The Grand Line, Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, Marine Fleet Admiral Kong was bent over his desk reviewing documents. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window, illuminating the entire office with a bright and warm glow. Just then, the golden Den Den Mushi on the desk began ringing with a "Buru Buru" sound.
Kong set down his fountain pen and reached for the Den Den Mushi. The snail immediately transformed into a comical appearance wearing a dog hat—the distinctive feature of Garp's personal Den Den Mushi.
"Well, Garp? Did you manage to capture that arrogant pirate?" Kong asked directly, his voice carrying a note of anticipation.
There was a brief silence on the other end before Garp's slightly embarrassed voice came through: "Uh, well... Brother Kong, sorry about this. I fought that guy Kaidou for five days and nights, but the bastard eventually escaped with his pirate crew."
Kong's brow instantly furrowed, his fingers unconsciously tapping the desktop: "What? Garp, even you couldn't defeat Kaidou?" His voice was filled with disbelief.
After all, Garp was currently considered the strongest fighter in the entire Marines—even Kong himself wasn't completely confident he could defeat Garp. And yet this Marine hero, personally taking on the mission, couldn't even capture a pirate with a 540 million Berry bounty?
The Den Den Mushi's replicated expression of Garp suddenly turned unusually serious: "Brother Kong, we can't judge Kaidou just by his bounty. His current strength... forget defeating him, you could probably count the number of people in the entire Marines who can match him on one hand. His threat level is definitely not below Whitebeard, Golden Lion, or Roger."
"What? Is he really that strong?" Kong's voice lowered, his fingers stopping their tapping as he clenched his fist instead.
"That's right," Garp's voice grew even more grave, "After the battle at God Valley several years ago, that guy ate the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon Model Devil Fruit. The boost that fruit gave him was tremendous. After the battle ended, I could hardly believe the monster before me was the same apprentice from the Rocks Pirates back in the day."
Kong stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the calm sea in the distance as he listened to Garp continue his analysis: "While his raw power isn't as terrifying as Whitebeard's, his attacks aren't as sharp as Golden Lion's, and his defense doesn't match that natural monster Charlotte Linlin's—Kaidou's strength lies in his perfect balance across all aspects. Power, speed, offense, defense, recovery... he has no weaknesses in any category. In a way, he's even more troublesome to deal with than Whitebeard or Golden Lion."
The sound of Garp drinking water came through the Den Den Mushi before he added: "Moreover, Kaidou has recently recruited a group of promising newcomers. That guy's ambition is no smaller than Golden Lion's."
Kong sighed deeply and turned back to his desk: "Is that so... these are truly troubled times. Garp, I'll reassess Kaidou's threat level. For now, immediately set sail for the G1 branch in the New World! Things have been unstable in the New World recently—Golden Lion has been causing quite a stir again, and we need you to take command there."
"What?" The Den Den Mushi suddenly widened its eyes. "Brother Kong, I still need to hunt down Roger! How do I have time to garrison G-1? And before coming to the West Blue, you promised me a proper vacation! Why not send Sengoku instead?"
Kong rubbed his temples. "Garp, the situation has changed. Our earlier confrontation with Kaidou at Fish-Man Island might have provoked Whitebeard. That guy has taken an interest in the first half of the Grand Line and has been lingering there. Sengoku has been busy blocking Whitebeard's advance in the first half, trying to drive him back to the New World. He simply can't break away."
"But... but my vacation!" Garp's voice was full of grievance.
"You know our combat strength has been severely lacking since Zephyr retired," Kong's tone softened. "I promise, once this period passes, I'll make sure you get your vacation."
The Den Den Mushi pouted. "Brother Kong, you said the same thing last time when you sent me to the West Blue."
Kong chuckled helplessly. "This time I mean it. Zephyr's Naval Elite Training Academy has been recruiting promising newcomers from naval bases worldwide. They've found an exceptionally talented young man whose potential rivals yours and Sengoku's. In a couple of years when he's fully developed, you can take that proper vacation."
"Potential that rivals mine and Sengoku's?" Garp's voice suddenly rose an octave. "Brother Kong, are you sure? What's his name?"
"Absolutely certain," Kong affirmed. "His name is Sakazuki. He's a master swordsman."
There was silence from the Den Den Mushi for a few seconds, followed by Garp's hearty laughter. "Hahaha! Interesting! Then I'll endure another two years! But Brother Kong, you better keep your word this time!"
"Don't worry," Kong smiled as he hung up, his gaze sharpening again. "Someone! Immediately summon the strategy department for a meeting! We need to reformulate our battle plan against Kaidou!"
Outside the office, the adjutant promptly acknowledged and departed. Kong stood before the world map, his eyes shifting between the New World and the Grand Line, murmuring to himself, "The storm... is coming."
······
West Blue, Moscow Sea. Sunlight sprinkled across the shimmering sea surface, creating golden ripples.
Seven days had passed since the battle with Garp. After several days of rest, Kaidou's injuries had completely healed. In fact, thanks to the prolonged high-intensity combat, while his strength hadn't increased much, his control over his power had become more refined.
Just then.
The seven-year-old Enel came bouncing excitedly toward Kaidou, holding a newspaper high, his young face unable to conceal his joy.
"Captain, your bounty has increased again!" Enel stood on his tiptoes, straining to hold the newspaper higher, afraid his tall captain might not see clearly. The sea breeze swept across the deck, ruffling the hair on his forehead.
Kaidou took the newspaper, his thick fingers carefully unfolding the thin paper.
Sunlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the words on the bounty poster with exceptional clarity. His deep laughter echoed in the sea breeze: "Worororo... Is that so?"
The bounty poster clearly stated: [Beasts Pirates Captain, The Beast Kaidou - Bounty 850,000,000 Berry - Dead or Alive].
Kaidou's gaze lingered on the bounty poster for a moment, a satisfied curve lifting the corner of his mouth. He recalled his encounter with the Marine hero Garp a few days prior, when he had specifically complained about the Marines' inability to come up with proper epithets. To his surprise, they had actually taken his suggestion.
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