"Garp! Where are you going? This matter has been decided, neither you nor I have the power to change it!"
Sengoku had hoped there would still be a chance to salvage the situation before the announcement of the war, but the World Government's firm stance took him by surprise. He knew very well that even if Garp went to Mary Geoise, it wouldn't be possible to reverse the situation.
"I'm just going to see him, as a grandfather... Arrange a ship for me to Impel Down, shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"I understand."
Garp's steps seemed somewhat heavy; he had always hoped his grandson could become part of the Navy. However, he wasn't very good at teaching, or rather, there were few in this world who could educate the next generation—growth depended entirely on oneself.
At this moment, Sengoku still trusted Garp's integrity, believing he wouldn't do something outrageous like a jailbreak, so he let him go. Such visitation wouldn't be prevented.
Besides, it couldn't be easily stopped. If even this couldn't be trusted, it wouldn't be good to have Garp present during the great war.
As a Navy Hero, Garp's absence in this war would severely impact the morale of the troops.
After Garp left, Marinfanto temporarily closed off, with members of the Science Corps modifying the coastal artillery, installing special equipment, and the completed Peacekeepers began to be shipped to the Shampodi Islands for final pre-war testing.
...
The Shampodi Islands were like always, with chaos and prosperity coexisting. Yet this year, the number of Super Rookies was slightly higher. Newcomers from various seas seemed to have timed it perfectly, appearing on this island to set sail once more, including Luffy and his crew.
Though the news of Moriah's defeat spread, the Straw Hat Pirates hadn't acquired the qualification for a full crew bounty. While Luffy and Zoro's bounties still surpassed a hundred million, they weren't outstanding compared to the Super Rookies of the same batch, even seeming rather ordinary.
Currently, they were preparing for the ship coating issue, as well as listening to Shakky as she described the island's situation. They didn't pay much attention to these matters, but were intently listening to her stories.
On the other side, besides these Super Rookies, there were also Iscariot and Rami.
"Sister Iscariot, Sister Misu has passed me a message, the latest order from Ghost Island. The external personnel need to quickly finish up their tasks and return to Ghost Island, seems there's going to be big action."
"How are things coming along?"
"Very soon, should be done by nightfall today."
"Mm, once we wrap up this matter, let's leave here. The island today gives me a headache, annoying folks have multiplied."
"Alright, I'll go to the restaurant over there to buy something to eat. Come on children, let's get some food."
Just like before, Rami had matured quite a bit, working more steadily now.
When coming to Shampodi in previous years, Rami would buy food from this restaurant too. Large portions at a fair price, perfect for the slum dwellers of Shampodi.
But this restaurant was under some unbearable pressure.
A group dressed like gangsters occupied a corner of the restaurant, led by a man dressed like a godfather, surrounded by looks of disdain.
"Vulgar woman, it's nauseating, go shut her up."
Flame Tank Pirates Captain, Mobster-Capone Bege, bounty of 138 million Belly.
And the object of his disdain was another Super Rookie, Bonney Pirates Captain, Gluttonous Woman-Jewelry Bonney, bounty of 140 million Belly, with her pink hair, she was voraciously eating at the table.
"This isn't advisable, Godfather, we are under the Navy's watch. If a large-scale commotion breaks out..."
Bege halted his actions, then stabbed a fork into his subordinate's face.
The underling made a valid point, but Bege did it anyway because the prevention violated his gang's rules.
Meanwhile, Bonney was clamoring for more food, a waiter collided in panic with someone. Just then, Rami entered the restaurant and supported the waiter.
"Careful, Mr. Waiter."
"Thank you..."
"Hey! Spilling spaghetti on my pants, any explanation for that?"
Rami indeed helped the waiter, but the plate still flew onto someone. On this pirate gatherings day, it just so happened a pirate ended up drenched.
"Sir, it's not good to resort to violence, especially with so many children around. Can you hold back a bit?"
The pirate was about to draw his weapon but was effortlessly subdued by Rami, who smiled to deter the pirate from acting rashly.
"You!"
He wasn't a kind soul and wasn't bothered by the presence of children, but Rami's strength prevented him from drawing his weapon. As he attempted to use another weapon, his captain interrupted him.
"Stop it."
"Captain?"
"Battle defeat rate: 100%. Death rate: 100%. That's your future if you act. The omen of death has already encircled you."
Golden long hair, eyebrows like nails, a cross tattooed on his chest.
Hawkins Pirates Captain, Magician-Basil Hawkins, bounty of 249 million Belly.
The most superstitious among the Super Rookies, he typically bases his actions on his divinations, deciding his next steps according to the outcome.
Card divination provided him clear information: non-aggression brings peace, any aggression results in zero victory chance. In this scenario, he naturally stopped his subordinate.
From a metaphysical point of view, he anticipated Rami's next move: if the pirate continued to act, Rami would release her concocted toxin, causing him to die mysteriously within minutes.
Looking at the Hawkins Pirates, who dressed quite like a religious sect, Rami said nothing, instead packing and leaving with a large amount of food.
The chaotic restaurant quashed her intentions to dine there.
But the disorder didn't only lay here; compared to this restaurant's restraint, outside some were already fighting.
Considering a pirate's nature, it was not surprising; rivalry and fighting were their norms. Yet near these battling individuals, another observer was watching while rubbing his eyes.
"Captain, that woman looks a bit like you. If you were a girl, perhaps she's your sister."
"Captain? Captain? What's wrong with you?"
Shachi and Penguin were joking with Law, but Law remained unresponsive, simply staring dazedly at that face.
"Sister Rami, can we eat now?"
"Just wait a bit. The wind here will give you a stomach ache if you eat. You can eat once we're back on the ship."
The child's voice reached Law's ears, as did Rami's voice, invoking his memories.
"Wait, Rami!"
"Hmm? Who are you, do we know each other?"