Marinford.
The Gate of Justice slowly opened.
A warship was pushed by the ocean currents towards the port.
Aokiji stood by the window of Akainu's office, looking far out at the warship docking, couldn't help but scratch his head, and turned to Akainu who was still laboriously reviewing documents.
"Hm... Sakazuki, it seems Borsalino is back."
"Hmph, timing is impeccable..."
Akainu let out a slow cold snort, closed the folder in his hand, threw it on the table, and frowned discontentedly: "I just finished processing his documents..."
Akainu put down his pen, stood up and walked over to the window: "So, that person must have come as well?"
"Yes."
Aokiji nodded.
Within their sight, they saw Kizaru leading a young figure off the warship.
The young man seemed to notice the gazes of the two Admirals, he raised his head and squinted his eyes, showing them a gentle smile.
It was Uehara Naraku.
Uehara Naraku's smile...
Unavoidably makes one feel that he must be a good person...
"Let's go!"
Akainu couldn't help but clench his fist and spoke coldly: "I've heard that Yakushi Kabuto and Marshal Sengoku are waiting for him. What must come will come; let's see what he plans to do in Marinford!"
"Hm, is that really necessary?"
Aokiji scratched his head, couldn't help but advise his colleague: "Sakazuki, if he wants to do something, there's nothing we can do to stop him, right?"
Indeed...
They really can't do anything.
As he said this, Aokiji slowly continued: "In that case, it's better not to see him; it wouldn't trouble the mind..."
Aokiji's words...
Sound reasonable at first glance.
But this clearly seems to be giving up to Uehara Naraku!
"Kuzan!"
Akainu's face couldn't help but darken, a drop of magma fell off him, and he turned to leave: "You can stay here then!"
"Alright then, let's go together..."
Aokiji rubbed his forehead: "Feeling that if we don't go and something happens, it might be hard to deal with..."
The Navy Admiral's office.
When Uehara Naraku followed Kizaru inside, several Navy higher-ups were already seated, waiting for his arrival.
Navy Admiral, Sengoku the Buddha.
Navy Staff Officers, Tsuru, Yakushi Kabuto.
Admirals of the Navy Headquarters, Akainu, Aokiji.
Vice Admiral, Monkey D. Garp.
As Kizaru, this Admiral, took his seat, the office included the strongest forces within the Navy.
This lineup...
Would frighten any typical Navy member!
Uehara Naraku hurriedly tidied his uniform, took a deep breath, and solemnly saluted in the manner of the Navy.
"Marshal, Navy Headquarters Colonel, member of the SWORD Squad, Uehara Naraku, reporting for duty!"
"Cough cough cough..."
Yakushi Kabuto covered his mouth and lightly coughed a few times, personally bringing a chair for Uehara Naraku and placed it beside him: "Colonel Naraku, it's been a long journey, please sit down and rest for a bit..."
Uehara Naraku seemed a bit at a loss, gratefully accepted Yakushi Kabuto's chair: "Thank you, Yakushi Kabuto Vice Admiral."
"You're welcome."
Yakushi Kabuto squinted his eyes with a smile, waved his hand and cheerfully added: "Would you like some juice? I've prepared some freshly squeezed just now..."
"I dare not, it would be too much trouble..."
Uehara Naraku couldn't help but show a bit of apprehension.
At this moment, Uehara Naraku was a Navy Colonel, inexplicably treated with the courtesy of a Vice Admiral, appearing somewhat flustered.
Vice Admiral Tsuru watched this scene, couldn't help revealing a bit of regret: "Little Kabuto is still the same in dealing with people..."
During the time at Marinford, Yakushi Kabuto was courteous to everyone.
If Vice Admiral Tsuru didn't know what Yakushi Kabuto has been doing for years to please the Five Elders and the World Government, she might still feel fondness towards him.
Now...
Seeing Yakushi Kabuto treat Navy Colonel Uehara Naraku with such hospitality, Vice Admiral Tsuru was somewhat uncomfortable, sensing Yakushi Kabuto's ill intentions.
"Colonel Naraku and I were once colleagues..."
Yakushi Kabuto picked up a glass of juice and handed it to Uehara Naraku, adjusted his glasses with a light laugh: "And we've been old friends not seen for years... Speaking of which, it's quite nostalgic..."
"Little Kabuto still remembers his old comrades..."
Monkey D. Garp walked to Uehara Naraku's side, slapped his shoulder, and laughed heartily: "Such a spirited little guy!"
With that slap...
The force was surprisingly strong!
Uehara Naraku quickly tilted his body, a pained expression vaguely appearing on his face: "Hiss... Vice Admiral Garp... it hurts, it hurts, it hurts..."
"..."
Everyone present had a slight change in expression.
The Three Great Admirals of the Navy Headquarters were at a loss for what expression to make. Was this Uehara Naraku really going to put on such an act in the Navy Headquarters?
Damn it...
Now he can't even take a slap...
Where was the aura from back then, when he would hammer the Admirals at will!
Sengoku looked at Uehara Naraku's pained expression and couldn't help but frown: "Hey, Garp, what the hell are you doing, you idiot?"
"Hahahaha... come have a bag of rice crackers!"
After saying that, Garp didn't wait for Sengoku to refuse, grabbed the rice crackers from Sengoku's desk, and casually returned to his seat.
"Don't do unnecessary things..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced reproachfully at Garp, then looked at Uehara Naraku, slowly clasped her hands together, and spoke with a light laugh, "Indeed a spirited little fellow, Kuzan, you should learn from others occasionally, don't always look so unmotivated!"
"..."
Aokiji's eyebrow twitched slightly.
Akainu and Kizaru couldn't help but lower their heads.
Monkey D. Garp tore open the rice crackers in his hand, still staring directly at the still-aching Uehara Naraku, and started eating with a chuckle.
The first time he saw the bounty...
Garp had thought Uehara Naraku might be a bit dangerous.
At that time, Garp didn't have a particularly clear feeling, just an instinctive sense; later during the Baroque Works' raid on Windmill Village, Garp learned from Makino, Tina, and others that Uehara Naraku was actually a good person.
Later on...
Garp forgot about Uehara's matter...
Now they finally met here for the first time, and Garp remembered it again, straightforwardly giving Uehara a slap on the shoulder. Seeing Uehara Naraku's reaction didn't seem fake, he didn't appear threatening in strength either...
"Colonel Naraku, are you okay..."
Yakushi Kabuto's hand landed on Uehara Naraku's shoulder, rubbing it slightly, saying: "Vice Admiral Garp's strength is immense, if you rub it, it shouldn't hurt too much soon..."
"Thank you, Vice Admiral Yakushi."
Uehara Naraku slowly let out a breath.
Vice Admiral Tsuru frowned watching this, and quietly said: "I apologize, Colonel Uehara Naraku, Garp is just that reckless. I heard before you joined the Navy, Windmill Village was helped by you..."
"Please don't say that."
Uehara Naraku quickly shook his head, speaking in a deep voice: "My strength is limited, and I only did a trivial little thing. At that time, the only thing I could do was barely save some innocent people..."
"Well said."
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses, glanced at Monkey D. Garp, and slowly curled his lips: "It's just a bit regrettable that the grandson of Vice Admiral Garp, Monkey D. Luffy, whom Colonel Naraku saved back then, has now become a pirate on the sea..."
"What!"
Everyone in the office was immediately shocked.
Everyone couldn't help but look at Garp.
Especially Navy Admiral Sengoku, couldn't help but look at Garp with a face full of anger, then glanced at Yakushi Kabuto and said in a deep voice: "Ahem... I am aware of this..."
The Navy Hero continued to leisurely eat the rice crackers, his gaze wandering slightly when he met Sengoku's eyes, scratching his head with a laughable voice: "He's just a clueless kid, and Luffy hasn't caused any major trouble yet..."
"Really?"
Yakushi Kabuto shook his head, looked at Garp with a light laugh, and continued, "But the intelligence I received is that Monkey D. Luffy destroyed a navy branch in the East Sea. Captain Nezumi reported to me privately, saying the situation is quite serious..."
Speaking of this, Yakushi Kabuto couldn't help but turn his head with a light laugh: "Has the Marshal also received this? I believe the bounty for Monkey D. Luffy is about to be issued soon?"
"Hmm..."
Sengoku nodded slowly and said in a deep voice: "I have approved the bounty order for Straw Hat Luffy at 30 million Berries..."
"That number is not enough."
Yakushi Kabuto's face immediately turned serious, speaking in a deep voice: "Based on my intel, Monkey D. Luffy's bounty should be at least above 100 million Berries, and we should even deploy a fleet to capture him."
"Um... Vice Admiral Yakushi."
Aokiji sat in the chair, spreading his hands: "For a new pirate on the sea, from the so-called weakest sea, the East Sea, a direct bounty of 100 million seems to undermine the navy's prestige, doesn't it?"
"I'm just being cautious."
Yakushi Kabuto smiled looking at Aokiji: "Besides, I've also investigated the past between Straw Hat Luffy and Red-haired Shanks. Straw Hat Luffy is an extreme seed of evil, underestimating him will make the Navy regret it sooner or later..."
"Hey, hey, hey, hey..."
Vice Admiral Garp couldn't help but slam the table, a layer of anger surfacing on his face: "Yakushi Kabuto, what do you mean, kid, he's my grandson, just temporarily deceived by that bastard Red Hair... do you think I'm also an evil pirate?"
"I never intended to smear Vice Admiral Garp."
Yakushi Kabuto slowly shook his head, looked at Garp, and said: "I'm merely addressing matters based on responsibility to the World Government and Navy..."
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses and continued calmly: "As the highest officer of the World Government Intelligence Department, we are very aware of some matters, and Vice Admiral Garp should also know once your grandson's background is uncovered..."
"Hmph, my son is with the Revolutionary Army!"
Garp couldn't help but cross his arms and snorted coldly.
"Yes."
Yakushi Kabuto smiled and nodded, continuing calmly: "So we have been secretly tracking Monkey D. Dragon... I believe the results will not disappoint you."
"..."
Uehara Naraku couldn't help but glance at Yakushi Kabuto.
It seems like Yakushi Kabuto's infiltration in the World Government is quite impressive!