Time flowed quickly, like sand through fingers.
These fifteen days of confinement were forcibly turned by Tatsuki into the "First Marineford Gambling Championship."
From Uno to Ludo, from Blackjack to Monopoly.
The relationship between the four of them visibly became extremely subtle yet incredibly close.
This was a "revolutionary camaraderie"—the kind forged by sharing loot, serving time together, sticking I.O.U. notes on each other, and cursing their superiors together.
Until the morning of the fifteenth day.
"A pair of threes." Sakazuki, his face covered densely with small white paper strips, maintained a serious expression as he carefully played two cards.
He had lost the worst these past few days. The debt he owed would probably consume his salary for the next three years.
"No thanks." Borsalino adjusted his sunglasses. His face was clean, clearly marking him as the biggest winner.
"Pass." Kuzan yawned, holding his last card, ready to strike.
"Let's see who dares to take it."
Magma faintly began to seep from Sakazuki's body. He held nothing but bombs this round and was determined to win, the pair of threes was just a test.
Tatsuki curved his lips into a mischievous smile, just about to toss out four Twos to end Sakazuki's fantasy.
Just then—
BOOM!
An earth-shattering explosion ripped through the air.
The half-meter thick alloy door was violently punched inward from the outside by a black iron fist.
Clang!
The twisted and deformed door scraped past Sakazuki's scalp and smashed violently into the wall, shaking the entire third basement floor three times.
Sakazuki's hand shook, scattering a phenomenal hand of cards across the floor.
"Who?!"
The four instantly entered combat mode, the previously lazy atmosphere completely vanishing.
The smoke and dust cleared.
A figure as burly as a bear stood in the doorway. He wore a coat emblazoned only with the word "Justice," silver strands mixed into his black hair, his face fleshy, his wide grin extremely arrogant.
That wild aura, like an ancient fierce beast, caused all four Logia-type monsters present to feel a sense of suffocation.
The marine hero, Monkey D. Garp!
"Kyahahahaha! You brats are living quite comfortably!"
Garp strode into the Confinement Room, his gaze sweeping over the playing cards scattered everywhere and Sakazuki, whose face was covered in paper strips, laughing so hard he nearly cried.
"Sengoku was worried you guys might get depressed, but it looks like that was completely unnecessary. How did you turn Sakazuki into a mummy? Kyahahahaha!"
Sakazuki tore the paper strips off his face, magma sizzling in his hands. It was too embarrassing. What was he doing?
The other three quickly stood straight and saluted. Even the lazy Kuzan dared not act casually in front of Garp.
"V-Vice Admiral Garp?!"
"Alright, alright, stop with the formalities."
Garp waved his large hand, crunching a piece of senbei with a "kacha" sound. His gaze skipped over the others and landed on Tatsuki, his eyes looking like he was staring at a fine piece of braised pork.
That look made Tatsuki's hair stand on end, and he subconsciously wanted to use his elemental transformation.
"I've decided on you."
Garp's words were shocking, causing Sakazuki, who was standing next to him, to nearly slip.
"Sengoku is always complaining that I don't take on new recruits, and this time is perfect." Garp chewed his senbei, speaking indistinctly.
"Borsalino is going with Zephyr, and Sakazuki and Kuzan also have assignments. As for you, you slick brat..."
Garp grinned, revealing a set of stark white teeth, carrying a chill that sent shivers down their spines.
"Come with me to the New World."
"We're going to hunt down that bastard named Roger. What do you say? Do you dare to come?"
As soon as he said this, the Confinement Room instantly fell silent.
A flash of unconcealed envy appeared in Sakazuki's eyes.
That was the ship of the "marine hero". It was the front line, facing legendary monsters like Roger, Whitebeard, and Golden Lion. It was the stage every passionate Marine dreamed of.
Borsalino adjusted his sunglasses, mourning for Tatsuki inwardly. Getting on Garp's ship was notoriously difficult—it was questionable whether the warship itself would survive, let alone having to constantly cover Garp's tracks.
Tatsuki looked at the man before him, who smiled like a child yet possessed the highest level of combat power on this sea.
His heart began to beat violently.
If it were for stability, staying at Headquarters would certainly be best.
But... for the Violation Points, and for the system rewards that could overturn the world, stability was chronic suicide.
Where else could he rack up more points than by following the most unruly Vice Admiral to chase the freest Pirate King?
"What? Afraid to die?" Garp raised an eyebrow, a hint of playfulness in his eyes.
"If you're afraid, just say so. I won't force you. You can go back to Headquarters and continue playing your card games."
"Afraid?" Tatsuki smiled.
He slowly tidied his slightly messy collar, the iconic smile curving his lips, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
"Vice Admiral Garp, I'm afraid there won't be enough pirates in the New World for me to catch."
"Also..." Tatsuki pointed to the cards on the ground. "I can go to the New World, but you have to learn this deck of cards. Otherwise, the journey will be long, and I'll be bored."
The air froze for a second.
"Kyahahahaha!"
Garp violently slapped Tatsuki on the shoulder, nearly making him spit up the breakfast he had just eaten.
"Good! That's arrogant enough. I like it. That attitude suits my taste."
"You have ten minutes to pack your things. I'll wait for you at the harbor. Don't keep me waiting, or I'll throw you into the sea to feed the fish."
Tatsuki rubbed his aching shoulder, turned around, and looked at his three "cellmates."
The atmosphere was tinged with the sadness of departure.
"Everyone, although I hate to leave, it looks like our card game will be suspended for a while."
Sakazuki stepped forward, giving Tatsuki a deep look. A rare hint of warmth appeared on his serious face as he extended his fist.
"Don't die, Tatsuki. That fifty billion is still waiting. If you die at Roger's hands, I'll pocket the money myself and use it for Marine construction."
Tatsuki smiled and lightly bumped his fist against Sakazuki's. "Don't worry, I don't have many virtues, but I'm tough to kill. You, however, make sure you don't ruin yourself with training."
Kuzan sighed and slipped a new deck of playing cards into Tatsuki's pocket. "Play by yourself when you're bored. When you reach the New World, give my regards to those pirates."
"If you find anything good, remember to mail it back to us." Borsalino maintained his usual frivolous demeanor, but the look behind his sunglasses held a hint of reluctance.
Tatsuki put the cards away, turned towards the doorway, and waved goodbye to the three men with his back to them.
"I'm off!"
Sunlight streamed through the broken doorway, stretching Tatsuki's shadow long and far.
On this day, the Marines' most lawless combination temporarily went their separate ways.
(End of Chapter)
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