The Genshin Traveler in the World of Pirates

The welcoming banquet was held in the Marine base's drill ground, where tables and chairs along with a large meal had already been set up.

"HAHAHAHA, this Loguetown rum is still as strong as ever! Better than the liquor in the Grand Line!"

At the top seat, Garp grabbed a whole bottle of rum and drank it down in one go, a satisfied smile on his face. Smoker sat beside him.

"If you like it, I'll have some more sent over."

"Oh? Now you're talking! HAHAHAHA, Sengoku, that old geezer at headquarters, always nags me about my drinking!"

Kong sipped his drink; he didn't much care for the taste of alcohol.

"He's just looking out for your health."

"Health? This old man's body is incredibly strong! When I drank with Roger, I never lost!"

Smoker almost choked.

"Cough, cough!"

Kong said speechlessly,

"Don't go around broadcasting that, you're a Marine, after all."

"Hmph, that's why I hate all this formality. Anyway, although we didn't catch Buggy or Dragon, headquarters recognizes your achievements in this investigation. You're being called back to Marineford for a promotion ceremony. You're being promoted to Colonel."

Smoker raised his glass.

"Congratulations, Kong. We'll be the same rank from now on."

Tashigi was also shocked.

"A 16-year-old Colonel... The next step is Rear Admiral... That's amazing!"

Kong clinked glasses with Smoker.

"Not really, it's just luck. But I won't be going back to Marineford for now. I've only been out a short time, and there are still some things I need to finish."

Garp picked his nose.

"Whatever, it's just a ceremony. Headquarters has already raised your rank. Speaking of which, Sengoku's been having a headache lately over Crocodile."

"Crocodile?! That Warlord of the Sea?!"

Hearing Tashigi's exclamation, Garp showed disdain.

"What nonsense Warlords of the Sea? It's just a bunch of garbage created by those Celestial Dragons. Heh, legal plundering rights, I spit!"

At these words, the entire venue fell silent.

Garp realized what he had done and slapped his head.

"Ah! I shouldn't have said that! Just pretend I didn't say anything!"

Smoker looked at Kong in shock, his eyes seeming to ask, "Is Garp always this bold?"

Unexpectedly, Kong replied,

"They're garbage people, anyway."

"Pfft!!!"

The officers of the garrison sitting next to them sprayed out all the liquor in their mouths. At least Garp was talking about heroes, but you're just a small-time Lieutenant Commander, or now Colonel, and you don't have the qualifications to say that!

Kong calmly picked up a piece of greens and stuffed it into Paimon's mouth.

"I'm talking about the position of Warlord of the Sea."

"Whew..."

Although publicly commenting on the Warlords of the Sea wasn't good, it was better than cursing the Celestial Dragons.

Garp happily slapped the table.

"Hahaha, you're still the one I like best! Come to my ship!"

"Then my old man would come looking for trouble with you."

"Tch... Sengoku, that guy, is just too cautious. He thinks too much about everything, doesn't live freely."

Kong knew this all too well. Despite Sengoku's glorious appearance as Fleet Admiral, as his disciple, Kong often saw Sengoku looking worried and troubled in his office. It could be said that the Marines have far more prestige than the pirates, and Sengoku has taken much of the credit.

"But someone has to do it, right? The old man worries so much, so the people can breathe a little in these troubled times."

Garp didn't want to continue this conversation, so he changed the subject.

"By the way, Kong, are you going to Orange Town next?"

Kong shrugged.

"Cancelled. I was originally going to raid that Marine garrison. I suspected they were in cahoots with the pirate Arlong. But since the Straw Hats took down Arlong and his crew, and the interrogations are complete, Rear Admiral Brin from the 77th branch has taken over, and the former Colonel Mouse of the 16th branch is in jail."

"Tsk, there are so many corrupt officials. That Colonel Morgan too. This trip will take longer. Where are you going next?"

Kong thought for a moment. He decided to capture Crocodile first. With the Water Slime, it would be like Luffy's counter against Enel. Most importantly, there's a Revolutionary Army base there. If he could rescue the king of Alabasta beforehand and gain his friendship, getting some land to develop his own forces wouldn't be impossible. Then he could connect with the Revolutionary Army...

"Slap!"

Suddenly, Kong slapped his thigh.

"Damn! Dragon is so terrifying..."

Kong swore he wasn't a traitor; it was Dragon's fault. He'd been unknowingly hypnotized by him. It was all Dragon's fault.

Garp looked at Kong strangely.

"Is it that serious? Dragon scares you that much?"

Kong nodded.

"That man is terrifying."

Everyone else thought Kong was just scared by Dragon and didn't pay too much attention. After all, Kong was still very young, and it was understandable that he would be frightened by the world's most dangerous criminal.

Smoker looked somewhat apologetic.

"I was too reckless. Otherwise, you wouldn't have run into Dragon."

"It's nothing, small problem. Old man Garp, I'm planning to go to Alabasta to see that Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile."

Garp said,

"Then wait for my ship to be repaired. You didn't bring your fleet, and that little broken ship of yours can't cross the Calm Belt. Crocodile, hmph, he's not a good person either. You're planning to raid his place, aren't you? Take me with you, and we'll wipe him out completely."

Kong quickly shook his head. He was kidding. He was going to start a revolution.... Bah! He was going to start a business. How could he let Garp come along?

"No need, I'll just go for a normal inspection, via the Red Line. And, can you stop mentioning raiding people's homes? It makes me sound like a bad guy."

"HAHAHAHA, aren't you? Isn't your title of 'Executioner' from raiding homes?! Let me tell you, this kid was famous in the first half of the Grand Line! At 13 he became Sengoku's disciple, at 14 he started raiding homes—pirates, rebels, even undisciplined Marines! He caught one and then proceeded to raid them mercilessly! He even plucked the hair off dogs! He told people he was a traveler who loved sightseeing, but everyone secretly called him the Executioner! HAHAHAHAHA, isn't that interesting?"

Smoker stood up, holding his glass.

"Then I really want to see it for myself. The Grand Line is exciting. Vice Admiral Garp, I request to go to the Grand Line. The Straw Hats and Buggy's crew all escaped from my jurisdiction. I'm to blame. I ask for your approval to personally capture them!"

Garp chugged down a bottle of liquor.

"Why ask me? I don't manage those things. Isn't Kong here? He's now a Colonel and Patrol Officer. He can approve it."

Smoker turned to look at Kong, his eyes serious.

"Brother Kong! Please approve it!"

Kong also stood up and clinked glasses with Smoker.

"Of course, Brother Smoker's abilities are wasted here in the East Blue. I'll report back to headquarters. It'll probably take a month for the process. After all, Loguetown needs a garrison commander, so we have to wait for the transfer."

"A month..."

Kong smiled.

"Don't worry, the Straw Hats aren't the type to give up easily. Although they're young, my gut tells me you're destined to meet again."

A month was about the time it would take Luffy and the others to reach Alabasta. Kong could take the Marines' special route, skipping the first few islands and going straight to Alabasta. He planned to use that month to create a time difference and capture Crocodile in advance. At the same time, he also had a series of plans to increase Crocodile's stagnant bounty.

"Since Brother Kong said so, I'll wait for your news. I look forward to our future meeting in the Grand Line."

Garp opened another bottle of sake and came over.

"Hahahaha! That's great, a young man's promise, come on, cheers!"