"The World Government is suddenly taking the Reverie seriously again, even though it had been reduced to a mere formality in recent years… Seems they haven't had an easy time lately," Chin Jao mused, arms crossed, his eyes alight with excitement in the secluded palace.
"But the worse the World Government fares, the happier I am."
"Hah! You old cone-headed geezer, you're already on borrowed time, yet you're still meddling in the affairs of the young!"
"What's that, Garp? You think my cone-head isn't sharp enough?"
"My fists aren't exactly soft either!"
Garp, seated beside Michael, stared at Chin Jao with undisguised enthusiasm.
Even without Michael's input, anyone with eyes could see the old man was itching for a fight.
Especially after running into an old rival—his hands were practically twitching.
"Enough. They're here for the meeting, and so are you. There's no real difference," Michael said, waving a hand to signal Chin Jao to sit back down.
"If you want to fight Garp, fine. Wait until after the meeting, once you've left Mary Geoise. Then you can brawl all you want."
"Ahem, I was just talking."
Chin Jao chuckled awkwardly.
Though he had once harbored deep resentment toward Garp, he had long since come to terms with one undeniable truth…
He was no match for Garp.
The gap between them wasn't just in strength—it was even greater in talent.
For one, despite being a wielder of Conqueror's Haki, Chin Jao had only ever managed to summon it at will. He had never been able to grasp the technique of Conqueror's Haki Coating.
Even among conquerors, there were differences.
Besides, ever since Michael had healed his head, his hatred for Garp had completely vanished.
Now, at most, he just reflexively wanted to argue with the man.
Michael nodded.
Chin Jao was an excellent old man in every regard—whether as a Warlord of the Sea or as the guardian deity of the Flower Country, he was diligent and nearly flawless.
Only when facing Garp did he get a little… excitable.
But none of this was a big deal... After all, Garp had been beating up Chin Jao every year for the past few years, to the point where Chin Jao had completely stopped fighting back against him now.
He simply couldn't win anymore.
"Speaking of which, where are the others?" Chin Jao asked as he sat down, noticing Doflamingo sitting on the couch looking utterly defeated.
"Haven't they arrived yet?"
"I gave them until the end of today. Anyone who doesn't show up gets removed from the roster," Michael said with a smile.
"It's barely noon now, no need to rush."
"You're being quite generous," Chin Jao sighed.
"Have you heard? At this year's Reverie, the World Government seems intent on increasing the collection of Celestial Tribute."
"Hmm?" Michael frowned and exchanged a glance with Garp.
"I haven't received any information about that."
"I didn't know either until my kingdom's king told me on the way to Mariejois."
Chin Jao's words made Michael ponder deeply.
Increasing Celestial Tribute collections?
What were they planning? Squeeze everyone dry before making a run for it?
Or... military preparations?
"Is that all?"
"There's also the fact that this Reverie will officially recognize a new World Government affiliate nation—the Ryugu Kingdom of Fish-Man Island."
Michael nodded.
He was aware of this matter.
Rather than having the Ryugu Kingdom refuse, he had instructed Neptune and Queen Otohime to attend the Reverie with the utmost pride and become a new World Government affiliate nation.
Planting spies and saboteurs within the enemy's ranks—if the World Government could do it, so could Michael.
But while Michael dared to purge the Regional Justice Faction within the Marines, would the World Government dare to move against Fish-Man Island?
Setting aside Fish-Man Island's connections with the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates...
Currently, Fish-Man Island was practically the honored guest of nearly every nation.
Who wouldn't want to establish long-term trade relations with them?
An opportunity to make money together was something to seize!
Even those pleasure-seeking, foolish kings wouldn't turn their noses up at profit.
"It seems the World Government is planning something major... Otherwise, they wouldn't be in such a hurry to gather funds."
"Don't bother speculating about the Reverie's agenda," Garp said calmly as he sat down.
"When it begins, you, me, Sengoku, and Tsuru will all be attending as observers. Instead of worrying about that now, why not wonder why your so-called Shichibukai haven't shown up yet?"
"I've already sent my entourage to greet them at Mariejois' port."
"Entourage... Isn't your entourage always just those two kids, Enel and Hawkeye?"
"Who said that? I recently added Yamato and Jack to the group."
"Wait... Are you sure those two even know how to 'receive guests properly'?"
"With your emotional intelligence... Do you even have the right to say that, old man!?"
...
"Dad! Is this the legendary Mariejois?"
At the bow of the Red Force sat a young girl with hair split red on the right and white on the left, wearing headphones and clothes adorned with distinct white feather motifs.
Gazing at Mariejois appearing in the distance, she turned around and shouted excitedly.
"Uta! How many times have I told you not to sit on the bow! It's dangerous!" A more mature Red-Haired Shanks emerged from the cabin.
"And Mary Geoise isn't exactly a nice place..."
"If it's not nice, then why are you here? Dad, don't treat me like a kid you can fool." Uta pushed off the bow with a springy step, executing a perfect backflip before landing steadily on the deck.
"I'm a member of the Red Hair Pirates, the daughter of Shichibukai Shanks, and a brave warrior of the sea!"
"Warrior of the sea, my foot!" Shanks grumbled as he playfully patted Uta's head.
"Do you know what I found in your room? Your Michael merchandise is practically overflowing in your room!"
"Ahem, that's just... a minor personal hobby." Uta coughed awkwardly.
"Isn't it perfectly normal for a little girl like me?"
"...You just called yourself a warrior of the sea."
"Being a warrior doesn't conflict with being a little girl." Uta stuck her tongue out at Shanks before climbing onto his shoulders like a monkey.
"Dad, if Mary Geoise isn't a nice place, then why are we going there?"
"Unfortunately, as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, we must arrive within the stipulated time when that person calls a meeting," Shanks said with a bitter smile.
"If we're late or deliberately absent, major problems could arise."
"That person?"
"You're nine years old now—it's time you learned some things." Shanks sighed and pointed to the cabin behind him.
"Don't you idolize Michael from the comics? Well, the 'that person' I'm referring to is none other than Michael, the legendary Grand Inspector of the Marines."
"Wow." Uta nodded calmly upon hearing this. "Then don't forget to get me an autograph."
"Why are you so unfazed? Isn't Michael your idol?"
"I just like the comics... Actually idolizing the real person is kind of crazy." Uta's lips twitched.
"People who genuinely chase celebrities are a bit unhinged."
No sooner had Uta finished speaking than a loud sneeze erupted from the marine ship leading the way ahead.
"Achoo!"
Yamato, dressed in a Marine officer's uniform and carrying her spiked club "Aken," rubbed her nose.
"Why do I feel like someone's bad-mouthing me behind my back?"
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