Aokiji glanced sideways at the separate cabin on the ship, marked with the Celestial Dragon crest and the Hoof of the Flying Dragon.
Adjusting his bean‑shaped sunglasses, he drawled lazily, "I still can't believe this Celestial Dragon actually volunteered to come!"
His former superior, Monkey D. Garp — the Hero of the Marines — had repeatedly refused promotion precisely because he refused to be associated with Celestial Dragons.
Whenever a Celestial Dragon was in danger, Marine Admirals were duty‑bound to rush to their aid.
Vice Admirals, however, were not required to go — and Garp had deliberately stayed at that rank for that very reason.
Standing nearby, Sengoku stood with his arms crossed, saying nothing, yet his gaze fixed on the distant sea revealed deep bewilderment.
Indeed — he himself couldn't understand it!
He had assumed from the start that the Marines would have to handle this matter. After all, those selfish nobles — why would they ever care about the lives of others?
Yet against all expectation, a Celestial Dragon had actually agreed to the terms and was willing to travel all the way to the New World just to speak with that "boot‑print faced man."
No matter how confused Sengoku and Kuzan were, the ship sailed on. Several days later, they arrived at Karakuri Island, the agreed location.
As Grimm stepped onto the shore surrounded by his guards, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure he hadn't seen in ages — Marine Instructor Zephyr. He hadn't expected to find him here!
Zephyr and Garp had long been the main forces stationed in the New World; meeting him here proved just how serious this situation really was.
"Yohohoho, Instructor Zephyr! Long time no see!" Kuzan greeted casually, as laid‑back as ever. Compared to Kizaru at least, he was still considered a "good employee."
After Zephyr and Sengoku exchanged formal military salutes, Sengoku looked out over the empty streets. "The civilians have all been evacuated, I presume?"
Zephyr nodded. "There was quite a prosperous town here. It took some effort to relocate everyone, but it was necessary to avoid innocent people getting caught up in this."
He then turned his gaze toward Saint Epthelm, who had just disembarked, and frowned. "So… this is the Celestial Dragon who insisted on coming to negotiate in person?"
"Lead the way quickly. I can't wait to meet the fool who dared kidnap one of us," Grimm ordered the Marines beside him.
"Cool…"
Kuzan whistled softly. The fact that a Celestial Dragon would meet the Revolutionary leader face‑to‑face was already unbelievable enough — but this one was actually impatient to go.
Clearly, the hostage must mean something special to him. He recalled hearing that both Saint Epthelm and Saint Garbatia were unmarried, childless, and of eligible age… Could it be…?
Everything suddenly made sense. No wonder he's fearless — his partner was taken hostage.
Yes, that's definitely it!
Aokiji tilted his head, his imagination running wild. This Celestial Dragon… he's actually quite loyal and devoted!
"This way…" Zephyr wanted nothing to do with Celestial Dragons. He turned and walked toward the town, speaking over his shoulder to Sengoku and Aokiji.
"Follow me. I suspect the Revolutionary Army already knows the secret of this island…"
Halfway through his sentence, Zephyr paused. A moment later he turned back to Sengoku. "By the way… that Celestial Dragon doesn't know the secret of this island… does he?"
Sengoku's expression instantly turned grave. "Of course not. And whatever happens, we must keep it hidden for as long as possible!"
"Then let's move!"
Zephyr strode forward. Grimm and more than a thousand Marines and government agents followed closely behind.
Soon they reached the northern side of Karakuri Island — the area where the island's volcano sloped most steeply.
Stopping in front of a large inn, Zephyr addressed them. "Dragon is inside. According to our intelligence, this was a minor Revolutionary outpost — we only confirmed it recently."
"So you mean…" Sengoku narrowed his eyes.
"Yes." Zephyr nodded grimly. "There are likely traps inside."
"Didn't you go in first, Instructor Zephyr?" Aokiji asked.
"No." Zephyr's tone was heavy. "Dragon said… only the Celestial Dragon may enter alone."
"Now this is interesting!"
Grimm spoke up, stepping forward from the protective circle of CP0 agents. "Step aside. I'm going in."
The thousands present were stunned. Is this guy really a Celestial Dragon?
Are you sure he isn't actually a Marine Admiral or Vice Admiral in disguise? Where is the cowardice typical of his kind?
"We… we should discuss this further first…"
Even though this Celestial Dragon's behavior kept defying expectations, Sengoku remained cautious.
Even if he wants to throw his life away, if anything happens to him, we're the ones who'll be punished.
Grimm didn't wait. He simply smiled, pushed the door open, and walked straight inside. Before anyone could stop him, he was gone.
After a long silence, Kuzan was the first to speak up again, tilting his head. "Well now… this Celestial Dragon really is something else."
"Watch your tone, Kuzan! You are a Marine Admiral candidate now!" Zephyr snapped, clearly displeased with his casual, insolent manner.
"Aye‑aye!" Kuzan waved a hand, completely unbothered.
At the same time, Sengoku issued orders. "Surround this entire inn. Don't let even a mosquito fly in, and don't let a single fly crawl out!"
"SIR, YES, SIR!!" the thousands of Marines roared in reply.
---
Inside the inn, Grimm naturally crossed his legs, leaned back, spread his arms along the back of the sofa, and looked around.
It was spacious, but otherwise looked no different from any ordinary inn.
Zephyr had said this was a Revolutionary outpost — which meant there was definitely something unusual about it.
Technically he had cooperated with the Revolutionary Army before, but he had always left the actual coordination to Gianna.
He couldn't be bothered with every detail — what was the point of having subordinates otherwise?
Grimm's gaze shifted toward the stairs leading to the second floor. He watched as a pair of feet slowly descended.
A tall figure in a long green coat came into view, his face completely hidden, and sat down directly opposite Grimm.
A voice emerged from beneath a dark mask. "I truly never expected to meet a Celestial Dragon like you… No — it's not that I didn't expect it… it's just that I've never seen one like this before. I admit… I'm surprised."
Grimm smiled confidently, deciding to tease Dragon a little. "Well of course. After all… I've known both Garp and Luffy for ages — old friends of mine. Why should I be nervous? Though… I suppose I really should take a trip to Windmill Village someday if I get the chance…"
Dragon: ... How does he know these things? Is this the confidence that made him dare come alone? How could he possibly know all this?
Dragon was completely stunned.
Silence stretched between them. Several minutes later, Dragon looked toward the window beside him.
Thick wooden planks blocked the view from outside, but a simple use of Observation Haki told him everything: the entire area around the inn was swarming with Marines.
"Do others know… what you just told me?" Dragon's voice turned cold.
"Relax. They're allies. We're on the same side."
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