"Hey, Big Sister, is she okay?"
"These past few days, Big Sister has been sitting at the bow of the ship, barely even eating desserts."
"Big Sister has been like this ever since we left Fish-Man Island."
"If nothing unexpected happened, it should be because of the Roger Pirates, right?"
"Ah, I think that's probably the reason too..."
Two young girls on the ship whispered in a corner.
Nero wasn't sitting in a beach chair as usual, enjoying the service of others.
These past few days, she often sat at the bow, her usually lively emerald eyes now like a clear lake, quietly gazing at the horizon.
The Roger Pirates were still a hot topic, but their figures had almost disappeared from the sea.
The latest news was three days ago, Oden had returned to Wano Country, and Roger was no longer on the ship at that time.
He had left the ship even earlier, which also meant the Roger Pirates had completely disbanded.
Like fireworks, the Roger Pirates, after their prestige reached its peak, retreated at the height of their power, leaving behind the legend of the Pirate King. In a sense, could it be considered a successful retirement?
Nero thought so, and felt a little better, but she still felt awkward, like the embers left by an incomplete burn. For her, a perfectionist, it was hard to accept such a half-baked ending.
But, but, umm, everyone's wishes have been fulfilled, and it was indeed a wonderful adventure, so the remaining unwillingness should indeed be resolved by me alone.
They just reached the destination and disembarked, but as long as I am still active on the sea, the legend will not end!
Thinking of this, Nero finally gave herself a suitable reason. The fireworks were still burning, my adventure was still continuing, and I would personally play the second act.
The Haki on Primal Fire burned like flames, Nero's eyes became firm again, and she gently took a step forward, as if stepping into a new era.
With a flick of her wrist, a huge sword qi split the sea, split the clouds, and flew to the end of the horizon. A new path ahead was carved out... Dong! Dong!
"Garp! How much longer are you going to stay in the house, you bastard?" Admiral Sengoku pushed open the door to Garp's house.
"Is there any news of Roger? I want to pursue him at the first opportunity. You guys can handle the other small fries." Garp grabbed a senbei with one hand and picked his nose with the other.
"Bastard! Is this the attitude a Marine should have?" Sengoku snatched the senbei and put it into his own mouth, his tone full of exasperation.
Roger! Roger! His old friend had become muddled from chasing Roger.
"Pirate Gol D. Roger's case has already been taken over by CP. The Marine needs to maintain the stability of the sea during this special period."
"Haha, what a joke, Sengoku. How could those guys possibly catch Roger?" Garp laughed carelessly, his words full of disdain for the World Government's lackeys, CP.
Sengoku's eye twitched, but he didn't refute Garp's words. In his opinion, a man like Roger certainly couldn't be arrested by those CP agents.
"The stability of the sea is enough with you, Tsuru, and Zephyr! It doesn't matter if I'm one less, right?" Garp lay down on the sofa, changing to a relaxed posture.
"And what's with Gol D. Roger! Hiding even a single letter, the World Government is really petty."
Sengoku tugged at his Marine cap, not continuing the topic: "That's not something you and I need to worry about. In short, all the great pirates are stirring, and currently, there's a lack of top-tier combat power on the sea."
"Garp! The Marine cannot allow you to remain on standby here right now."
Garp stopped talking but still didn't agree, turning over with his back to Sengoku, clearly ready to play the rogue.
"Sigh!" Seeing this, Sengoku sighed and didn't get angry again. When Garp got into that mood, even Fleet Admiral Kong Gangkotsu couldn't do anything about him.
"Nero of the Rose, for some unknown reason, is acting alone and has already returned from the New World to the first half of the Grand Line."
"Nero? That blonde girl? Alone? Is it Roger's plan?"
Upon mentioning Nero, Roger's crewmate, Garp immediately became energized. His previous lazy demeanor vanished without a trace, and he immediately switched to an enthusiastic expression.
"Kuzan has already gone to track her, but he alone might not be her match. Garp, you go and meet up with Kuzan now to help him capture Nero."
"Haha, no problem. Facing that brat Nero, Kuzan is still a bit too green. This old man will personally go and take her down."
Garp picked up his Marine coat and was about to leave. Sengoku couldn't bear to watch his demeanor and quickly called out to him.
"Wait! Zephyr will also be acting with you. You must arrest Nero."
"Huh? I'm enough by myself. Zephyr can go to other places with you guys!" Garp said nonchalantly, not even stopping his steps.
Sengoku quickly grabbed his shoulder: "Wait, you bastard!"
"Eh?" Garp turned back reluctantly, his disdain evident.
Sengoku's forehead was covered in black lines: "Listen! Nero is a heinous criminal who reached that place with Roger! This is also the Fleet Admiral's order. You and Zephyr will go together."
Picking his ear with his pinky and blowing away the earwax, Garp grumbled unhappily: "What a bother. Do they think I can't even take down a little girl?"
Nero's strength has also advanced by leaps and bounds these past few years. From their clash a few months ago, it seems she's no weaker than me at all.
But since it's already been said, let's not talk about whether I can take her down alone. At this moment, my momentum certainly can't be weak.
Sengoku hadn't fought Nero on the front lines for a long time. Nero's bounty had risen dramatically this year, closely trailing great pirates like Roger and Whitebeard.
But he still didn't think Nero would be Garp's opponent. They were at the peak of their strength at this time, and he didn't believe the new generation of youngsters could catch up so quickly.
Sengoku was also a little unclear about such an arrangement, he just sighed: "Perhaps those above want an extra layer of insurance."
And the truth was indeed as Sengoku thought. Both the Fleet Admiral and the World Government had the same view of Nero.
She was still young, and her strength was still some distance from the top powerhouses. Sending Zephyr was indeed an extra layer of insurance.
Garp snorted disdainfully and changed the subject: "By the way, where is Nero now?"
At this, Sengoku also frowned: "If I'm not mistaken, her current destination should be Water Seven. Based on my guess, Nero is probably preparing to start her own faction."
"Nani?" Garp's eyes widened.
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