Ivan turned his head and saw Garp and his adjutant Bogard jumping onto the Orange Ship, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Whether it was because he had slaughtered so many people behind Garp's back, this time, facing Garp, he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.
These monsters on the sea, especially those who had honed their Observation Haki to the extreme, possessed intuition far beyond ordinary imagination.
Ivan was genuinely afraid he might accidentally reveal a flaw and be discovered by Garp.
In a short time, Ivan quickly pondered in his heart: "Garp came straight here as soon as he received the news of the bounty notice. Could he really have noticed something?"
On the surface, he showed no flaws and exclaimed loudly:
"Yes, the East Sea has both a naval legend like you, Vice Admiral Garp, and produced the Pirate King Roger. It truly is a sea that breeds monsters!"
"Hahaha, yes, that guy Roger was a real monster!" Garp's voice boomed like thunder. "By the way, Ivan, what do you think of that Fox?"
Ivan's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his composure on the surface: "That guy's strength shouldn't be weak, and he's also a special kind of pirate."
"Oh, interesting, go on." Garp crossed his arms, intrigued as he pressed further.
Ivan deliberately chose a neutral angle and slowly said:
"He neither robs civilians nor slaughters the innocent. Instead, he targets pirates, marines, and nobles. His style of action is somewhat similar to Whitebeard's."
"Ahahaha, then you're wrong. Fox and that bastard Whitebeard aren't alike. Whitebeard's goal is protection, while Fox seems more like someone who hates evil. He's more like a person who despises injustice." Garp paused, looking at Ivan with a meaningful, half-smiling expression. "I actually think he's a bit like you!"
A jolt of electricity instantly surged through Ivan's entire body. He instinctively stiffened his back, his muscles tensing to the extreme, even preparing to flee.
No way?
Could this old fox Garp really have discovered something?
Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he forced an awkward laugh. "Vice Admiral Garp, don't joke around. I'm a marine. How could I be like a pirate?"
Garp laughed heartily and slapped his shoulder heavily again, the force astonishingly strong. Yet, his eyes held a hint of something thought-provoking, as if implying:
"Don't be nervous, kid. You and Fox are only similar in some ways, like how you both hate evil.
You might not know it yet, but Fox killed only the scum within the marines, just like that Rat.
If you ask me, such scum deserve to be killed!
The parasites within the marines are a hundred times more hateful than those pirates out in the open, just like those Celestial Dragons—none of them are good!"
"Vice Admiral Garp!" Upon hearing the keyword, Bogard immediately interrupted loudly.
Garp knew he had spoken out of turn but showed no sign of remorse, laughing loudly. "I know, I know. We still have to give those trash some face in public."
Ivan looked at Garp speechlessly, while Nami and Tashigi were even more horrified.
Were these words something they were supposed to hear?
At the same time, Ivan realized that Garp must have noticed something; otherwise, he wouldn't have mentioned Captain Rat.
However, Garp could not confirm whether Fox was related to Ivan; he merely harbored suspicions.
But what did it matter if Garp suspected him?
After witnessing the suffering of the common people, the pirates who slaughtered indiscriminately, the nobles who oppressed the populace, and the kings who indulged in extravagance, Ivan had long since formed an ideal.
He would personally destroy this rotten old world and create a new one!
Even if it meant fighting all the remnants of the old world, he would not hesitate!
Several days later, Ivan and his group finally arrived at Marineford, and Ivan was officially appointed as a Marine Headquarters Colonel.
Along with Ivan's promotion, his subordinates also received varying degrees of advancement.
Tashigi was promoted to Major, Patton was promoted to Captain, and even Nami, who had only recently joined the Marines, was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade due to her exceptional navigation skills.
At the same time, thanks to Garp's consideration, Ivan was allowed to choose his next assignment independently.
Without hesitation, he chose to serve at a Marine branch in the first half of the Grand Line, Paradise.
Marine branches in Paradise were far from Marineford, and a Colonel was a high-ranking officer within the branch.
In Paradise, Ivan would enjoy a high degree of freedom, making it easier for him to act—this was his best choice.
Soon, Ivan's appointment was officially confirmed.
To Ivan's surprise, he was ultimately assigned to the G-2 Branch.
When it came to the G-2 Branch, many might find it unfamiliar, but they would certainly recognize a country near it.
The desert kingdom—Alabasta!
...
Marineford, a training ground.
Having just completed the complicated procedures for his Colonel appointment, Ivan arrived here with his subordinates and began his daily training as usual.
He drew the long sword at his waist and examined it closely.
Before leaving Loguetown, he had visited the Ichiban Matsu Weapons Shop. After demonstrating his Swordsman Master level to the owner, he was recognized and directly gifted Snowfall.
It must be said that Snowfall truly lived up to its reputation as one of the Fifty Skillful Swords, completely different from the blades Ivan had obtained before.
Whether in sharpness or resilience, it far surpassed the long swords Ivan had previously acquired.
Moreover, after Ivan began to grasp the threshold of Haki, he discovered that Snowfall's blade was more conducive to channeling Haki, which also meant it was easier to forge into a Black Blade.
He wielded Snowfall, swiftly swinging the long sword. Terrifying Flying Slashes ravaged the ground before him and the sea at the edge of the training ground, immediately drawing the attention of many.
A Headquarters Major exclaimed in surprise, "To unleash Flying Slashes of this caliber, this guy must have at least Vice Admiral-level strength. Who is he? Why haven't I seen him before?"
Another Lieutenant Junior Grade pondered, "I've seen him frequently entering and leaving the Fleet Admiral's office lately. He must be the newly appointed Colonel. I remember his name is Ivan."
"Ivan, the legendary Blood Slaughter White Dove. Isn't he from the East Sea? How is he so strong?"
For a moment, the surrounding Marines buzzed with discussion.
The strong were inherently dazzling, and a newcomer like Ivan was even more eye-catching.
Suddenly, the Marines around grew restless, their eyes filled with pink hearts as they looked toward the back.
Before long, a beautiful woman with waist-length pink center-parted straight hair, an imposing demeanor, and dressed in a wine-red suit walked over.
As soon as this beauty appeared, the surrounding Marines began shouting:
"Colonel Hina, you're as beautiful as ever today!"
"Colonel Hina, could I trouble you for an autograph? I want to put your name up in the training room to remind myself to become an excellent Marine like you!"
Hina was long accustomed to such reactions. Since childhood, her exceptionally striking appearance had made her the object of everyone's admiration.
Though she disliked it, there was nothing to be done.
After all, Hina was simply too beautiful!
Ignoring the surrounding Marines, Hina walked straight up to Ivan, gave him a brief once-over, and asked, "You're Ivan, right? Hina has heard Smoker mention you!"
Ivan knew about the relationship between Hina and Smoker—they were friends from the same training period, and in the future, they would even go shopping together, with hints of possibly becoming a couple.
Learning that Smoker had actually mentioned him to Hina, Ivan grew curious. "Colonel Hina, what did Colonel Smoker say about me?"
Hina's expression turned slightly odd as she replied, "He said your talent is remarkable. Vice Admiral Garp once mentioned that you might become a Marine Admiral in the future—the future of the Marines."
As soon as she finished speaking, the surrounding Marines erupted in deafening exclamations:
"Huh?!"
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "GoddessTL" on Patreon!"
Thanks!