Marine 153rd Branch, Inside a Solemn Meeting Room
In a sternly formal meeting room, over a dozen captains and commodores, each wearing the Marine’s justice coat, were gathered to discuss the aftermath of Captain Morgan’s collusion with the pirates.
Crunch. Crunch.
The sound of chewing from a corner contrasted sharply with the solemn atmosphere around the conference table. However, despite the annoying noise, none of the Marine officers displayed any dissatisfaction.
After all, the one making the noise was none other than Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, the legendary Marine hero.
Since this matter involved the reassignment of a captain-level officer, which was of significant importance, Vice Admiral Garp, who was on vacation in the East Blue, was summoned directly by Fleet Admiral Kong.
With his greying hair still streaked with some black, Garp lay on a sofa with his eyes closed, a snot bubble from his nose, mechanically grabbing donuts placed before him and stuffing them into his mouth.
This was a secret technique of the Monkey family: resting while ensuring adequate nutrition and energy intake.
Shortened to: eating while sleeping.
Garp had no interest in officer reassignment and was only here out of obligation to the Fleet Admiral’s orders, making the best of it by enjoying some food and rest.
The meeting dragged on for over two hours before nearing its conclusion.
“Finally, regarding the sea restaurant Infinite Dream’s owner Icey, our investigations in both Orange Town and Fossa Town showed that residents held him in high regard, recognizing his power and integrity as impeccable.”
“The Headquarters’ stance is to recruit him if possible, thereby strengthening the forces of justice to punish those despicable pirates!”
Pop!
At that moment, the large snot bubble burst from Garp’s nostril.
Instantly awake and full of energy, Garp looked nothing like someone who had just been napping.
“What did you just say? Icey?” Garp asked curiously.
He had a deep impression of the young man who had taken good care of Luffy in Windmill Village. Garp had even given him basic training in physical combat and Haki concepts a few months ago.
Since the news about Icey had just been released today, Garp was unaware of it.
Seeing this influential figure’s interest, the Marine officers dared not be negligent and recounted the entire event in detail.
“Ha ha ha! Defeated Buggy the Clown and Captain Kuro, that restaurant kid is quite capable.”
Garp laughed heartily after hearing the story.
“Garp-san, you… know him?” The officers were full of suspicion.
If Icey had such a connection, they would need to treat the matter more seriously.
“He’s someone who owes me a bit of a favor.”
“Recruiting him into the Marines, leave that to me. You guys don’t need to worry about it.”
With that, Garp raised the justice coat on his back, munching on a donut as he strolled out of the meeting room.
This left the officers inside utterly shocked: Vice Admiral Garp owed Icey a favor?!
Make a note of that quickly; this is a super important detail!
With the news spreading widely across the East Blue, business at the Sea restaurant boomed.
After all, Icey and his crew weren’t vicious pirates. Merchants, travelers, pirate hunters, and even off-duty Marines all wanted to meet the person who defeated two pirates with bounties over ten million.
Riding this wave of popularity, Icey ramped up prices for food and drinks several times over.
When the meat ran out, they sold fish. When the alcohol ran out, they sold Aqua’s purified water for 1,000 Beli a glass!
Seeing that there really were fools willing to pay, Aqua almost laughed herself awake from her dreams.
If Icey hadn’t warned her to understand the concept of scarcity sales, she would have flooded the market with her water!
Catching this wave of news, Icey had earned nearly three million Beli in just a few days, comparable to catching a pirate with a bounty.
This made him marvel at the many rich people in the pirate world.
There were numerous wealthy merchants and nobles in various kingdoms. Only those who couldn’t make a living in harsh environments would turn to piracy!
As the silhouette of an island appeared on the horizon, the frenzy of sales at the sea restaurant finally came to a temporary halt.
The island, home to Shimotsuki Village, wasn’t large; only one town had a dedicated docking port.
After paying the docking fee and mooring the Infinite Dream at the port, Icey, Aqua, and King disembarked.
In truth, like Cocoyasi Village, Shimotsuki Village also had direct coastal access, but the sea restaurant was out of supplies. Buying and transporting the necessary provisions from a larger town was easier.
After a simple meal in a town restaurant, Icey learned from the enthusiastic owner the precise location of Shimotsuki Village.
Before leaving, the owner even asked the trio for autographs—after all, they were now well-known “celebrities” in the East Blue!
Leaving the coastal town and following the winding road until its end, they arrived at the region where Shimotsuki Village was located.
Founded by Shimotsuki Kozaburo from Wano Country, the village had an architectural style leaning towards traditional Japanese, with low, intricate buildings.
However, when Icey and his companions arrived, an eerie silence permeated the village. The entrance and pathways were empty, with only a few scattered figures moving around.
“Visitors, you’ve come at a bad time. Please, leave.”
A passing villager glanced at the trio, letting out a heavy sigh.
The sorrowful expression made Icey feel a sense of foreboding.
“To be honest, we’re here to see Master Koshiro at the dojo. What happened?” he asked.
“Oh, I see, you’re friends of Master Koshiro?”
Mentioning this name made the villager look even more distressed, shaking his head repeatedly, “I don’t think he’s in the mood to see anyone. This morning, his daughter Kuina tragically fell down the stairs and died.”
“What did you say?!” Icey was greatly shocked.
He came to Shimotsuki Village to prevent Kuina’s unfortunate death. He never expected to be too late.
“Could you please take us there?” he asked urgently.
“I can, but please don’t discuss other matters. We don’t want to upset Master Koshiro.”
The villager nodded and led the way.
Icey followed closely.
Though Aqua and King didn’t know Kuina, they sensed something was wrong from Icey’s reaction and refrained from asking questions, following him to the dojo.
Master Koshiro’s dojo, situated in the center of Shimotsuki Village, had a spacious courtyard and training hall for disciples to practice swordsmanship.
At that moment, the courtyard was filled with villagers, and the dojo was packed with students in training uniforms.
Everyone looked dejected and mournful.
“Damn it! You promised! You can’t just run away like this! Kuina! Ah!”
When the trio arrived, a heart-wrenching shout echoed from the dojo.
Young Zoro, restrained by several disciples, struggled desperately to reach the figure lying on the floor, covered by a white cloth.
Despite his youthful voice, the overwhelming sorrow deeply moved everyone present.
Tears filled their eyes as they turned away, unable to bear the heartbreaking scene.
Today was a day shrouded in darkness for the dojo and the entire Shimotsuki Village.
Even though the sun was shining brightly outside…
Icey pushed through the despondent crowd, reaching the dojo’s center just as Zoro broke free and rushed to Kuina’s “corpse.”
The future tough and resolute Straw Hat swordsman was crying uncontrollably, tears and snot streaming down his face.
Affected by the piercing cries, Icey clenched his fists, his expression heavy.
“Icey, why are they all crying?” Aqua asked, confused.
Icey thought that as a goddess who oversaw the transition of the dead and was used to life and death, Aqua simply couldn’t empathize with the scene.
But her next words made Icey alert.
Aqua’s ocean-blue eyes flashed with a faint golden light as she pointed to Kuina and said, “That child isn’t dead.”
Her eyes, which could see through the essence of things in the divine realm, were suppressed in the pirate world to the extent that she could only see clearly at night.
After several rounds of strengthening by the power of faith, she could barely discern Kuina’s body’s unusual state.
“No, her brain received severe trauma causing her body to temporarily lose all functions, falling into a state of apparent death. Without prompt treatment, she will truly die.” Aqua analyzed seriously, hand on her chin.
Her casual words were like a ray of hope in endless darkness, drawing everyone’s attention.
“You… You’re saying Kuina can still be saved?!”
Master Koshiro, who had been trying to stay composed, couldn’t hold back anymore, asking Aqua in great excitement.
“Please, save Kuina! Please, save her!”
Zoro, on his knees, pleaded, his muscular arms trembling uncontrollably.
“Of course! This is a small matter for a goddess like me.”
Aqua puffed up her chest proudly, her eyes gleaming with an idea, “If you promise to always worship the Axis Cult and pray to the water goddess Aqua every day, I…”
“This is not the time for that, you idiot goddess! Save her first!”
Icey knocked Aqua on the head to stop her.
“Okay, okay!”
Aqua, pouting, stepped forward and closed her eyes, beginning a mysterious chant.
Hum.
Pink ribbons formed out of
thin air, swirling around Aqua, who was bathed in a radiant light.
A blue-glowing magic circle appeared beneath Kuina, emitting a faint golden light.
Under the goddess’s blessing, the golden light slowly entered Kuina’s body and disappeared.
The atmosphere turned deathly silent, everyone holding their breath, eyes fixed on Kuina.
Thump, thump, thump.
The previously stopped heartbeat grew stronger, clearly audible in the tense dojo.
Soon, Kuina’s chest began to rise and fall slightly, and after a few seconds, it returned to a steady rhythm, as if she were merely asleep.
In the hopeful and astonished eyes of the onlookers, Kuina’s stiff fingers twitched.
“Ow, it hurts.”
Awakening, Kuina sat up slowly, rubbing the back of her head and removing the white cloth that had covered her vision. Puzzled, she thought, “Strange. Wasn’t I going upstairs to get the whetstone? Why am I lying on the floor with a white cloth?”
Before she could understand, she noticed the crowd around her, “Why is everyone here, looking so serious?”
“Ah! Kuina! You idiot, you’re finally awake!”
“Last night we agreed to become the world’s greatest swordsmen together! If you run away out of fear, I won’t forgive you!”
Zoro, breaking down, rushed over and tackled the confused Kuina.
“Thank goodness! Kuina is alive!”
The dojo erupted in cheers, and everyone’s gloom lifted, replaced by uncontrollable smiles.
“Why did you tackle me, Zoro? Winning like this is a swordsman’s disgrace!”
Kuina pushed Zoro away, assuming a defensive stance.
Then she realized the severity of the situation, her eyes widening, “Wait, what did you say? I… came back to life???”
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