sengoku Smoker and Tashigi immediately straightened up, their expressions turning serious.
Even the Mock Pirates, sensing the change in atmosphere, also quieted down.
"What's that noise? Are you eating again The Den Den Mushi, transformed into a seagull wearing a Marine hat, sounded exasperated. He sighed before continuing in a more serious tone, "Can you be serious for once? How did the mission go?"
"Mission? What mission?"
"You haven't forgotten again the mission I gave you, have you? Didn't I ask you to investigate whether Dante Ashford was colluding with pirates?"
Hearing Garp's reply, the Seagull Hat Den Den Mushi shouted in cancer.
"Can you be serious? That kid submitted another Marine funds application, and the approval department is suspicious of Dante Ashford, but Zephyr believes his student would never do such a thing. The two sides are at each other's throats, and it's driving me crazy!"
"Bwahaha~ I'm just pulling your leg~" Garp chuckled, unfazed by the Den Den Mushi's tantrum. He picked at his ear. "Relax, relax. It's been taken care of."
"Taken care of?" The Den Den Mushi calmed down slightly, frowning. "What's the situation? Is Marine Branch 16 embezzling funds and colluding with pirates?"
"Of course not~" Garp answered without hesitation, his voice suddenly serious and his expression righteous. "Everything Marine Captain Ashford said is true. The Mock Pirates are a ruthless band of criminals. The existing equipment of Marine Branch 16 simply can't compete with them. Frankly, even I found them a bit of a challenge."
"Why are you suddenly so serious? That doesn't sound like you at all. Forget it~ Are you telling the truth?" The Den Den Mushi frowned, looking suspicious. "The Mock Pirates? Even *you* found them challenging? Aren't they just a pirate crew with a bounty of thirty million? And what's wrong with your Den Den Mushi? Why does it look like it's sweating?"
Something seemed to click into place. His tone became stern.
"You bastard, you didn't take this seriously, did you?"
"Ahahaha~ Ofcourse I did! I am Hero of the Marines! I have a reputation of Marine Justice to uphold! It's just that it's been little hot in East Blue recently. Anyway, that pirate slipped through my fingers." Under the scornful gazes of Smoker and Tashigi, Garp didn't panic. He simply laughed it off and said nonchalantly, picking his nose, "You know me. He's a pirate, I am not known for being lenient with pirates."
"That's right. You wouldn't be cooperating with pirates, would you?!"
"Forget it. Since you say so, it seems that they are indeed a run of the mill average pirate group." The Sengoku's Den Den Mushi frowned, paused for a moment, and then said, "To be able to escape from your hands, it seems normal that Marine Branch 16 didn't successfully arrest them. It seems that a Great Pirate is about to emerge in East Blue again."
"That's right, that's right. They're definitely not simple!" Seeing Sengoku's reaction, Garp seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and returned to his carefree grin. "That bounty's gotta be raised!"
"Raise the bounty? Aren't the Mock Pirates still in East Blue? Isn't thirty million enough?"
"Not enough, not enough." Garp declared cheerfully, "That's a pirate who escaped from my grasp."
"Is that so?" Sengoku frowned upon hearing Garp's words, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Then how much do you think it should be raised?"
"How much?" Garp smiled, his eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced at Mock, the captain of the Mock Pirates, who was standing to the side holding a can.
Mock, sensing the attention, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, as if he had a terrible premonition.
Before he could say anything...
Garp grinned, revealing his teeth, waved his hand, and said in a serious tone, "A Great Pirate like that should be worth at least fifty million!"
Mock stood there shocked, 'Fifty million?! What the hell is this old man trying to do?! Get me killed?!'
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