Zoro's voice carried clearly across the distance, reaching Sengoku and the others without difficulty.
Sengoku let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha, that's right. I wonder if your Peach Garden would refuse a visit from three retired old fellows."
Zoro paused for a moment, thinking it over.
From the beginning, none of them had shown any hostility. Since he had grown closer to Gion, he understood her character well. She had already explained things to him clearly, and based on that, he chose to trust her judgment.
He replied, "Three retired old fellows? No one on this sea would see you that way. Still, since you want to visit Peach Garden, we won't refuse. We are a hospitable nation."
A faint smile formed on his lips, carrying a subtle warning. "But make sure you really are just visiting."
As his words settled, his right thumb nudged the blade Ryugu slightly out of its sheath. A faint but dangerous glint flashed along the dark edge.
Garp casually dug his pinky into his nostril, then flicked out a small black lump with his thumb. After tossing it aside, he spoke with a grin, "Green-haired kid, relax. We're just here for a visit."
Sengoku nodded. "Surely your Peach Garden isn't afraid of three powerless old men?"
Zoro slowly pushed Ryugu back into its sheath and laughed. "Powerless? Fine then. Let's go together."
With that, he directed the ship toward Peach Garden.
Gion smiled brightly at Tsuru. "Hehehe, Sister Tsuru, let's go. We're heading to Peach Garden."
Tsuru gave her a teasing look. "Love really does change people. Your voice sounds sweeter than usual."
Gion quickly hugged her arm, her face turning slightly red. "Sister Tsuru, it's not like that."
Garp chuckled from the side. "Since when did our Gion start getting shy?"
Gion's face flushed even deeper, the color spreading to her neck. "Vice Admiral Garp…"
Laughter followed, and Sengoku simply shook his head as he directed his ship to follow behind.
…
At that moment, in Peach Garden, within Lungan.
A graceful woman walked steadily toward Shandora.
She wore a white shawl draped over a pink dress, paired with blue high heels decorated with bows. Her short golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, and her pink lip gloss caught the light with every step.
Her large eyes stood out the most, framed by long, curved lashes that gave her an alluring presence.
Walking beside her was Wyper, captain of Peach Garden's guards.
"Hehehe, Mr. Wyper, I'm not a bad person. You don't need to stay so close," the woman said playfully, licking her lips.
Wyper frowned slightly. "Miss Stussy, it's better if I remain by your side."
As captain of the guards, he was familiar with many figures in the New World. Stussy, known as the Queen of the Pleasure District, was one of the six rulers of the underworld. People at that level were dangerous not just because of their strength, but because of their cunning minds.
From the moment she entered Peach Garden, Wyper had kept a close watch on her.
Along the way, she repeatedly displayed her charm, sometimes subtly, sometimes openly. Fortunately, Wyper's heart belonged to Raki alone, so he remained unaffected.
Still, he personally escorted her toward Shandora.
As they walked, Stussy felt a growing sense of unease.
She had come here with a mission.
Yet the man beside her, bare-chested and composed, gave off a presence no weaker than that of an Admiral. It made her understand why she had been sent. Her task was to infiltrate, gain Rolan's trust, and monitor Peach Garden from within.
But what she had seen so far made her hesitate.
The place was filled with powerful presences, like a sleeping beast. It remained still as long as it wasn't provoked, but once disturbed, the consequences would be devastating.
For the first time since arriving, she questioned whether she could actually succeed.
They soon reached Shandora.
At that moment, two figures approached from the front.
Wyper immediately straightened. "King!"
Rolan gave a slight nod, then shifted his gaze to the woman beside him. His expression hardened slightly.
"Miss Stussy. What brings you to Peach Garden?"
Stussy smiled, her voice smooth. "So you're Rolan. You're even more handsome than the rumors say."
She lightly licked the corner of her lips.
Internally, her thoughts shifted. This man isn't simple. If not for the mission, I wouldn't mind getting close to him.
Rolan's lips curved faintly. He already knew her identity as a CP0 agent. Combined with what he could sense, her purpose here was obvious.
Wyper gave Rolan a respectful nod before disappearing from sight.
Issho, standing beside Rolan, spoke calmly. "Miss Stussy, Peach Garden welcomes many kinds of people. But not those who arrive with hidden intentions."
His Observation Haki allowed him to sense the truth behind her thoughts. As the chief instructor, it was his responsibility to deal with potential threats early.
Stussy tilted her head, maintaining her smile. "I'm only here to admire Rolan. Surely that doesn't make me unwelcome?"
Her expression shifted into something softer, almost pitiful.
Rolan watched her quietly. Her acting was convincing, enough to fool most men.
He shook his head slightly. "Don't waste your effort. Issho and I can read your thoughts."
For a brief moment, surprise flickered in Stussy's eyes, but it quickly disappeared behind her composed expression.
"I just wanted to see the strongest man in the world," she replied.
She didn't believe him.
"I have no reason to bluff. You're one of the underworld rulers, but more importantly, you're a World Government agent. The Gorosei sent you here to get close to me."
Even after hearing that, Stussy tried to maintain her composure.
"Rolan, you don't understand my situation," she said softly.
Her body swayed forward as if she was about to fall into his arms.
At that exact moment, several figures appeared in front of them.