Watching Luffy clutch his head and cry, Ezra nearly lost it.
It was just too funny.
"Uncle Garp, since you're here, I'll go take care of something," Ezra said casually.
Without another glance at the group, he strode out of the inn.
The others finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"The presence of Admiral Blazing Ash is terrifying," Carina wiped the sweat from her brow.
Robin, however, continued to sweat profusely. She recognized the old man in front of her.
"A Marine hero! Garp!"
"What?"
The rest of the group froze in shock.
The Marines really had nothing better to do? One moment it was an admiral, the next a Marine hero?
Garp scratched his nose nonchalantly.
"Hero? That's just a title. Mostly meaningless."
He turned his gaze toward Luffy.
"Luffy, did Ezra not try to arrest you?"
Sanji spoke up.
"Old man, judging from how he acted just now, he wasn't trying to capture us. He was trying to kill us outright."
Garp snorted.
"Who can blame him? Ezra has been training you all to be Marines, to shape you. And now you sail the seas as pirates? Blame that Red-Haired guy!"
At the mention of Shanks, Luffy's eyes lit up.
"Grandpa! Do you know where Shanks is? Is he still alive?"
Garp smirked.
"If you make it to the second half of the Grand Line, maybe you'll see him yourself."
"Really? Really?!"
Luffy's excitement earned him another punch from Garp.
"You brat! Is this the time to worry about that?"
Garp's expression turned serious.
"Ezra appearing here means he truly wanted to kill you. Do you understand the gravity of this?"
Luffy's face twisted in disbelief.
"Seriously? Uncle Ezra actually wanted to kill me?"
"Ha! You think familiarity would stop him?"
"Old man, what should we do then? Do you have any ideas?" Sanji asked.
Garp shook his head, a hint of frustration in his eyes.
"That's exactly why this is tricky. If I hadn't barged in, we wouldn't even be talking right now. All we can do is wait for him to leave."
"Then should we run?" Carina asked.
Garp shook his head.
"No use. Ezra's warship is at the harbor, and Aokiji's on board. You think you can outrun a Marine admiral?"
The group fell silent. Waiting for Ezra's return was their only option.
Meanwhile, Ezra walked to a deserted stretch of coastline.
He pulled a World Government Den Den Mushi from his pocket.
Br-r-r-r-r…
The line clicked.
"Master, what are your orders?"
"Water Seven will now fall under Marine control."
A brief silence, then a voice spoke hesitantly.
"Master, may I ask why?"
Ezra lifted his head slightly.
"The ancient weapon Pluton. I entrusted Iceburg to build it. Your oversight of him ends here."
On the other end, the Five Elders' eyes widened in excitement.
"Truly, Master?"
"Of course. I have no time to play games."
"Yes! Understood! I will contact CP0 immediately and cancel oversight of Water Seven!"
Ezra nodded slowly.
"Spandam at Enies Lobby is still alive, right?"
"Yes, Master. CP0 has retrieved him and taken him back to Mary Geoise."
Ezra's eyes darkened with disdain.
"That reckless fool who randomly issued the Buster Call… get rid of him. Find a more competent successor for the CP9 leader position."
Hearing the displeasure in his voice, the Five Elders nodded quickly.
"Yes, Master!"
After ending the call, Ezra went straight to Iceburg's office.
Iceburg was studying the Pluton blueprints, his first time opening the original manuscript.
"Iceburg."
Iceburg froze and turned.
"Admiral Blazing Ash!"
Ezra lifted his head slightly.
"It's taken care of. From now on, no intelligence organizations will interfere in Water Seven. You can build Pluton with peace of mind."
Iceburg's face brightened.
"Thank you, Admiral Blazing Ash!"
Ezra glanced at the blueprints behind him.
"Can you understand it?"
Iceburg scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.
"Most of it, yes. But some details will require careful verification to ensure feasibility."
"Good. Make sure the quality is perfect."
"Yes, Admiral Blazing Ash."
Iceburg hesitated, then asked.
"Admiral, about Luffy… can we spare them?"
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"Mind your own business."
Iceburg shuddered.
"My apologies, Admiral. I will not question it again."
When Iceburg looked up, Ezra had already disappeared.
Outside the inn, Garp was repairing the hole he had smashed earlier, with Boggard and the others assisting.
Zoro had returned shortly before, and hearing about Ezra's appearance, his eyes flashed with challenge.
The world's greatest swordsman, indeed his target.
Garp scratched his nose casually.
"Oh, right, Luffy. I heard your father came by?"
Luffy froze.
"Father? I have a father?"
Garp raised an eyebrow.
"What? Didn't he meet you?"
Carina asked curiously.
"Luffy, who is your father?"
Luffy shook his head, just as confused.
"Monkey D. Dragon."
The group gasped, frozen in disbelief.
"Who… who is that?"
Only Luffy scratched his head, confused.
Carina was nearly losing her mind. His background was terrifying!
Robin spoke up.
"He's the leader of the Revolutionary Army, the world's most wanted criminal."
Luffy tilted his head.
The concept seemed too abstract for him to grasp.
Then, a cold voice cut through.
"No need to explain to him. He won't understand."
Everyone shivered and turned toward the doorway.
Ezra D. Vale. The man had appeared before them once again.