"You're leaving already?"
Standing on the shore, Garp looked at the panting Yamato and Jack who had just rushed over, and asked,
"Even though you've kept in touch with me and met with Rosinante from time to time... your loyal subordinates here haven't seen you in quite a while, you know."
"Just as an eagle pushes its chicks off a cliff to make them learn how to fly and fend for themselves... to me, they've long since become the pillars of the Marines, capable of standing on their own."
Michael shook his head and smiled softly.
"In the future, they'll see me so often they'll get sick of it. So why cling to this one moment?"
"That's true."
Garp nodded, his eyes gradually growing serious.
"These days, the Marines and the World Government are barely holding on to a thin facade of harmony..."
"Of course I know that. It was bound to happen."
Michael fastened Oto and Kogarashi at his waist—two great swords glinting brilliantly under the sunlight.
"The World Government wants total control of the Marines, yet they don't trust us. Under that kind of premise, a breakdown is inevitable. After all, neither old man Sengoku, Granny Tsuru, nor our three Admirals are fools. Especially since I shattered that blind loyalty filter years ago."
"Before long, the world will tremble once again because of the World Government and the Marines," Garp sighed.
"And no matter what, it's always the common people who end up suffering the most… growing pains are unavoidable."
"But they can be minimized."
Michael's voice was calm.
"To be exact, those growing pains are also an opportunity—an opportunity for the Marines to win the people's hearts, and at the same time, for the World Government to further alienate itself from the civilians."
"Alienate from the people…"
Garp fell silent.
Zéphyr, standing beside him, seemed to ponder the words before letting out a small chuckle.
"That means, for quite a while, Marine soldiers will have to keep their behavior tightly in check—especially those under Sakazuki's command."
"Hey! You still have time to chat with Vice Admiral Garp and Instructor Zéphyr?" Jack gasped out, still panting. "You have no idea—Hancock has completely lost it! She's on an absolute rampage! No one can stop her!"
"Then we'd better hurry and run!" Yamato grinned mischievously.
"After all, Hancock's a Marine now! The Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army can't exactly be seen meeting with one of the Marines' core figures, right?"
At those words, Michael turned his head toward the direction they'd come from.
Faintly, the sounds of fighting and Hancock's furious shouting could indeed be heard in the distance.
"That girl… she really does have a temper."
Michael smiled faintly, then turned and leapt off the cliff before him.
"In that case, I'll make a quick getaway!"
"Oh, and during this time, have the members of the Secret Special Force SWORD stationed permanently at Egghead. The Marines must ensure Vegapunk's absolute protection."
Having said that, Michael accelerated midair, dashing toward the shore.
Jack and Yamato hurried after him.
"Michael! Wait for me!"
"Jack, you idiot, don't get in the way!"
Watching Michael's figure fade into the distance, Zéphyr couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Is there really anything in this world that Michael can't do?"
"Of course there is!"
Garp burst out laughing.
"That kid's love life is a total mess! You should see how Gion looks every time she hears his name—those eyes full of love and resentment! It's priceless!"
"Gion, Stella, Crocodile… whatever else you say, Michael's taste has at least been consistent."
"Hm? Why not include little Hancock and Yamato in that list?"
"Do you honestly think Michael is the kind of man who'd go for younger women?"
Zéphyr rolled his eyes.
"Even if he did, he wouldn't pick someone who sincerely calls him 'Father'! That would be way too twisted."
"Tch, now that you mention it, I realize—Michael's already in his late thirties!"
"Enough chatter. If we don't step in to calm things down, your other student's going to faint from rage."
...
Three days later, the news of the Golden Lion's death spread across the entire sea.
The newly risen Flying Pirates, who had just begun to gain momentum, were wiped out almost instantly.
Everyone knew—this legendary great pirate had fallen to Michael's blade.
And that wasn't all.
On top of that headline came an even bigger bombshell—
Michael, who had vanished five years ago during the Marines' great purge, had returned… as a member of the Revolutionary Army.
And the very first thing he did upon reappearing—was slay the Golden Lion, one of the mightiest pirates alive.
It was utterly terrifying.
The rumors that he had once injured an Admiral were now all but confirmed as truth.
Because of the Golden Lion's death, every other major pirate of the Flying Pirates saw their bounties double overnight.
As for all those pirate crews that had pledged allegiance to the Golden Lion out of fear of his name—they were out of luck, becoming the most wanted men on the seas.
Every one of them tried to use this chaos to find shelter elsewhere.
And the crew that accepted the most of them—was Kaido's Beasts Pirates.
In recent years, the Beasts Pirates had expanded outward from Raijin Island, extending their control further and further.
Most of the surrounding islands had already fallen under their banner.
Now, with the remnants and territory of the Flying Pirates absorbed, their power nearly rivaled that of Totto Land itself.
For Kaido, who had been biding his time building strength, this was a tremendous boost.
Especially with so many new recruits…
His long-hoarded stockpile of SMILE Fruits finally had fresh test subjects to use them on.
It was clear that even without conquering Wano, the Beasts Pirates were about to enter a new era of explosive growth.
But that's a story for another time.
At present, Michael and his two companions were aboard the Seraphim, heading toward Baltigo.
The Revolutionary Army was rising to prominence once again.
Having already seized the Lulusia Kingdom, it was time to take the next step.
Now, their sights were set on the entire Paradise—but where should they begin?
That question, naturally, needed to be discussed with Dragon and the other commanders.
So after leaving the New World, they sailed straight for Baltigo.
"After everything that happened in that last battle, drifting quietly across the sea like this feels almost… peaceful," Jack said.
"Jack, have you really turned that zen?"
Leaning against the railing, Michael gave him an amused look.
"That's not like you."
"After watching your fight with the Golden Lion, how could I not?"
Jack sighed.
"It makes me feel completely useless."
Bang!
At that moment, the cabin door burst open with a loud crash.
Yamato rushed in, holding something carefully in her hands, and ran straight up to Michael.
"F-Father!"
"Among our stored fruit… one more has appeared—"
"A Devil Fruit!"
-----------
Fanfic is finished. 583 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg