Blake was unaware of a failed encounter that happened far away.
Even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
As long as Shanks didn't launch an attack openly, once the other Celestial Dragons arrived, where else could he run?
The sanctuary sailed steadily on the clear blue waterway, now less than a day's journey from Shells Town.
However, fate seemed to particularly favor this sea area, always arranging unexpected encounters.
A medium-sized dog-head warship was slowly approaching them from not far away.
Blake, who was sunbathing, opened his eyes beneath his sunglasses, a look of surprise on his face:
"I can meet acquaintances even here?"
"Is there something evil about the East Blue?"
At the same time, on the dog-head warship not far away, Garp, who was eating heartily, also noticed the luxurious Celestial Dragon's ship sailing towards them.
A flicker of undisguised disgust crossed his usually carefree face, and he muttered under his breath:
"Tch... it's these world parasites again."
Don't look at Garp still eating donuts now; in reality, after receiving the news of Dragon's death, he had been depressed for a whole year.
He took a long leave from Sengoku, citing the reason of returning to the East Blue to accompany his grandson to recover his mood.
It must be said that Luffy's usual cheerful personality, and his fondness for contradicting Garp, could indeed lift one's spirits.
Just a few days ago, Kuzan was stationed at Red Port, Borsalino was still searching everywhere for the Sun Pirates, and Sakazuki was assigned to the New World to protect the Celestial Dragons.
Coupled with Fleet Admiral Sengoku, who couldn't leave Marineford, Marineford now didn't even have a single top-tier mobile force.
Sengoku had no choice but to call Garp.
After much persuasion, he finally dragged him back from the East Blue, and they were now on their way back.
Facing Garp's disrespectful words, a hint of understanding and mischief flashed in Blake's eyes.
Garp thought the distance between them was far enough that Blake wouldn't hear what he said?
But what he didn't know was that Blake's Observation Haki had already enveloped the dog-head warship the moment he discovered it.
Every word Garp spoke was clearly transmitted into Blake's ears.
However, with that guy's personality, even if he knew, he wouldn't feel awkward; instead, he might even be happier.
But Blake felt that he wasn't made of mud; his eyes darted around, and a plan came to mind.
He didn't directly order the ship to approach.
Unless he killed Garp and sank the entire warship, directly acting would expose his strength.
Blake didn't want to kill Garp so early.
The Revolutionary Army was already gone; if he continued to eliminate these potential rebellious forces, Blake might have to personally face Imu, who was in good condition, in the future.
So, he chose a more insidious method—
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
Blake walked to the bow of the ship, waving his arms towards the warship opposite, and shouted loudly:
"Vice Admiral Garp is truly robust in his old age! His demeanor is as good as ever!"
His voice echoed clearly over the sea.
This sudden praise made Garp pause for a moment.
This world parasite actually spoke quite nicely!
But immediately after, Blake continued in a perfectly pitched tone:
"Oh, and please accept my condolences, Vice Admiral Garp."
He paused slightly, allowing the effect of the sentence to fully sink in, then slowly spoke, as if stating a fact:
"Although Monkey D. Dragon died in Mary Geoise, it doesn't matter..."
"He was a traitor anyway!"
"Speaking of which, he was really amazing!"
"I heard that when he went crazy during the later fight, all those thugs were taken down by him!"
"Vice Admiral Garp, please don't get so angry over such a person and harm your health!"
Blake's face was full of kindness, looking like he was "comforting" him.
This move of his was a typical Korean-style comfort method.
It is said that there was once a bridge where many people committed suicide every year.
So the Korean government installed sensor lights on the bridge; whenever someone passed by, they would light up and display comforting words—
"How was your day?"
"Does the person you like like you?"
A year later, the bridge's suicide rate increased sixfold... Garp certainly wouldn't be provoked to suicide by Blake's words, but he had already clenched his fists tightly.
His knuckles cracked, veins bulged on his forehead, and his muscles tensed.
Blake's words were like a red-hot dagger, precisely stabbing into the wound in Garp's heart.
He stared intently at Blake, his chest heaving violently.
At this moment, Garp couldn't help but recall his experience at God Valley back then.
Rocks had also suddenly gone mad, his mind controlled, and began to frantically attack his companions.
The thought that Dragon's end was exactly like Rocks's made his heart ache.
The Marines behind Garp looked at him in horror, fearing that he might lose control and directly sink the Celestial Dragon's ship.
But fortunately, Garp's sanity was still intact.
He finally just squeezed out a cold snort from between his teeth, ordered the warship to turn, and accelerated away from this irritating sea area.
After the dog-head disappeared from sight, Blake returned to his lounge chair, also letting out a cold snort:
"You like to curse, huh?"
"Old man!"
"If I don't show you some color, do you really think I'm easy to bully?"
After this encounter, the sanctuary continued its voyage, and soon, the outline of Shells Town clearly appeared ahead.
Seeing land, Kuina finally stopped her training and looked over curiously.
This was the first time she had seen another island in her life.
Most small villages in the East Blue were similar to Shimotsuki Village and did not have deep-water docks capable of accommodating the sanctuary.
Blake had no choice but to anchor near the small island again, and Mandy sent everyone ashore.
As soon as he stepped onto the island, his gaze was drawn to a somewhat prominent figure at the village entrance.
Curly Blake hair was tucked under a hat with a skull design, and he wore a vest and shorts.
The most striking feature was his nose, which wasn't as long yet but already slightly prominent.
It was Usopp, who was only five years old.
He was standing not far away, curiously observing Blake and his group.
After hesitating for a long while, when Blake had already walked past him towards the village, he finally gritted his teeth, rushed in front of Blake and the others, and spread his arms:
"P-please wait!"
Blake raised an eyebrow.
Is this kid planning to con me?
But he still stopped, preparing to hear what the kid wanted to say to him.
"My name is Usopp!"
Usopp's gaze quickly swept over the clothes of Blake and his group, then he continued:
"If you need someone to guide you, I... I can help!"
His words became more fluent:
"Of course, just a small reward will do."
Blake was a little surprised; was this Usopp's personality when he was little?
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