Kaito was having breakfast with Gion and the others when a maid walked in. She bowed respectfully toward Kaito, who sat at the head of the table, and said,
"Kaito-sama, Vice Admiral Garp requests an audience."
The word "audience" made Kaito almost lose composure. Since when did Garp get so polite?
The truth was, Kaito still hadn't fully grasped the weight of his new identity. Right now, his status was several times more exalted than that of a Celestial Dragon. Even the normally carefree Garp felt a bit uneasy in front of him.
Not to mention, today he had brought along the "world's most dangerous criminal."
For Dragon to want to return to the Navy—Garp was of course deeply relieved. But he also knew it wasn't something that could happen just because Dragon wanted it. For such a matter, Kaito's approval was essential.
So he had brought Dragon along to meet Kaito, to see what his attitude would be.
What surprised Garp was that when Kaito saw Dragon, he showed no sign of surprise at all, as if he had known Dragon would come.
Kaito greeted Garp casually and went right back to eating breakfast.
Dragon bowed respectfully toward Kaito, while stealing glances at him and the people around him.
Kaito continued eating leisurely. Beside him, Hancock occasionally picked up food and placed it onto Kaito's plate, the picture of a devoted, caring wife.
As the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Dragon naturally recognized Hancock. And it wasn't just her—he recognized several others at the table as well.
For example, the Celestial Dragon Shalria, the Devil's Child Robin, and Gion, who had just been appointed as a candidate for Admiral. Ain and Kalifa were both already Rear Admirals, and Dragon didn't overlook them either.
Kaito finally set down his utensils, looked at Dragon, and said,
"I already know you want to return to the Navy. Honestly, I have to admire your courage. To come here carrying the title of 'world's most dangerous criminal'..."
There was a subtle edge of danger in his tone. The temperature in the room dropped sharply, and Dragon couldn't help but tense up inside.
A thin layer of sweat appeared on Garp's forehead. He began to wonder if bringing Dragon here today had been a mistake.
Gion, however, had noticed a faint, mischievous smirk at the corner of Kaito's lips. She knew that meant his sly side was acting up again—he was just teasing Garp.
Under the table, she gently patted Kaito's leg, leaned closer, and whispered in his ear,
"Kaito, don't scare Vice Admiral Garp, okay? He's already an old man..."
Kaito chuckled, caught Gion's hand under the table, and said,
"Just for your courage, I'll allow you to return to the Navy. But—you'll start as an Ensign."
Dragon exhaled in relief and nodded firmly. Given his personality, he had never cared much about ranks. As long as he could return to the Navy, that was enough.
Garp, on the other hand, was overjoyed and promised to hand over all of the rare senbei he had "borrowed" from Sengoku's stash to Kaito.
Kaito waved it off, saying it was better left for Garp and Sengoku—the pair of best friends—to enjoy themselves.
Dragon tugged helplessly at his hopeless old man, then bowed again to Kaito and said,
"Kaito-sama... forgive us for disturbing your meal. We'll take our leave."
The honorific sounded awkward coming from Dragon, but given that Kaito had saved the world, addressing him as "sama" wasn't something Dragon couldn't accept.
But Kaito raised his hand to stop him and said,
"Dragon, did you bring Sabo along this time?"
Dragon wondered why Kaito would bring up Sabo, but Garp's expression changed instantly. Of course he knew Sabo—not only knew him, but had even beaten him once.
And he remembered clearly—Sabo was supposed to be dead. Luffy and Ace had been devastated for a long time because of it.
Dragon, not noticing Garp's reaction, answered respectfully,
"Sabo? Yes, I brought him. Does Kaito-sama have business with him?"
"It's not me. There's a kid who wants to see him. Vice Admiral Garp, take Ace with you to meet Sabo. The two of them haven't seen each other in a long time."
With that, Kaito lowered his head and resumed eating. Garp pulled the bewildered Dragon along and left.
...
Outside the palace gates, Dragon turned to Garp with a puzzled look.
"Father, Ace is...?"
Dragon had left when Luffy was very young, so he knew nothing about the two "brothers" Luffy grew up with. He didn't even know that the boy he had saved—Sabo—was one of them.
Garp sighed and told Dragon the whole story of Ace, Sabo, and Luffy—including Ace's true parentage.
Dragon froze in place, stunned. He hadn't expected such a coincidence—that the child he had saved by chance was actually Luffy's sworn brother.
But what shocked him even more was that Kaito had brought the Pirate King Roger's son into the Navy. That was even more outrageous than bringing the Devil's Child Robin into it.
Thinking about it that way, his own joining the Navy as the "world's most dangerous criminal" didn't seem so hard to accept. Others had probably already gotten used to it.
Garp also learned of Sabo's past from Dragon. After a long sigh between father and son, the two decided to split up.
Dragon went to fetch Sabo.
Garp went to fetch Ace.
They would meet later in Sengoku's office.
...
Sensing what was happening outside, Kaito smiled faintly.
Shalria, who loved watching Kaito after meals, noticed his sudden smile and couldn't help asking,
"Kaito, what are you smiling about?"
"Nothing. Just imagining the scene when those two idiots meet again."
"Two idiots?"
"Mm."
Kaito chuckled but said no more. He stood from the table, stretched lazily, and called to the group of women,
"Alright, we've still got a coronation ceremony today. Let's go have a look."
Kalifa covered her mouth and laughed softly.
"Boss, you're the main character of that coronation. We're going to watch you. Who are you planning to watch?"
"Ah, it's just going through the motions!"
Shalria pouted and muttered under her breath,
"Hmph, I bet it's those princesses who've been waiting impatiently for you!"
"Hm?"
Kaito instantly appeared at Shalria's side, pressing down the little cowlick on her head and ruffling it with his hand.
"Ahhh! Stop it!" Shalria yelped, flailing helplessly. Realizing she couldn't escape Kaito's grasp, she cast a pleading look at Hancock.
Shalria and Hancock were very close. Even Kaito hadn't expected that.
Hancock met her gaze, rose gracefully, and walked to Kaito's side. In a gentle voice, she said,
"Kaito-sama, Shalria always speaks before thinking. Please forgive her this time."
"..."